2021-03-01 / II00000591

Korean Literature Now (KLN), a literary journal produced and distributed to introduce Korean literature and writers to the general public and experts abroad and form a discourse on Korean literature, accepts and publishes publishers’ and literary critics’ reviews of translated works of Korean literature that have been published outside of Korea. This is a review of the Japanese translation of Didi’s Umbrella by Hwang Jeongeun.

2022-03-03 / II00001103

This is an excerpt from “Nameless” by Hwang Jungeun in the Special Section of KLN Vol. 55. A short story in Hwang’s short story collection Year after Year, it shows the choice the protagonist made to survive, and the memories of his painful past triggered by his mother’s old name. It sheds light on the hidden history of women through the relationships between characters and reinterprets the lives of women in Korean society and history.

2022-09-07 / II00001134

This is a Cover Feature essay of KLN Vol. 57. Under the theme “The Distance of Hope: Arriving at Hope via Empathy,” literary critic Park Hye-jin examines the intricate relationship between hope and despair, as well as empathy and sympathy. Through an analysis of the works of Korean literature, such as Yun I-Hyeong’s Winding Bandages, Lim Solah’s “Caring for Fruit Flies,” Choi Eunyoung’s Shoko’s Smile, Someone Who Cannot Hurt Me, and Bright Night, and Park Ji-young’s Lonely Death Workshop, she explores the theme of hope portrayed through narratives of empathy and solidarity, and reflects on the contemporary literary trend of seeking ways for everyone to coexist.

2025-09-01 / II00001598

This is a cover feature essay by critic Shin Soojeong, published in KLN Vol. 69. Shin examines three novels—Kim Hye-jin’s Concerning My Daughter, Lee Juhye’s Jadu, and Hwang Jungeun’s Years and Years—to explore the ethics of care, family, female solidarity, hope, and disappointment. By highlighting the possibilities and limits of alternative care communities that are outside of traditional family structures and heteronormative relationships, the essay offers a vital rethinking of care in contemporary society.

2025-09-01 / II00001602

This is an interview with writer Hwang Jungeun, published in KLN Vol. 69. Hwang delves into the meaning of believing in hope and possibility amid South Korea’s recent political upheavals, while also discussing her evolution as a writer, her daily life, and her philosophy of writing. She observes that by confronting habitual resignation within a society in turmoil, one can begin to see the world not through cynicism but through empathy and connection.

2025-09-01 / II00001604

This is a short story titled “A Day, Without Trouble” (written by Hwang Jungeun, translated by Janet Hong), published in KLN Vol. 69. It follows an ordinary office worker named Yeongin through her day, offering a glimpse into the realities of labor in contemporary society and the emotional isolation of the modern man. It reveals the exhaustion of modern labor, the erosion of solidarity, and the quiet irony of lives that persist in indifference through subtle yet poignant prose.

2025-09-01 / II00001606

This is a book review titled “Where Are We Headed? On Hwang Jungeun’s ‘A Day, Without Trouble’” (written by Kim Mijung, translated by Sean Lin Halbert), published in KLN Vol. 69. It analyzes how Hwang’s literary world and writing has evolved since the Sewol Ferry tragedy, while focusing on how she narrativizes personal life amid social chaos and global interconnectedness through her short story “A Day, Without Trouble.” Through her portrayal of recurring human behaviors and social patterns, Hwang continues to pose questions and challenge readers to reflect on reality and responsibility.

2005-10-19 / II00000081

This is an introductory booklet on Jon Kyongnin, produced for the 2005 Frankfurt Book Fair, where Korea participated as the Guest of Honor for the first time and hosted the Korean Literature Tour Program. The author was one of the 62 delegates selected by LTI Korea’s Delegation Selection Committee on the basis of the following criteria: representativeness, existing publications of translated works, and overseas marketability. The entire literature program was co-organized by the LTI Korea, the Frankfurt Book Fair Organizing Committee, Daesan Cultural Foundation, Paradise Cultural Foundation and the International Communication Foundation (ICF). The events started at the Leipzig Book Fair in March and finished with the Guest of Honor Program in October. Jon Kyongnin participated in literary events in May. This 21-page booklet consists of: ‘Author’s Literary World’, ‘Analysis of A Story about an Ordinary Polka-dot Dress’, ‘Excerpt’, ‘Voices of the Author and Critics’, ‘Biography’ and ‘Bibliography’. The material was put together and analyzed by Park Ji-hye, and translated by Kang Yeo-Kyu. The photographs were taken by Han Young-hee. Jon Kyongnin participated in literary events in Hamburg and Bremen in May. Her work ‘A Story about an Ordinary Polka-dot Dress’ is included in the short story collection of the same title published in Germany in 2004.

2019-09-01 / II00000539

This is the brochure for the Seoul International Writers’ Festival 2019. The Seoul International Writers’ Festival 2019 was held at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) from October 5 to 13, 2019. A total of 31 writers from Korea and abroad participated in the festival, along with an audience of 1,482 people. The brochure consists of a greeting, an overview of the festival, and the program of events.

2019-09-01 / II00000540

This is the poster for the Seoul International Writers’ Festival 2019. The Seoul International Writers’ Festival 2019 was held at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) from October 5 to 13, 2019. A total of 31 writers from Korea and abroad participated in the festival, along with an audience of 1,482 people. The brochure consists of a greeting, an overview of the festival, and the program of events.