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Chong Hyon-jong

Chong Hyon-jong scrap

정현종

  • Category

    Poetry 시

  • Target User

    Adult 성인

  • Period

    Contemporary 현대

Author Bio 작가 소개

Chong Hyon-jong (born 1939) is a South Korean poet and professor. 

1. Life

Chong Hyon-jong was born on December 17, 1939 in Seoul. He attended Daegwang High School and entered the philosophy department of Yonsei University in 1959. His poems `Hwaeum` (화음 Harmony) and `Jugeomege` (주검에게 To a Corpse) published in the school paper, the Yonsei Chunchu, caught the eye of the poet Park Dujin who was teaching at the university`s Korean department, and recommended them for publication in the May 1964 issue of Hyundae Munhak. The following year, shortly after graduation, Chong published two more poems, `Dongmu` (독무 Solo) and `Yeoreumgwa gyeourui norae` (여름과 겨울의 노래 Song of Summer and Winter) in the March and August issues of Hyundae Munhak, completing his literary debut. In 1966 he formed the literary magazine Sagye with Hwang Tong-gyu, Park Ido, Kim Hwa-yeong, Kim Ju-yeon, and Kim Hyun. Chong published his first poetry collection, Samurui kkum (사물의 꿈 Dreams of Things), in 1972. He continued to work steadily as a poet while holding other jobs. From 1970 to 1973, Chong worked as a reporter for the Seoul Shinmun, and for the JoongAng Ilbo from 1975 to 1977. After leaving journalism, Chong was appointed professor of creative writing at Seoul Institute of Arts, where he taught poetry writing. In 1982 he went to teach on the Korean literature faculty of Yonsei University, where he remained until his retirement in 2005. 

2. Writing

Chong`s poetry revises and reviews traditional lyric poetry. His early poems in Samurui kkum discarded the trend of nihilistic, traditional lyric poetry from the postwar period, to explore the possibilities of transcending the pain of reality within the tense relationship between the dreams of self and of the external world. Even as his poetry addressed the conflict and strife of conflicting ideas or elements like pain and celebration, water and fire, heaviness and lightness, and sadness and happiness, it explored the dynamic tension of a mentality that sought to transform pain into happiness, and reality into a dream. He continued this poetic exploration in his second and third books of poems, Naneun byeolajeossi (나는 별아저씨 I`m Mr. Star) and Tteoreojyeodo twineun gongcheoreom (떨어져도 튀는 공처럼 Like a Bouncing Ball). Like the flame of life burning freely, this state of‬ ‪rapture can only be attained when one has relinquished all attachment to the self or material‬ ‪things, and embraced freedom of heart and mind. Only when greed for them is discarded can‬ ‪one have genuine rapport with things; only when the attitude of hypocrisy and artificiality is‬ ‪cast off, can life throb buoyantly. Such a view evolves into an attitude of reverence for life and‬ ‪heightened environmental awareness. [1] ‬‬‬‬‬ Chong`s fourth collection, Saranghal sigani manchi anta (사랑할 시간이 많지 않다 So Little Time to Love), was a turning point in the poet`s career, in its examination of the rapture and acceptance of life, and the wonders of nature. These works also evinced a new penchant for the world of reconciliation rather than conflict. This change in poetic interest became more evident in his fifth book of poems, Han kkotsongi (한 꽃송이 A Blossom), and the following collections Sesangui namudeul (세상의 나무들 Trees of the World), and Galjeungimyeo saemmurin (갈증이며 샘물인 Thirst‬ ‪and Spring Water), in which he remains guarded toward all that is artificial or man-made, while‬ ‪embracing love and reverence for life, limpid and shimmering like the “green bliss” discovered‬ ‪in an “old and diseased world.”‬ [1]‬‬‬ 

Reference

References [1] Yi, Nam-Ho, et al. Twentieth Century Korean Literature. Eastbridge Books, An Imprint Of Camphor Press, 2005. p.67

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Works 작품

Whisper of Splendor

광휘의 속삭임

By Chong Hyon-jong

Island

섬

By Chong Hyon-jong

Translations 번역서

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