The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (Director: Haedon Lee) hosted “Poetry Class with Oh Eun” featuring one of Korea’s most beloved poets, Oh Eun, to introduce Korean literature. This event was held three times: on Wednesday, October 22 at Los Angeles City College, Thursday, October 23 at the University of California, Irvine, and Saturday, October 25 at The Wende Museum.

In recent years, Korean literature has garnered global attention, with significant recognition on the international stage such as the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Booker Prize. This lecture was designed to introduce the world of Oh Eun’s poetry and his creative journey, while also offering participants the opportunity to directly experience the joy of writing poetry.

Poet Oh Eun made his literary debut in 2002 and has since led new trends in modern Korean poetry with works such as I Had a Name, The Pronoun for Nothingness, and From Being to Being. Known for his unique linguistic sensibility, witty imagination, and profound reflection, his works have been beloved by readers. Literary critics have described him as “a poet who unfolds philosophical thought through the language of everyday life.” He is also actively engaged in broadcasting, lectures, and literary programs, connecting Korean literature with the public.

At the center of this event was Oh Eun’s poetry collection From Being to Being, a work of delicate meditation on life and existence. The English translation of the collection was published in July 2025, introducing his work to international readers.

During this event, Oh Eun shared the creative background and poetic inspiration behind his works, while also leading a hands-on workshop using his signature poetic technique: wordplay with puns. This workshop—exploring words with similar sounds or patterns—provided participants with a fresh experience. The event was co-hosted with Los Angeles City College, the University of California, Irvine, and Get Lit, with special invitations extended to students and teachers.