Kim Su-yông
Encyclopedia
Kim Su-yeong was a Korean poet and translator whose poetry explored love and freedom as poetic and political ideals . He lived in Japan
during the first part of the Second World War, following an interest in the theatre and other arts at Tokyo University. In 1943, he fled to Manchuria
to avoid the Japanese military draft. However, during the Korean War
, he was drafted into the North Korean Korean People's Army
. Escaping from the North, he wound up imprisoned in a POW camp in South Korea
. Later he majored in English Language
and Linguistics
at Yonsei University
, again without completing a degree. He died in a traffic accident in South Korea.
Kim's literary orientation became clear when he led other young Korean poets in "The Second Half," a group dedicated to redirecting Korean poetry away from the traditionalism and lyricism of the early 1950s by confront social concerns by using language in a new way. Among the innovations were the use of surrealism
, abstraction
, prose
, slang
and profanity
in Kim's poems . Kim's early poems were in a Modernist style, though later he changed directions, using everyday language in addressing social issues. Many are political, either overtly or by hidden implication.
According to the scholar of Korean literature, Brother Anthony of Taize, Kim's significance and impact only really took place after his death. He only published one volume of poetry (in 1959). Shortly before his death, he wrote a theoretical article which sparked a lively debate.
Perhaps his best-known poem is "Grass". The Kim Su-yong Contemporary Poetry Award is named in his honor.
(translated by Kang Yeo-Kyu and Uwe Kolbe) Edition Peperkorn: Thunum.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
during the first part of the Second World War, following an interest in the theatre and other arts at Tokyo University. In 1943, he fled to Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
to avoid the Japanese military draft. However, during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, he was drafted into the North Korean Korean People's Army
Korean People's Army
The Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...
. Escaping from the North, he wound up imprisoned in a POW camp in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. Later he majored in English Language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Linguistics
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
at Yonsei University
Yonsei University
Yonsei University is a Christian private research university, located in Seoul, South Korea. Established in 1885, it is one of the oldest universities in South Korea, the top private comprehensive universities in South Korea, and is widely regarded as one of the top three comprehensive...
, again without completing a degree. He died in a traffic accident in South Korea.
Kim's literary orientation became clear when he led other young Korean poets in "The Second Half," a group dedicated to redirecting Korean poetry away from the traditionalism and lyricism of the early 1950s by confront social concerns by using language in a new way. Among the innovations were the use of surrealism
Surrealism
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members....
, abstraction
Abstraction
Abstraction is a process by which higher concepts are derived from the usage and classification of literal concepts, first principles, or other methods....
, prose
Prose
Prose is the most typical form of written language, applying ordinary grammatical structure and natural flow of speech rather than rhythmic structure...
, slang
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
and profanity
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
in Kim's poems . Kim's early poems were in a Modernist style, though later he changed directions, using everyday language in addressing social issues. Many are political, either overtly or by hidden implication.
According to the scholar of Korean literature, Brother Anthony of Taize, Kim's significance and impact only really took place after his death. He only published one volume of poetry (in 1959). Shortly before his death, he wrote a theoretical article which sparked a lively debate.
Perhaps his best-known poem is "Grass". The Kim Su-yong Contemporary Poetry Award is named in his honor.
Publications
- Dalnara-ui jangnan (A Game Played in the Moon), published in 1959, was the only book of poetry he produced in his lifetime.
Translated works
- Kim Soo-Young (2005) Jenseits des Rausches. Gedichte.
(translated by Kang Yeo-Kyu and Uwe Kolbe) Edition Peperkorn: Thunum.
- Kim Soo-Young (2001) Der Wächter der Wolke: ausgewählte Gedichte. (translated by Kim Miy-He and Sylvia Bräsel) Edition Peperkorn: Thunum.
- Brother Anthony
, translator and editor (2001) Variations: Three Korean Poets. Cornell East Asia series ; 110.
Honors
- Korean Poets' Association Prize for Poetry, 1958 (first recipient)
- The Kim Suyeong Literary Award was established 1981 in his honor
External links
- Selected poems in English translation: http://www.sogang.ac.kr/~anthony/SelectedPoems.htm
- Discussion of the poet in French: http://www.poesieschoisies.net/le_poete.php?V=45,,,poeme,11,,2-88340-022-9,,2,,,
- Discussion of the poet and two others in their stylistic and political setting: http://www.sogang.ac.kr/~anthony/Sheffield.htm
- Translation of Kim's "Watchman of the Clouds"
- Three of Kim's poems in English translation:
- Ten of Kim's poems in English translation
- British and American influence on Kim's poetry: http://ref.daum.net/item/554537 (summary of Korean journal article)
- On Kim's poetic response to political conditions: http://www.dbpia.com/view/ar_view.asp?arid=495397 (summary of Korean journal article)
- On Kim's view of poetry: (summary of Korean journal article)