[EXCLUSIVE] Powerful storyteller Kim Un-su touches global readers

Novelist Kim Un-su writes for several hours in the early morning from 3 a.m. to about noon every day at his home in the countryside in a southern region of Korea. Courtesy of Kim Un-su

By Anna J. Park

Novelist Kim Un-su, 47, is one of the most-sought-after Korean writers in international book markets. His 2010 novel "The Plotters" has been translated into several languages and published in dozens of countries since its international debut in France in 2016.

That year, the book was shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere ― the most prestigious award for crime and detective fiction in France.

The book's popularity and literary recognition in France drew the attention of editors at big publishing houses in countries like the U.S., Australia and Russia, resulting in the book's sales success in those markets.

The book made its U.S. debut early this year after its rights there were sold 12 months earlier to the prestigious Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, which is now a part of Penguin Random House.

Kim's book received many favorable critical reviews from major outlets, and was listed as an "Editor's Choice" by the New York Times' Book review and "This Winter's Best Thrillers" by the Chicago Review of Books.

Various covers of his books, including "The Plotters" and "The Cabinet," published in several languages, including English, French, Russian, Portuguese, Czech and Japanese.

As Kim's novels are exceptionally vivid and cinematic, "The Plotters" is now being made into a film in Korea and Hollywood. His other book, "Hot Blooded," published in Korea in 2016, is also being made into a film that will be released next year in Korea.

During an exclusive interview with The Korea Times earlier this week, Kim shared his routines for creativity, thoughts on the arts and novels, his next projects and much more.

Novelist's daily routine

Kim is strict about his daily routine. He wakes up at about 3 a.m. and writes for several hours until noon.

"In the past, I used to pack myself and go deep into the forest or a mountain and stay there for several months to write, as I could gain necessary focus and calm to write," he said. "But now I write at home. I live in the quiet countryside in a southern region of Korea. I usually wake up at around 3 a.m. every day and write until around 11 a.m. or noon.

"I don't use alarm clocks. As I lead a very simple and natural life, I tend to go to bed at around 9 p.m. and wake up at around 3 a.m. Sometimes I wake up at 2 a.m. or so, then I feel a little bit tired, but mostly it's 3 a.m. If anyone leads a quiet life, following a natural rhythm of life, most people will be able to wake up at around 3 a.m."

After his intensive early morning writing session, Kim spends the afternoon and the evening in a more relaxed mode, chatting with his wife or playing with his cats.

Kim Un-su made his literary debut in Korea in 2002 and his award-winning, first full-length novel "The Cabinet" was published in 2006. With his new novel titled "Big Eye" to be published next year, his so-called "repugnance" trilogy of novels ― "The Plotters" (2010), "Hot Blooded" (2016) and "Big Eye" (2020) ― will be completed. Kim said he'd like to write a new trilogy on compassion afterwards. Courtesy of Munhakdongne, Kim Bong-gon

Daily publishing for months

"The Plotters" was serialized on a website daily for some five months, drawing fervent responses from readers.

When asked how he could pull off the pressure of daily publishing, Kim said once he is fully immersed in a novel, writing it is not that difficult and doesn't take a long time.

"When I daily published the story for The Plotters, I started to write at 3 a.m. and uploaded the day's work at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.," he said. "I think writing a novel is like traveling; even after we make trip itineraries, actual travel does not happen according to the previously set plans. Likewise, I start to write a novel with plans, but it doesn't happen exactly according to the plan. A novel is like a living creature having its own pulse and life.

"Writing fast is also important. The amount of time you put into writing doesn't necessarily guarantee a good-quality novel. Just like traveling, writing a novel is living another life; hence, getting into that other life is difficult, but not the writing itself. Entering into that life of a novel could take two to three years, but once you enter into the novel, the writing is not that difficult, and doesn't take long," the author explained.

Kim Un-su speaks at a seminar lecture on his book "The Plotters" at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, in November. Courtesy of LTI Korea

Powerful storyteller with strong imagery

What is unique about Kim's books is that they are page-turners. As his stories ooze addictive power, it's hard to put them down.

Although every novelist is a storyteller, Kim's ability to weave stories that hook readers' attention is exceptional.

Most critics praise his talent in creating vivid and lively stories that arouse readers' natural curiosity.

When asked his secrets in such powerful storytelling, he said he is simply faithful to the idea of what a novel is supposed to be.

"Many people tell me my novel has powerful and lively storytelling," Kim said.

"But I don't think my novels are special that way; that's just the innate power of a story itself.

"I see many people have a misunderstanding that novels are something special or consider literature as something difficult. But it is not. I still remember my university professor once told me that novelists are those who browse dictionaries to find an easier word. Novelists do not write fiction to boast their vocabularies, but to deliver a story in the easiest way possible to reach more people. Thus, writing a novel is about finding an easier word."

With such ideas in mind, he is trying to be loyal to the essence of the power of a story and why people have enjoyed this genre of art since ancient times.

"I think the basic form of a novel is telling a story to a child. As we listen to a story of others, our perspectives grow. Thus, the essence of a novel is to live another life. As human beings, we're confined to living a single life. But through films, operas and books, we can experience the lives of others," Kim said.

"The goal of reading a novel is to go beyond one's life; it's all about experiencing it, not understanding its themes. If one wants to get lessons or morals, they can read proverbs or self-help books. Understanding themes or lessons cannot change one's life. Rather, a novel just lets readers live an alternative life and experience it as vividly themselves, just like traveling. How to live afterwards is what readers should decide themselves, and that's not what novelists are supposed to teach or suggest to readers."

Kim Un-su signs during a seminar lecture on his book "The Plotters" at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, in November. Courtesy of LTI Korea

Ongoing film projects

His books not only have strong readability, they also create strong cinematic imagery. Many scenes are so vivid readers can easily picture a scene of a film as they read.

That's why three films based on his novels are in production.

A Korean film of his 2016 novel "Hot Blooded" is scheduled to be released next year.

The film will be fellow novelist Chun Myung-gwan's debut as a film director. Chun is widely known for his award-winning fiction "Whale."

Another ongoing Korean film is based on Kim's 2010 novel "The Plotters."

Famed film director Hur Jin-ho, who made 1998 romantic drama "Christmas in August," is leading the project.

In Hollywood, global film studio The Ink Factory is working on a film based on "The Plotters."

According to U.K.-based magazine "The Bookseller," The Ink Factory's co-CEOs Simon and Stephen Cornwell said of the novel: "Kim Un-su has produced a witty noir thriller that subverts expectations at every turn, probing the insidiousness of unaccountable institutions and the consequence of corruption in a completely enthralling and original tale. The universe of 'The Plotters' cries out to be explored cinematically."

The film studio also produced Korean director Park Chan-wook's 2018 television series "The Little Drummer Girl," based on author John le Carre's book, garnering critical acclaim for the film's artistic values.

"As I got to know director Park Chan-wook's TV series The Litter Drummer Girl, produced by The Ink Factory, I thought to myself how wonderful it would be if my books were also made into a film by a film studio like The Ink Factory," Kim said.
"And just about a week later, I heard from that very film studio about making a film of my book.

"I think once a book is transformed into a film, it is not mine anymore. While a novel is a complete creation in itself, a scenario of a film is not complete in itself; it is only a part of a whole picture, which will be completed with music, editing, actors' playing and more."

Because of novels' adaptability to other genres like film, the talented Korean author believes novels will not die out.

"I absolutely believe that novels will last forever; it is a highly advanced art genre of a human kind and it will thrive amid films' prosperous era," Kim said.

"While a novel only requires one well-trained writer, its storytelling power can be adapted into many other forms of content.

"For example, Saint-Exupery's book The Little Prince is still fun to enjoy, whether it would be made into an animation, a musical, a TV show or a film. A novel serves as the core of the content industry because of such multi-source features and will continue to do so in the future."

Novelist Kim Un-su speaks during a literary session at Sweden's Goteborg Book Fair in September. Courtesy of LTI Korea

Overcoming fear in times of uncertainty

While Kim, 47, is now an established writer, he had to go through a long tunnel of uncertainty and rough times before becoming a full-time novelist.

He began his literary quest at the age of 16, ardently studying poetry to be a poet.

But too much time spent on honing his poetry skills instead of studying for the college entrance exam meant he could not enter university after graduating high school.

He started working in various jobs at the age of 20.

After completing his mandatory military service, he studied for college and entered Kyung Hee University to study Korean literature. He later changed his focus to writing novels instead of poetry.

Kim made his literary debut in Korea in 2002 aged 30, winning a national contest with his short story "Easy Writing Lessons."

Many other awards followed. His first full-length novel "The Cabinet" won the 12th Munhakdongne Novel Award ― the most prestigious award for novelists ― with the jury's unanimous consent in 2006.

"I did various kinds of work since the age of 20," Kim said.

"If one truly wants to be a professional writer, they need about 10 years of intensive studying and training on writing, yet it is very hard to do so when one has to continue working to earn money.

"When you are done with your work at a company, then you no longer have any leftover energy to do additional studying for writing. That's actually why some very talented would-be writers in Korea could not reach their potential and just let their energy deplete while working for subsistence. It's hard to continue writing while working at the same time.

"One day, I clearly realized that my work and my writing both remained at a mediocre level and I could not continue to live like that. I had to make a choice. Thus, I decided to leave my job as well as Seoul to live in the countryside, focusing only on writing. The living cost there was only about 30 percent to 40 percent of the cost necessary to live in Seoul."

Kim Un-su speaks with a moderator during a literary session at Sweden's Goteborg Book Fair in September. Courtesy of LTI Korea

For a couple of years, he only worked on writing novels.

To some that might sound too scary, as winning a national literary contest ― the gateway to being a recognized writer in Korea ― is fiercely competitive and no one can be sure they can make it.

In Kim's case, as he quit work to focus on writing, one might wonder if this pressure was too much to handle. But he recalled that focusing on what he truly wanted to do, instead of juggling a wage-earning activity and writing training, was a happier course than one might imagine.

"You know, life is quite short, thus one needs to pay utmost attention to living the present fully. We can only affect the present, not the past or the future. Therefore, one needs to live as fully as possible at every present moment," Kim said.

"If one finds that they are not enjoying the present life, but instead feel that they are just enduring every moment, then one needs to seriously ask: 'Why do you just bear with every second of your life instead of fully living? Is it because of salaries in the future? If then, why?' I believe if you are happy now, your future can be also happy. But you are not living the happy present, your future cannot be happy either.

"In that regard, I was much more miserable when I had to do the double shift, juggling working and writing. But as I started to live deep in a mountain in the countryside, focusing only on writing, I felt much happier.

"Everyone has a different set of likes and dislikes, thus no one can imagine how others truly feel. My life back then was not that hard at all, unlike what many would think. Why would it be difficult when the only thing you had to do all day was just strolling in nature, watching peaceful animals like cows in the barn and writing?

"We need to overcome this unknown fear; people tend to choose familiar disgust, rather than embracing unknown fear that can be lonely and scary. But you need to overcome this fear. Once you courageously embrace the fear, unexpectedly, it is quite alright.

"Stunted by fear, one tends to fall into a vicious circle of repeated, mindless routines. As time passes, there are two types of people: those who experienced it and those who never attempted it due to fear. Fear kills us; one would never know their true selves unless they fully throw themselves into the unknown."

Kim Un-su attends a meeting event with readers at Gamla Stans Bokhandel, a bookstore in Stockholm, Sweden, in September. Courtesy of LTI Korea

Talent for writing

Kim said he realized he had true talent in literature as he saw himself making relentless and even foolhardy choices of leaving work that normal people wouldn't make, and keep up with that decision by committing to writing even at the point of harming his health.

"Many people misunderstand talent. It is something that one can only tell in some 10 years later. We cannot know it whether you have it or not instantly. Simply, if you like something, then it could be a proof of talent. For example, if you like cooking, then whether you are good at it or not now, you have a talent and you can start working on it," he said.

"What I see is that most young people these days need actual travelling, not travel plans. But I see too much thinking in advance. I hope to give advice to just do it. One of the essential parts of daily practices is to give a fully focused mind and heart to something that you chose. Then all you need to do is just do it honestly. That's all," he added.

For his next novel "Big Eye," to be published in 2020 in Korea, author Kim Un-su was aboard a deep-sea fishing vessel operated in the Pacific Ocean for over six months from December 2017 to June 2018. Courtesy of Kim Un-su

'Repugnance' trilogy to be followed by 'compassion' trilogy

Kim Un-su's next novel is "Big Eye." It is about deep-sea fishery workers and is set in the early 20th century.

He was aboard a deep-sea fishing vessel that operated in the Pacific Ocean for over six months from December 2017 to June 2018.

Daily publishing of the novel at a web magazine will start next March and continue until September.

"Big Eye will be a novel about a protagonist who finally learns to have a reconciliatory perspective toward the world," Kim said.

"With this novel, my so-called thriller/noir trilogy ― The Plotters in 2010, Hot Blooded in 2016 and Big Eye in 2020 ― will be complete. The three books can be also dubbed as a repugnance trilogy, as they are all about main protagonists who abhor where they belong and how they live with that.

"In 'The Plotters,' the central figure Reseng acted like an immovable plant whose roots cannot be uprooted on their own. In 'Hot Blooded,' the main protagonist Hee-su becomes cold, as he could not live with his warm heart in a dire reality. In 'Big Eye,' the central figure will learn how to shake hands with the repugnant reality as he gets to have his own big perspective toward the world.

"Now I am interested in writing more about compassion and sympathy, as I also find myself feeling compassion toward the world, rather than feeling abhorrent toward it. Previously it was a mixture of hate and compassion, but now I feel the world of repugnance will end with Big Eye. I am thinking of a compassion trilogy after I complete writing Big Eye."

Novelist Kim Un-su speaks with a moderator during a literary session at Sweden's Goteborg Book Fair in September. Courtesy of LTI Korea

Calm state of mind

Kim said he will focus on "Big Eye" until next September, adding he hopes to maintain his calm, steady mind without getting too excited or agitated about anything.

"It's been like 30 years now I've been writing," he said.

"From 16 to 30 it was all about fun, yet after I made my debut at 30, writing became a hell as I was under too much pressure. In the past five to six years, writing has become fun again and I am glad about it. Now I have started to really feel what a novel is about. I hope to keep this calm state of mind for a long time while continuing to write good novels for readers."