Djuna, a groundbreaking figure in Korean science fiction literature, has republished "Trans-Pacific Express," one of their most acclaimed works, more than twenty years after its original publication through Moonji Publishing. This reissue brings back a collection that has been considered essential reading in Korean speculative fiction circles.
The book features twelve interconnected stories, anchored by the titular piece "Trans-Pacific Express." This central narrative follows a protagonist whose family has lived for generations aboard an international train that travels across the Pacific Ocean. The story's main plot revolves around a dramatic rescue mission to save a child from ritual sacrifice in a fictional country that continues to practice such ancient traditions.
The collection showcases what have become Djuna's signature literary elements, including powerful dystopian imagination, creative intersections with popular culture such as music and film, and genre-blending narratives that masterfully combine horror and romance elements. These early explorations have since evolved into the defining characteristics of Djuna's distinctive writing style.
Among the standout stories in the collection is "Cello," which explores complex themes of love and desire through the story of a middle-aged woman who develops romantic feelings for a young female robot. Another notable piece, "Parasite," presents readers with a dystopian urban setting where the traditional power dynamics between humans and machines have been completely reversed, creating a thought-provoking commentary on technology and society.
Djuna's literary career began in the early 1990s when they started publishing short stories under a pseudonym on the Hitel SF Club, an online community within the popular PC communication service of that era. This digital platform served as a launching pad for many Korean science fiction writers during the early days of internet culture.
For more than two decades, Djuna has maintained complete anonymity regarding personal details, consistently refusing to reveal information such as age, gender, or legal name. This mysterious persona has added to the author's cult following and has become part of their literary identity in Korean science fiction circles.
The collection also includes "Counterweight," which has gained international recognition through Anton Hur's English translation. This story weaves together elements of corporate intrigue, political unrest, and explores the chaos that emerges from a company's dangerous obsession with constructing the world's first space elevator, highlighting Djuna's ability to blend hard science fiction concepts with social commentary.
