Korean Literature Considered as a Failure? - written by 20721 Choi Soohyun

Korean Literature Considered as a Failure?

written by 20721 Choi Soohyun

It’s Hallyu fever all around the globe. From music to drama to food, Korean culture is spreading fervently at a noticeable speed. K-pop groups are making their way to the Billboards. K-dramas are spreading across all media platforms including Netflix. Korean cuisine is capturing both Eastern and Western tastes. However, what critics say is the essence of Korean culture is neglected.

Korean literature, despite the favorable appraisal it receives, is still struggling to secure its place in foreign markets.

The Obstacles Impeding the Success of Korean Literature

The ambiguous translation is often picked as the reason for Korean literature not being able to make a big impression in foreign literature markets. Ambiguous translations are missing the true meaning of the original text. Sometimes translators use the wrong words when interpreting the Korean meaning because they want the simple translation. There are Korean expressions that don’t exist in English causing translators to simplify the translations instead of giving long descriptions or meanings.

The Korean writers that participated in the 2014 London Book Fair – novelists Sok-yong Hwang, Insuk Kim, Kyung-sook Shin, Kang Han, poet Hyesoon Kim, and cartoonist Tae Ho Yoon – all agreed poor translation is the main obstacle for gaining international recognition.

Novelist, Sok-yong Hwang said, “There aren’t many translators that are capable of translating Korean literature precisely into English. That is the biggest problem Korean literature has. If our literature was well translated, I expect it would receive positive reactions from foreigners. We must train and secure English translators.”

However, the clarity and precision the translations lack are not the only problems Korea faces.

Charles Montgomery, a renowned author who has enthusiasm about Korean literature, thinks that another challenge Korean literature faces is that the translators and publishers are not necessarily choosing the best works to appeal to the global community. Although literature should not be defined by mainstream appeal, it may be an effective strategy to first publicize and then broaden the genres and styles of literature.

The Successful Korean Literature Translations

On the other hand, not all Korean literature has received disappointing reactions.

For instance, Kyung-sook Shin’s 2008 nostalgic family saga, Please Look After Mom, garnered attention and received appreciative comments overseas. It sold a million copies within ten months of release and won the 2011 Man Asian Literary Prize. The credit went to the English translator of the novel, Chi-young Kim, who transcribed the interpretation meticulously. Kim and Shin had discussions about the meaning, symbolism, Korean culture, and other things in the book for almost a year. Together they trimmed the English sentences neatly. Finally, they were able to translate the book into something that seemed as if it were written in English from the start.

Kang Han’s The Vegetarian, winner of the Man Booker International Prize in 2016, is another example of a well-translated Korean novel. The translator, Deborah Smith, studied Korean culture along with the Korean language, which helped her considerably during the translating process.

One of the 2018 Man Booker Prize judges, Boyd Tonkin described Deborah Smith’s version of the novel as being unforgettably powerful and original. Tonkin stated, “This compact, exquisite and disturbing book will linger long in the minds, and maybe the dreams, of its readers. Deborah Smith’s perfectly judged translation matches its uncanny blend of beauty and horror at every turn.”

Fostering the New Generation of Korean Literature Translators

Refined translation not only makes it possible for people to read and feel the emotions within the literature, but it also raises awareness of various cultures. The same goes for Korean literature. The global spread of Korean literature will eventually lead to the global expansion of Korean culture fabricating more of Korea’s buoyant impression in the world. 

Jenny Wang Medina, a Korean-American translator, agrees on how awareness of Korean literature can give positive effects to the country. “Korean literature has imparted a greater awareness of Korean culture on Asian-American and American culture,” she said.

“I think this lends itself to a general interest in Korean culture just because it is somewhat familiar. Pop music, television, and film provide a limited view of any culture. Literature encourages a deeper immersion in the fictional community or experience it tries to represent,” Medina stated.

Training translators will not only benefit the domains of liberal studies, but it will also benefit the nation in various means. Fortunately, training opportunities and financial support for translators and publishers have increased over the last few years, and are still rising.

However, it is still not enough.

For the appreciation of Korean literature is sure to be an asset, Koreans along with the Korean government must strive to give them support, acknowledgment, participation, and encouragement.