Kim Yeong-hyeon
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (February 2014) |
Kim Yeong-hyeon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1955 (age 68–69) |
| Language | Korean |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Citizenship | South Korean |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 김영현 |
|---|---|
Kim Yeong-hyeon is a modern Korean poet, novelist and publisher.[1]
Life
Like many intellectuals of the time, Kim was target of oppression during the 30 years of dictatorship. In 1977, Kim was still in college when he was arrested for his participation in student movement. As soon as he was released from prison after serving a two-year sentence, Kim was placed into the army. It was not until the end of 1980s, that Kim and other writers were finally able to publish so-called “after-the-fact” stories exposing the atrocities committed by the military dictatorship. His first collection of short stories entitled A Deep River Flows Far is a product of the author’s painful experience of that period[2] Kim has served as the publisher of Silcheonmunhak, a popular literary quarterly.
Work
Kim writes so-called “after-the-fact” stories exposing the atrocities committed by the military dictatorship. His first collection of short stories entitled A Deep River Flows Far is a product of the author’s own painful experience of that period.[3]
Although the “after-the-fact” stories have diminished in popularity over the years, Kim continues to write about the people who have suffered, fought and perished under political oppression. We do not talk about the past, Kim believes, not because the world has changed and there is no more need to talk about the bygone times, but because we ourselves have changed over time and have simply forgotten about our past. For him, the past is not a mere tool for justifying or understanding the present circumstances, but the very foundation of the life we have now.[4]
Kim’s books are a testament to his stubborn engagement with the events of Korean modern history. An artist who has served as the voice of the people victimized by the historical circumstances, Kim believes that literature is grounded, created and manifested in reality; and only as such, can literature attain the power to heal wounded souls.[5]
Works in Korean (partial)
Short story collections:
- A Deep River Flows Far (1990)
- The Road to Haenam (1992)
Novels
- Young Lord (1993)
- Heavy Snow (2002)
Poetry Collections
- Winter Sea (1988)
- A South Sea Postcard (1994)
Children’s Books
- Adventure of Ttolgae (2000)
References
- ^ "Author Database - Korea Literature Translation Institute". Klti.or.kr. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
- ^ "Author Database - Korea Literature Translation Institute". Klti.or.kr. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
- ^ "Author Database - Korea Literature Translation Institute". Klti.or.kr. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
- ^ "Author Database - Korea Literature Translation Institute". Klti.or.kr. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
- ^ "Author Database - Korea Literature Translation Institute". Klti.or.kr. Retrieved 2014-02-02.