The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK), working together with the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency (KPIPA), successfully organized a special literary discussion called "Korea: New Voices in Fiction" on Saturday, October 18, at the Merton Arts Space in Wimbledon Library. This event was part of the Wimbledon BookFest's inaugural Celebrating Korean Culture Week, which ran from October 16-26. The literary talk marked a historic milestone as the first time Korean literature was featured as a standalone presentation at the prestigious Wimbledon BookFest, creating an important opportunity to showcase the narrative complexity and social impact of modern Korean fiction.
The panel discussion highlighted the emerging wave of contemporary Korean literature that has been gaining international acclaim worldwide. Joanna Lee, a literary curator who specializes in East and Southeast Asian literature and co-founder of the ESEA Publishing Network, served as the moderator for the event. The discussion brought together three remarkable and thought-provoking authors: Ela Lee, Juhea Kim, and Park Seolyeon. The session attracted a large and enthusiastic audience consisting of British literature lovers, literary critics, and publishing industry professionals who actively participated in discussions about the authors' creative insights and perspectives.
Through their diverse literary works, the three featured writers explored complex themes including race, gender, labor rights, migration, social structures, and memory. Their discussions demonstrated the emotional precision and narrative innovation that characterize contemporary Korean fiction. The authors shared detailed insights about their creative writing processes, personal backgrounds, and experiences, while discussing how modern Korean literature continues to push boundaries and expand its thematic scope on the international literary stage.
Each author presented unique perspectives and storytelling approaches that captivated the audience. Ela Lee's debut novel "Jaded" tackles difficult issues of race, power dynamics, and violence with remarkable honesty and courage, showing how hope can emerge even in the most challenging circumstances. Juhea Kim, author of "City of Night Birds," created a narrative set in the world of Russian ballet that explores themes of love, redemption, ambition, and the transcendent beauty of artistic expression, successfully expanding Korean fiction into truly international territory. Park Seolyeon's work "Capitalists Must Starve" reimagines the life story of Kang Ju-Ryeong, a real historical figure who was both a female labor activist and independence fighter, creating a bold narrative that weaves together history, resistance, and solidarity.
Readers and audience members responded with deep fascination and interest, particularly drawn to the authors' exploration of womanhood, labor issues, and memory. These core themes reflected the pressing social questions and emotional landscapes that shape contemporary Korean literature today. The discussion revealed how Korean writers are addressing universal human experiences while maintaining their unique cultural perspectives and voices.
The Celebrating Korean Culture week extended beyond the literary panel to include a comprehensive series of events that showcased the full breadth of Korean creativity and artistic expression. The week featured a captivating performance by pansori artist Jung Eun-Hye, demonstrating traditional Korean musical storytelling. Additionally, there was a book talk with author Jeong Bo-Ra discussing her new work "Midnight Timetable," and a special collaborative exhibition with Geulwol, a unique letter-writing shop from Seoul. These diverse events offered audiences an immersive and comprehensive experience of Korean literary and artistic culture.
The Korean Cultural Centre UK has announced plans to continue expanding collaborative programs with key cultural institutions to promote the global visibility and appreciation of Korean publishing and literary culture. Through events like the Wimbledon BookFest's Celebrating Korean Culture week, the center has reaffirmed its strong commitment to fostering meaningful creative dialogue and cross-cultural exchange between Korea and the United Kingdom.
Seunghye Sun, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK, expressed her enthusiasm about the event's success, stating, "In the literary heartland of the United Kingdom, we are witnessing the remarkable rise of Korean writers as powerful new voices in world literature. Their words are shaping the future of global storytelling with the spirit of Korean aesthetics that freely express their own visions. It was truly moving to see British audiences respond to these voices with such empathy and admiration." This sentiment reflects the growing international recognition and appreciation for Korean literature and its contributions to global literary discourse.
