Chinese contemporary literature now a hit in South Korea

Yu Hua [File photo]

The books of Yu Hua, Mo Yan, Su Tong and other famous Chinese contemporary writers now frequently appear on Korean publishers' list and sold in most bookstores here. "For many years, we were trying to find the classical and very literary novels written by Chinese authors. It was not an easy job to find the connection between Chinese publishers and authors. However,during the past three or four years, we found out that many things are developing right now," said Michelle Nam, executive director of South Korea's largest general trade publisher Minumsa Publishing Group.

Minumsa has published Chinese writer Han Shaogong's novel " Dictionary of Ma Qiao", collected stories by Chinese Writers' Association; Mo Yan's "Frog" and other Chinese contemporary literary works in the past years, all of which have received positive response from the Korean readers, young and old.

The novel "Dictionary of Ma Qiao" is written in the form of a dictionary, collecting 115 "articles" on fictitious Maqiao village life from the perspective of a young student sent there by China's"Down to the Countryside Movement".

Minumsa said that the novel is unique because it deals with human nature, which is also the theme in the novel "Frog". "Mo Yan's 'Frog' is a story about one child fertility policy, which is very moving and humane," said Nam, "It reflects the contemporary Chinese people's story and their concerns which we' ve read in or heard in the mass media."

Not surprisingly, the sales of "Frog" rose dramatically after Mo won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012, reaching around 12, 000 copies by now.

Chinese literature gained more Korean fans after Mo won the prestigious Nobel Prize. Korean readers'tastes on Chinese literature have also been more diversified from then on, Jeon Hyung-Jun added. "We are looking for more novels written by Mo Yan and Han Shaogong. We are also looking for good writers who write philosophical topics, history and humanities. We think there are many Chinese writers who can write these topics for the young generation," said Nam.

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