Beth Eunhee Hong: Literature and Feminism | Korea Deconstructed #024

Beth is a writer and translator whose roots are in Seoul and Vancouver, Canada. She is currently a copy editor at The Korea Herald, where she also co-hosts a Korean books and culture podcast.

This is a conversation about Korean literature and feminism as well as the interaction between the two. Beth describes the ways in which the lived experiences of Korean women has manifested in writing and how generational trauma can be communicated through art. Today, Korean authors are winning international prizes and critical acclaim. Much of this success has been driven by women and stories revolving around their lives. We explored the work of Han Kang (한강), Cho Nam-joo’s Kim Ji-young: Born 1982, Park Wan-suh (박완서), Oh Jung-hee (오정희), Kim Chi-won (김지원) and more. This is a broad and wide-ranging discussion that moves beyond writing and into deeper questions about what it means to be human. Literature here is seen a medium through which the oppressed in society can find their authentic voice and transcend/break the avatar they have constructed for daily survival.

Beth's Work

Beth’s linktree: https://linktr.ee/betheunhee

Translations: https://nabillerakorea.com/?s=beth+hong

Korean Women’s Fiction Book Review: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220224000105

International Women’s Day podcast episode: https://youtu.be/ZPPz3J1PFe8

Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard

Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr

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Artwork: Chan https://www.instagram.com/chans_design/?hl=en

Music: disorientalz https://www.instagram.com/disorientalz/?hl=en