Kim Geumhee's "Report on the Repair of the Grand Greenhouse" Wins Main Prize at Manhae Literature Award: "Meticulously Beautiful"

Main Prize - Kim Geumhee, "Report on the Repair of the Grand Greenhouse"
Prize Money: 30 Million Won
Special Prize - Kim Dae-jung Library, "Kim Dae-jung Oral Memoir"
Prize Money: 10 Million Won

The 40th Manhae Literature Award has selected Kim Geumhee's novel "Report on the Repair of the Grand Greenhouse" as the main prize winner this year. The special prize was awarded to the "Kim Dae-jung Oral Memoir," a project organized by the Kim Dae-jung Library at Yonsei University.

Kim Geumhee's "Report on the Repair of the Grand Greenhouse" is set against the backdrop of the Grand Greenhouse at Changgyeonggung Palace, maintaining a delicate balance between literary and historical narratives. The novel reflects on the past while communicating with future generations, exploring the growth of both individuals and the community. The panel of judges praised it as "a work that earnestly asks what is required of us for true liberation," and added, "Through its meticulously beautiful structure, it gives a voice to small beings left behind in the flow of history."

Kim Geumhee made her literary debut in 2009 through the Korea Times New Year Literary Contest and has since published short story collections such as "Sentimental for a Day or Two," "A Love in the Middle of the Day," "Belonging to Only One Person," and "We Came from Pepperoni." Her novels include "Kyungae's Mind," "To Bokja," "Report on the Repair of the Grand Greenhouse," and "First Summer, Wanju." She has received the Shin Dong-yup Literary Award, Young Writers Award, Hyundai Literary Award, Woo Hyun Art Award, and Kim Seung-ok Literary Award.

The "Kim Dae-jung Oral Memoir" was highly praised for its detailed depiction of the people's history of resistance against dictatorship and oppression, spanning from the Japanese colonial period to the mid-2000s, based on the life of Kim Dae-jung. The panel of judges commented, "It vividly and engagingly captures the late President Kim Dae-jung's devoted efforts for democracy, peace, and a life of shared prosperity."

The judging process was conducted in two rounds, narrowing down from twelve finalists. The full judges' comments and acceptance speeches will be featured in the winter 2025 issue of the quarterly magazine "Changjakgwa Bipyeong."

The Manhae Literature Award was established by Changbi in 1973 to honor the achievements and literary spirit of Manhae Han Yongun. It is open to writers with at least ten years of experience or equivalent, for works published in Korean within the past two years. The main prize carries a reward of 30 million won, and the special prize 10 million won.

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