VOL.69/2024.04

Translated and Published in Taiwan, Meet Chin-Myong Kim's THAAD

The Novel that INK Publishing Recognized First!

 

2017.6.30

 

Chin-Myong Kim, who is one of the most respected writers in Korea with his powerful novels, The Rose of Sharon Blooms Again and Goguryeo was interviewed by in commemoration of the translation of his work first published in 2014.

 

 

The Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea(hereafter KPIPA)

Congratulations on Taiwan translation to THAAD, which recently completed 28 prints, 200,000 copies. Please give us some comments.

 

Chin-Myong Kim (hereafter Kim)

It is a great pleasure to receive attention from many readers. However, I have a concern that the interest in THAAD represents Korea’s difficulties. Faced with a series of situations, I have realized the fact that "the writer should not ignore the issues of the times" and have also been convinced that only those who try to understand history can become the subjects of history. I think that writers should be individuals who will help others to understand the times and history.

 

 

KPIPA

Unlike ordinary documents that convey information, nuances from words and their context in literature is regarded as a part of the work. Thus, I presume you would have participated in the decision about the translator of THAAD. I would like to ask you about the process of selecting the translator and reviewing the translation.

 

Kim

'INK Publishing' is one of the largest literary publishers in Taiwan, so I fully trusted them. Of course, I was not involved in the process in selection of translator and translation. I believe that if you have passed the copyright based on trust, you have to support the competence of the publisher. The publisher would have taken the time to do things properly. I know Yu Qingxing(游芯歆), the translator of THAAD, and that he is a professional translator who has translated many famous Korean novels after having studied in Korea.

 

KPIPA

I would like to ask you about and the desires and efforts of the Korean writers’ society and publishing industry to promote Korean authors’ works to international readers.

 

Kim

First of all, the fundamental issue is whether Korean novels are rich and various enough to attract world readers. In fact, the boundary between popularity and literature is vague and the important thing is the interest of readers. However, there is a big gap between the interest of readers and the evaluation by the media and writer’s society in Korea, and people tend to separate popularity and literature. Novels are about humans and life, and it is pointless to distinguish popularity and literature in terms of the daily life of most people. I am afraid that the horizon of Korean novels will be narrowed because of the distinction between them. Of course, my novel originated from Korean culture, but we have to open the author’s views and insights towards the world to reach out to international readers.

 

KPIPA

Finally, please share a few words for K-Book Trends readers.

 

Kim

I think readers of K-Book Trends will be people who are trying to grasp our works in a global cultural context beyond Korea. Since the overseas expansion of Korean publishing through K-Book Trends is based on an assumption of understanding of overseas publishing culture. The Korean publishing industry can be changed through those efforts of readers. Korean publishing is not unique based on a worldview of Korea and the world. Therefore, any attempt to expand the market and interest can actively vitalize the Korean publishing culture. I would appreciate seeing it as a Korean author.

 

 

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