Yi Sang
Encyclopedia
Yi Sang is considered one of the most innovative writers in modern Korean literature
. Crossing and blurring the boundaries between poetry, fiction and essay, his experiments in literary form and language, as well the psychological complexity of his inquiry into passion, eroticism and the indeterminate nature of self were unprecedented in Korean literary practices of his time.
Though most widely known by his pen name, Yi Sang was born in Seoul
, Korea, as Kim Hae-gyeong. Most of his works were produced during the 1930s, during the Japanese Colonial Period. He was trained as an architect
and for a time was employed as a draftsman in the public works department of the colonial Japanese administration. Reflecting his architectural background, his writing, particularly poetry, consciously employed diagrams and numbers to push the conventional boundaries of linguistic expression.
While visiting Tokyo in 1936 he was arrested on charges of "thought crimes." Prison took a severe toll on his health, which was already in decline from years of suffering from tuberculosis
. He died soon after his release. He was 27 years old, according to East Asian age reckoning
.
Yi Sang never received much recognition for his writing during his lifetime, but his works began to be reprinted in the 1950s. In the 1970s his reputation soared, and in 1977 the Yi Sang Literary Award
was established. It has become one of Korea's most prestigious awards for literary works. His most famous short story is probably "The Wings" ("Nalgae"), and his poem "Crow's-Eye View" is also well-known.
Korean literature
Korean literature is the body of literature produced in Korea or by Korean writers. For much of its 3,000 years of literature history, it was written both in Hanja and in Korean, first using the transcription systems idu and gugyeol, and finally using the Korean script Hangul. It is commonly...
. Crossing and blurring the boundaries between poetry, fiction and essay, his experiments in literary form and language, as well the psychological complexity of his inquiry into passion, eroticism and the indeterminate nature of self were unprecedented in Korean literary practices of his time.
Though most widely known by his pen name, Yi Sang was born in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, Korea, as Kim Hae-gyeong. Most of his works were produced during the 1930s, during the Japanese Colonial Period. He was trained as an architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and for a time was employed as a draftsman in the public works department of the colonial Japanese administration. Reflecting his architectural background, his writing, particularly poetry, consciously employed diagrams and numbers to push the conventional boundaries of linguistic expression.
While visiting Tokyo in 1936 he was arrested on charges of "thought crimes." Prison took a severe toll on his health, which was already in decline from years of suffering from tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. He died soon after his release. He was 27 years old, according to East Asian age reckoning
East Asian age reckoning
East Asian age reckoning is a concept and practice that originated in China and is widely used by other cultures in East Asia, which share this traditional way of counting a person's age. Newborns start at one year old, and each passing of a Lunar New Year, rather than the birthday, adds one year...
.
Yi Sang never received much recognition for his writing during his lifetime, but his works began to be reprinted in the 1950s. In the 1970s his reputation soared, and in 1977 the Yi Sang Literary Award
Yi Sang Literary Award
The Yi Sang Literary Award is a South Korean literary award. It is one of South Korea's most prestigious literary awards named after Yi Sang, an innovative writer in modern Korean literature. The Yi Sang Literary Award was established in 1977...
was established. It has become one of Korea's most prestigious awards for literary works. His most famous short story is probably "The Wings" ("Nalgae"), and his poem "Crow's-Eye View" is also well-known.
English translations
- The Wings, Seoul: Jimoondang Publishing, 2001. ISBN 8988095502.
- Three Poets of Modern Korea: Yi Sang, Hahm Dong-seon, and Choi Young-mi, Louisville: Sarabande Books, 2002. ISBN 188933071X