Preface
Literary reputations depend on many factors, not all of them literary. That is true everywhere. In bringing together material for each number of Korean Literature Today we are sometimes made acutely aware of how many different opinions there can be of the significance of a writer's work. Voices are raised to criticize our publication of this writer or to demand the inclusion of that one. There is no way we can please everybody. Throughout the 20th century, Korean literature has developed in an extremely complex and conflict-laden political culture. The act of writing has at times been evaluated uniquely in terms of political and ideological correctness; writers and critics of slightly differing political or aesthetic persuasions have merrily formed exclusive factions and hurled anathemas at all who did not conform to their criteria. The Korean literary scene is still highly fraught with memories of such times and they do nothing to inspire the younger generation as they attempt to built on a firm foundation of previous writing.
As the editors, we feel that we have a responsibility to be aware of the shadows inherited from the past and to try to overcome them. The writers included should, if possible, represent the best in modern Korean writing, irrespective of schools and politics. Certain writers and works were deliberately refused recognition and have to be rescued from near-oblivion while many who were given high marks in past decades may prove to be less attractive in the light of a more open evaluation. We should exclude no one and be open to the advice of all who are now attempting to reach a fairer evaluation of the century's Korean literature, critics and general readers alike. Only space is limited, and skilled translators are not easily come by... Another difficulty where reputations are concerned comes from the fact that in Korean literary circles, seniority counts for so much. In many cultures, a first novel can establish the young writer firmly in critical opinion. Potential is sometimes given more weight than actual achievement! Young writers fare less well in Korea, where age and actual publication count for so much more than youth and future promise. It is rare that younger writers are considered to be worth serious attention.
This is not a new phenomenon. We are publishing in this number translations of some poems by Yi Sang, who in his time was hardly numbered among the literary establishment and whose work has for many years enjoyed popularity mainly on account of its non-conformity, a quality not usually highly valued by mainstream critics. Yet his name is now firmly lodged among the great pioneers of Korean poetry. In addition, we are publishing poems by other such senior figures as the late Pak Nam-su, and So※ng Ch'un-bok, as well as the amazingly talented Park Yeemun. It is therefore a relief to be able to include poems by a far younger writer who is, in addition, already widely known, An Do-hyo※n.
In fiction, readers may be surprised to find a translation of Chang Yo※ng-hak's Poems of John the Baptist dating from 1955. He wrote little, at a time when modern Korean fiction was just taking shape, made a deep impression, and then stopped writing entirely. His work certainly deserves a wider audience. We are glad to be able to publish more of the late Hahn Moo-sook's stories in this issue, continuing on from last year's special issue on women writers. She was a writer who in her lifetime was refused the critical recognition she surely deserved. Yang Kwi-ja established her youthful reputation in the tense social context of the 1980s and The Tearoom Woman may be regarded as characteristic of her writing. ※Un Hu※i-kyo※ng is only a few years younger but her work reflects the growing interest in the psychology rather than the external social experience of women of the 1990s.
The presence of a short story by Cho※n Sang-kuk only serves to highlight the great variety of fiction that has been published in recent decades, and will surely help readers gain a better overall perspective of Korean literature. Finally, it is good to be able to include a further installment of Hwang Sun-wo※n's masterly Trees on a Slope.
Tae-dong LeeBrother Anthony