“Danger warnings are more common than actual danger. And yet when danger does finally strike, it does so without warning.” (《재와 빨강》, 2010 / The City of Ash and Red, Arcade, 2018)
Pyun Hye-young is a writer who probes the bleak underside of everyday life to contemplate and reflect on the fundamental questions of human existence.
1. Life
Pyun Hye-young was born in 1979. She studied creative writing at Seoul Institute of the Arts and Korean literature in the graduate program at Hanyang University. She began her literary career in 2000 with “Iseulteolgi,” which won the Seoul Shinmun New Writer’s Contest. Since her debut, she has continued to write while also holding a separate job. She has been teaching in the Department of Creative Writing at Myongji University since 2013.
2. Writing
Pyun Hye-young began her literary career in 2000 when her short story “Iseulteolgi” (이슬털기 Shaking Off Dew) won the Seoul Shinmun New Writer’s Contest. She is known for depicting landscapes of extreme catastrophe through grotesque, unsettling imagery. Since the 2010s, however, her work has moved in a new direction, using a tenacious, level-headed language to track the dissonance and unease embedded in ordinary life.
Pyun draws her material from reality but reshapes that reality into stories that defamiliarize it. Central to her narratives is the irony of the human condition, namely that people strive to live well, only to be cornered by a reality that betrays their efforts, and that human will and wishes often prove powerless against reality. Her work repeatedly returns to the standardized lives of modern people, unfolding scenes in which bureaucratic systems built in the name of efficiency and rationality steadily erode human dignity. Tellingly, while many of her characters are portrayed faintly, urban spaces like apartment buildings and factories come sharply into focus. She has also written about the collapse of civilization under the force of nature, and the lives of those who go unaided and isolated amid that collapse.
From the 2010s onward, the theme of death, pressed back-to-back against life, has become especially pronounced in her work. Through depictions of unforeseen disasters at the scale of the everyday—illness, accidents, and death—that slowly erode ordinary life and push it into terror, Pyun reveals the fragility of the conditions sustaining our lives. In doing so, her fiction asks how human beings, having lost their ethical bearings, become complicit in the very systems that oppress them, and how the singularity of individual suffering is gradually stripped away.
Reference
Short story collections
《아오이가든》(문학과지성사, 2005) / Aoi Garden (Aoi Garden), Moonji, 2005
《사육장 쪽으로》(문학동네, 2007) / To the Kennels: And Other Stories, Arcade Publishing, 2024
《저녁의 구애》(문학과지성사, 2011) / Evening Proposal, Dalkey Archive, 2016
《밤이 지나간다》(창비, 2013) / Bami jinaganda (The Night Passes), Changbi, 2013
《편혜영 : 통조림 공장 The Canning Factory》(도서출판 아시아, 2014) / Pyun Hye-young: The Canning Factory, ASIA, 2014
《소년이로》(문학과지성사, 2019) / Sonyeoniro (Youth Passes Quickly), Moonji, 2019
《홀리데이 홈》(도서출판 아시아, 2020) / Holiday Home, ASIA, 2020
《어쩌면 스무 번》(문학동네, 2021) / Eojjeomyeon seumu beon (Perhaps Twenty Times), Munhakdongne, 2021
(co-authored) 《소설 이천년대》(생각의나무, 2007) / Soseol icheonnyeondae (Fiction of the 2000s), Saenggagui Namu, 2007
(co-authored) 《서울, 어느 날 소설이 되다》(강, 2009) / Seoul, eoneu nal soseori doeda (Seoul: A City in Fiction), Gangbook, 2009
(co-authored) 《더 클로짓 노블 The Closet Novel》(문학과 지성사, 2014) / The Closet Novel, Moonji, 2014
(co-authored) 《자전소설 4》(강, 2010) / Jajeon soseol 4 (Autobiographical Fiction 4), Gangbook, 2010
(co-authored) 《열 장의 이야기와 다섯 편의 시》(미디어버스, 2020) / Yeol jangui iyagiwa daseot pyeonui si (Ten Stories and Five Poems), Mediabus, 2020
(co-authored) 《놀이터는 24시》(자이언트북스, 2021) / Noriteoneun 24 si (The Playground Is Open 24 Hours), Giant Books, 2021
(co-authored) 《망각의 도시》(현대문학, 2023) / Manggagui dosi (City of Oblivion), Hyundae Munhak, 2023
(co-authored) 《음악소설집》(프란츠, 2024) / Eumak soseoljip (Collection of Stories on the Theme of Music), Franz, 2024
(co-authored) 《후이늠 Houyhnhnm : 검은 인화지에 남긴 흰 그림자》(대한출판문화협회, 2024) / Huineum: Geomeun inhwajie namgin huin geurimja (Houyhnhnm: White Shadows Left on Black Photographic Paper), Korean Publishers Association, 2024
Novels
《재와 빨강》(창비, 2010) / City of Ash and Red, Arcade Publishing, 2018
《서쪽 숲에 갔다》(문학과지성사, 2012) / Seojjok supe gatda (I Went to the Western Forest), Moonji, 2012
《선의 법칙》(문학동네, 2015) / The Law of Lines, Arcade Publishing, 2020
《홀》(문학과지성사, 2016) / The Hole, Arcade Publishing, 2017
《죽은 자로 하여금》(현대문학, 2018) / Jugeun jaro hayeogeum (Let the Dead), Hyundae Munhak, 2018
Essays
(co-authored) 《술과 농담》(시간의흐름, 2021) / Sulgwa nongdam (Drinks and Jokes), Siganui Heureum, 2021
Anthologies of award-winning works
《명두 : 2006 제6회 황순원문학상 수상작품집》(랜덤하우스코리아, 2006) / Myeongdu: 2006 Je 6 hoe Hwang Sun-won munhaksang susang jakpumjip (Relics: 6th Hwang Sun-won Literary Award Anthology, 2006), Random House Korea, 2006
《전기수 이야기 : 2007년 제52회 현대문학상 수상소설집》(현대문학, 2006) / Jeongisu iyagi: 2007 nyeon Je 52 hoe hyeondae munhaksang susang soseoljip (The Storyteller’s Tale: 52nd Hyundae Munhak Literary Award Fiction Anthology, 2007), Hyundae Munhak, 2006
《하다 만 말 : 2007 제14회 이수문학상 수상작품집》(홍영사, 2007) / Hada man mal: 2007 Je 14-hoe Isu munhaksang susang jakpumjip (Half-Finished Words: 14th Isu Literary Prize Anthology, 2007), Hongyeongsa, 2007
《천사는 여기 머문다 : 2007년 제31회 이상문학상 작품집》(문학사상사, 2007) / Cheonsaneun yeogi meomunda: 2007 nyeon Je 31 hoe Yi Sang munhaksang jakpumjip (The Angel Dwells Here: 31st Yi Sang Literary Award Anthology, 2007), Munhak Sasangsa, 2007
《누런 강 배 한 척 외 : 2007년 제8회 이효석문학상 수상작품집》(2007, 해토) / Nureun gang bae han cheok oe: 2007 nyeon Je 8 hoe Lee Hyoseok munhaksang susang jakpumjip (A Boat on a Yellow River and Other Stories: 8th Lee Hyoseok Literary Award Anthology, 2007), Haeto, 2007
《2009 현장비평가가 뽑은 올해의 좋은 소설》(2009, 현대문학) / 2009 Hyeonjang bipyeongaga ppobeun olhaeui joeun soseol (Good Fiction of the Year (Selected by Working Critics, 2009)), Hyundae Munhak, 2009
《토끼의 묘 외 : 2009년 제 10회 이효석문학상 수상작품집》(2009, 해토) / Tokkiui myo oe: 2009 nyeon Je 10 hoe Lee Hyoseok munhaksang susang jakpumjip (O. Cuniculi and Other Stories: 10th Lee Hyoseok Literary Award Anthology, 2009), Haeto, 2009
《칼 : 2010 제 10회 황순원문학상 수상작품집》(문예중앙, 2010) / Kal: 2010 Je 10 hoe Hwang Sun-won munhaksang susang jakpumjip (The Knife: 10th Hwang Sun-won Literary Award Anthology, 2010), Munye Joongang, 2010
《아침의 문 : 2010년 제34회 이상문학상 작품집》(문학사상사, 2010) / Achimui mun: 2010 nyeon Je 34 hoe Yi Sang munhaksang jakpumjip (Morning’s Door: 34th Yi Sang Literary Award Anthology, 2010), Munhak Sasangsa, 2010
《2010 ‘작가’가 선정한 오늘의 소설》(작가, 2010) / 2010 'Jakga'ga seonjeonghan oneurui soseol (Today's Fiction as Selected by 'Jakga', 2010), Jakga, 2010
《2010 제1회 젊은작가상 수상작품집》(문학동네), 2010) / 2010 Je 1 hoe jeolmeun jakgasang susang jakpumjip (1st Young Writers’ Award Anthology, 2010), Munhakdongne, 2010
《밀수록 다시 가까워지는 외 : 2010년 제11회 이효석문학상 수상작품집》(문학의숲, 2010) / Milsurok dasi gakkawoijineun oe: 2010 nyeon Je 11 hoe Lee Hyoseok munhaksang susang jakpumjip (So Far and Yet So Near and Other Stories: 11th Lee Hyoseok Literary Award Anthology, 2010), Munhagui Sup, 2010
《2011 ‘작가’가 선정한 오늘의 소설》(작가, 2011) / 2011 'Jakga'ga seonjeonghan oneurui soseol (Today's Fiction as Selected by 'Jakga,' 2011), Jakga, 2011
《부메랑 : 2011 제11회 황순원문학상 수상작품집》(2011, 문예중앙) / Bumerang: 2011 Je 11 hoe Hwang Sun-won munhaksang susang jakpumjip (Boomerang: 11th Hwang Sun-won Literary Award Anthology, 2011), Munye Joongang, 2011
《낚시하는 소녀 : 2012년 제57회 현대문학상 수상소설집》(2011, 현대문학) / Nakssihaneun sonyeo: 2012 nyeon Je 57 hoe hyeondae munhaksang susang soseoljip (The Girl Fishing: 57th Hyundae Munhak Literary Award Fiction Anthology, 2012), Hyundae Munhak, 2011
《2012 ‘작가’가 선정한 오늘의 소설》(작가, 2012) / 2012 'Jakga'ga seonjeonghan oneul-ui soseol (Today's Fiction as Selected by 'Jakga,' 2012), Jakga, 2012
《빈집 : 2012 제12회 황순원문학상 수상작품집》(문예중앙, 2012) / Binjip: 2012 Je 12 hoe Hwang Sun-won munhaksang susang jakpumjip (Empty House: 12th Hwang Sun-won Literary Award Anthology, 2012), Munye Joongang, 2012
《그 밤의 경숙 : 2013년 제58회 현대문학상 수상소설집》(현대문학, 2012) / Geu bamui Gyeongsuk: 2013 nyeon Je 58 hoe hyeondae munhaksang susang soseoljip (That Night with Gyeongsuk: 58th Hyundae Munhak Literary Award Fiction Anthology, 2013), Hyundae Munhak, 2012
《침묵의 미래 : 2013년 제37회 이상문학상 작품집》(문학사상사, 2013) / Chimmugui mirae: 2013 nyeon Je 37 hoe Yi Sang munhaksang jakpumjip (The Future of Silence: 37th Yi Sang Literary Award Anthology, 2013), Munhak Sasangsa, 2013
《몬순 : 2014년 제38회 이상문학상 작품집》(문학사상사, 2014) / Monsun: 2014 nyeon Je 38 hoe Yi Sang munhaksang jakpumjip (Monsoon: 38th Yi Sang Literary Award Anthology, 2014), Munhak Sasangsa, 2014
《우리 모두의 정귀보 : 2014년 제8회 김유정문학상 수상작품집》(은행나무, 2014) / Uri moduui Jeong Gwibo: 2014 nyeon Je 8 hoe Kim Yu-Jeong munhaksang susang jakpumjip (The Eyewitness of All of Us: 8th Kim Yu-Jeong Literary Award Anthology, 2014), EunHaeng NaMu, 2014
《소년이로 : 2015년 제60회 현대문학상 수상소설집》(현대문학, 2014) / Sonyeoniro: 2015 nyeon Je 60 hoe hyeondae munhaksang susang soseoljip (Youth Passes Quickly: 60th Hyundae Munhak Literary Award Fiction Anthology, 2015), Hyundae Munhak, 2014
《웃는 남자 : 2017 제11회 김유정문학상 수상작품집》(은행나무, 2017) / Unneun namja: 2017 Je 11 hoe Kim Yu-Jeong munhaksang susang jakpumjip (The Laughing Man: 11th Kim Yu-Jeong Literary Award Anthology, 2017), EunHaeng NaMu, 2017
《한정희와 나 : 2017 제17회 황순원문학상 수상작품집》(다산책방, 2018) / Han Jeonghuiwa na: 2017 Je 17 hoe Hwang Sun-won munhaksang susang jakpumjip (Han Jeonghui and I: 17th Hwang Sun-won Literary Award Anthology, 2017), Dasan Chaekbang, 2018
《2019 김승옥문학상 수상작품집》(문학동네, 2019) / 2019 Kim Seungok munhaksang susang jakpumjip (2019 Kim Seungok Literary Award Anthology), Munhakdongne, 2019
《호텔 창문 : 2019 제13회 김유정문학상 수상작품집》(은행나무, 2019) / Hotel changmun: 2019 Je 13 hoe Kim Yu-Jeong munhaksang susang jakpumjip (Hotel Window: 13th Kim Yu-Jeong Literary Award Anthology, 2019), EunHaeng NaMu, 2019
《아직 집에는 가지 않을래요 : 2020년 제65회 현대문학상 수상소설집》(현대문학, 2019) / Ajik jibeneun gaji aneullaeyo: 2020 nyeon Je 65 hoe hyeondae munhaksang susang soseoljip (I Don't Want to Go Home Yet: 65th Hyundae Munhak Literary Award Fiction Anthology, 2020), Hyundae Munhak, 2019
《2022 김승옥문학상 수상작품집》(문학동네, 2022) / 2022 Kim Seungok munhaksang susang jakpumjip (2022 Kim Seungok Literary Award Anthology), Munhakdongne, 2022
References
Heo Yunjin, "Disappearance," Changjakgwa Bipyeong [Creation and Criticism], Vol. 39, No. 2, 2011.
Seo Yeongin, "On Decline — Pyun Hye-young's Recent Fiction," Munhakgwa Sahoe [Literature and Society], Vol. 32, No. 4, Moonji, 2019.
Pyun Hye-young, "Work History," Munhakgwa Sahoe [Literature and Society], Vol. 32, No. 4, Moonji, 2019.
LTI Korea 
DLKL 
SIWF 
