Overdue library book? You're forgiven thanks to Han Kang's Nobel win

To celebrate Han Kang's historic Nobel Literature Prize win, the Seoul Metropolitan Library will host a special event Tuesday, coinciding with the Nobel Prize award ceremony. A special pardon will also be offered to individuals with overdue books, with borrowing restrictions lifted at the Seoul Library and 232 other public libraries across the city, provided they return their overdue books by Tuesday. Under current library rules, overdue books result in a suspension of borrowing privileges,

Dec. 7, 2024

[Well-curated] Book fest at Seoul Forest, espresso bar and Christmas markets

Picture book fest at Seoul Forest library Throughout Dec. 15, Seoul Forest will turn into a magical winter haven with its "Picture Book Library in the Woods" festival. Held at the Seoul Forest Community Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event offers enchanting exhibitions, live music and interactive activities, creating a cozy and festive experience for all ages. The event features performances involving storytelling with music, such as "I love you today as well," and a pict

Dec. 6, 2024

Poet Na Tae-joo and Pulitzer-winning photojournalist speak at Global Business Forum

Poet Na Tae-joo and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Kang Hyung-won highlighted the significance of culture and journalism during a session titled "Night of Poetry and Journalism" at the Global Business Forum on Wednesday. Addressing an audience of business leaders, Na emphasized the importance of caring for others and appreciating the value of everyday life, as expressed in his famous poem "Grass Flower." Na said he often takes walks with his wife, and after a long wal

Dec. 5, 2024

Han Kang dominates annual bestseller lists with multiple titles

Han Kang’s “Human Acts” has topped this year’s bestseller lists in Korea. The Nobel laureate dominated the top three spots, with “Human Acts” in first place, followed by “The Vegetarian” in second and “We Do Not Part” in third, according to the two 2024 year-end bestseller rankings released Monday by major booksellers -- Kyobo Book Center, the country’s largest bookstore chain, and Yes24, the leading online retailer. Han previousl

Dec. 4, 2024

2024 Korea Translation Award recognizes 20 translators

The Literature Translation Institute of Korea announced the winners of the 2024 Korea Translation Award on Wednesday, recognizing 20 translators for their contributions to translating Korean literature, including three Grand Prize recipients. This year’s grand prizes were awarded to Lee Seung-min and Julio Cesar Abad Vidal for their Korean to Spanish translation of Kim Tak-hwan’s historical crime novel “Death by Fiction.” The judging committee praised their work for its &

Dec. 4, 2024

Literary community blasts Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law decree as attack on democracy

South Korea’s publishing and literary sectors have sharply condemned President Yoon Suk Yeol’s sudden declaration of martial law on Tuesday, vowing to resist and protect the country’s democratic values. The Korea Publishers Society, representing more than 490 publishing houses, issued a statement Wednesday morning decrying the president’s late-night declaration, stating that it revived the painful trauma of Korea’s past struggles for democracy. “This action ha

Dec. 4, 2024

What to expect from Han Kang's Nobel week

With the awarding ceremony just one week away, Han Kang, the first Asian woman to win the Nobel Prize in literature, is about to embark on a monumental week of events in Stockholm and Oslo. A series of official events -- including press conferences, lectures and readings -- will take place as part of Nobel Week, running from Friday to Dec. 12. The highlight will be Tuesday's ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall, where the Swedish Academy will present medals and diplomas to laureates in fi

Dec. 3, 2024

Baek Hee-na's 'Happy Birthday' reminds readers of life's quiet blessings

BUSAN -- Visitors to the inaugural Busan International Children’s Book Fair were treated to an exclusive first look at “Happy Birthday,” the latest picture book by Baek Hee-na, Korea’s first winner of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. "It’s only been a few days since I finished my latest book. I feel dazed, like a bear just waking from winter slumber -- awkward with words and unsure how to interact with people," said Baek during her keynote speech titled

Dec. 2, 2024

'Absence of text is invitation to endless imagination,' picture book artist Lee Suzy says

BUSAN -- Picture books are not just for children, said celebrated picture book artist Lee Suzy, the first South Korean national to win the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration category in 2022. On the first day of the inaugural Busan International Children's Book Fair, Lee took the stage as one of the headliners, her popularity evident in the size of the audience -- the 100-seat venue was packed and latecomers gathered outside the venue to listen to her deliver her keynote speech.

Nov. 29, 2024

Bucheon Diaspora Literary Award winner Mohamed Mbougar Sarr expresses surprise, appreciation

BUCHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- Winning the Bucheon Diaspora Literary Award came as “a complete surprise” for Senegalese author Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, who writes in French. The Goncourt Prize-winning author was on holiday in Senegal with his parents when he received the news. He said he hadn’t anticipated returning to Korea so soon after his first visit last year for the inaugural Choix Goncourt de la Coree, a literary event organized by the Academie Goncourt and the French Embass

Nov. 29, 2024