LTI Korea 
DLKL 
SIWF 
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The Place
The Translator’s Book Store: Specializing in Translated Literature
A bookstore by day and a translator’s study by night, Mapo-gu, Seoul. I am Park Seon Hyeong, a translator and owner of the Translator’s Book Store. The Translator’s Book Store is a bookstore with a collection of translated books curated by a translator. I specialize in the Japanese language, working mostly on essays and books on humanities and philosophy. Q. What made you, as a translator, open a bookstore? I worked as an editor for a publishing company, and collected many Western books as part of being a translator. I wanted to share the books I loved and knew were worth recommending. That’s what led to the opening of The Translator’s Book Store. Q. Who are your major patrons? They range from publishers to translators and writers. We also attract many people living in the neighborhood. I’m proud of the strong bond we have with our patrons, most of whom are genuine book lovers. Q. How do you choose which books to introduce each week? I try to introduce at least 30 titles. I go over press releases to pick the latest books in the market. I always include books by writers or publishers I have been interested in. I also introduce books that might go out of print so that people won’t miss out on the opportunity. I try to strike a balance between new and old books. Q. Are there programs unique to The Translator’s Book Store? I have taught “Learn Japanese by Reading” for five years since the store’s early days. It’s one of the most popular programs. Participants not only read books in the original language, but also learn the skills of translation. “Translated Book Concert,” a program launched this year, is held on the third Thursday of every month. The program introduces novels, and plays LP records to accompany the stories. It’s one of the few programs that combine literature and music. I am very satisfied with the positive reception. Q. Top 3 books recommended by The Translator‘s Book Store Books on art and classics have been quite popular. Among the top three is What Artists Do. It’s a recent book by Leonard Koren, a writer with unique views of art. The book contains his thoughts on being an artist. I recommend it to those interested in the difference between art careers and regular jobs. The second book is Kusamakura. Natsume Sōseki has quite a number of dedicated readers in Korea. One of his more popular books here is Kusamakura. It’s a book that summarizes the writer’s views of art. The book has literary and artistic depth, and reading it is similar to reading a haiku. Lastly, there’s the picture book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. This book is not simply a picture book, but a philosophical book that can be enjoyed by adults. It contains universal truths and heartwarming drawings. I am aware it has been translated into many languages. Since the translated versions come in the same size, it will be interesting to read and compare them. Q. Is there a good place for reading near the store? Mangwon Hangang Park is nearby. Enjoying a picnic over a book will be a much-needed break from life. Q. What are your plans for The Translator’s Book Store? I’d like The Translator’s Book Store to introduce even better books. I’ll have to continue actively reading. I want to maintain this space for as long as I can, I hope everyone visiting the store can read and relax to their heart’s content. Translated by Park Kyoung-lee
By Korean Literature Now
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Book For You
[Book for You] Can you recommend books about adventure, travel or journey?
Jeong Ji Hye(Jeong) : Hello. This is Book for You from KLN. I’m your host, Jeong Ji Hye. You Hee-kyoung(You) : I'm You Hee-kyong, a poet. Jeong : Book for You allows us to communicate with various people from all over the world through books. It is amazing how Korean literature can connect us to the world. You : It is really great how Book for You brings people of all nations and races together with books. Jeong : Today, we have another letter from afar. From where? You : From Romania! Jeong : Please read the letter from Romania for us. Camy’s letter addressed to Book for You I am a Romanian and I have been to Korea in 2013 and 2019. I have a dream of publishing a travel journal about my solo trip from 2019 with all my adventures, photos and sketches. I would like to read books on adventure, travel, and journey. You : This was Camy’s story. Which book would you recommend for her? Jeong : This is the first story collection by Jang Ryujin, Pleasures and Sorrows of Work. My pick for Camy is the last short story from this collection, “Tampere Airport.” The main character of “Tampere Airport” has a dream of producing documentaries. To gain a work experience to add to her resume, she is flying to Dublin, Ireland for a Working Holiday. At a stopover at Tampere Airport in Finland, she runs into an old man. She makes a brief but impressive memory with him. Later, when she comes back to Korea, she receives a picture postcard from the old man. Years pass and the main character isn’t producing documentaries but doing a job at a food company that has nothing do with her dream. One day, she stumbles on the postcard again. This time, she notices that the picture has a stiff piece of paper added to its back and has an instruction written on it: “Do not bend (Photo inside)” This was the old man’s precaution against bending the picture. To me, this message read: “Do not bend; you have a dream inside you.” This was how I interpreted this story. You : Exactly! It gave me goosebumps! Jeong : Like the old man from this story who wanted to protect the photo, I hope that Camy will never bend but protect her dream. I would like to read this story's last sentences to her. I wiped away my tears and took out the biggest notebook and marker I had. And I began writing a reply, which I had kept putting off, in large letters. Dear. From “Tampere Airport” Jeong : Imagine what will happen afterwards. Will the main character go and see aurora in Finland? And will Camy’s wish to publish a travel journal come true? This was my book for her. You : Is this book available in other languages? Jeong : Yes, it is. It’s available in Japanese and Chinese editions. I hope that it will be made available in Romanian and other languages so that Camy and other readers can read it. Do not bend; you have a dream inside you. You : Most poets I know love travel. I think that writing poetry is akin to taking a break from here to visit somewhere else. When I was reading Camy’s story about travel, the first poet that came to mind was Lee Byungryul. Lee is a great poet and essayist. He is also an avid traveler. Perhaps he is travelling Romania right now. The poet is also well known for his travel essays. Camy’s story about how she wants to write her own travel essays inspired me to introduce this poet to her. I think that going on a trip is about being ‘alone,’ being alone to reflect on ourselves and our lives. Here is a poem about how we discover ourselves in the process. Let’s hear it. In the freezing, abandoned midnight, anyone is a complete one, light and soft, with what one has to say forming its body, destined to be alone for long, finally succumbing to eternal permeation One that locks itself up, drinks itself, thereby rising as a range of ice-capped mountains, only to melt down From “Alone” You : This poem is from Snowman Inn. This book of poetry embodies the heart of a traveller of his own life. I suppose that it is a both lofty and lonely heart. I think that being alone, finally realizing who we are, is a theme shared by the story that Camy wants to write. Hopefully, it will be published and translated into other languages so we can read that amazing, interesting, and somewhat melancholic travel journal. This was my book for her. Jeong : I think that Camy will find your book prescription very helpful. Travelling is about finally and truly being alone! Write about that moment of being alone and keep it forever. You : This was another fun, happy episode for me that allowed sharing our stories through books. I look forward to the next episode and the story waiting for us. Jeong : So do I. If you seek some comfort from us, please send your story to the address below. Need a book prescription? Share your story with us at the KLN website (www.kln.or.kr) You : You will be eligible for a chance to win a gift as well as our book prescriptions. Jeong : That’s all for today. Jeong&You : Bye~
By Korean Literature Now
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The Place
Wit N Cynical: Bookstore dedicated to poetry
A vibrant, lively street in Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Dongyang Bookstore has been around since 1953. The poetry bookstore Wit N Cynical sits atop a spiral staircase. Hello. My name is You Hee-kyoung, and I’m a poet. I’m also the owner of this small poetry bookstore. You may be surprised on your first visit. You’ll find a bookstore on the ground floor. And then there’s another bookstore at the top of the spiral staircase. It’s quite unique to have two bookstores together. Since they both sell books, you might think of them as rivals. But the relationship is more symbiotic because we focus on poetry, unlike Dongyang Bookstore. Q. Why do you have translations of Korean poetry books? How was it like reading Korean poems in foreign languages? There’s a program called Yeok-si. We planned it with the Literature Translation Institute of Korea to share translated poems with readers and see how well they are received. I was amazed that it was actually possible. Translation itself is often seen as an impossible feat. This is even more so for poetry. The effort that goes into translation is truly moving and beautiful. Q. What significance does poetry have for you, a poet and a poetry bookstore owner? There are two types of jewels. The first type is clearly valuable and recognizable from the start. The second type grows on you as you take time to observe it. I think poetry belongs to the latter. In sum, poetry can be described as “a jewel discoverable over time.” Q. Tell us more about Sagadogseo, a special space in Wit N Cynical. Sagadogseo is the name of a policy created during the reign of King Sejong. I think books sell less these days because people don’t have time to read. I saw the solution in leisure and space, and the latter was something I could work on. That’s how I came up with this space called Sagadogseo. It’s usually open to visitors for reading, and sometimes used for recitals and various literary workshops. Q. Top 3 books recommended by Wit N Cynical Can you recommend the top 3 among your vast collection? As a poet myself, it’s difficult for me to pick the top 3. But there is one book I would like to mention in particular. It’s Autobiography of Death by the poet Kim Hyesoon. This book is very well-translated. As you know, poetry is difficult to translate. The poet adopts an Asian approach to death, and the English translation is really good. I’d like to recommend it to those who need serious reading, those interested in Korean poetry, and those hoping to appreciate poetry as intended in the original language. The translation of Autobiography of Death is a real catch. Q. Is there a good place for reading near the store? I was drawn to Hyehwa-dong because it’s an old town. It’s popular not only among the elderly, but also young people. Among the many hangouts, Marronnier Park is a must-visit. It’s the former site of Seoul National University. If the weather is good, there are many spots to sit down and read. I like to go there with a book in my hand when it gets stuffy in the bookstore. As you watch the world go by, you will get to know a charming side of Seoul. Q. What are your plans for Wit N Cynical? The goal of bookstores, regardless of size, is to survive. The book industry is special. Bookstores are for-profit, but they also serve the public. People who run bookstores believe that reading is essential for a better society. They’ve come this far based on that belief. In this sense, I’d like Wit N Cynical to survive. It’s one of the few remaining poetry bookstores in Korea, and probably the only that sells solely poetry books. And by that alone, it has value. Translated by Park Kyoung-lee
By Korean Literature Now
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Book For You
[Book for You] Any Korean books to help me become a best parent?
You Hee-kyoung(You) : Hello. This is ‘Book for You’ from KLN. I am your host, You Hee-kyoung, a poet. Jeong Ji Hye(Jeong) : I am Jeong Ji Hye from Sajeokin Bookshop. I heard that our first episode was sensational. It has prompted many letters to us. You : But we can’t stop here. We’ll keep working for Korean literature and for readers waiting for our book prescriptions. Jeong : We’ll start with a letter that arrived today. It’s from Ms. Putri in Indonesia. Let me read it for you. Putri’s letter addressed to Book for You I'm a Korean literature enthusiast. But I have trouble maintaining my hobby as a reader. Finding the time for reading hasn’t been easy since I became pregnant. I am trying to take the time out of my busy schedule to read, especially books on parenting since I am a prospective mother. Can you recommend any Korean books to help a busy and pregnant woman like me become a best parent? Congratulations on your pregnancy, Putri!! You : Even though I have never met Putri, I’m sure that she will be a great mother. Let me tell you why. You : My pick is With the Heart of a Child, a new release in 2022 from Achimdal. As its title suggests, this is a book about children. It contains poems and essays by 13 poets. One of the poets is Cho Hye-eun. She is a mother of two. As all mothers, she hasher share of happiness, frustration, and anger. Her poem ‘Mouse Mask’ shows her feeling angry and sorry when she fails to understand her children. In the morning playground, a boy was digging in the dirt when he saw a mouse running away from him. The mouse disappeared into the drain and the boy started poking the drain to find that mouse and never stopped. I haven’t played long enough. Can I play a little longer, please? By the midday, the happiness that swelled and spread all over the body like hives has subsided Once the streetlamps were lit, It was time to say goodbye to people who shared that moment That isn’t what love is Never The children opened their eyes and cleared the dirt From "Mouse Mask" You : Well, I’m not a parent so I don’t really know how to be a good one. What I know, though, is when a good relationship develops. It is when you listen carefully to what the other person says, and try to understand what it means. As I said earlier, I am convinced that Putri will be a good parent and good guardian because her letter to us shows that she is trying to address some concern. I think that addressing that concern is the beginning of a good relationship. Let us not assume that we understand the heart of a child because we were a child once, but take a moment to reflect and discover what we might have forgotten or have not realized. Think of a child not as an object to protect and teach but as someone to live with Jeong : My pick for Putri, who wishes to be a good parent, is a young adult’s novel by Lee Heeyoung. It’s titled Paint. Jeong : The cover has a sensational catchphrase that reads: “If you could choose your parents, who would you choose?” This story is set in a future society with a low birth rate, where people no longer have as many as babies as before, and children are raised in a state-run childcare center and people are encouraged to adopt them. These children go through a series of processes before they meet their pre-fosters (prospective foster parents). They go through document review, medical checkup, and psychological test... Finally, and most importantly, they go to ‘parents interview.’ You : Oh, is that where the title Paint comes from? Jeong : Exactly! Paint is short for ‘parent interview.’ The children in this state-run childcare center don’t say “I go to a ‘parents interview.’” They say “I go to ‘Pa-Int’ instead. That shortened word ‘Pa-Int,’ or ‘Paint,’ is the title of this novel. I wanted to prescribe this book for Putri’s case because it will allow her to think about what makes a good parent from the perspective of children rather than adults. What is becoming a parent all about? What about preparing to have a baby? Can all those preparations make me a good parent? (…) “Pre-fosters come across as avid readers of books on childcare who finally decide, ‘Well, I think I’m ready for a baby now.’” “…….” “No parent in the world can perfectly prepare themselves in advance.” “…….” “Parent-child relationship is something you create.” From Paint What is becoming a parent all about? What about preparing to have a baby? Can all those preparations make me a good parent? (…) “Pre-fosters come across as avid readers of books on childcare who finally decide, ‘Well, I think I’m ready for a baby now.’” “…….” “No parent in the world can perfectly prepare themselves in advance.” “…….” “Parent-child relationship is something you create.” From Paint Jeong : As I read this passage for Putri, I wanted to convey this message: ‘You don’t become a parent; you’re becoming one.’ I don’t think there is an absolute standard for good, or best parents. I think that such a standard can vary depending on the unique characters and surroundings of children and their parents. So I encourage Putri to read this book and ask herself, “What kind of parent will I be becoming?” You : Is Paint available in other languages? Jeong : Yes, it is! Paint is available in Japanese and Chinese editions. I hope that it will be made available in other languages so that Putri and other readers can read it. You don’t ‘become’ a parent; you’re ‘becoming’ one. You : I hope that this episode has brought comfort to Putri, as well as readers watching our channel. We will see you in the next episode. Jeong : If you seek comfort from us in the form of book prescriptions, send us your story via the address below. Need a book prescription? Share your story with us at the KLN website (www.kln.or.kr). You : You will be eligible for a chance to win a gift as well as our book prescriptions. Jeong : That’s all for today. Jeong&You : Book for you. Bye~ See you again~
By Korean Literature Now
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The Place
Onul Books: A curated bookstore
An ordinary residential area in Yangjae-dong. Where sunlight pours in through the large windows, and visitors feel as if they have traveled back in time. Hello. I’m Kim Sooji, the manager of Onul Books. Onul Books is a bookstore that opened in September 2018. Our curated collection covers humanities, literature, arts, and picture books. From a broader perspective, we curate books by author and category. Our curation can also be narrowed down to books under the theme of color or books suitable for the season. Q. There are sticky notes here and there in the bookstore. What do you write on them? I write down memorable lines, interviews with authors, and reasons behind book recommendations. I stick them throughout the bookstore to arouse the curiosity of potential readers. Q. Please reveal more about your secret book section. There’s a section called “Bundle of Secret Books” in the middle of the store. You can choose books based on the handwritten introduction, which leaves out typical information like the author. They are usually poetry, essays, and novels. These are the books you’d want to pick as a special gift for yourself or others. Q. Telephone booths are hard to find these days. Why do you have one in the bookstore? The “Secret Telephone Booth” is not meant to make phone calls, but allows you to listen to different sounds by pressing the numbers. For example, you can listen to the voice of James Joyce, the voice of Park Wansuh, the sound of waves, or the sound of a typewriter. I hope you will enjoy moments of peace and quiet in the booth. Q. Top 3 books recommended by the manager of Onul Books The first book I’d like to recommend is One Hundred Shadows, a novel by Hwang Jungeun. This novel was a hit from the time it was published. It’s interesting how it can be read as a romance, and also from a social perspective. I often recommend it to those who visit the store to get their first taste of Korean novels. The second book on my list is Dictionary of the Mind, a collection of essays by the poet Kim So Yeon. The book can be seen as footnotes explaining words in the poet’s mind. The essays are written based on the poet’s unique interpretation of words such as “darkness” and “scent.” It is highly recommended to those looking for gifts to express their feeling to friends or family. The third book I recommend is A Dream of Becoming Water, a picture book by Lucid Fall and Suzy Lee. The bookstore is focused on humanities and literature, but there’s a separate corner for picture books. The book presents the lyrics of Lucid Fall’s song of the same title, together with illustrations by Suzy Lee. Designed like a folding screen, it can be folded out for reading in a large area. As you read the book, put yourself in the shoes of the child, turning into a fish and then a bird. Q. Is there a good place for reading near the store? Some nearby spots are the Yangjae Citizen Forest and Yangjaecheon Stream. Yangjaecheon Stream is especially lovely in April, when it becomes pink with cherry blossoms. Reading outdoors is a worthwhile experience. There’s nothing quite like reading in nature. That’s why I recommend Yangjaecheon Stream and Yangjae Citizen Forest. Q. What are your plans for Onul Books? I hope for Onul Books to stay faithful to its role as a neighborhood bookstore. It will try to serve as a bridge between books and people, going a step further than simply buying and selling books. Onul Books plans to grow into a bookstore that actively communicates with diverse groups of people. Translated by Park Kyoung-lee
By Korean Literature Now
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