The Korean Cultural Center in Thailand recently hosted an engaging Book Talk event featuring celebrated Korean author Park Sang Young as part of the K-Book Exhibition. This literary gathering was organized as a component of the 2025 Korean Book Promotion and Global Exchange Project, a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Publication Industry Promotion Agency (KPIPA).
The evening event on October 28 drew more than 100 enthusiastic readers who came to hear Park Sang Young discuss his acclaimed work. The author was joined by Pichayapa Deethonglang, the Thai translator of his internationally recognized novel "Love in the Big City." The presence of both the author and translator provided attendees with unique insights into both the creative process and the challenges of literary translation.
During his opening remarks, Park Sang Young expressed his deep affection for Thailand and its people. "I have fallen in love with Thailand's charm and its embrace of diversity, and I have visited the country more than a dozen times, to the point that I now think of Bangkok as my second hometown," he shared with the audience. "I am very happy to have the opportunity to meet Thai readers on this occasion, and I would love to hear everyone's thoughts after reading the novel 'Love in the Big City.'"
The discussion centered around Park Sang Young's writing process and professional journey, with particular focus on "Love in the Big City," which has garnered significant international attention. This remarkable novel has earned nominations for several prestigious international literary awards, including the International Booker Prize, the Dublin Literary Award, the Prix Médicis Award for Foreign Literature, and the Émile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature. These nominations highlight the growing global recognition of contemporary Korean literature.
The interactive portion of the evening proved to be particularly engaging, with participants asking thoughtful questions about various aspects of the literary world. Attendees inquired about effective writing techniques, the benefits and challenges of adapting novels for film and television, and the author's plans for future literary projects. This question-and-answer session created a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere that allowed for meaningful dialogue between the author and his readers.
Following the formal discussion, the event continued with an enthusiastic meet-and-greet session. Readers from diverse backgrounds, including Thai, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian nationals, approached Park Sang Young with copies of his books they had brought from home. They eagerly requested autographs and took photographs with the author, demonstrating the widespread appeal and strong emotional connection that readers from various cultures have developed with Korean literature.
The K-Book Exhibition at the Korean Cultural Center represents an ongoing commitment to promoting Korean literature internationally and will continue its programming through early next year. The center has planned additional cultural activities to maintain this literary momentum, including a Korean Literature Translation Contest scheduled for November and a special musical performance in December with the theme "The Encounter Between Literature and Classical Music." These events reflect the center's comprehensive approach to cultural exchange and its dedication to fostering deeper appreciation for Korean artistic expression among international audiences.
