In 1909... An Jung-geun's Youth Was Beautiful

Kim Hoon's 'Haerbin' Publication Press Conference

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] "An Jung-geun's anguish was heavy, but his demeanor was light. This moment is the most surprising, beautiful, and bursting with youthful energy."

Author Kim Hoon revealed this at a press conference held on the 3rd at a cafe in Mapo-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the publication of his new novel, Harbin. What Kim Hoon shared about An Jung-geun is intriguing. One day before the assassination of Ito Hirobumi, An Jung-geun and Woo Seok-sun met at a shabby bar in Vladivostok, Russia. They reportedly did not say a single word about why they were carrying out the assassination or about any such grand cause.

This was the point Kim focused on. They were so confident that there was no sense of psychological burden about the act.

Kim said he respects Admiral Yi Sun-sin and An Jung-geun the most. Perhaps that is why, following his work The Song of the Sword about Admiral Yi Sun-sin, he published the new novel Harbin. In fact, Harbin is a novel Kim had wanted to write since he was young. It is related to the shock he felt when he happened to read the interrogation records of An Jung-geun.

Kim explained his motivation for writing: "The human ideological foundation is very chaotic, but the demeanor of those who embark on revolution based on ideology is so light. I thought this was the driving force of revolution and the passion for life."

Regarding Harbin, Kim had delayed writing for a long time, overwhelmed by the vastness of the narrative. However, in 2021, while suffering from illness, he felt he could no longer postpone writing and picked up the pen. Even if it was less than satisfactory, he focused on finishing quickly. He began writing on January 1 of this year and completed the manuscript in eight months.

Kim said, "I put a lot of effort into the conflicts, resolutions, and conclusions involving civilization, the survival of the fittest, An Jung-geun, and Catholic priests (who were partly entangled with imperialism). I don't think I wrote it well, but I hope readers pay attention to that."

The novel focuses on the brief days around October 26, 1909, when An Jung-geun shot Ito Hirobumi. Kim focused on depicting An Jung-geun’s youth, soul, and vitality rather than glorifying him as a hero. He also devoted effort to portraying both the enlightenment and the survival-of-the-fittest aspects of Ito Hirobumi.

In his Author’s Note, he said, "An Jung-geun cannot be confined to his era." He then delivered a meaningful message.

Kim argued, "An Jung-geun’s theory of peace in East Asia is still alive. In fact, the present is even more desperate."

"The protagonists of that era were a declining Japan and the prey of Western imperialism, but now North Korea is nuclear-armed and has a military alliance with China, and Japan is once again aiming to become a military power. East Asian peace is in a more severe crisis than in An Jung-geun’s time."