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Kim Young-ha
25quotes
Kim Young-ha: A Life of Literature and Activism
Full Name and Common Aliases
Kim Young-ha is the full name of this Korean novelist, writer, and activist. She is also known by her pen name, Young-ha.
Birth and Death Dates
Kim Young-ha was born on March 16, 1959. Unfortunately, she passed away on January 22, 2021, at the age of 61 due to cancer.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Kim Young-ha was a South Korean novelist, writer, and activist. Her work spans various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and essays.
Early Life and Background
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Kim Young-ha grew up in a tumultuous time for her country. She witnessed the military dictatorship of General Park Chung-hee and the subsequent democratization movement. These experiences would later shape her writing and activism. Kim's early life was marked by intellectual curiosity, with an interest in literature and social justice.
Major Accomplishments
Kim Young-ha made significant contributions to Korean literature as a novelist and essayist. Her works often explored themes of history, politics, and human relationships. She published numerous bestselling novels, including "The River at the Time of My Birth", which was later adapted into a film. Kim's writing style is characterized by its lyrical prose and nuanced exploration of Korean society.
Notable Works or Actions
One of Kim Young-ha's most notable works is "The River at the Time of My Birth" (1999), which won the prestigious Hwang Sun-won Literature Prize. The novel explores the complexities of family relationships, history, and identity during Korea's turbulent past. Her non-fiction work, "A Woman from a Foreign Country: An Autobiographical Sketch" (2003), delves into her experiences as a woman and an activist in post-democratization South Korea.
Impact and Legacy
Kim Young-ha's impact on Korean literature is undeniable. She paved the way for future generations of writers by pushing the boundaries of narrative and exploring themes that were previously taboo. Her activism, particularly in the realm of women's rights and social justice, inspired countless Koreans to become engaged citizens.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Kim Young-ha is widely quoted and remembered for her thought-provoking writings on history, politics, and human relationships. Her ability to weave together complex narratives and themes has made her a beloved and respected figure in Korean literature. As an activist, she continues to inspire readers with her unwavering commitment to social justice and equality.
Kim Young-ha's legacy extends beyond her literary contributions. She left behind a rich body of work that challenges readers to reflect on their own experiences and the complexities of human relationships. Through her writing and activism, Kim Young-ha remains an important figure in Korean culture, reminding us of the power of literature to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
In the words of Kim Young-ha herself, "Literature is not just a way of expressing oneself but also a means of connecting with others." Her life's work embodies this philosophy, leaving behind a lasting impact on Korean literature and society.
Quotes by Kim Young-ha
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In my 20s, I became obsessed with the role-playing game 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms,' named after a classical Chinese novel, and later 'The Sims,' a life-simulation game, and 'StarCraft,' a science-fiction game.
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Where I teach students in drama school, there's a course called Dramatics. In this course, all students must put on a play. However, acting majors are not supposed to act. They can write the play, for example, and the writers may work on stage art. Likewise, stage art majors may become actors, and in this way you put on a show.
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Just like any other company, Samsung can fail, and if that happens, how will the South Korean economy overcome the shock? If we don't decrease our over-reliance on the chaebols and prepare to let smaller, dynamic start-ups fill the gaps in their place, it won't.
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We are all born artists. If you have kids, you know what I mean. Almost everything kids do is art. They draw with crayons on the wall.
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Of John Le Carre's books, I've only read 'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold,' and I haven't read anything by Graham Greene, but I've heard a great deal about how 'Your Republic Is Calling You' reminded English readers of those two writers. I don't really have any particular interest in Cold War spy novels.
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When I wrote 'Your Republic Is Calling You,' it was Franz Kafka's writing that I had most in mind, and James Joyce's 'Ulysses.' Entirely out of the blue, Kafka's characters receive an order to go somewhere, and when they try to comply, they never quite manage it. Ki-yong in 'Your Republic Is Calling You' is precisely that sort of character.
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The constant movement of a military life can be tough on children. My father was an officer in the army, and I was forced to change elementary schools six times.
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I like to take certain aspects of genre fiction and modify them in my own way. 'Your Republic Is Calling You' follows the form of a spy novel, but it leads readers into a world of Kafkaesque irrationality.
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