Novelist Shin Kyung-sook to Offer 'Warm Comfort' in Hometown Jeongeup

Jeongeup City Hosts Literary Event with Shin Kyung-sook at Shintaein Library on May 9

Connecting Through Works Like the 1999 Novel "The Place Where the Harmonium Was"

Novelist Shin Kyung-sook, who hails from Jeongeup in North Jeolla Province, will return to her hometown for an event where she will connect with local citizens through literature.

Shintaein Library in Jeongeup City will host a literary event on May 9, inviting author Shin Kyung-sook to focus on her representative work, "The Place Where the Harmonium Was," also known as "A Lone Room." The event will provide an opportunity for local writers and citizens to meet in person and communicate through literary works.

Shin Kyung-sook is known for her unique lyrical and delicate writing style, which has explored the wounds of her era. During the event, participants will read together from the revised edition of "The Place Where the Harmonium Was," published in 1999, and revisit the characters and times depicted in the novel. There will also be a discussion about the reality and despair of those who persevered through poverty, along with an exploration of the meaning literature holds within such circumstances.

Shin Kyung-sook made her debut in 1985 by publishing the short story "Winter Fable" in 'Munye Joongang.' Since then, she has established herself as a leading figure in Korean literature, winning the Yi Sang Literary Award, the Korea Culture and Arts Award, and the Man Asian Literary Prize, among others. Her representative works include the 2025 reissue of "The Place Where the Harmonium Was," as well as "I Went to See My Father" (2021), "Unknown Women" (2011), and "Please Look After Mom" (2008). Through her consistent creative activities, she continues to receive broad support from a wide range of readers.

An official from Shintaein Library stated, "We hope that this meeting with author Shin Kyung-sook, who portrays harsh realities with beautiful prose, will be a precious opportunity to once again deeply appreciate the comfort and strength that literature offers."

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