The Unfamiliar But Fascinating Literature of ASEAN

In Korea, the literature of ASEAN is relatively unknown. One reason for this is because it isn’t readily accessible. In large bookstores in Korea, Southeast Asian literature is categorized under “Fiction from Other Countries” or “World Literature from Other Countries”, and in libraries, it’s classified as “Other Asian Literature”.

Only a few works have been introduced to the country, and many of these books were indirectly translated into Korean from English or French translations, which has limited Koreans’ understanding of ASEAN literature. To remedy this situation, I’d like to provide an opportunity for readers in Korea to become familiar with ASEAN literature through original translations of three locally famous works.