Hong Yun-suk
Encyclopedia
Hong Yun-suk is considered one of the leading Korean woman poets of her generation.
Ms. Hong first published some of her poems in 1947. Of her poems published in many volumes, some have been translated into English. She has also written essays and worked as a reporter.
According to the specialist on Korean poetry, Brother Anthony, "Her vision of life is deeply affected by the suffering brought by the Korean War and the lasting division of Korea. Her poetic universe is often dark and inclined to pessimism. Perhaps the fact that she is unable to visit her native region in the North helps to explain the many images of life as an unending journey found in her work. The themes of individual solitude and of the emptiness of modern life are expressed in many poems. When she tackles more public themes, the longing for the reunification of Korea dominates her concerns"
Ms. Hong first published some of her poems in 1947. Of her poems published in many volumes, some have been translated into English. She has also written essays and worked as a reporter.
According to the specialist on Korean poetry, Brother Anthony, "Her vision of life is deeply affected by the suffering brought by the Korean War and the lasting division of Korea. Her poetic universe is often dark and inclined to pessimism. Perhaps the fact that she is unable to visit her native region in the North helps to explain the many images of life as an unending journey found in her work. The themes of individual solitude and of the emptiness of modern life are expressed in many poems. When she tackles more public themes, the longing for the reunification of Korea dominates her concerns"
Poems
- Some of her translated poems are in Modern Korean Poetry, selected and translated with an introduction by Jaihiun J. Kim; Asian Humanities Press: Fremont, California, 1994.
- Some of her translated poems can be seen at: http://hompi.sogang.ac.kr/anthony/Hongys.htm .