Topic
Development and Transformation of Korean Young Adult Fiction
2024.06.03
“Young Adult (YA)” is a keyword that can’t be left out when discussing Korean literature in recent years. In fact, “recent” might not be the right word. It was in 2021 when the first article on the topic of “young adult fiction” appeared in K-Book Trends, and Sohn Won-Pyung’s Almond (Darjeeling), which was mentioned as a work that led the young adult market at that time, was published in 2017. However, the term “young adult” appears in the submission guidelines of new fiction contests, in the names and intentions of newly conceived novel series, and in the introductions of young adult SF or fantasy novels. As such, young adult fiction is expanding and changing at a remarkably rapid pace. This growth can be attributed to the steady improvement of Korean young adult fiction, the changes in general fiction, and readers’ enthusiasm for new genres. So, where did Korean young adult fiction come from, and where is it headed?
* K-Book Trends Vol. 22 – Go to the interview with writer Sohn Won-Pyung
Almond
Korean young adult novels exploring worlds beyond
With the rise of popular young adult fiction, there is a misconception that young adult fiction means genre fiction that can be read by teens up to adults. The fact that most recent young adult novels are set in the future may have contributed to this misconception. However, young adult literature has a long history of combining elements of SF, fantasy, thrillers, and other genres to explore the future in a variety of ways.
* K-Book Trends Vol. 31 – Go to the interview with writer Lee Hee-Young
Syncher, Millennial Children, and Paint
As such, young adult literature has been attempting to delve into the reality of modern adolescents and present a different world to them, trapped in the time and space defined by the older generation. The future brought about by the development of science and technology may not be all sunshine and rainbows, but how should we live with it? That question continues to be asked today.
An intriguing narrative born from the border between adolescence and adulthood
The book The Origin of Evil by Darwin Young (Sakyejul Publishing) by Park Ji-Ri is a crime mystery novel set in a heavily compartmentalized society, from Earth 1, where the people in power live, to Earth 9, a deserted land. The protagonist, “Darwin Young,” a high-achieving student at the best boarding school on Earth 1, is shocked to discover the secrets his father and grandfather, whom he believes to be ethical and perfect adults, have been hiding from him. Darwin’s final choice is a twist that completely deviates from the usual coming-of-age story and asks the reader what choice they would have made. The story was first published as a full-length novel by Park Ji-Ri, who began her career in young adult literature, but in the same year, it won the Korea Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. And, a few years later, it was rediscovered by adult readers when it was turned into a musical.
* K-Book Trends Vol. 30 – Go to the interview with writer Cheon Seon-Ran
Snow Globe Drive (Minumsa Publishing) by Cho Ye-Eun begins when the “snow that never melts,“ which causes rashes on contact with the skin, strikes the protagonists, Moru and Ewol, while they are in their second year of middle school. A global disaster is never the same for everyone. Moru, who remains in the dump for special waste, and Ewol, who flees, are reunited after losing their families. At the “present” point in the novel, they are 22 years old, but much of the story takes place during their adolescence. The reason they are still seen as adolescents upon their reunion is that the disaster ended their daily lives at the age of 15. The situation exquisitely overlaps with the time of adolescence erased by the pandemic in reality. The narrative of escaping from caretakers who treat them as tools and property is also something that adolescents must go through.
The Origin of Evil by Darwin Young, A Thousand Blues, and Snow Globe Drive
There are also other general fiction works by writers such as Jeon Sam-Hye, Kim Cho-Yeop, and Park Seo-Ryeon, who present new narratives with adolescent characters as the main characters. If I had to guess, I would say that the reason behind the stories choosing to speak in the voices of adolescents is that the writers themselves are psychologically closer to the adolescent characters than to the “older generation that refuses to talk.” Moreover, it may be because adolescents are the ones who have the potential to change through certain events, and are the ones who will not let go of hope even in despair. And, readers who strongly relate to them may feel close to the characters in young adult literature.
Changes continue within the young adult boom
Young adult fiction is enjoying a revitalization. More books are being published, and new writers who haven’t previously gained the attention they deserve are being discovered. It seems like we will continue to see more young adult characters in fiction, and young adult literature will continue to be loved by young readers. As the number of adolescent readers declines, some young adult literature publishers see this as an opportunity to expand their readership. In fact, it gives young readers who love web novels and web dramas a chance to experience a variety of narratives. However, there is also a concern that the elements of “near future, youth, and genre” are becoming a template in the process of rapid growth. While some works feature similar disaster situations, Korean young adult novels are thankfully taking their own paths.
The Spell to Become a Witch and The Day You Are Here
On top of all this, I can happily think of many other names that will be pushing the boundaries of Korean young adult fiction, such as Lee Hee-Young, who is actively publishing close-knit, full-length novels with the aim of “expanding the readership of young adult literature,” Choi Jung-Won, who shows off unique features in both creature stories and SF, Park Seo-Ryeon, the most versatile writer I can think of at the time of this writing, and Choi Young-Hee, who is branching out from the root of SF.
Written by Jang Seul-Ki (Editor of the Children & Young Adult Literature Team at Sakyejul Publishing)
Jang Seul-Ki (Editor of the Children & Young Adult Literature Team at Sakyejul Publishing) #Young Adult#YA#Fantasy#SF |
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