Controversy Over Quoting Private Conversations: Novelist Kim Bong-gon "Stopping Novel Sales and Returning Young Writers' Award"

Novelist Kim Bong-gon [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Novelist Kim Bong-gon, who sparked controversy by directly quoting private conversations exchanged via mobile phone messenger in his novel, announced that he will stop selling the controversial novel and return the award he received.

On the 21st, Kim Bong-gon posted on his Twitter, "I apologize for everything that has happened so far." He added, "I will stop selling all copies of the standalone books 'Summer, Speed' and 'Seasons and Moods,'" and "I will return the Literature Dongne Young Writers' Award given for 'Such a Life.'"

Kim Bong-gon caused controversy after it was revealed that he directly quoted private conversations exchanged with acquaintances via mobile phone messenger in his novels 'Such a Life' and 'Summer, Speed.'

On the 10th, a woman claimed that the character 'C Nuna' in 'Such a Life' was herself, and that the lines of C Nuna in the novel were "copied exactly" from what she had actually said to Kim Bong-gon in messenger conversations. Then, on the 16th, a man claimed that 'Young-woo' in Kim Bong-gon's novel 'Summer, Speed' was himself, and that messages he had sent to Kim Bong-gon in the past were quoted in the introduction of the novel "with the same content and context" without his consent. This man said he was encouraged by the woman's exposure, who claimed to be 'C Nuna' and a victim, and also asserted that he suffered harm due to the quoting of private conversations.

Kim Bong-gon also apologized to those who claimed to have been harmed. He said, "I apologize to Mr. Die-sexual and Mr. 0 who suffered because of my novel," and "I sincerely apologize to readers, publishing officials, and fellow writers." He added, "I acknowledge Mr. 0's objection and sincerely apologize. I apologize once again for the violence and harm caused by careless writing. Through the words of Mr. Die-sexual and Mr. 0, I belatedly realized the problems in my writing that brought others in without considering their unique lives and pains, and I deeply reflect on this." He also stated, "I will continue to face this issue and act with a responsible attitude."

The controversial 'Summer, Speed' is a collection of short stories of the same name published in 2018 by the publisher Literature Dongne. 'Such a Life' was first published in the summer issue of the quarterly magazine 'Literature and Society' last year, and Kim Bong-gon received the Literature Dongne Young Writers' Award for this work. 'Such a Life' was also included in Kim Bong-gon's short story collection 'Seasons and Moods,' published by Changbi in April this year.

Publishers Literature Dongne and Changbi announced on the same day that they will recall all the controversial novels and refund readers who have already purchased the novels. The books eligible for refunds are the short story 'Such a Life' included in the short story collection 'Seasons and Moods' (Changbi), the '11th Young Writers' Award Winners' collection, and the short story 'Summer, Speed' included in the short story collection 'Summer Speed' (both Literature Dongne).

Literature Dongne also decided to accept Kim Bong-gon's intention to return the 11th Young Writers' Award. Furthermore, the '11th Young Writers' Award Winners' collection will be reissued after deleting 'Such a Life' and including an explanation of the circumstances, following the consent procedures of the award-winning authors.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.