By Honorary Reporter Minnath Azeez from Sri Lanka

Korean Canadian author June Hur used her early struggles with identity outside of her homeland due to lack of representation through her bestselling young adult novels with historical themes. 

As a former librarian at the Toronto Public Library from 2011-19, she made the transition to author by debuting with "The Silence of Bones" in 2020. But it was her subsequent work, "The Red Palace," that propelled her into the spotlight by earning the prestigious Edgar Award. 

Hur has gone on to receive widespread acclaim from sources like Forbes, National Public Radio and The New York Times. Her young adult fiction is reminiscent of historical K-dramas, something I discovered online as well as her storytelling capacity.

The following are excerpts from a Feb. 2 email interview with the writer. 

Born in Incheon, she spent much of her childhood in Canada and the U.S. but later returned to Korea during high school. Inspired by Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, she pursued a double major in history and literature at the University of Toronto but reading Hahn Moo-sook's historical novel "Encounter" shaped Hur's eventual writing career. 

Her latest book "A Crane Among Wolves," which is set for release in May this year, explores the plight of women during the reign of the tyrannical 16th-century King Yeonsangun.

Each of her books is also a lesson in Korean history driven by her interest in a range of periods. While she aims for historical accuracy, she said she considers herself a storyteller, not a historian, and strives to clarify any deviations from historical facts in her notes.

Hur has used Korean history to gain a following in the Western in young adult literature. Timed with the rise of Hallyu (Korean Wave), her works appeal to a Western audience growingly drawn to Korean history and culture.

"The Red Palace," a historical thriller set in the Joseon Dynasty during the reign of King Yeongjo, made Forbes' Most Anticipated Books of 2022 and the American Booksellers Association's Indie Bestseller List. Also winning the Edgar Allan Poe Award last year, the book is set in 18th-century Korea and has been translated into Italian, Russian, German, Indonesian and Korean.

Despite the author's success, she endured over 100 rejections from publishers over an eight-year period. Discouraged, she nearly quit writing in 2016 but took a year off before deciding to try again.

"Taking that year off taught me that I'm not my failures or accomplishments," she said. "I told myself that even if I failed this time, I'd be OK. One doesn't always need to pursue the traditional path to get one's story out. Fortunately, though, it worked out in the end." 

Her latest work is "Adoration," which is slated for a 2026 release. Unlike her usual thrillers, this enemies-to-lovers tale set in the Joseon Dynasty pays homage to Austen as the tale of a woman transcribing forbidden books and a wealthy man with his own literary secrets, exploring themes of class, respectability and self-determination. This is a loose reimagining of Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," which ignited Hur's passion for literature.

On her departure from dark thrillers through her new book, Hur said she wanted to grow as a writer through character development and exploration of relationships both romantic and familial. She added that she plans to return to dark thrillers but embraces the opportunity to try something new and enjoyable.

With this year's release of "A Crane Among Wolves," Hur said she hopes to transport readers to a vivid period of Korean history when a young heroine and a prince challenge a tyrannical king, while igniting curiosity and stimulating reader exploration of Korea's rich past.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.