LTI Korea 
DLKL 
SIWF 
Table of Contents
Featured Writer
Cover Feature
Bookmark
Introduction
In this issue, we examine the rise of sciencefiction in South Korea, tracing its historical roots back to the earlytwentieth century and looking at some of its most salient writers. In the pastfew decades, South Korea has become a major player in global science fictionproduction, not only in the form of translated books but also OTT movies,games, and webtoons. In this climate of intense science fiction production andconsumption, we thought it would be relevant to ask, “What is Korean aboutKorean SF?” Put differently, “Is there such a thing as Korean SF?” These aredeliberately polemical questions aimed at uncovering the unique dynamism andpower of Korean science fiction. The answers we received from literary criticsSang-Keun Yoo, Yang Yun-eui, and influential Korean SF author Kim Bo-young arealso lively and polemical.
Our featured writer ispoet Kim So Yeon whose latest poetry collection Catalyzing Night waspublished last year to great acclaim. She speaks with Lee Jenny, anotherwell-known poet, about poetry and politics, the female voice, aging, and theten years it took to complete this book. In the Bookmark section, we introduceyou to the short stoies of Lee Jangwook and Kim Umji, and poems by ParkYeonJoon and Kim Bok Hui. In our Inkstone corner, we bring you an excerpt from Recordof the Virtue of Queen Inhyeon, Lady Min, a fictive reconstruction of oneof the best-known episodes of Joseon court history: the story of the fearsomerivalry between King Sukjong’s Queen Inhyeon and his treacherous Consort JangHui (better known as Jang Hui Bin).
From Joseon dynastyhistorical fiction to science fiction, there is much to savor and ponder inthis issue of Korean Literature Now. We invite you to take a plunge andenjoy.
Editorial Board Member, KLN
