July 2023

Amid growing interest in Korean cultural content around the world, the interest of Hallyu fans, who were focused on K-pop, dramas, movies and Korean food, is expanding to Korean literature. Accessing the works of prominent Korean authors abroad has become effortless, while the creations of Korean diaspora writers are enjoying a surge in global recognition these days.

Exploring K-stories

Experience the transformed status of Korean literature in Australia, where literary events abound year-round, from local book club tours to major writers¡¯ festivals in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Witness the rising presence of Korean literature in the Australian literary market, traditionally focusing on Western literature.

Korean Cultural Centre Australia serves as a pivotal hub for promoting Korean literature in the country. Notably, since 2020, the center has diligently organized the Korean Book Club, offering Australian readers a glimpse into translated Korean literary works and English literature by Korean diaspora writers. During these events, panels consisting of professionals, including professors, writers, art directors and translators share profound discussions about the selected books with readers.

The Korean Book Club has introduced diverse works to Australian literature enthusiasts, including ¡°Umma¡¯s Table¡± by Yeon Sik Hong, ¡°Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982¡± by Nam-joo Cho, ¡°Almond¡± by Won-Pyung Sohn, ¡°Tower¡± by Bae Myung-hoon, ¡°Pachinko¡± by Min Jin Lee and ¡°The Plotters¡± by Un-su Kim.

Promotional poster for 2023 Korean Literature Week

Little Korea in a Bookstore

Thanks to the growing popularity of Korean literature, the Korean Cultural Centre Australia has been collaborating with Berkelouw Books, a renowned bookstore and a prominent hub for rare books in Australia, to host the Korean Literature Week since last year.

The 2023 Korean Literature Week took place at Berkelouw Books Paddington, located in the heart of Sydney and cherished by the locals. Over the course of two weeks, the main display area transformed into a miniature Korea, adorned with traditional Korean decorations and filled with Korean books, creating a unique and captivating ambiance. Various programs were held simultaneously, including workshops on bokjumeoni (fortune pouch) and folding Hanbok origami. The bookstore¡¯s cafe offered Korean cultural experiences with the sale of Korean desserts like patbingsu (shaved ice with red bean topping).

The response from the local community was overwhelmingly positive. During the event, approximately 1,600 locals visited Berkelouw Books Paddington. Around 250 Korean books displayed on the shelves were sold, and in the weekly sales ranking compiled by the bookstore, Bora Chung¡¯s novel ¡°Cursed Bunny¡± secured the top spot in the fiction category, while Michelle Zauner¡¯s memoir ¡°Crying in H Mart¡± ranked fourth in the non-fiction category. These rankings provide a glimpse into the enthusiastic interest in Korean literature within Australia.

Status Confirmed

The news of Korea being selected as the Country of Focus for the 2023 Brisbane Writers Festival marked a pivotal moment in acknowledging the status of Korean literature within Australia. While individual Korean writers had been invited to literary festivals in Australia before, this was the first instance of Korea being the featured country. Melissa Bates, CEO of the Brisbane Writers Festival, expressed her anticipation, stating, ¡°Korea, chosen as the Country of Focus this year, is receiving attention in various cultural aspects, and literature is one of them. Considering the dynamism of Korean literature, the Country of Focus program this year will be very exciting.¡±

The event took place from May 10 to 14, bringing seven Korean writers to Australia, including novelists Bora Chung, Bae Suah, Choi Eunyoung, poet Lee Young-ju, translator Krys Lee, children¡¯s book writer JiHyeon Lee and Gihun Lee. During the festival, the Korean writers participated in a total of 12 programs engaging with local literary figures and readers. Particularly, this event served as an opportunity to showcase various facets of contemporary Korean literature through activities such as poetry recitals, art workshops and dialogues, fostering the sharing of perspectives embedded within Korean literature.

During the festival, the books ¡°Cursed Bunny¡± and ¡°Untold Night and Day¡± by Bora Chung and Bae Suah, respectively, were sold out at the book market, while readers from Australia who had previously participated in the Korean Book Club made special visits to Brisbane to partake in the Country of Focus program, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the festival.

Korean Cultural Centre Australia keeps engaging readers in Korean literature through various events and programs. With their continued effort, it is likely that the influence and popularity of Korean literature will continue to grow, captivating more audiences in Australia.