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Korean author nominated for top US book award

Cho Nam-joo's novel "Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" has been nominated for the translated literature category of the National Book Awards, a prestigious U.S. literary prize. Korea Times fileBy Do Je-haeKorean novelist Cho Nam-joo has been nominated for the National Book Awards, one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the U.S. Her 2016 novel “Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982” is among the nominees for the category of translated literature, according to an announcement this week from the website of the National Book Foundation, the presenter of the awards. The novelist's debut work highlights the struggles women in their 30s face in contemporary Korean society, in which they still face gender inequality at home and in the workplace. The novel has been adapted into a Korean film as well.“'Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982' by Cho Nam-Joo and translated from the Korean by Jamie Chang has sold over 1 million copies and has been translated into 12 languages, signaling the relatability of the everywoman main character, whose life of frustration and submission is recounted to the male psychiatr

Sep 23, 2020By Do Je-hae

Korean author nominated for top US book award

Baseball player releases fiction novel 'Uncaught Third Strike'

Kang In-kyu, an infielder of the Korea University team, walks toward the baseball field in a game against Yonsei University held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul in this September 2017 file photo. / Courtesy of Korea UniversityBaseball player-author seeks second chance in forthcoming KBO draftBy Kang Hyun-kyung“Uncaught Third Strike: It's Ain't Over Till It's Over” is a coming-of-age novel revolving around protagonist Kang Pa-chi, a junior baseball player who rises to stardom with his ceaseless efforts to improve his performance. The baseball story published last week by Seoul-based Book Recipe publishing house has drawn attention for its rarity ― it was written by an actual baseball player. Author Kang In-kyu, 23, a senior of Korea University, said although his book is fiction, some parts are based on his personal experiences. He worked on the manuscript for the past four years, starting when he joined the Korea University baseball team. He felt compelled to write after he failed to make the cut in the 2016 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) draft when he was

Sep 16, 2020By Kang Hyun-kyung

Baseball player releases fiction novel 'Uncaught Third Strike'

Book tells stories of local breweries, premium fermented drinks

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, people in their 20s and 30s are the main consumers of traditional alcohol. Its consumption has gone up since July 2017 when independent brewers were allowed to sell their products online. Homegrown spirits are popular among young women, the ministry said. / gettyimagesbankBy Kang Hyun-kyungBaek Woong-jae's “Hanju, Homegrown Drinks” takes readers to two dozen local breweries across the country which make a variety of homegrown fermented drinks.With a note describing the taste of each product at the end of each chapter, Baek tells the stories of brewers and their products, detailing how they started their liquor businesses, how long they have produced their drinks and how their products differ from each other and from those of other producers. Baek's field trip began in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province. The author calls the eastern county the mecca for homegrown spirits. “Hongcheon is home to the best and most diverse spirits,” the book reads, saying over 10 breweries are located in the small rural cou

Sep 11, 2020By Kang Hyun-kyung

Book tells stories of local breweries, premium fermented drinks

'Unprecedented Nation': Book critical of Cho Kuk storms into bestseller list

Then-Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk is seen near a building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, in this Aug. 9 file photo. / Korea Times file'Moon fatigue' makes 'Unprecedented Nation' bestseller By Kang Hyun-kyungJust as embattled then-Justice Minister Cho Kuk polarized the nation last year, so now have two recently published books about him. “The Unprecedented Nation: How Democracy Comes to an End,” a book more commonly referred to as “The Cho Kuk Dark Book” as it deals with his and his family's “dark past,” stormed into the bestseller list Friday, three days after it went on sale online and in bookstores.On the first day of its release, all 5,000 copies sold out. The book, co-authored by five liberal experts, including lawyer Kwon Kyung-ae, medical doctor Seo Min, and popular political commentator Jin Jung-kwon, was released three weeks after “Reforming the Prosecution and Candlelit Rallies,” another book about Cho Kuk, went on sale on Aug. 5.Although the two books were written about the same person, the way they describe the former justice minis

Aug 28, 2020By Kang Hyun-kyung

'Unprecedented Nation': Book critical of Cho Kuk storms into bestseller list

Author goes public about rape by her father

Gim Young-seo, the author of “Even Tears Shine in the Light”By Kim Se-jeong When Author Gim Young-seo had her book published in 2012, she didn't have the courage to reveal her name.As her book, “Even Tears Shine in the Light,” detailed Gim's experience of being raped by her biological father, she eschewed all publicity associated with the book's publication.In March this year, a revised version of the book came out, and this time she decided to reveal her name. “The perpetrator died last year and I felt a huge burden lifted off me. Then, I thought I could do it (revealing my name).” she said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. She called her father “the perpetrator” throughout the interview.Her horrendous experience started when she was a fifth grader. The book whose English version isn't yet available in bookstores details repeated rapes, how she eventually managed to escape and how she is healing herself from the experience. In one chapter, she narrates about her suspected pregnancy and how her father made up a fake story

Aug 27, 2020By Kim Se-jeong

Author goes public about rape by her father

Book review: Historian uncovers lesser-told stories of samurai

GettyimagesbankBy Kang Hyun-kyungThe samurai have long been portrayed as the epitome of Japanese warriors' courage and unwavering loyalty to their masters. They are a cultural icon of the valor of Japan. The now disappeared warriors are well-known for committing ritual suicide with their own sword in the event they were defeated on the battlefield, rather than pleading with their enemies for their lives.According to Japanese historian Masaaki Takahashi, however, the samurai were not all about heroics, bravery and loyalty. Like all people, the samurai were humans with their own needs and desires and they tried to meet their needs, not always sacrificing themselves for the cause. Some misused their skills and military training to make personal gains. Some played hitman-like roles by killing their masters' enemies. Unlike popular portrayals of the samurai as being faithful only to their masters, the samurai during the medieval days of Japan were like “nomads” wandering from one master to another searching for better working conditions. In his 2018 book “Bushi No Nihons

Aug 26, 2020By Kang Hyun-kyung

Book review: Historian uncovers lesser-told stories of samurai

Novelist quits social media after bickering with actress

Novelist Gong Ji-young appears at the Press Center in central Seoul for her book “Harry” in this July 2018 file photo. / Korea Times fileActress apologizes, saying she was immatureBy Kang Hyun-kyungNovelist Gong Ji-young deactivated her Twitter account on Thursday, days after exchanging nasty comments with actress Kim Boo-sun about the latter's alleged affair with Gong's ex-husband.In a Facebook post on Friday, Gong, 57, reportedly wrote that she would quit social media and focus on writing novels, adding she would “meet” her readers through her books, not social media. The message is no longer available because her Facebook account was also deactivated after the statement. “I am leaving Facebook, and other social media, too,” she wrote. “The past 10 years of being active on social media were full of traumatic experiences. I'm sorry if I hurt others with my social media posts. Please forget me. I will meet my readers through my books. I realized living a decent life in this ferocious and rugged world is almost impossible.”Her abrupt ann

Aug 14, 2020By Kang Hyun-kyung

Novelist quits social media after bickering with actress

Plastic surgeon writes medical fiction novels

Kim You-myung, author of medical fiction book “Face” / Courtesy of Kim You-myungSome undergo plastic surgery to move on from the past, he saysBy Kang Hyun-kyungAfter the winter peak season for cosmetic surgery, which usually continues for three months starting December, plastic surgeon Kim You-myung tries to find time to immerse himself deep into his other passion ― fiction writing.Every weekend, Kim, 48, goes to his clinic in Gangnam ― an area of southern Seoul famous for its cosmetic surgery clinics ― and writes stories. He says he feels ultimate freedom as there's no one in his clinic except him. He likes the disturbance-free, peaceful environment because he feels isolated from bustling urban life.Depending on the day, he says he usually writes for four to five hours. “The first week when I resume writing after a three-month hiatus following the peak winter season is kind of tough,” he said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. “I realized I forgot what I wrote previously. I look at my manuscripts and then resume writing.”Kim said writ

Aug 4, 2020By Kang Hyun-kyung

Plastic surgeon writes medical fiction novels

Fiction writers denounce 'foul-mouthed' justice minister

Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae at the National Assembly meeting on July 30. / YonhapKNA leader denies allegation that the statement is politically motivatedBy Kang Hyun-kyungThe Korean Novelists' Association (KNA) has criticized Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae for her remarks on fiction novels during the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting on Tuesday. In a statement issued on Thursday, the KNA said Choo “humiliated” novelists and their work in her response to an opposition party lawmaker Rep. Yoon Han-hong when he raised suspicions that a recent reshuffle in the justice ministry was Choo's attempt to cover up her son's alleged violations of military rules. Listening to his remarks, Choo said sarcastically, “(You're) writing a fiction novel.”Her attitude caused a stir, resulting in the committee meeting being suspended temporarily as opposition lawmakers protested against her unprofessional demeanor. Choo did not back down, criticizing the opposition lawmaker's behavior and claiming his questions were inappropriate. “Watching her on TV,

Aug 2, 2020By Kang Hyun-kyung

Fiction writers denounce 'foul-mouthed' justice minister

Book dissects 'Generation 586,' warns of their experiment to redirect South Korea

This photo from the 1980s shows university students launching an anti-government protest. The banner reads 'Bring the dictatorship down with the defiant spirit of the April protests.' / Korea Times fileAuthor opens up possibility for a shift in their political orientation from juche to XiismBy Kang Hyun-kyungThe specter of the late North Korean founder Kim Il-sung haunts South Korea, although 26 years have passed since his death in 1994 from heart attack.During a confirmation hearing Thursday, Unification Minister nominee Lee In-young was quizzed on his current views on North Korea and its official political ideology, juche, which is “known” to have been crafted by the late North Korean leader. Opposition party lawmakers tried to double-check if he was still a juche sympathizer, saying “If not, prove it.” They noted the hearing was held to test if he is qualified to become the unification minister of South Korea, not North Korea. Lee denied the accusations, saying he had never been a juche sympathizer. In a show of support, some ruling party lawmakers yelled a

Jul 26, 2020By Kang Hyun-kyung

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