“Love, the essence of existence before life and death, is grounded in self-sacrifice and devotion to the Other.” (Choi, Hyeon-sik. “Haeseol” [“Afterword”], Naui Muhanhan Hyeongmyeongege [To My Infinite Revolution]. Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2012)
Kim Sun-woo is a writer who explores the theme of love through poetry, novels, and essays.
1. Life
Born in 1970, Kim Sun-woo majored in Korean Language Education. She began her literary career with the publication of “Daegwallyeong Yetgil” (“Old Daegwallyeong Pass”) in the winter issue of The Quarterly Changbi in 1996. Her writing is not limited to poetry but ranges from novels to essays. She has actively spoken out on environmental and labor issues, working within ecofeminist poetics. She received the Women Leaders of the Future Award in 2013 for her praxis both within and beyond her writing.
2. Writing
Kim explores universal sentiments, especially the theme of love. Her poetry reflects concern for female experience and resonates with it. Describing herself as “a person who writes and loves,” she hopes for a seamless and vivid union of “writing” and “loving.”
Kim made her literary debut through poetry in her twenties and also began writing novels in her thirties. She explains that she writes poetry to capture beauty and writes novels to engage with contemporary society. As someone who believes “a writer is another citizen,” she produces works informed by an interest in democracy, freedom, equality, and human rights. On the other hand, her third poetry collection Nae Mom Soge Jamdeun I Nugusinga (Who Is It That Sleeps in My Body?) conveys Buddhist thought, reflecting her Buddhist faith. In particular, poems such as “Jamjari, Cheonsugwaneumege Soneul Juda Uneun” (“A Dragonfly That Weeps after Offering Its Hand to Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara”), explore the essence of life and the identity of the poetic self, carrying a Buddhist undertone. Kim’s novels engage with reality. In Candle Flower, she depicts the 2008 candlelight protests in Korea, and in Murui Yeonindeul (Lovers of Water), she critiques the Four Major Rivers Project while emphasizing the power of life and love. In Barwon―Yoseok Geurigo Wonhyo 1,2 (Aspiration: Yoseok and Wonhyo, vols 1-2), set against historical events, she raises questions about genuine democracy, one that is free from marginalization and discrimination.
Reference
Poetry Collections and Selected Works
Nae Hyeoga Ip Soge Gatyeo Itgil Geobuhandamyeon (If My Tongue Refuses to Remain in My Mouth). Changjakgwa Bipyeongsa, 2000
Dohwa Arae Jamdeulda (Asleep Under the Peach Blossoms). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2003
Nae Mom Soge Jamdeun I Nugusinga (Who Is It That Sleeps in My Body?). Moonji Publishing co., Ltd., 2007
Naui Muhanhan Hyeongmyeongege (To My Infinite Revolution). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2012
Nae Ttaseuhan Yuryeongdeul (My Warm Ghosts). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2021
Nocturne. Moonji Publishing co., Ltd., 2016
Saranghayeosseumeuro Naneun Haengbokayeonne (I Was Happy Because I Loved). Vichebook, 2008 (multiple authors)
Sesangui Gicheokdeul Dasi Sseuda (Rewriting the Traces of the World). Bookin, 2009 (multiple authors)
Novels
Naneun Chumida (I Am Dance). Silcheon Munhaksa, 2008
Candle Flower. Yedam, 2010
Yeonindeul (Lovers of Water). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2012
Barwon: Yoseok Geurigo Wonhyo 1-2 (Aspiration: Yoseok and Wonhyo, vols 1-2). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2015
Essays and Other Works
Mul Mite Dari Yeollil Ttae (When the Moon Opens Under Water). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2002
Gimseonuui Samuldeul (Kim Sun-Woo’s Things). NULWA, 2005
Nae Ibe Deureoon Seoltang Gateun Kiseudeul (Kisses Like Sugar in My Mouth). Mirunamu, 2007
Urimalgo Tto Nuga I Bapgeureuse Nuwosseulkka (Who Else Was Lying in This Rice Bowl?). Saeum, 2007
Eodi Apeun De Eomnyago Dangsini Mureotda (You Asked If I Was Ill). Chungrim Publishing, 2011
Busangdanghan Cheonsaege (To an Injured Angel). Hankyoreh, 2016
Sarang, Eojjeomyeon Geuge Jeonbu (Love, Maybe That is All That Matters). 21st Century Books, 2017
Gyosil Bakkeuro Georeonaon Si (A Poem That Walked Out of a Classroom). Naramal, 2011 (multiple authors)
Gaseumi Bureuneun Mannam (An Encounter the Heart Calls For). Bulkwang Publishing, 2013 (multiple authors)
Children’s Books
Barigongju (Princess Bari). Yolimwon Publishing Co., 2003
Huimangeul Bureuneun Sonyeo Bari (Bari, the Girl Who Brings Hope). Danbi, 2014
[Young Adult Poetry Collection] Daenseu, Pureunpureun (Dance, Blue upon Blue). Changbi Education, 2018
[Young Adult Poetry Collection] Amugeotdo An Haneun Nal (On a Day of Doing Nothing). Danbi, 2018
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