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| Sci-fi author Bae Myung-hoon poses in this photo provided by Blossom Creative. Courtesy of Blossom Creative |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
In recent years, science fiction has become a popular genre in Korea, with a surge in the number of sci-fi titles in bookstores.
In the past decade or so young, talented writers have lifted the once unpopular literary genre and brought it to the mainstream. Some 105 original sci-fi titles were published in Korea in 2019, compared to 30 in 2005, according to data provided by Kyobo Book Center, the country's biggest bookstore chain.
Author Bae Myung-hoon, 42, one of the most popular sci-fi writers in Korea, has seen a dramatic change in the status of the genre since his debut in 2005.
"Over the last few years, there's been an increasing number of aspiring sci-fi writers. As their books are being published, we're seeing a profound change in the literary world," Bae said in a recent e-mail interview with The Korea Times. "Sci-fi was really a B-genre with a small fan base, but has managed to seep into the mainstream."
Although the genre has attracted many fans, it still has more room for growth.
In Western countries, modernization and the emergence of sci-fi occurred at the same time. But in contemporary Korea, where development happened at an extremely rapid pace, society hardly comprehended the process of modernization.
"Compared to the past, when people were busy making a living, Koreans have become more conscious of the challenges facing humanity," he said.
Bae's interest in the sci-fi genre grew while studying international relations at Seoul National University. "Since my early 20s, I've written novels about the world we live in and raised relevant questions that help us confront real-world dilemmas. Such interests naturally drew me to this genre," he said.
After earning a master's degree in international relations, he worked as a researcher at the Korea Information Society Development Institute, in which he explored future studies and how humans should respond to technology such as artificial intelligence. He added that he has continued to develop his scientific knowledge through reading books, researching on the internet and talking with scientists.
Bae decided to pursue a writing career after he won the Science Technology Creative Literature Award in 2005 for his short story "Smart D."
Bae's works span the genres of fantasy, children's literature and detective fiction, but the books that received the most attention were sci-fi.
However, his books did not receive immediate attention because, at that time, Korea's literary scene praised stories that focused on characters and their inner feelings.
By contrast, Bae's books were known for their imaginative premises, clarity of language and a quirky sense of humor, according to translator Sung Ryu.
Then in 2009, he rose to fame with his novel "Tower," in which he addresses inequality perpetuated by social and economic systems.
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| Reissued edition of "Tower" released in February / Courtesy of Moonji Publishing |
"I was planning on making a debut as a writer at the age of 50 after retirement. But my novel 'Tower' became an instant hit and allowed me to become a full-time writer," he said.
"Tower" consists of six short stories set in the fictional world of Beanstalk Tower, a 674-story skyscraper that functions as a city state. A lot of events take place in the building with 500,000 residents, from state wars to social conflicts.
Bae said it is easier to tackle social issues through sci-fi because authors are not limited by reality and can more easily explain complicated issues.
"When 'Tower' was published, Korean readers said the stories share similarities with real-life situations in Korea. But I think they hold universal themes," he said. Themes include class divide and the ethical side of human relations.
"Tower" was reissued with a new cover in Korea in February, and its English edition will be published in the U.K in October, according to Bae. Honford Star is the publisher of the upcoming English translation of the book.
An English-version of "Taklamakan Misdelivery," a story that follows a pilot who crashes in a desert and over two millions of people come to find him using satellite map technology, has been published in Asymptote Journal.
"I have long hoped for there to come a day that I could introduce my works to foreign readers. I'm grateful to those who made it possible, especially the translator Sung Ryu. I feel like I'm making my debut again," he said.
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| "I Am a Sci-fi Writer" released in February / Courtesy of Moonji Publishing |
It reflects how Korean people imagine the future, which is what the international community is most interested in at present.
He wants his global fans to pay attention to how he shapes the future and addresses the values of human relationships instead of focusing on advances in science or space exploration.
"We all share global problems, but how each country approaches them may differ. I hope English-speaking readers find my book a bit unusual, but somehow relatable," he said. "If 'Parasite' was able to resonate with audiences worldwide, I don't see why 'Tower' can't."
When asked how he sees the future as a sci-fi author, Bae said, "At the moment, I'm deeply concerned about how global warming will seriously harm the conditions of life on the planet."
The author also mentioned his latest novel called "Swirling Space Force," which was exclusively released March 26 through Millie's Library, a reading app that allows users to read unlimited e-books with a monthly subscription. It is a humorous story that revolves around the daily life of members of a space force and has elements of sci-fi.
Bae's other stories include short story collection "Hello, The Artificial Being!" (2010) as well as sci-fi novels "Divine Orbit" (2011) and "Sir Chancellor" (2012). He has written many fiction titles from the point of view of social science with a focus on politics and power.
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