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

Books Dec. 4, 2024

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

Books Dec. 3, 2024

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

Books Dec. 2, 2024

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.

Books Nov. 29, 2024

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

Books Nov. 29, 2024

Reading Julie Leung’s manuscript for “The Truth About Dragons” for the first time, Hanna Cha found herself moved to tears. A few lines from the story -- “Inside your heart is where the two forests meet. Both journeys are yours to take. Both worlds are yours to discover” -- struck the Cha, 30, on a deeply personal level. This year, Cha became the first Korean American picture book writer-illustrator to receive the prestigious Caldecott Honor. “I actually cried

Books Nov. 28, 2024

The lecture had begun, but the 83-year-old director stood silently at the lectern on the stage in the 500-seat auditorium. He looked straight ahead, occasionally turning his gaze to observe the audience. The weight of the silence filled the space. Only after five full minutes did he finally speak, breaking the tension with a brief greeting. A wave of relief and small laughter rippled through the audience. Robert Wilson, the legendary avant-garde theater director and one of the most innovative vi

Performance Nov. 26, 2024

A young couple in their 30s, surnamed Lee and Park, exhausted from enduring persistent noise from neighbors above, is hunting for a new place to live. But even as they search, they are hesitant. Moving into another apartment means facing the same uncertainty: Who lives upstairs? What kind of neighbors will they encounter? Their concerns reflect a common dilemma in South Korea, where apartment complexes dominate urban living, making up 62.9 percent of all housing types. Living in high-rise apartm

Arts & Design Nov. 25, 2024

The inaugural Busan International Children’s Book Fair will be held at Bexco in Busan from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, with “everyone in the children’s book field participating,” organizers said at a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. The event is the country’s first book fair dedicated to children’s literature. The fair will host 193 publishing companies from 16 countries, featuring over 150 programs, including book exhibitions, talks, seminars and hands-on worksho

Books Nov. 19, 2024

"How to Grow Up Without Dying" By Kang Ji-young Vookda Known for her gripping noir series "The Killer’s Shopping Mall," which has been adapted into a Disney+ series starring Lee Dong-wook, author Kang Ji-young has captivated audiences with her dark, thrilling narratives. In her latest novel, Kang explores another thriller narrative, blending fantasy with the existential challenges faced by a girl named J, trapped in an endless loop of reincarnation. Each time she dies

Books Nov. 17, 2024

"A Magical Girl Rehired" By Park Seo-lyeon Changbi Publishers Spoiler alert for those who have yet to dive into the first installment of Park Seol-yeon’s magical girl series, "A Magical Girl Retires." Translated by Anton Hur, the novel offers a wildly imaginative and witty twist on the magical girl genre, blending classic fantasy tropes with real-world issues like climate change. It was released worldwide in English by HarperVia in April. The sequel picks up right where

Books Nov. 16, 2024

"Mouer" By Cheon Seon-ran Munhakdongne Publishing In a distant future where humanity has endured 3,000 years of punishment following Judgment Day, language itself is banned, deemed the root of greed, mistrust and hatred. Instead, people communicate through "ui-eum" -- a form of thought-transmitted meaningless sound. Without the constraints of verbal language, humans no longer age. In this society, Chou discovers a crying baby by a lakeside. She names the child Mou and bring

Books Nov. 16, 2024

Jazz, dining, and river view: Mood Anchor on Sebitseom Mood Anchor on Sebitseom in Seocho-gu, Seoul, has quickly become a jazz lounge hot spot since reopening as a contemporary restaurant in September, following its earlier life as "Mood Seoul." Known for its unique blend of fine dining and live jazz, Mood Anchor offers a sweeping view of the Han River that serves as a stunning backdrop for its Thursday-to-Sunday jazz lounge evenings. On these nights, the restaurant attracts guests who

Culture Nov. 15, 2024

When the Seoul Arts Center announced its production of "Hamlet" for the year, it was met with mixed reactions, some asking, "Another Hamlet?" After all, the play had already been staged twice in 2024 -- once by Seensee Company (June 9 - Sept. 1) under the direction of veteran director Sohn Jin-chaek, and again by the National Theater Company of Korea in July in a genre-bending iteration with Princess Hamlet. Both productions had already captured the public’s attention,

Performance Nov. 14, 2024

The National Theater of Korea is set to present two new productions that celebrate the rich heritage of Korean performing arts. Featuring iconic pansori, or Korean traditional narrative singing, and an unexpected convergence of characters from classic folktales, these works promise to be a showcase of dynamic storytelling, captivating performances and a fresh take on timeless traditions. Tale of legendary pansori singer featuring greatest hits, tightrope acts Like a flying fish gliding swiftly

Performance Nov. 13, 2024