“Even Seokdae was being caned. In such a miserable, helpless state. It shocked not only me but the whole class.” (Urideurui Ilgeureojin Yeongung [Our Twisted Hero]. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1992)
Yi Mun-yol is a novelist who examines the irrational structures of society and the fundamental questions of human existence.
1. Life
Yi Mun-yol was born Yi Yol in Seoul in 1948. He withdrew from the Korean Language Department of Seoul National University’s College of Education and devoted himself to writing. His father, Yi Won-cheol, was a committed socialist and defected to North Korea at the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. After that, his family moved from place to place in his mother’s hometown, Yeongcheon-gun, North Gyeongsang Province. He began to fully explore the theme of family in the novel Yeongungsidae (Age of Heroes).
In 1977, he received an honorable mention for his short story “Najarereul Asimnikka” (“Do You Know Nazareth?”) in the Daegu Maeil Shinmun New Year’s Literary Contest, and his literary career effectively began in 1979 when he won the Dong-A Ilbo New Year’s Literary Contest for his novella Saehagok (Song of the Frontier). In the same year, he published Saramui Adeul (Son of Man), which was such a huge success that sparked a “Yi Mun-yol phenomenon.” He received the third Today’s Writer Award for this work and gained both critical acclaim and public popularity. His success continued with his subsequent novels Jeoleun Narui Chosang (Portrait of Days of Youth) and Hwangjereul Wihayeo (Hail to the Emperor!), establishing himself as an undisputed leading author of the 1980s. His work as a translator is also noteworthy. He translated and annotated the Samgukji (The Three Kingdoms) series in 1988, one of the most widely sold translated series in Korea, with nearly twenty million copies sold.
Yi has faced several controversies over his publications. In 1980, the new military regime banned his short story “Pillonui Dwaeji” (“Pilon’s Pig”), which reappeared on bookshelves in 1987 when it was included in the short story collection Guro Arirang. In 1997, his novel Seontaek (Choice) sparked a backlash over its perceived anti-feminist themes, leading to a heated exchange with female writers. In 2001, he published a column, “Hongwibyeongeul Dorabomyeo” (“Looking Back at the Red Guards”), which was met with criticism and resulted in the burning of his books in what became known as a “book funeral.” Despite many controversies, Yi remains one of Korea’s most beloved best-selling authors, with over thirty million copies sold.
2. Writing
Yi’s works are often highly critical of society. He is particularly skilled at reconstructing society’s irrational structures through allegory. His novella Saehagok (Song of the Frontier) depicts the military life of a signal officer in the field artillery, condemning Korea’s standardized organizational culture in the 1970s. His short story “Pillonui Dwaeji” (“Pilon’s Pig”) is also set in a military context, where he examines discipline, hierarchical power relations, and the crowd psychology in response to them. In his novella Urideurui Ilgeureojin Yeongung (Our Twisted Hero), he reveals the nature of power and the masses that are rendered subservient to it through the allegorical portrayal of violence and submission within an elementary school classroom.
Yi explores a range of subjects from religion to the arts in depth. While some regard his works as having achieved cultural nationalism, others have criticized them for excessive idealism. In his novel Saramui Adeul (Son of Man), he delves into the agony of God, Jesus Christ, and humanity. It is characterized by extensive knowledge and convoluted, translation like prose and is regarded as a work that satisfies readers’ intellectual and humanistic curiosity. One of Korea’s defining Künstlerroman, or artist’s novels, is Yi’s novella Geumsijo (The Golden Phoenix), which portrays true art and the origin of existence through the conflict between a teacher and student over differences in artistic vision.
Yi has also published several works that grapple with existential questions based on his personal experiences. His novel Geudae Dasineun Gohyange Gaji Mothari (You Will Never Return to Your Homeland) follows a man, who has just made his literary debut, during the four days after returning home. Although he searches for his roots in his hometown and family history, he eventually bids them farewell and returns to the city. Yeongungsidae (Age of Heroes) is a family narrative that explores ambivalent feelings toward a father who has defected to North Korea and depicts the hardships faced by the remaining family in South Korea.
Reference
Complete Works
Imunyeol Jungdanpyeonjeonjip (The Complete Short Stories and Novellas of Yi Mun-Yol). in 6 vols. Achimnara, 2001
Imunyeol Jungdanpyeonjeonjip (The Complete Short Stories and Novellas of Yi Mun-Yol). in 6 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2016
Selected Works
Daepyojakga Daepyososeol - Seoneulhan Yeoreum (Key Works of a Leading Writer: A Chilly Summer). Simji, 1987
Imunyeol Munhaksang Susang Jakpumjip (Yi Mun-Yol’s Award-Winning Works). Hunminjeongeum, 1993
Imunyeol Jaseondaepyojakpumjip - Igangeseo (Yi Mun-Yol’s Own Selection of Best Works: By the Li River). Chunga Books, 1998
Imunyeol Munhaksang Susang Jakpumjip (Yi Mun-Yol’s Award-Winning Works). Chungeo, 1999
Imunyeol Jungdanpyeonjeonjip Chulgan Ginyeom Susangjak Moeumjip (Award-Winning Works in Celebration of the Publication of The Complete Short Stories and Novellas of Yi Mun-Yol). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2016
Collected Works
Saramui Adeul (Son of Man). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1979
Geuhae Gyeoul (Winter That Year). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1980
Eodumui Geuneul (The Shadow of Darkness). Munhak Yesulsa, 1981
Geumsijo (The Golden Phoenix). Dongsuh Publishers, 1983
Dalpaengiui Oechul (A Snail’s Outing). Munhak Yesulsa, 1984
Kalepa Ta Kala. Nanam Publishing House, 1985
Guro Arirang. Moonji Publishing co., Ltd., 1987
Saehagok (Song of the Frontier). Openbooks, 1987
Seoneulhan Yeoreum (A Chilly Summer). Simji, 1987
Gwidusaneneun Naktaga Sanda (A Camel Lives on Mount Gwidu). Openbooks, 1988
Ingmyeongui Seom (An Anonymous Island). Literature & Thought, 1988
Pillonui Dwaeji (Pilon’s Pig). Dong-A, 1989
Taoreuneun Chueok (Burning Memories). Hankyoreh, 1989
Yeousanyang (Fox Hunting). Sallim, 1995
Naneun Deo Isang Psyampureul Sseuji Anneunda (I No Longer Use P Shampoo). Salmgwa Kkum, 1998 (multiple authors)
Novels
Saramui Adeul (Son of Man). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1979
Geudae Dasineun Gohyange Gaji Mothari (You Will Never Return to Your Homeland). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1980
Jeoleun Narui Chosang (Portrait of Days of Youth). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1981
Hwangjereul Wihayeo (Hail to the Emperor!). Donggwang Publishing, 1982
Geu Challanhan Yeomyeong (That Dazzling Dawn). Simseoldang, 1982
Reteui Yeonga (Lette’s Song). JoongAng Ilbo Publishing, 1982
Yeongungsidae (Age of Heroes). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1984
Miroilji (Maze Journal). Soseolmunhaksa, 1984
Churakaneun Geoseun Nalgaega Itda (All That Falls Has Wings). Jayu Munhaksa, 1988
Uriga Haengbokaejigikkaji (Until We Become Happy). Munidang, 1989
Siin (The Poet). Mirae Munhaksa, 1991
Urideurui Ilgeureojin Yeongung [Potoromang] (Our Twisted Hero) [Photo Novel]. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1992
Odyssey Seoul. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1993
Reteui Yeonga (Lette’s Song). Doongji, 1994
Seongnyeonui Ohu (Coming of Age Afternoon). Unpublished, serialized in Dong-A Ilbo.
Daeryugui Han (The Sorrow of the Continent). in 5 vols. Doongji, 1995
Seontaek (Choice). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1997
Byeongyeong (Border). in 12 vols. Moonji Publishing co., Ltd., 1998
Aga: Huimihan Yetsarangui Geurimja (Song of Songs: The Faint Shadow of an Old Love). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2000
Homo Executans. in 3 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2006
Bulmyeol: Soseol Anjunggeun (Immortality: An Jung-Geun, a Novel). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2010
Rituania Yeoin (Lithuanian Woman). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2011
Essays
Sasaek (Contemplation). Sallim, 1991
Sidaewaui Bulhwa (Discord Against the Era). Jayu Munhaksa, 1992
Ijipteu Munmyeongtamheom (An Exploration of Egyptian Civilization). Nanam Publishing House, 1997
Sindeulmereul Gochyeomaemyeo (Tightening the Shoelaces). Munidang, 2004
Areumdaun Sijeol Areumdaun Saram: Urisidae Jakga 12inui Jageun Sarang Iyagi (Beautiful People in Beautiful Times: Small Love Stories by Twelve Writers of Our Time). Bada Publishing, 1996 (multiple authors)
Yeohaeng, Geudeulcheoreom Tteonara (Go on a Journey as They Did). Dongyang Books, 2012 (multiple authors)
Children’s Books
Deulso (Bison). Hyoriwon, 2006
Translated Works (Adapted Works)
Samgukji (The Three Kingdoms). in 10 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1988
Suhoji (Water Margin). in 10 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 1994
Chohanji (Legends of Chu and Han). in 10 vols. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2008
Edited Works
Imunyeol Segyemyeongjaksanchaek (Yi Mun-Yol’s Stroll Through World Classics). in 10 vols. Sallim Publishing, 1997
Other
Imunyeol Munhagaelbeom (Yi Mun-Yol’s Literary Album). Woongjin.com, 1994 (multiple authors)
Chuna Chuna Okdanchuna Ne Abeoji Eodi Ganni? (Chun, Chun, Ok Danchun, Where Has Your Father Gone?). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2001 (multiple authors)
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