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Han Kang's first post-Nobel book tops bestseller list
Nobel literature laureate Han Kang's latest book has topped a local bestseller list upon its release. Major bookstore chain Kyobo Book Center said Friday that the book, titled "Light and Thread," claimed the No. 1 spot on its bestseller list for the last week of April. Han's first publication since winning the Nobel Prize in Literature last year, the book contains a total of 12 writings, including five poems and several new prose pieces. Three of the writings stem from the Nobel Prize in Literat
May 2, 2025 -
Poet Kim Hye-soon elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Acclaimed South Korean poet Kim Hye-soon has been elected as an International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Kim was named among eight new members in the Literature section of the Academy's Humanities and Arts division, part of this year's incoming class of 248 new members. The 69-year-old poet is the first Korean writer to be elected to the Academy's literature section. Korean American novelist Lee Chang-rae and poet Choi Don-mee were previously inducted as member
April 28, 2025 -
Han Kang's latest 'Light and Thread' brings meditative reflections on life while tending small garden
The latest books by Han Kang, last year's Nobel Prize in literature winner, will be released today, her first publication since winning the prize. "Light and Thread" is a collection of meditative essays with five poems that takes its name from her Nobel lecture, delivered Dec. 7 at the Swedish Academy in Stockholm. The lecture starts the slim volume. The 172-page collection was available for preorder starting Wednesday and will be released in bookstores beginning Thursday, according to Moonji Pu
April 23, 2025 -
Seoul Outdoor Library opens Wednesday with new programs
Seoul Metropolitan Library will reopen its iconic outdoor reading program, the Seoul Outdoor Library, on Wednesday, marking the start of a new season and celebrating World Book and Copyright Day. The Gwanghwamun Plaza and Cheonggye Stream locations will welcome visitors Wednesday, while the Seoul Plaza library will open May 4. This year, the three outdoor libraries will operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The schedule will be split into two phases: the first from April to June and the sec
April 22, 2025 -
Why actor Park Jeong-min became a publisher and put audiobook first
Actor Park Jeong-min has introduced a new initiative as the head of his publishing company Muze, aiming to make literature more accessible to readers with visual impairments. The project, titled the “Listening Novel Project,” launched with the release of Kim Keum-hee’s new full-length novel "First Summer, Wanju" as an audiobook. Departing from the conventional practice of releasing print editions first, the audiobook version was completed and distributed ahead of the print release. On April 4, c
April 18, 2025 -
Han Kang to publish first book since Nobel Prize win
South Korean writer Han Kang is set to release her first new book since receiving the Nobel Prize in literature. The essay collection, titled "Light and Thread," will be published later this month, available in bookstores starting April 24, according to publisher Moonji Publishing. The book takes its title from Han’s Nobel lecture, which she delivered at the Swedish Academy in Stockholm last Dec. 7. Spanning 172 pages, the collection includes around 10 essays and poems, including this Nobel lect
April 17, 2025 -
Han Kang to release first book since Nobel win
South Korean author Han Kang will publish her first book since receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature last December, her publisher said Thursday. The essay collection, titled "Light and Thread," will be released next Thursday by Moonji Publishing Co. It marks the ninth volume in the publisher's ongoing essay series and shares its title with Han's Nobel lecture, delivered in Stockholm, ahead of the award ceremony. The book will feature about 10 pieces, comprising Han's Nobel lecture, previously
April 17, 2025 -
Svetlana Alexievich awarded Korean international peace prize
Belarusian writer and journalist Svetlana Alexievich has been awarded the 6th Jeju 4·3 Peace Prize. Established in 2015, the Jeju 4·3 Peace Prize honors the spirit of reconciliation and coexistence demonstrated by the people of Jeju in addressing the legacy of the April 3 Incident and the subsequent Jeju Massacre. Jeju 4·3 refers to the tragic governmental crackdown and civilian massacre that took place on the island from 1947 to 1954. Presented biennially, the prize recognizes individuals who h
April 3, 2025 -
Leading Korean women writers to speak in Madrid, Salamanca
The Literature Translation Institute of Korea, in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center in Spain, will host a special Korean literature event series, “Stories Crossing the Night: Encountering Korean Literature,” April 25-28 in Madrid and Salamanca. Renowned Korean authors Kim Ae-ran, Bae Suah and Son Won-pyung will take part in the event, which is set to coincide with Madrid’s flagship literary festival, La Noche de los Libros (The Night of Books). Launched in 2005 and now celebrating it
April 1, 2025 -
Korean picture books 'Borders,' 'Mo Story' win Prix Sorcieres in France
Two Korean picture books have won the 2025 Prix Sorcieres, one of France’s most prestigious awards for children’s and young adult literature. The French edition of the Korean picture book "Borders" (direct translation of the Korean title) has won the award in the Nonfiction category. Written by Gudol and illustrated by Haerang, the book explores the concept of borders -- the human-made boundaries that "can appear, disappear and change suddenly." Titled "Qu'est-ce qu'une frontiere?" in French, th
March 26, 2025 -
Goncourt-winning author Jean-Baptiste Andrea speaks about writing, recognition and resistance
For writer Jean-Baptiste Andrea, winning literary awards -- including the prestigious Goncourt Prize in 2023 -- felt like finally becoming "visible." "I've wanted to be a writer since I was 9 years old. But we live in a world that doesn't exactly encourage anyone to become a novelist. I was lucky to succeed, but before that, I was invisible. Because until we gain recognition, we are, in a sense, transparent," said Andrea at a press conference held at the French Embassy in Seoul on Monday. The wi
March 24, 2025 -
2025 LTI Korea Award application open to Korean literature, film, webtoon translators
The Literature Translation Institute of Korea is calling for submissions to the 2025 LTI Korea Award for Aspiring Translators, aimed at discovering emerging talent in translating Korean literary and cultural content. This year’s award will be held across two categories -- literature and film/webtoon. The literature category is open to translations in nine languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Indonesian. The film category covers four languages --
March 24, 2025 -
Historian Yuval Harari warns of paradox of trust behind AI race
Author of 'Nexus' discusses threats to democracy, truth and equality As humanity faces unprecedented changes driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, historian and best-selling author Yuval Noah Harari warns of significant potential risks. While humanity has created many impactful tools -- such as knives, the printing press and even atomic bombs -- Harari, known globally for influential books such as “Sapiens” and “Homo Deus,” which examine humanity’s past and future, stressed th
March 20, 2025 -
Japanese translator of Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' receives Yomiuri Literary Award
Japanese translator Saito Mariko has won the Research and Translation category at the 76th Yomiuri Literary Awards for her Japanese translation of “We Do Not Part” by 2024 Nobel Prize in literature winner Han Kang, according to the Literature Translation Institute of Korea on Thursday. Considered one of Japan’s most prestigious literary awards, the Yomiuri Literary Award is presented annually in six categories: Fiction, Play/Screenplay, Essay/Travelogue, Criticism/Biography, Poetry (including Ha
March 13, 2025 -
Daesan Foundation opens applications for Korean literature translation grants
The Daesan Foundation is accepting applications for the 2025 Grants for the translation, research and publication of Korean literature.
March 11, 2025