“Everyone has times in life they can never forget—because they were too painful or too beautiful, or because the wounds still feel sore. Even now, when I think of those days, it feels like cold, white mushrooms are sprouting behind my beating heart..”(Nopgo pureun sadari ( High and Blue Ladders), Hainaim, 2019)
Gong Ji-Young is a writer known for her sharp examination of the relationship between society and the individual, focusing on themes such as state violence, the pro-democracy movement, patriarchy, and women’s issues.
1. Life
Gong Ji-Young was born in Seoul in 1963. After graduating from Seoul Girls’ Middle School and Jungang Girls’ High School, she majored in English language and literature at Yonsei University. She was actively involved in the democratization movement of the 1980s, and her experiences had a profound impact on her writing. She began her literary career in 1988 with the publication of her novella “Dongteuneun saebyeok,” based on her own experience of being detained for partaking in protests against fraudulent vote counting in 1987. Later, she became a full-time writer and published numerous novels and essay collections. Her works largely address political and social issues in Korea during the 1980s and 1990s, particularly women’s issues and social inequality. These themes reflect the historical pain and the social injustices she witnessed and experienced herself.
2. Writing
Gong has touched the hearts of many readers through works that focus on women’s life and social inequality, and her works have earned recognition with numerous literary awards. With delicate and realistic style, she weaves stories that allow readers to empathize easily while conveying social critiques.
A significant part of her literary world has been dedicated to works that explore the psychological struggles and disillusionment of the young people who participated in the pro-democracy movement of the 1980s. “Dongteuneun saebyeok” ( Breaking Dawn) and “Ingange daehan yeui ( Human Decency) are examples of such works, and they vividly depict the oppression and resistance under military dictatorship while offering a sharp critique of state violence. Gong’s debut novel Deo isang areumdaun banghwangeun eopda ( There Is No More Beautiful Wandering) captures the passion and despair of youth during the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement. Godeungeo ( Mackerel) likewise tells the story of activist youth of the 1980s, realistically depicting their dreams and frustration as they confront authority.
Gong is also known for her incisive portrayals of women’s oppressed lives under patriarchy. Works such as Musoui ppulcheoreom honjaseo gara ( Go Alone Like a Rhino Horn), Chakhan yeoja ( A Good Woman), Bongsuni eonni ( My Sister, Bongsoon), and Halmeonineun jukji anneunda ( Grandmother Does Not Die) explore women’s rights and self-discovery. Through these works, Gong has criticized gender discrimination in Korean society and expressed the determination to overcome it. She has published numerous works on the theme of love and family to delve into conflicts, forgiveness, and inner struggles in human relationships.
Reference
Fiction
Deo isang areumdaun banghwangeun eopda (There Is No More Beautiful Wandering)
Geurigo geudeurui areumdaun sijak (And Their Beautiful Beginning) Vols. 1 and 2, Dongnyok, 1991
Musoui ppulcheoreom honjaseo gara (Go Alone Like a Rhino Horn), Munidang, 1993
Godeungeo (Mackerel), Woongjin, 1994
Ingane daehan yeui (Human Decency), Changbi, 1994
Chakhan yeoja (A Good Woman) Vols. 1 and 2, Prunsoop, 1997
My Sister, Bongsoon, Mosaic Press, 2005
Jonjaeneun nunmureul heullinda (Existence Sheds Tears), Changbi, 1999
Byeoldeurui deulpan (A Field of Stars), Changbi, 2004
Our Happy Time, Atria Books/Marble Arch Press, 2014
Saranghue oneungeotdeul (What Comes After Love), Sodam Books, 2005
Jeulgeoun naui jip (There’s No Place Like Home), Prunsoop, 2007
Togani, University of Hawaii Press, 2023
Nopgo pureun sadari (High and Blue Ladders), Hanibook, 2013
Halmeonineun jukji anneunda (Grandmother Does Not Die), Hainaim, 2017
Haeri, Hainaim, 2018
Meon bada (Distant Sea), Hainaim, 2020
(co-authored) Areumdaun eolgul (A Beautiful Face), Chosun Ilbo Press, 1993
(co-authored) Saeroun jakga gundan debwijakpumjip (Debut Anthology of a New Group of Writers), Keunsan, 1994
(co-authored) Saeroun seda, saeroun jinghu, saeroun jakga (A New Generation, New Signs, and 11 New Writers), Yemun, 1995
(co-authored) (Daepyojakgaga jacheonhan) Dasi ilko sippeun soseol (Fiction Worth Rereading (Recommended by Leading Authors)) Vol. 3, Sammun, 1994
(co-authored) Hanakoneun eopda oe: 1994 je18hoe Yi Sang munhaksang susangjakpumjip (The Last of Hanako and Others: 1994 The 18th Yi Sang Literary Award Anthology), Literature & Thought, 1994
(co-authored) (’95 Hyeonjangbipyeonggaga ppobeun) Olhaeui joeun si (Good Fiction of the Year (Selected by Field Critics in 1995)), Hyundae Munhak, 1995
(co-authored) Nalgaeui jip (The House of Wings), Isu, 1998
Essay collections
Sangcheoeomneun yeonghon (An Unscarred Soul), Prunsoop, 1996
Gong Ji-Young ui sudowon gihaeng (Gong Ji-Young’s Travels to Monasteries), Gimmyoungsa, 2001
Bitbangulcheoreo nanuen honjayeotta (I Was Alone Like a Raindrop), Hwanggeum Nachimban, 2001
Nega eotteon salmeul saldeun naneun neoreul eungwonhal geosida (No Matter What Kind of Life You Lead, I Will Support You), Open House, 2008
Gwaenchanta, da gwaenchanta (It’s Okay, Everything Is Okay), Alma, 2008
Aju gabyeoun gitteol hana (One Very Light Feather), Hanibook, 2009
Gong Ji-Young ui Jirisan haengbokhakkyo (Gong Ji-Young’s Mount Jiri Happiness School), Open House, 2010
Uijanori (The Chair Game), Humanist, 2012
Gong Ji-Young ui sudowon gihaeng (Gong Ji-Young’s Travels to Monasteries) Vol. 2, Bundo Chulpansa, 2014
Ttarege juneun resipi (Recipes for My Daughter), Hanibook, 2015
Siinui bapsang (A Poet’s Dining Table), Hanibook, 2016
Poetry anthology
Children’s Book
Mimimui ilgi (Mimi’s Diary), Hanyang Chulpan, 1994
Other
Supsogui bang (A Room in the Forest), adapted by Gong Ji-Young, original novel by Kang Seuk Kyong, film, 1991
LTI Korea 
DLKL 
SIWF 
