Tuesday 26 November 7.30 - 8.30pm

National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall

Ticket: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/korean-writing-today/

Join us in welcoming our two Korean writers in residence, Kang Youngsook and Kim Haeyeon, as they discuss their books and life as a writer in Korea today.

Kang Youngsook is an important feminist South Korean author. She often writes about the female grotesque, delving into varying genres as urban noir, fantasy, and climate fiction. Since her debut in 1998, she has published close to a dozen novels and short story collections, including Rina, At Night He Lifts Weights, Black in Red, and Writing Club, and has received numerous prestigious awards. She currently teaches creative writing at Ewha Womans University and Korea National University of Arts.

Her novel Rina, published in English by Dalkey Archive Press and translated by Kim Boran, delves into the experience of a North Korean defector and explores the refugee experience.

Kim Heayeon was born in Seoul, Korea. She majored in German literature, and worked for a publishing company for quite a long period of time. After quitting her job, she read a lot of books for children with her little son. During that time, she was fascinated by children’s books from England, especially the works of Roald Dahl and Philippa Pearce. That experience led her to begin writing stories for children. In 2004, she won the Hans Christian Andersen Award in Korea with A Farewell Gift, and the Golden Goblin Award in 2009 with I’m a Cuckoo. She has written approximately ten books for children and teenagers.

Her novel for teenagers, The Bakery of Coincidence, deals with a tragic ferry accident in Korea when a large number of students lost their lives while on a school trip.

There will also be the opportunity to browse and buy the YEOYU series of Korean chapbooks, published by Strangers Press.

Supported by the Arts Council of Korea.

£5 entry includes a glass of wine.

Part of our Meet the World series.