“On the fifteenth day of September, when Yi Sun-sin hastily ordered a withdrawal at Byeokpajin, Jindo, the generals opposed him, insisting on fighting to the death there. They had, after all, been in retreat upon retreat for the past month.” (Bulmyeorui Isunsin [The Immortal Yi Sun-sin]. Goldenbough, 2004)
Kim Takhwan is a novelist whose works are grounded in historical fact.
1. Life
Kim Takhwan is from Jinhae, South Gyeongsang Province. He studied Korean literature at Seoul National University, earning a Ph.D in classical fiction. He taught at various universities before making his debut as a critic in 1994 with the essay "Dongasia soseorui him" (동아시아 소설의 힘 The Power of the East Asian Novel), published in Sangsang. Kim made his fiction debut in 1996 with the publication of his first novel, Yeoldu mari goraeui sarangiyagi (열두 마리 고래의 사랑이야기 A Love Story of Twelve Whales). Since then he has become a tour de force of the historical novel. Many of his works have been successfully adapted for the screen. Bulmyeorui isunsin (불멸의 이순신 The Immortal Yi Sun-sin), Na, hwangjini (나, 황진이 I, Hwang Jini), Heogyun, choehuui 19il (허균, 최후의 19일 The Last Nineteen Days of Heo Gyun) were made into television dramas, while Noseoa gabi (노서아가비 Russian Coffee), Joseon masulsa (조선마술사 Joseon Magician), and Daejang gimchangsu (대장 김창수 Chief Kim Chang-su) have been made into films.
Kim's latest novel, Dangsini eotteoke naegero wasseulkka (당신이 어떻게 내게로 왔을까 How Did You Come to Me), breaking from the author's previous works, is set in the present day. Kim is the recipient of the 2016 Yosan Literary Award and the 2018 Chameleon Literary Award.
2. Writing
Through his works, Kim restores historically oppressed and persecuted figures with creative imagination, documents the tragedies of their time, and transforms the suffering of marginalized victims into novels told from their perspectives.
Kim’s most famous work, Bulmyeorui Isunsin (The Immortal Yi Sun-sin), reimagines Yi Sun-sin, a renowned admiral who achieved unparalleled success in the world naval history, through a new lens. Instead of depicting him as an unrealistically idealized hero, it places him within the historical context of his time as a human being. Banggakbon Sarinsageon (The Banggakbon Murder Case), Yeollyeomunui Bimil (Secret of the Virtuous Widow), and Yeolhagwangin (The Jehol Maniacs) form part of the “Baektap-pa” series, a set of crime mystery novels in which a fictional character solves crimes. Through the portrayal of progressive and driven women, as well as intellectuals who reflect on the problems of their time, Kim articulates in a nuanced manner both his own aspirations and those of his readers. He has helped shape the genre of historical mystery in Korean literature by embodying new historical perspectives and approaches within mystery fiction. Among his other historical fiction works, Bank explores the beginnings and development of capitalism on the Korean peninsula following the opening of its ports to foreign powers. Itorok Gogohan Yeonye (A Performance of Such Nobility) features the protagonist of “Gwangmunjajeon” (“The Tale of Gwangmun”), a Korean short story written in Classical Chinese by Yeonam Pak Jiwon during the late Joseon period. It presents the social conditions, joys and sorrows, and the role of the arts in society at the time through a humane, contemporary lens. On the other hand, Sarayagetda (I Need to Live) and Areumdaun Geuineun Saramieora (The Beautiful One Is but Human) focus on social tragedies. The former tells the story of the MERS outbreak in the summer of 2015 from the perspectives of patients and their families. Through the depiction of those who suffer and are marginalized from their communities after contracting a contagious disease without understanding why, Kim argues that the outbreak is not a personal tragedy but a social one caused by an inadequate national prevention system and hospital management structure. In the latter, he sheds light on individuals who continue to remember the Sewol ferry disaster and mourn its victims.
He also published his first short story collection Jinhaebeotkkot (Jinhae Cherry Blossoms) in 2006, a decade after his debut. It comprises a variety of genres, ranging from science fiction stories set in the near future to stories with alien protagonists.
Reference
Short Story Collections
Jinhaebeotkkot (Jinhae Cherry Blossoms). Goldenbough, 2006
Areumdaun Geuineun Saramieora (The Beautiful One Is but Human). Dolbegae, 2017
Oneurui Jangneumunhak (Genre Fiction Today). Goldenbough, 2010 (multiple authors)
Isangmunhaksang Jakpumjip; Je40hoe Cheongugui Mun Oe 5pyeon (The 40th Yi Sang Literary Award Anthology: Gates of Heaven and Five Other Stories). Literature & Thought, 2016 (multiple authors)
Kape Homjeuui Majimak Sarang (Holmes Café’s Last Love). Bookinhand, 2020 (multiple authors)
Novels
Yeoldu Mari Goraeui Sarangiyagi (A Love Story of Twelve Whales). Sallim, 1996
Bulmyeol Jeon4gwon (Immortal). in 2 vols. Miraejiseong, 1998
Nuga Nae Aeineul Saranghaesseulkka (Who Loved My Lover?). Prunsoop, 1999
Heogyun, Choehuui 19il (The Last Nineteen Days of Heo Gyun). in 2 vols. Prunsoop, 1999
Amnokgang (Amnok River). in 7 vols. Yeoreumsa, 2001
Dokdopyeongjeon (A Critical Biography of Dokdo). Humanist, 2001
Seoreowora, Ichyeojindaneun Geoseun (How Sorrowful It Is to Be Forgotten). Dongbang Media, 2002
Na, Hwangjini (I, Hwang Jini). Purunyoksa, 2002
Banggakbon Sarinsageon (The Banggakbon Murder Case). in 2 vols. Goldenbough, 2003
Bulmyeorui Isunsin (The Immortal Yi Sun-sin). in 8 vols. Revised edition (formerly Immortal), Goldenbough, 2004
Yeollyeomunui Bimil (Secret of the Virtuous Widow). in 2 vols. Goldenbough, 2005
Buyeohyeongam Gwisinchepogi (The Arrest of the Ghost by a Buyeo County Official). in 2 vols. Leegaseo, 2005
Pariui Joseongungnyeo, Risim (Lee Sim, A Joseon Court Lady in Paris). in 3 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2006
Yeolhagwangin (The Jehol Maniacs). in 2 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2007
Hyecho. in 2 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2008
Heogyun, Choehuui 19il (The Last Nineteen Days of Heo Gyun). in 2 vols. Revised edition, MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2009
Sarangboda Jidokan Noseoagabi (Russian Coffee, More Relentless Than Love). Sallim, 2009
Millimmujeong (Heartless Jungle). in 2 vols. Dasan Books, 2010
BANK. in 3 vols. Sallim, 2013
Hyeongmyeong-Gwanghwalhan Ingan Jeongdojeon (Revolution: The Expansive Spirit of Jeong Dojeon). in 2 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2014
Mokgyeokjadeul (Witnesses). in 2 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2015
Geojinmarida (The Lies of the Sewol Shipwreck). Booksfear, 2016
Na, Hwangjini (I, Hwang Jini). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2017
Seoreowora, Ichyeojindaneun Geoseun (How Sorrowful It Is to Be Forgotten). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2017
Gasiri (Will You Go?). Io Tauraus Books, 2017
Sarayagetda (I Need to Live). Booksfear, 2018
Itorok Gogohan Yeonye (A Performance of Such Nobility). Booksfear, 2018
Daesoseorui Sidae (The Age of Epic Sagas). in 2 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2019
Dangsini Eotteoke Naegero Wasseulkka (I Wonder How You Came to Me). in 2 vols. Hainaim, 2021
99: Deurakyulla Sajingwaneuroui Chodae (99: An Invitation to Dracula’s Photo Studio). Sallim Publishing, 2009 (multiple authors)
Nunmeon Sigyegong (A Blind Clockmaker). in 2 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2010 (multiple authors)
Joseon Nuareu, Beomjoeui Giwon (Joseon Noir: The Origins of Crime). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2014 (multiple authors)
Joseon Masulsa (Joseon Magician). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2015 (multiple authors)
Apyeonjeonjaeng (Opium War). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2016 (multiple authors)
Soseol Daejang Gimchangsu (A Novel: Chief Kim Chang-Su). Dolbegae, 2017 (multiple authors)
Critical Works
Soseol Jungdok (An Obsession with Fiction). Sallim, 1996
Jinjeongseong Neomeoui Segye (A World Beyond Authenticity). Sallim Publishing, 1996
Essays
Gimtakwanui Wongoji: 2000~2010 Changjagilgi (Kim Takhwan’s Manuscripts: A Creative Writing Diary, 2000-2010). Io Taraus Books, 2011
Abi Geuriul Ttae Bora (When You Miss Your Father). Nanda, 2015
Eommaui Golmok (Mom’s Alley). Nanda, 2017
Geuraeseo Geuneun Badaro Gatda (So He Went to Sea). Booksfear, 2017
Areumdaumeun Jikineun Geosida: Dosisoseolga, Nongbugwahakjareul Mannada (Beauty to Be Protection: An Urban Novelist Meets a Farming Scientist). Hainaim, 2020
Gimtakwanui Seomjingang Ilgi (Kim Takhwan’s Seomjin River Diary). Hainaim, 2022
Children’s Book
Joseonui Majimak Horangi Wangdae (Wangdae, the Last Tiger of Joseon). Sallimeorini, 2011
Gwahak, 10worui Haneureul Nalda: Cheongsonyeoneul Wihan Areumdaun Nanum Gangyeon (Science Under the October Skies: An Inspiring Lecture for Youth). Chungeoram Media, 2012
Wangdae Hyujeonseoneul Neomda (Wangdae Crosses the Demarcation Line). Sallimeorini, 2014
Other
Hanguksoseolchangjakbangbeobyeongu (A Study of Creative Techniques in Korean Fiction). Mungyeong, 2002
Gimtakwanui Dokseoyeoljeon-Dwijeokdwijeokkkijeokkkijeok (Kim Takhwan’s Reading Journey: Browsing and Scribbling). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2008
Cheonnyeonseupjak-Gimtakwanui Ttadeuthan Geulsseugi Teukgang (A Thousand Year Practice: Kim Takhwan’s Warm Talk on Writing). Sallim, 2009
Gimtakwanui Sweikeu: Yeonghoneul Heundeuneun Seutoritelling (Kim’s Stir: Storytelling That Moves the Soul). Dasan Books, 2011
Ilgeogagetda: Uriga Jeoleumira Bureuneun Chaekdeul (We Need to Read: Books of Youth). Dasan Bookhouse, 2014
Hangukgojeonsoseorui Segye (The World of Korean Classical Fiction). Dolbegae, 2005 (multiple authors)
Pawo Keullaesik: Uri Sidae Jisigin 101myeongi Ppobeun Insaengeul Bakkun gojeon (Power Classics: Classics That Changed Our Lives Selected by 101 Great Minds of Our Time). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2013 (multiple authors)
Ganeun Giri Nae Girida: Geotgo Inneun Cheongnyeondeureul Wihan Ahopgaji Iyagi (Where I Go Becomes My Path: Nine Stories for Young People on Their Way). Hanul, 2015 (multiple authors)
Igeosi Naui Dokkida: Soseolgadeuri Soseolgareul Inteobyuhada! (This Is My Axe: Novelists Interview Each Other!). EunHaeng NaMu Publishing Co., Ltd., 2017 (multiple authors)
Saraboni Haengbogeun Ireoseumnida: Meonjeo Sarabon 30inui Haengbongnon (Happiness as I’ve Come to Know It: Views on Happiness from 30 People Later in Life), Design House, 2019 (multiple authors)
Jeolmyeol (Extinction). Weekroom Press, 2021 (multiple authors)
Reference
Oh, Hyejin. “Gimtakwanui Baektap-pa Sirijeue Daehan Gochal” (“A Reflection on Kim Takhwan’s Baektap-pa Series”). Eomunnonjip (The Journal of Lang. & Lit.), no. 76. The Society of Chung-Ang Lang. & Lit., 2018.
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