Lee Injik
이인직
Lee Injik (1862-1916) was a Korean novelist. Considered the ancestor of modern Korean novels, Lee started out in the media as an assistant at a newspaper company while studying abroad in Japan. Upon his return to Joseon, he became an active writer of sinsoseol, a journalist, and a politician. His representative works are Hyeorui nu (血의 淚 Tears of Blood) (1906), Gwiui seong (鬼의 聲 Songs of Spirits) (1906-1907), and Eunsegye (銀世界 Silvery World). Lee’s criticism of the underdeveloped status of Joseon and his argument for enlightenment led to a support for Japanese rule over the kingdom. Through the media, Lee advocated for Imperial Japan’s rule over Joseon, and played a critical role in Japan’s forcible annexation of Joseon.
