K-literature: ready, set, go
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By Kim Ji-soo
People Editor
Literature, the conscious mass of words and sentences that manages to capture the thoughts or sentiments of society, will invariably travel through borders porously. That mass will have a universal thrust or undercurrent that will manage to open the hearts and minds of different readers.
And in a way, it could be just as powerful as music; in another, it may well be more powerful than food for example, as the palate can be trickier to pull at.
In that vein, books by the Korean novelist Han Kang are gaining traction in the British and North American literature market. Han’s 2014 work, “Human Acts” about a boy who searches for his friend’s corpse during the May 18 Democratic Movement in Gwangju was published in the United Kingdom in January. Translated by Debora Smith, Han’s clear almost translucent work has been appealing to British readers. The Guardian called her one of “best kept secrets” of Korea. Her 2004 work “The Vegetarian,” was published in the United States by Hogarth Publishing in February. In Britain, “The Vegetarian” was published last year.
It is hard to deny that the news of Han’s reception overseas comforts Korean readers in re-learning that our literature still communicates across borders. It is a sliver of good news against the general decline in Korean literature domestically after controversies over plagiarism and drops in readership.
Before Han, there were noted writers who achieved varying degrees of success overseas including Shin “Please Look After Mom,” and Hwang Sun-mi’s fable, “A Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly.” Before them, there were also distinguished veteran writers such as Park Wan-seo whose works were translated into French as well. Noted author Kim Young-ha has enjoyed success with his works.
Another undeniable aspect of the resurgent interest via Han’s novels is that it amps up the anticipation that a Korean author will earn more global recognition including the Nobel Prize for literature. Koreans’ desire to receive a Nobel Prize for literature is heightened every year especially since poet Ko Un’s name was mentioned several years ago. Critics including the author Kim Young-ha (“I Have the Write to Destroy Myself”) have criticized the Korean desire for a Nobel as a craving for recognition that goes back to its tragic past of colonialization. But to be recognized runs along the lines of the desire to be understood.
It is a basic instinct of people to want to be understood. To the extent of overdoing it, we could argue that when Koreans obtain a measure of confidence about themselves through literature ― and not only through “made-in-Korea” products ― there ought to come some good to follow as Korea steps up in its role as a member of global society.
More Korean literary works are expected to be translated into various languages in the coming days. What is interesting to note is that there will invariably be more works from a younger generation of Korean writers, who might be slightly more removed from the direct impact or fetters of history in the stages of democratization and the rapid industrialization of Korea Inc. Yet nevertheless, they will be writers courageous enough to starkly stare at the essence of human instincts, desires and issues hinging on some certain second, minute, hour, day or week or month. It is good to know that readers of varying languages will be able to share those moments captured in Korean literature.