By Yoo Yeon Gyeong
Photos = Lee Geum-yi

"Children's literature contains belief in humanity and hope for the world."

Author Lee Geum-yi in 1984 made her debut in children's literature with "Younggu and Heukgu." Producing about 50 books over the last 40 years, she is considered one of the giants of Korean children's literature.

Her book "You Are a Twilight Lily, Too" (1999), which was also published in textbooks, has sold more than 700,000 copies. Constant publication of the revised editions of her leading work, "Bamti Village's Spring Home" (1994), over the past 30 years has shown the book's unwavering popularity and potential.

In January, Lee was named one of six finalists for this year's Hans Christian Andersen Award, the world's leading honor for children's literature. Launched in 1956, the biennial award is given to one author and one illustrator for their contributions to children's literature.

Lee is the first Korean finalist for the honor as a writer. Lee Suzy won it in 2022 as an illustrator.

The domestic branch of the International Board on Books for Young People nominated Lee for the award, saying, "While revealing Korea's uniqueness, she elicited universal emotions from foreign readers in easily overcoming the 'high hurdle' of gauging if she was a writer who would develop along with children and teens of this age."

Below are excerpts from a Korea.net interview with Lee on April 2 before the announcement of finalists for the award on April 8 at the Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy.

How does it feel to be among the six finalists for the Hans Christian Andersen Award?
I'm personally happy and honored, but I feel even happier and find more meaning in promoting Korean children's and young adult literature to the world. I'm proud to have removed a few bricks from that large language barrier that exists in promoting Korean literature abroad.

You've produced children's and young adult literature since starting your writing career. How did you decide to pursue this genre?

I wasn't particularly good at anything and got little attention when I was a kid. When I felt lonely, I felt the most joy when reading fairy tales that transcended time and space. I wanted readers to gain joy, comfort and hope through children's and young adult literature just like I did in my youth.

What responses from foreign readers do you remember the most?
I meticulously perused readers' comments after "Aloha, My Mothers" and "Can't I Go Instead" were published. I was amazed and proud of comments by readers saying they were moved by my stories, though they are distinctive Korean tales dealing with the Japanese occupation period. I felt rewarded when readers said they learned about Korean history for the first time through my books. 

What message do you want to convey to readers through your books?
We cannot forget that children and teens have the right to receive love, respect and support simply because of their existence. I want to send the message that we can never live alone and must live with, respect and care for those weaker than us.

Which of your works do you especially want to introduce to Korea.net readers?
I would say "Yujin and Yujin," a young adult novel published in 2004. It's about the social issue of child molestation and the daily violence and hurt adolescents suffer. I consider this my leading novel. Expanding on the universal appeal of pain, the book remains a recommended work for youth 20 years after its release. I believe that it can reach readers worldwide as an effective story that transcends time and space.

dusrud21@korea.kr