Yi Gwangsu
Yi Kwang-su | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 1, 1892 |
| Died | October 25, 1950 (aged 58) |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Language | Korean |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Citizenship | South Korean |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 이광수 |
|---|---|
Template:Korean name Yi Kwang-su (Korean: 이광수; 1892, Chongju – 1950) was a Korean writer and independence and nationalist activist.[1] His pennames were Chunwon and Goju.
Life
Famous (among other things) for writing Heartless, the "first modern Korean novel,"[2] Yi Kwangsu was born Yi Bogyeong on February 1, 1892.[3] Yi was orphaned at about age 10 and grew up with Donghak believers. In 1904, around the time of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, he moved to Seoul in order to avoid the authorities. In 1905 he went to Japan for his education. Upon returning to Korea in 1913, he taught, in Jeongju, at Osan School.
In 1919 he moved to Shanghai and served in the Korean Provisional Government and became president of The Independent, a newspaper in Shanghai. Yi returned to Korea in 1921 and founded the Alliance for Self-Improvement, established on principles of enlightenment and self-help. From 1923 to 1934, Yi pursued a career in journalism working for several newspapers, including two that survive today, the Dong-a Ilbo and the Chosun Ilbo.
After the war, the Special Committee for the Investigation of Anti-nationalist Activities found Yi guilty of collaboration. In 1950 Yi was captured by the North Korean army and died in Manpo on October 25, most likely of tuberculosis.[4]
Work
Yi was a fiction writer and essayist. His essays originally focused on the need for national consciousness.[5] His fiction was among the first modern fiction in Korea and he is most famous for his novel, The Heartless. The Heartless was a description of the crossroads at which Korea found itself, stranded between tradition and modernity and undergoing conflict between social realities and traditional ideals.[6] His career can be split into thirds. The first period (That of The Heartless), from 1910-19 featured a strong attack on Korea's traditional society and the belief that Korea should adopt a more modern ("western") worldview.[7] From the early 20s to the 30's Yi transformed into a dedicated nationalist and published a controversial essay, "On the Remaking of National Consciousness" which advocated a moral overhaul of Korea and blames Koreans for being defeatist.[8] The third period, from the 30's on, coincides with Yi's conversion to Buddhism and his work consequently becomes quite Buddhist in tone. This was also the period in which, as noted above, Yi became a Japanese collaborator.
Yi's professional judgment could be as fickle as his politics. In one famous case he befriended then abandoned Korean "New Woman" writer Kim Myeong-sun arguably because his own beliefs about modernism had shifted.[9]
Works
- Eorin Huisaeng (어린 희생)
- Mujong (The Heartless) (무정)
- Jaesaeng (재생)
- Sonyunui Biae (소년의 비애)
- Gaechukja (개척자)
- Mumyong (무명)
- The Soil (흙)
- Crownprince Maui (마의태자)
- Danjongaesa (단종애사)
- Youjong (유정)
- Sarang (사랑)
- Sejo of Joseon (세조대왕)
- Wife of Revolusionist (혁명가의 아내)
- Aeyokuipiahn (애욕의 피안)
- Halmum (할멈)
- Gashil (가실 嘉實)
- Nauigobaek (나의 고백)
- Wonhyodaesa (원효대사)
- Death of Yichadon (이차돈의 죽음)
- Biography Yi Sunsin (전기 이순신)
- Biography Ahn Changho (전기 안창호)
Works in English
- Mujong (The Heartless)
- The Soil
Works in Korean (partial)
- Mujong (The Heartless)
- Dosan, An Chango
- Stone Pillow (돌베개, Essays)
References
- ^ "이광수" biographical PDF available at LTI Korea Library or online at: "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Understanding Korean Literature. Kim Hunggyu M. E. Sharpe. Armonk, NY. 1997.
- ^ Korean Literature Translation Institute Database http://www.klti.or.kr/AuthorApp?mode=6010&aiNum=12337
- ^ Korean Literature Translation Institute Database http://www.klti.or.kr/AuthorApp?mode=6010&aiNum=12337
- ^ A History of Korean Literature. Peter H. Lee, Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, England.2003
- ^ Understanding Korean Literature. Kim Hunggyu M. E. Sharpe. Armonk, NY. 1997. P. 118
- ^ Korean Literature Translation Institute Database http://www.klti.or.kr/AuthorApp?mode=6010&aiNum=12337
- ^ Korean Literature Translation Institute Database http://www.klti.or.kr/AuthorApp?mode=6010&aiNum=12337
- ^ KTLIT http://www.ktlit.com/korean-literature/women-and-korean-literature-short-article-by-helen-koh
External links
- Yi Gwang-su: Pro-Japanese? Template:En icon
- Queering Korean Literature: Author and Activist Yi Gwang-su Template:En icon
- 북한, 6·25 납북인사 묘역 첫 공개 조선일보 2005.07.26
- 춘원 이광수의 `무정 영문판 출판 조선일보 2005.10.23
- 춘원 이광수는 어떻게 친일로 변절했나 오마이뉴스 2005.09.18
- [책마을] 친일과 애국 사이… 춘원의 두얼굴 조선일보 2000.01.10
