kt Millie's library said on the 22nd that it released the episode of the original video content "Literature appreciation society" featuring writer Cheon Myeong-kwan and simultaneously presented his signature work Whale as an e-book and an audiobook.
Literature appreciation society is a video series hosted by writer Kim Jung-hyuk and singer Lee Juck that explores major works from multiple angles with Korean writers representing the contemporary era. The first episode spotlighted writer Eun Hee-kyung's signature work The Gift of Birds and earned positive reviews, and then writer Hwang Sok-young appeared, drawing interest.
This time, writer Cheon Myeong-kwan, who delivered a fresh shock to the Korean literary scene with Whale, winner of the Munhakdongne Novel Award, appeared to discuss in depth the work's creative background and writing process, as well as the characters and themes in the work.
Whale is a work that satirizes the contradictions and desires of Korean society by focusing on the lives of three women: Geumbok, the embodiment of great desire; Chunhee, who lives in solitude after losing her voice; and the cursed vengeful spirit Old Woman, who reappears after death to seek revenge. The narrator in the story directly addresses the reader in a distinctive manner, and the image of the whale, which appears as a symbol of freedom and transcendence, intertwines to leave a strong impression.
The work also drew attention on the global literary stage through overseas publication, and in 2023 it was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, the United Kingdom's most prestigious literary award, raising the profile of Korean literature. This video in particular also conveyed how Korean-style humor and satire were preserved in translation and what charms overseas readers discovered in the work. Millie's library marked the release of this Literature appreciation society episode by making Whale available as an e-book and an audiobook that day.