“For some reason, I feel like I will need a variety of pencils to speak of your journey so shall I ride a dark horse? Or a white horse? Shall I raise a blue flag? Or a white flag? A journey seems less a matter of attitude than of the differences in our silences…” (“Sichaui Geonchuk” [“Architecture of Parallax”], Sichaui Nuneul Dallaenda [To Soften the Eyes of Parallax]. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2009)
Kim Kyung Ju is a poet who moves across various art forms, including poetry, theatre, visual arts, and film, observing and recording the world through distinctive language and imagery.
1. Life
Kim Kyung Ju was born in Gwangju in 1976. He earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Sogang University and his master’s degree in musical theatre writing, specializing in book and lyrics practicum, from Korea National University of Arts. He began his literary career in 2003, winning the Korea Daily News New Year’s Literary Contest (now Seoul Shinmun) for his short story “Kkot Pineun Gongjungjeonhwa” (“A Phone Box Where Flowers Blossom”), along with five others. His distinctive poetic world drew attention from literary circles, and he earned recognition for his literary prowess, winning the 3rd Sijak Literary Award, the 17th Today’s Young Artist Award, and the 28th Kim Suyeong Literary Award in 2009. As a member of the coterie Bulpyeon, Kim expanded his literary network. In 2016, he won the Dong-A Ilbo New Year’s Literary Contest for his play Taeyeop (Clockwork), expanding his artistic territory as a playwright. He taught creative writing at Dongduk Women's University as a visiting professor from 2011 to 2013, fostering the next generation of writers. He has also translated many works, helping introduce world literature and philosophy to Korean readers.
2. Writing
Kim’s work is defined by an experimental approach that moves beyond established literary conventions in pursuit of new language and form. His poetry expands the meaning of language that has become static, restores scarred and fractured lives, and focuses on reviving the distinctive rhythm of the Korean language.
In Kim’s first poetry collection Naneun I Sesange Eomneun Gyejeorida (I Am a Season That Does Not Exist in the World), published in 2006, he presents a new perception of being through the wind’s imagination. Its invisible yet perceptible qualities are used to explore the cyclical relationship between the past, present, and future. In his second collection Gidam (A Strange Tale) (2008), he attempts to create a new genre bridging poetry and drama, challenging established literary conventions through strange tales unfolding at a threshold between the living and the dead. The following year, he once again crosses boundaries through Sichaui Nuneul Dallaenda (To Soften the Eyes of Parallax). In this collection, he uses the records of a journey to explore the passage of time and the workings of memory, portraying how seemingly insignificant moments from the past affect the present. In Goraewa Sujeunggi (Whale and Vapor) (2014), his attempt to dismantle established common sense and structures of meaning and to give form to “inexpressible words” stands out. In Nabijam (Butterfly Sleep) (2016), he creates a unique poetic world by weaving together the weary, sleepless lives of contemporary people with lullabies and motherhood. Also known as “poetic drama,” he effectively showcases the beauty of the Korean language through the rhythm of lullabies and a narrative that restores a lost sense of motherhood and soothes scarred fate. Kim’s work is not limited to poetry but encompasses a range of genres, such as essays, poetic drama, and translation. His essays are imbued with deep, philosophical reflections on everyday life, while his poetic drama experiments with crossing the boundary between poetry and theatre.
Reference
Poetry Collections and Selected Works
Naneun I Sesange Eomneun Gyejeorida (I Am a Season That Does Not Exist in the World). Random House Korea, 2006
Gidam (A Strange Tale). Moonji Publishing co., Ltd., 2008
Peolpeu Kideu: Gimgyeongjuui Samul(思物)nori (Pulp Kid: A Play of Thinking About Objects by Kim Kyung Ju). Danielstone, 2008
Sichaui Nuneul Dallaenda: Gimgyeongju Sijip (To Soften the Eyes of Parallax: A Poetry Collection by Kim Kyung Ju). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2009
Naneun I Sesange Eomneun Gyejeorida (I Am a Season That Does Not Exist in the World). Moonji Publishing co., Ltd., 2012
Goraewa Sujeunggi (Whale and Vapor). Moonji Publishing co., Ltd., 2014
Naega Gajang Areumdaul Ttae Nae Gyeoten Saranghaneun Iga Eopseotda (When I Was My Most Beautiful, the One I Loved Was Not by My Side). Yolimwon Publishing Co., 2015
Nabijam: Sigeuk (Butterfly Sleep: Poetic Drama). Homibook, 2016
2003 Sinchunmunye Dangseonsijip (The 2003 New Year’s Literary Contest Poetry Anthology). MunhakSegyeSa, 2003 (multiple authors)
2006 Jakgaga Seonjeonghan Oneurui Si (Today’s Poem Selected by Jakga, 2006). Jakga, 2006 (multiple authors)
Hyeonjangbipyeonggaga Ppobeun 2007 Olhaeui Joeunsi (Poem of the Year Selected by Critics, 2007). Hyundae Munhak Publishing Co., Ltd., 2007 (multiple authors)
2008 Jakgaga Seonjeonghan Oneurui Si (Today’s Poem Selected by Jakga, 2008). Jakga, 2008 (multiple authors)
2008 Joeunsi (Good Poetry, 2008). Salmgwa Kkum, 2008 (multiple authors)
50inui Pyeongnongaga Chucheonhan Urisidae 51inui Jeoleun Siindeul (Fifty-One Young Poets of Our Time: Recommended by Fifty Critics). Lyric Poetry & Poetics, 2009 (multiple authors)
Hyeonjangbipyeonggaga Ppobeun 2010 Olhaeui Joeunsi (Poem of the Year Selected by Critics, 2010). Hyundae Munhak Publishing Co., Ltd., 2007 (multiple authors)
Wae Saranghaneunyago Mutgeodeun: Uri Sidae Siin 57ini Noraehan Sarangui Sinjaksi (If Asked Why You Love: New Love Poems from Fifty-Seven Poets of Our Time). Literature & Thought, 2012 (multiple authors)
Onmomeuro Milgo Naganeun Geosida: Gimsuyeong Munhaksang Susangjak Daepyo Si Seonjip (Push Forward with Your Whole Body: Selected Poems of Kim Suyeong Literary Award Winners). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2014 (multiple authors)
Saengui Insamal: Gwangbok70junyeon, Hanilsugyo 50junyeon Ginyeom Hanilsiin Daeyeok 70in Siseonjip (Greetings from Life: A Bilingual Anthology of Seventy Korean and Japanese Poets, In Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of Korea’s Liberation and the 50th Anniversary of Korea–Japan Diplomatic Relations). Goldegg, 2015 (multiple authors)
Byeori Binnaneun Bam: Urisidaeui Siin (Starry Night: Poets of Our Time). Siwabansi, 2017 (multiple authors)
Irinsiwi: Han Sarami Siro Hal Su Inneun Haengwi (Solo Protest: What One Person Can Do Through Poetry). Atopos, 2018 (multiple authors)
Saranghaedo Honnaji Anneun Kkumieotda (A Dream Where Loving Was Not Chided). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2018 (multiple authors)
Novels
Namu Wiui Gorae (Whale Above the Tree). Hummingbird, 2015
Plays
Neukdaeneun Nunalbuteo Jaranda: Gimgyeongju Huigok (Bred from the Eyes of a Wolf: A Play by Kim Kyung Ju). Nanda, 2014
Sungeo Maseukeu Repeullika (Mullet Mask Replica). Imagine Publishing, 2009 (multiple authors)
Essays
PASSPORT. Random House Korea, 2007
Mireo: Mome Daehan Sijeok Mongsang (Secretive Words: Poetic Reverie of the Body). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2012
Jago Isseo, Gyeochinikka: Aireul Gatgi Sijakan Han Sanaeui Sosimhan Sisim (Keep Sleeping, I’m Here: The Timid Poetic Mind of a Man Becoming a Father). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2013
Peolpeugeukjang: Gimgyeongju Beullaegesei (Pulp Theatre: Kim Kyung Ju’s Black Essay). Geulhangari, 2013
Reinbou Donggyeong: Yeonpilgwa Nalgeun Tajagi, Kamerareul Deulgo Tteonada (Rainbow Tokyo: I Leave with a Pencil, an Old Typewriter, and a Camera in Hand). Nexus Books, 2008 (multiple authors)
Siinui Chaeksang: Kkumkkuneun Cheongchuneul Wihan Jeoleun Siindeurui Mongsangbeop (A Poet’s Desk: The Art of Reverie by Young Poets for Youth Who Dream). RHK, 2013 (multiple authors)
Eojjeoda Dangsini Joaseo: Nae Saengae Choegoui Sarang Gobaegeul Kkumkkuneun Geudaeege (Because I Somehow Like You: To You Who Dream of the Greatest Love Confession). Gom, 2013 (multiple authors)
Jakgaga Saranghan Yeohaeng (The Journey a Writer Loved). Yolimwon Publishing Co., 2015 (multiple authors)
Ireol Ttaen Sseulsseulhaedo Dwae: Seulpeumgwa Godok, Pyeheowa Sangsire Eungdapan Seoreunne Myeong Siindeuri Ssodanaen Munjangdeul (It’s Okay to Be Lonely in Times Like This: Lines Poured Out by Thirty-Four Poets Responding to Sorrow, Solitude, Ruins, and Loss). Imagine1000, 2016 (multiple authors)
Nae Sale Seumyeodeun Hese : 『Demian』 Chulgan 100junyeon Ginyeom Gihoek (Hermann Hesse in My Life: The 100th Anniversary of the Publication of “Demian”). Roundabout, 2019 (multiple authors)
Saraboni Haengbogeun Ireoseumnida: Meonjeo Sarabon 30inui Haengbongnon (Happiness as I’ve Come to Know It: Views on Happiness from 30 People Later in Life). Design House, 2019 (multiple authors)
Du Ballo Sseuneun Si: Siinchukgudan Geulbal Changdan 30junyeon Ginyeom Ensolloji (Writing Poetry with Two Feet: The 30th Anniversary Anthology of Geulbal, the Poets’ Football Club). Bookin, 2021 (multiple authors)
Other
Nobinsonui Pantaseutik Uju Wonjeongdae (No Binson’s Fantastic Space Expedition). Danielstone, 2006
Nobinson Joseon Choegoui Muyeogwangi Doeda: Hanguksa (No Binson Becomes Joseon’s Greatest Merchant: Korean History). Danielstone, 2010
Teumman Namyeon Salgo Sipda: Gimgyeongjuui Ingangeukjang (At Every Opportunity, I Want to Live: Kim Kyung Ju’s Screening Humanity). Hankyoreh, 2017
Hongdaeui Haru (A Day in Hongdae). KT&G Sangsangmadang, 2009 (multiple authors)
Babo Daetongnyeong Nomuhyeon Dangsini Mani Geuriul Geomnida (You Will Be Sorely Missed: Roh Moo-Hyun, the Foolish President). Teuim, 2009 (multiple authors)
Widaehan Yusan (A Great Legacy). Edited by Kim Kyung Ju, Imagine Publishing, 2010 (multiple authors)
Gang: Minbyeongheon Sajinjip (River: Min Byung Hun’s Photobook). Gahyeon Foundation, 2013 (multiple authors)
Pawo Keullaesik: Uri Sidae Jisigin 101myeongi Ppobeun Insaengeul Bakkun gojeon (Power Classics: Classics That Changed Our Lives Selected by 101 Great Minds of Our Time). MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2013 (multiple authors)
Hanguk Jakgaga Ilgeun Segyemunhak: Naui Ilgi, Dangsinui Ilgi (World Literature as Read by Korean Writers: My Reading, Your Reading). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2013 (multiple authors)
Translated Works
Fahy, Mary. Annyeongeul Malhal Ttae (A Time for Leaving). Johwarounsam, 2008
Magenta, Emma. Bunhongjuuibo: Sarangi Seumyeooneun Muryeop…… Momui Gisangyebo (The Peril of Magnificent Love). Sunest, 2010
Forbes, Brandon W., et al. Radiohedeuro Cheolhakagi (Radiohead and Philosophy: Fitter Happier More Deductive). Hanbit Biz, 2012
Saint-Exupéry, Antoine de. Eorin Wangja (The Little Prince). Hummingbird, 2013
Colville-Andersen, Mikael. Cycle Chic. Booknomad, 2014
Davies, Hunter. Jon Renon Reteoseu (The John Lennon Letters). Bookfolio, 2014
Koyczan, Shane. Amado Geugeon Amul Geoya (To This Day: For the Bullied and Beautiful). Acanet Junior, 2014
Morgan, Robin, and Ariel Leave. 1963 Balchikan Hyeongmyeong: Biteulseu, Bobeukeot, Miniseukeoteu Georireul Bakkugo Sesangeul Dwijipda (1963: The Year of the Revolution: How Youth Changed the World with Music, Fashion, and Art). Yeamoonsa, 2016
Pekar, Harvey. Biteu Jeneoreisyeon: Geuraepik Nobeullo Boneun Biteusedaeui Yeoksa (The Beats: A Graphic History). 1984, 2016
Poe, Edgar Allan. Annabel Lee. MINUMSA Publishing Group, 2016
Twain, Mark, and Philip Stead. Olleomagarin Wangja Donan Sageon (The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine). Arte, 2019
Bradley, Adams. Hipabui Sihak (Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop). Geulhangari, 2017 (co-translation)
LTI Korea 
DLKL 
SIWF 
