CONVERSATION | Beyond Hallyu: The Global Rise of Korean Literature

Speakers: Soyoung Park and Ho-Yeon Kim

Moderator: Tiffany Ap

Interpretor: Soomin Park

Date: March 7, Sat

Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Venue: Fringe Club - Fringe Underground

Address: 2 Lower Albert Rd, Central

Price: HKD298

Language: English and Korean

Format: Conversation

Description:
Korean literature has surged onto the world stage, captivating readers with its emotional precision, bold experimentation, and unflinching social insight. In this intimate conversation, acclaimed authors Soyoung and Ho Yeon Kim explore how Korean storytelling has evolved and why it resonates so powerfully across borders today. They discuss the global momentum created by translated fiction, the role of women writers reshaping the canon, and how contemporary Korean narratives bridge tradition with the anxieties and aspirations of modern life. Through their own creative journeys, they reflect on craft, identity, and the opportunities and challenges that come with sudden international attention. A thoughtful, timely look at the next wave of voices defining Korean literature worldwide.

*This event is conducted bilingually in Korean and English.

About the Speaker:

Soyoung Park

Soyoung Park is a New York Times bestselling author from Korea. Her debut novel, Snowglobe, is being published in 13 languages worldwide. With a background in media studies, she has long been fascinated by how the media shapes our values, which inspired Snowglobe and its vision of where we might be headed in the digital age. She listens to K-pop or plays her favorite American sitcoms in the background while writing.

Ho-Yeon Kim

Kim Ho-Yeon is a South Korean storyteller whose work spans novels, screenplays, and comics. His novel, The Second Chance Convenience Store (不便利的便利店), sold over 1.7 million copies in Korea, and has been published in 45 countries. It was named Book of the Year by major Korean bookstores and chosen as a “One Book One City” title in 38 regions. It remained a bestseller in Taiwan for three years and ranked 3rd in the 2024 Honya Taisho Award in Japan. His latest novel, My Don Quixote (尋找唐吉訶德), won the 2024 Booksellers’ Award.

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Purchase 3 tickets to any events under HKILF 2026 and claim a complimentary seat at one of these exciting talks at Central Library:

•⁠ 3rd March (Tue): On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It Matters (7:00-8:30pm)

⁠•⁠ 4th March (Wed): I Deliver Parcels in Beijing (7:00-8:30pm)

•⁠ ⁠5th March (Thu): Amitav Ghosh: Ghost-Eye (7:00-8:30pm)

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ABOUT HKILF

The Hong Kong International Literary Festival (HKILF) inspires the joy of reading by bringing the world’s writers and stories to Hong Kong’s diverse communities. A dynamic year-round programme and an annual festival offer dialogue, entertainment and perspective, while the Young Readers Festival (YRF) motivates students to engage with all aspects of the written word, improving communication skills, while nurturing the art of writing and storytelling.

The annual festival features established and emerging writers from around the world, alongside local literary talents, in a programme that includes panel discussions, book talks, readings, workshops, walks, school programmes, performances, and more.

We are a registered charity non-profit organisation dedicated to bringing the best in the literary arts to Hong Kong. To find more, please visit our official website: https://www.festival.org.hk.

Please note that:

*We are unable to process refunds, please consider your ticket purchase a donation to the festival.

*Photos and videos of participants may be taken during the activities,which may be used by the organiser and the major sponsor for educational and promotional purposes in any way deemed appropriate, including disseminationthrough printed and online channels. Participation in the programme will constitute the participants’ consent to the above arrangement.

*The views and opinions expressed by the speakers do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Hong Kong International Literary Festival. HKILF disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information shared by the speakers.

*If the Black Rainstorm Warning or the Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above is in force 3 hours before the start time of an event, the event will be cancelled and participants will receive a refund. If the Red or Yellow Rainstorm Warning or the Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 3 is in effect, the event will be held as scheduled.

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