“You seem utterly exhausted. The path to death must have been very tiring for you. I tell you in my dream. You have finally lain down in peace. You… I hope that pit is warm.” (“Badawa Nabi” [“Sea and Butterfly”], Geu Yeojaui Jaseojeon [That Woman’s Autobiography]. Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2005)
Kim Insuk is a novelist who has continued to produce works since the 1980s, confronting social issues directly.
1. Life
Kim Insuk was born in Eunpyeong, Seoul in 1963. She made her literary debut as a university student in 1983 with the publication of her short story “Sangsirui Gyejeol” (“Season of Loss”) in the Chosun Ilbo New Year’s Literary Contest. In the same year, she published the novel Pitjul (Bloodline). During her university years, she was a member of Haewon, a traditional Korean ritual performance group under the Coalition of Popular Culture Movements, and in 1988, she received the Jeon Tae-il Literary Award Special Prize for Hana Doeneun Nal (The Day We Become One). She moved to Sydney, Australia in 1993 and returned to Korea in 1995, before briefly living in Dalian, China in 2004. During her time in Sydney, she wrote the novel Meon Gil (The Long Road) (1995), which won many awards, including the 28th Hankook Ilbo Literary Award in 1995. She also published an essay collection based on her experiences abroad.
2. Writing
Kim consistently reinvents herself as a writer, moving from explorations of the restlessness and desire for freedom felt by the younger generation living amid uncertain realities to works that directly tackle social issues and delve into individual lives.
In the 1980s, Kim sought to portray real life as she saw and felt it without distortion, grounded in social engagement. In 79-80 Gyeoureseo Bom Sairo (’79-’80 Between Winter and Spring), she addresses student activism, while in Hamkke Geonneun Gil (The Road Travelled Together), she draws on first-hand experience from the front lines of labor. She depicts the inner lives of ordinary people in a capitalist society through individuals who are lost and disoriented in the face of social reality, as well as through young people resisting a time of fear and silence, while also confronting historical reality. From the mid-1990s onwards, female voices become more prominent in her works. Focusing on individuals’ everyday spaces, she brings attention to the lives and conditions of overlooked ordinary people. She wrote Meon Gil (The Long Road) and Kkochui Gieok (Flower’s Memory) during this period, with the former using the language of fiction to explore the wounds of those unable to put down roots through immigrant life in Australia, and the latter depicting the process of overcoming inner scars, culminating in mature love.
Meanwhile, by the 2020s, Kim attempts a new method of writing. While maintaining the complex human psychology she has discerned over time, she blends other genres such as mystery and horror, producing works like The Game.
Reference
Short Story Collections
Hamkke Geonneun Gil (The Road Travelled Together). Segye, 1989
Kallalgwa Sarang (Blade and Love). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 1993
Dangsin (You). Sol, 1996
Yuri Gudu (Glass Slippers). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 1998
Beuraseubaendeureul Gidarimyeo (Waiting for a Brass Band). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2001
Geu Yeojaui Jaseojeon (That Woman’s Autobiography). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2005
Annyeong, Ellena (Bye, Elena). Changbi Publishers, Inc., 2009
Giminsuk: Kare Jjillin Jaguk Stab (Kim Insuk: Stab Wound). ASIA Publishers, 2013
Dan Haruui Yeongwonhan Bam (One Eternal Night). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2018
Mulsogui Ip (Mouth in the Water). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2024
Novels
Pitjul (Bloodline). Munhak Yesulsa, 1983
Bulkkot (Flame). Munhak Yesulsa, 1985
79-80 Gyeoureseo Bom Sairo 1-3 (’79-’80 Between Winter and Spring, vols. 1-3). Segye, 1987
Gin Bam, Jjalge Dagaon Achim Sang-Ha (Long Night, Too Soon a Morning, vols. 1-2). Donggwang Publishing, 1992
Geuraeseo Neoreul Anneunda (So I Embrace You). Chungnyunsa, 1993
Sideuni Geu Pureun Badae Seoda (Sydney, Standing by the Blue Sea). Prunsoop, 1995
Meon Gil (The Long Road). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 1995
Geuneul, Gipeun Got (A Deep Place, a Shadow). Munyemadang, 1997
Kkochui Gieok (Flower’s Memory). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 1999
Uyeon (Coincidence). Munidang, 2002
Geuraeseo Neoreul Anneunda (So I Embrace You). Revised edition, Chungnyunsa, 2003
Bambae (Ships in the Night). Chungeoram, 2006
Bongji. Literature & Thought, 2006
Geudeulmanui D D (D D of Their Own). Shinyoung Media, 2007
Sohyeon. Jaeum&Moeum Publishing, 2010
Michil Su Itgenni (Can You Lose Your Mind?). Hankyoreh, 2011
Modeun Bitkkaldeurui Bam (A Night of All Colors). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2014
Beotkkochui Uju (Galaxy of Cherry Blossoms). Hyundae Munhak Publishing Co., Ltd., 2019
The Game. Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2023
Essays
Hollo Bureuneun Seulpeun Norae (A Sad Song Sung Alone). Hapdong International Cultural Center, 2006
Jegugui Dwitgireul Geotda (Walking in the Shadows of the Empire). Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., 2008
Eoneu Bomnal, Aju Ttadeuthan Tteollim (One Spring Day, A Warm Flutter of the Heart). ASIA Publishers, 2019
Gwaenchana, Nega Isseunikka Uri Sidae Jeoleun Munindeurui Yukwaehan Insaenggwa Ttatteuthan Wiro (It’s Okay, I Have You:
Cheerful Lives and Warm Comfort of Today’s Young Writers), Maumsup, 2009 (multiple authors)
Soseolgaro Sandaneun Geot (To Live as a Novelist). Literature & Thought, 2011 (multiple authors)
Naneun Doldokkireul Jwin Sinseokgi Sanaedeuregeseo Chinmilgameul Neukkinda (I Feel Close to Neolithic Men Holding Stone Axes). Seom&Seom, 2012 (multiple authors)
Sarang Punggyeong Sarange Daehan Yeorilgop Gaeui Gieokgwa Yeorilgop Gaji Punggyeong (Love Landscapes: Seventeen Memories and Landscapes of Love). Seom&Seom, 2012 (multiple authors)
Naneun Eotteoke Geureul Sseuneunga Asia Jakgadeurui Geulsseugiwa Sal (On How I Write: Writings and Lives of Asian Writers), ASIA Publishers, 2020 (multiple authors)
Anthologies
Gaegyoginyeomil (School Anniversary). Hyundae Munhak Publishing Co., Ltd., 2003
Nae Maeumui Oktapbang: Je23hoe Isangmunhaksang Jakpumjip 1999nyeon (The Rooftop Room in My Heart: 23rd Yi Sang Literary Award Anthology, 1999). Literature & Thought, 1999
Badawa Nabi: Je27hoe Isangmunhaksang Susangjakpumjip 2003nyeondo (Sea and Butterfly: 27th Yi Sang Literary Award Anthology, 2003). Literature & Thought, 2003
Gamogui Tteul Dongbaekkkot: 2005nyeon Je12hoe Isumunhaksang Susangjakpumjip (Camellias in the Prison Yard: 12th Isu Literary Award Anthology, 2005). 21st Century Literature, 2005
Hyeondaemunhaksang Susangjakpumjip: 1997-2007 (Hyundae Munhak Award Anthology: 1997–2007). Hyundae Munhak Publishing Co., Ltd., 2008
Hwangsunwonmunhaksang Susangjakpumjip 2012 (Hwang Sun-won Literary Award Anthology, 2012). Munye Joongang, 2012
Ihyoseongmunhaksang Susangjakpumjip 2023 (Yi Hyoseok Literary Award Anthology, 2023). Vookda, 2023
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