Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI) Pop-Up, May 2024

Back in May, the Literature Translation Institute of Korea (also known as LTI) held a Korean writing pop-up event in Coex Starfield Library in Seoul. In addition to having numerous Korean authors give talks, they provided displays with information about leading Korean authors and included different editions of their books for you to peruse.

massive library shelves with a sign in Korean, next to an escalator up to the second floor landing

As a big fan of Korean literature translated into English (it’s my featured shelf on Goodreads), I convinced a friend to tag along with me.

Starfield Library in Coex is pretty massive, and a major tourist spot. At the same time as the literature pop-up, they had a band performing music from Disney movies, which also brought in a large crowd–not this many people are that interested in Korean literature (sadly!).

Here is Sohn Won-Pyung’s display, featuring her most popular novel, “Almond,” about a teenage boy who is unable to feel emotions.

wooden display with the author’s picture and name, notable works, and books on the table in front of the disply

Here is Kim Young-Ha’s display, one of my favorite Korean authors.

Here is a part of Han Kang’s display (with a random misplaced book by Yun Ko-eun), arguably one of the most well-known contemporary Korean writers.

various translated copies of Kang’s novels

There were graphic novels…

… as well as books with pretty and intriguing covers…

… and editions of Korean Literature Now.

Here are some general close-up photos of the displays.

I also got some great shots of the Starfield Library in general, looking at the Korean literature pop-up from the second floor landing.

in this picture you can see the performers on a small stage at the back of the photo with a crowd in front

In addition to the pop-up, LTI had a contest where if you submitted photos of the pop-up, you were entered into a drawing for a signed book by one of the authors.

I won a copy of “The Disaster Tourist” by Yun Ko-eun and LTI sent other goodies such as a pencil set and more information about the author and the organization.

From Kyobo’s website:

Jungle is a cutting-edge travel agency specializing in tourism to destinations devastated by disaster and climate change. And until she found herself at the mercy of a predatory colleague, Yona was one of their top representatives. Now on the verge of losing her job, she’s given a proposition: take a paid “vacation” to the desert island of Mui and pose as a tourist to assess the company’s least profitable holiday.

When she uncovers a plan to fabricate an extravagant catastrophe, she must choose: prioritize the callous company to whom she’s dedicated her life, or embrace a fresh start in a powerful new position? An eco-thriller with a fierce feminist sensibility, The Disaster Tourist introduces a fresh new voice to the United States that engages with the global dialogue around climate activism, dark tourism, and the #MeToo movement.

I had previously read the book and thought it was really well-written. It was a weird and wonderful book with a powerful message and a very unique ending. To now possess a signed hard copy is exciting, so thank you to LTI for allowing readers like me a chance to win signed books!