“I’m a poet of a small village.” (“Siinui Mal” [“A Poet’s Words”), Geuttaega Baegopeuji Aneun Jigeumieosseumyeon [If Only Back Then Were Now, Without Hunger]. Maumsanchaek, 2024)

Kim Yong Taik is a poet who writes lyric poetry marked by delicate diction and sensibility and is also known as the “Seomjingang Poet.”

1. Life

Kim Yong Taik was born in Imsil, North Jeolla Province in 1948. He made his debut in 1982 through the publication of serial poems “Seomjingang” (“Seomjin River) in a new anthology by twenty-one poets published by Changbi (former Changjakgwa Bipyeongsa). He graduated from Sunchang Nongnim High School (now Sunchang Jeil High School) in 1969 and became an elementary school teacher. He taught at his former school, the Maam branch of Unam Elementary School (now Maam Elementary School), while also writing poetry. He taught rural children about nature in an under-resourced educational setting and published a book of their poems, fulfilling his duty as a teacher for many years. He not only published poetry but also children’s poetry, illustrated books, and history books, as well as essays on texts and films about the Seomjin River, a landscape that has shaped his life.

2. Writing

Kim brings nature into the center of human life, shaping it through poetry characterized by restrained language. He began his literary career with the publication of “Seomjingang 1” (“Seomjin River 1) and eight other poems in Kkeojiji Anneun Hwaetbullo (Undying Flame), a new anthology of poems by twenty-one poets published by Changbi. His latest published collection is Geuttaega Baegopeuji Aneun Jigeumieosseumyeon (If Only Back Then Were Now, Without Hunger) (2024). In his first collection Seomjingang (Seomjin River), he portrays the agrarian life and farmers along the Seomjin River in a simple, affectionate manner, earning him the nickname “Seomjingang Poet.” Through heartwarming lyric poetry distinguished by nuanced language and sensibility, he has established himself in the history of modern Korean poetry as a successor to the literary traditions of Kim Sowol and Baek Seok.

The poems Kim published in the 1980s reflect the lived reality of farmers and agrarian life. At the same time, he expresses the deep emotions of rural existence and criticizes its deteriorating condition, satirizing its harsh realities. After the 1990s, he emphasizes intuitive lyricism. In Ganggateun Sewol (River of Time), he depicts the collapse of rural communities, driven by his deep love for the people of the land and nature. His poems share their suffering while retaining an innocent humor and a warm smile. In the 2000s, Kim explores the beauty found in everyday life. In Kiseureul Wonhaji Anneun Ipsul (Lips That Do Not Want to Be Kissed), he opens a new landscape of lyric poetry, celebrating the infinite value of the insignificant. Meanwhile, in Nabiga Sumeun Eorinnamu (A Young Tree Where a Butterfly Hid), he moves away from traditional forms of clearly conveying purpose and meaning, instead blurring the speaker and subject.

Reference

Poetry Collections

Kkeojiji Anneun Hwaetbullo (Undying Flame). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 1985

Seomjingang (Seomjin River). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 1985

Malgeun Nal (A Clear Day). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 1986

Kkotsan Ganeun Gil (The Road to Flower Mountain). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 1988

Nuiya Nari Jeomunda (Sister, the Day Draws to a Close). Yolimwon Publishing Co., 1988

Geuriun Kkot Pyeonji (Longing for a Flower Letter). Pulbit, 1989

Geudae, Geochimeomneun Sarang (You, Unstoppable Love). Prunsoop, 1993

Ganggateun Sewol (River of Time). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 1995

Madangeun Bittureojyeosseodo Jangguneun Baro Chija (However Crooked the Stage, Let’s Play the Drum Right). Miraesa, 1991

Geu Yeojane Jip (That Woman’s Home). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 1998

Nuiya Nari Jeomunda (Sister, the Day Is Fading). Revised edition, Yolimwon Publishing Co., 1999

Geuriun Kkot Pyeonji (Flower Letters I Long For). Revised edition, Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 1999

Seomjingang (Seomjin River). Revised edition, Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2000

Geu Supe Dangsini Watseumnida (You Came to That Forest). Taedong Publishing, 2001

Geudae, Geochimeomneun Sarang (You, Unstoppable Love). Revised edition, Prunsoop, 2002

Namu (Tree). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2002

Yeonaesijip (Collection of Love Poems). Maumsanchaek, 2002

Geuraeseo Dangsin (So, You). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2006

Saranghanikka Gwaenchana (It’s Okay Because I Love You). Narawon, 2006

Suyangbeodeul (Weeping Willow). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2009

Songnunsseop (Eyelash). Maumsanchaek, 2011

Cham Joeun Dangsin (Wonderful You). Siwa Sihaksa, 2011

Namu (Tree). Revised edition, Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2002

Kiseureul Wonhaji Anneun Ipsul (Lips That Do Not Want to Be Kissed). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2013

Jip (Home). Siin Saenggak, 2013

Sarangi Dayeyo (Love Is Everything). Maumsanchaek, 2015

Ulgo Deureoon Neoege (To You Who Came in Crying). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2016

Eommaui Kkotsi (Mom’s Flower Poem). Maeumseojae, 2018

Dari Tteotdago Jeonhwareul Jusidaniyo (To Think You Called Because the Moon Rose). Maumsanchaek, 2021

Nabiga Sumeun Eorinnamu (A Young Tree Where a Butterfly Hid). Moonji Publishing co., Ltd., 2021

Nuiya Nari Jeomunda (Sister, the Day Draws to a Close). Revised edition, Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2023

Moduga Cheonnalcheoreom (Everyone, Like the First Day). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2023

Geuttaega Baegopeuji Aneun Jigeumieosseumyeon (If Only Back Then Were Now, Without Hunger). Maumsanchaek, 2024

Sanchaek, Yeol Pyeonui Si (A Stroll: Ten Poems). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2024 (multiple authors)

Essays

Seomjingangeul Ttaragamyeo Bora (Look Along the Seomjin River). Hanyang Publishing, 1994

geuriun geotdeureun san dwie itda (Things Longed for Lie Behind the Mountain). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 1997

Insaeng (Life). Ire, 2000

Chonnom, Gimyongtaek Geukjange Gada (A Country Boy, Kim Yong Taik, Goes to the Theater). Jaeum&Moeum Publishing, 2000

Gimyongtaek Siinui Punggyeongilgi (Kim Yong Taik’s Landscape Diary). Neulpureun Sonamu, 2004

Jeongnimi (My Dear). Yolimwon Publishing Co., 2004

Eonjena Nareul Chatge Haejuneun Dangsin (You Who Always Let Me Find Myself). Random House Korea, 2006

Gimyongtaegui Gyodanilgi (Kim Yong Taik’s Teaching Diary). Gimm-Young Publishers, Inc., 2006

Salmi Neoege Haedabeul Gajyeodajul Geosida (Life Will Bring You Answers). Maumsup, 2008

Saram (Human). Purme, 2008

Oraedoen Maeul (An Old Village). Hankyoreh, 2009

Aideuri Ttwinoneun Ttange Eopdeuryeo Ip Matchuda (Kissing the Ground Where Children Play). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2010

Saram (Human). Revised edition, Purme, 2008

Gimyongtaegui Eomeoni (Kim Yong Taik’s Mother). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2012

Gimyongtaegui Gyodanilgi (Kim Yong Taik’s Teaching Diary). Revised edition, Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2013

Kkochi Pineun Geu San Arae Naneun Seo Inne (I Stand Beneath the Blooming Mountain). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2013

Naega Saldeon Jipteoeseo (The Place I Grew Up). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2013

Changuya Dahuiya, Naeildo Hakgyoe Oneora (Changu and Dahui, Come to School Again Tomorrow). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2013

Gachi Meokgo Ilhamyeonseo Noratdane (We Ate, Worked, and Played Together). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2013

Jinme Maeul Jinme Saramdeul (Jinme Village, Jinme People). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2013

Seomjingang Namdo Obaek Ri (The Seomjin River, Forty Leagues Through the South). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2013

Salgukkochi Pineun Maeul (A Village in Apricot Blossoms). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2013

Insaengeun Jjalgo Wollyoireun Giljiman Haengbogeun Chungbunhae (Life Is Short, Mondays Are Long, but I’m Happy Enough). Terracotta, 2013

Adeul Maeum Abeoji Maeum (Son’s Heart, Father’s Heart). Maumsanchaek, 2013

Simsimhan Narui Ohu Daseot Si (Five O’Clock on a Mundane Afternoon). Yedam, 2014

Saeroun Saenggageun Badadeurineun Himeseo Onda (New Thoughts Arise from the Power of Receptivity). Samtoh Co.,Ltd, 2015

Maeumeul Ttareumyeon Doenda (Follow Your Heart). Maumsanchaek, 2017

Naneun Dangsini Eotteon Saraminji Almyeon, Jokesseoyo (I Wish I Knew What Kind of Person You Are). Nanda, 2019

Naeireun Nae Sosikdo Jeonhae Julge (I Will Bring You My News Tomorrow). Poetry&Essay, 2024 (multiple authors)

Children’s Poetry and Children’s Books

Kong, Neoneun Jugeotda (Bean, You’re Done For). Silcheon Munhaksa, 1998

Hakgyoya Gongchaja (School, Let’s Play Ball). Borim Press, 2000

Kkocheul Juseyo (Please Give Me Flowers). Siwa Sihaksa, 2003

Kong, Neoneun Jugeotda (Bean, You’re Done For). Revised edition, Silcheon Munhaksa, 2003

Nae Ttong Nae Bap (My Poop, My Rice). Silcheon Munhaksa, 2005

Neo Naega Geureol Jul Arasseo (I Told You So). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2008

Yeochiga Geomijureseo Talchulhaetda (A Cricket Escaped from the Spider Web). Sakyejul, 2008

Uijoeun Hyeongje (The Good Brothers). BIR, 2011

Ogiya Jinmeya (Ok and Jinme). Sallimeorini, 2011

Halmeoniui Him (Grandma’s Power). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2012

Jibanil (House Chores). Parangsae, 2014

Sani Koapeuro Watda (The Mountain Has Come Right Up to Me). Sakyejul, 2015

Eojjeoryeogo Jeoreoji (What’s Wrong with Them). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2016

Halmeoni Jibe Ganeun Gil (On the Way to Grandma’s). Bausol, 2016

Cham Singihan Iriya (It’s Very Fascinating). Jajubora Publishing, 2017

Unneun Gajok (A Smiling Family). Danielstone Children, 2017

Kong, Neoneun Jugeotda (Bean, You’re Done For). Revised edition, Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2018

Nondaneun geon mwolkka? (What Does It Mean to Play?). Miseghy, 2019

Naneun Aebeollerang Jatseumnida (I Slept with a Caterpillar). Bausol, 2019

Eunhasureul Geonneotda (I Crossed the Milky Way). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2020

Sarang (Love). Bausol, 2020

Gimyongtaek Siinui Jagalgil (Kim Yong Taik’s Pebble Road). Bausol, 2021

Kkotbat (Meadow of Flowers). Bausol, 2024