Marking the 100th Anniversary of Novelist Park Kyongni and Poet Park In-hwan... A Literary Journey to Ttankkkeut and Tomun Jae

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A symposium titled "Korean Literature's Centennial Founding Authors, Meeting at Land's End," organized by Ttankkkeut Insong Literary Hall and sponsored by the Korea Arts and Culture Council, will be held on November 14 at 3 p.m. at "Ttankkkeut, Insong Literary Hall's Tomun Jae."

Hosted by Haenam County, this symposium marks the 100th anniversary of the births of novelist Park Kyongni and poet Park In-hwan, as well as the centennial of the publication of poet Han Yong-un's first edition of "Master's Silence" and poet Yi Sang-hwa's "Does Spring Come Even to Stolen Fields?" becoming known to the world.

Park Byongdu, director of Ttankkkeut Insong Literary Hall's Tomun Jae, who serves as chair of the symposium (novelist and literary critic), noted that the occasion also celebrates a milestone for Tomun Jae (吐文齋), which opened as a creative writing space in 2021 and was designated as a private literary hall on April 28 of this year after five years of operation.

Director Park stated, "Looking back at the past 100 years of Korean modern literature, earnest questions about preserving human dignity, worth, and freedom are embedded even within turbulent history," and added, "We placed greater significance in using the literary forum to discover the essence and true purpose of literature through recovering human order and humanity, finding the scent of humanity in reflection."

Novelist Park Kyongni (1926–2008), who will be highlighted at the symposium, began her career as a poet with her first poetry collection "The Ship That Cannot Depart." Her final collection, "Only What I Leave Behind Remains, Light and Free," was published posthumously after the author's death and contains her lifelong life philosophy and final insights into existence. Her works, including the epic novel "The Land," are recognized as representing a pinnacle of Korean literature for comprehensively addressing both individual lives and history.

Poet Park In-hwan (1926–1956), a pioneer of modernism, published realist-oriented works such as "South Wind" and "Incheon Harbor," and left behind romantic works including "The Horse and the Lady" and "When Time Passes." Through human loneliness and a sense of loss amid war and the shadow of modern civilization, he condensed life into his poetry. On the night of March 20, 1956, at 9 p.m., the poet who sang harsh reality with romantic elegy departed this "age of dark severity," as critic Yu Sung-ho described it, at the young age of 30.

Poet Han Yong-un (1879–1944) became a Buddhist monk, engaged in Buddhist reform, and played a leading role in the March 1st Independence Movement, spending his life as an independence activist. His poetry collection "Master's Silence" is a highly integrated and condensed poem reflecting life's multifaceted nature. The 100 years since the first edition of "Master's Silence" combined Buddhist cyclical thought—expressed in the ideas of "those who meet must part" and "those who go must return"—with contemporary significance.

Poet Yi Sang-hwa (1901–1943) was a representative poet of the 1920s. In 1922, he met Park Jong-hwa, Hong Sa-yong, Hyun Jin-geon, Na Do-hyang, and Park Young-hee, forming the "White Seagull" literary society. In 1925, he participated as a founding member of KAPF (Korean Artisans Proletarian Federation) along with Park Young-hee and Kim Ki-jin. The following year, with the publication of "Does Spring Come Even to Stolen Fields?," he emerged as a representative poet and national poet.

For the special lecture, poet O Se-young (former professor of Korean Literature at Seoul National University) points out that literary education is the problem. He argues that treating literature in Korean language education not as literature but as a branch of art like painting or music has caused literature to become no longer required but optional, highlighting problems in the educational curriculum where literary works are neglected in Korean textbooks.

Lee Beom-heon, chair of the Korea Arts and Culture Council, emphasizes that at a time when global interest in Korean literature has expanded following Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature, rereading works from a century ago is not merely honoring past achievements but discovering new language for the next generation to carry forward.

The pre-symposium performance will feature singer Kim Chang-hun of Sanulrim singing "Visitor" by poet Jeong Hyun-jong, followed by "Really, There Are Times" by the late poet Lee Eo-ryong, "On the Path by the River" by poet Song So-young, as well as "Reminiscence" and "Soliloquy."

The symposium will begin with poet O Se-young's special lecture "Fools, Literary Education Is the Problem," followed by the keynote address "Silence and Song, Suffering and Love: Reflecting on 100 Years of Korean Modern Literature" by literary critic Yu Sung-ho (professor of Korean Literature at Hanyang University).

The presentations will follow with "Park Kyongni's Final Interview" by Park Hae-hyun, editorial committee member of Korean Literature (literary correspondent); "Park In-hwan's War Experience and Critique of Civilization" by poet Na Hee-duk (professor of Creative Writing at Seoul Science and Technology University); "Reflections on Master's Silence" by poet Choi Du-sok (former professor of Creative Writing at Hanshin University); and "The Song of Spring from Stolen Fields" by poet and literary critic Kim Jae-hong (professor of Korean Literature at Catholic University).

Ttankkkeut Insong Literary Hall, where the symposium will be held, is a writing space constructed in 2020 with traditional Korean architecture on a 2,400-pyeong plot in Song-ri, Song-ji-myeon, Haenam, at Land's End. On April 28, it was designated as a private literary hall in the integrated Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Special Metropolitan City. Resident writers are selected through rigorous review by judges comprised of poets and novelists, providing a space where writers can focus on creative work without economic constraints.

Selected writers receive free residency, and since 2022, 369 writers including novelists Kim Na-jeong, the late Song Ki-won, and Jung Chan have established this as a sincere creative space and have positioned it as a sought-after creative hub for writers.

Meanwhile, Director Park Byongdu was born in Haenam, Jeollanam-do in 1964, earned his degree in Creative Writing from Hanshin University, his M.A. in Korean Literature from Ajou University, and his Ph.D. from Wonkwang University. He began his creative work in 1985 by writing the drama script "Drifter." He has published poetry, novels, and literary criticism through "Monthly Literature," "Literary World," "Contemporary Poetry," and "Open Poetry," establishing himself in the literary circle. After concluding a 30-year civil service career, he is now devoting his personal resources to revive humanistic spirit by constructing traditional Korean architecture at Land's End and serving as director of Insong Literary Hall Tomun Jae. He currently serves as chair of the Suwon Film Association and has published the 26-year annual journal "Tomun Jae Literature."