[Book Sip] Culture Magazine 'Kultura' February Issue Theme is '2023 AWARDS'

Editor's NoteSome sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others instantly resonate with the reader, creating a connection with the book. We have selected and introduced such meaningful sentences from books.

The theme of the February issue of Cultura is ‘2023 Cultura AWARDS.’ This event was organized to celebrate achievements and significance across various fields of Korean literature and culture. In the film category, director Park Chan-wook was selected for Decision to Leave; in poetry, poet Park So-ran for Breath; and in drama, writer Moon Ji-won for Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Along with interviews with each awardee, the issue includes a roundtable discussion by the editorial board examining the landscape of Korean culture. The winning works and acceptance speeches of Kim Hae-sol (poetry) and Lee Woo-bin (film criticism), recipients of the 17th Cultura Newcomer Awards, are also featured.

Rather than a magical moment or a dramatic turning point, I thought that a gradual accumulation of small things is more realistic and closer to our lives. So, small things?like a certain expression or, for example, just putting someone to sleep, mumbling something with some inexplicable, baseless technique, which even turns into Chinese and becomes some incomprehensible sound?just those small things can lull someone into a deep sleep. At the first meeting, hearing the word ‘finally’ and savoring it, quietly staring and feeling curious to ‘understand that person’s pattern’?things like that gradually build up. So, eating sushi and clearing the table together?these small acts. While I liked the magical dramatic transitions in my previous films, I also appreciate this kind of approach. - From “2023 Cultura AWARDS - Today’s Film | ‘I thought gradual accumulation of small things is more realistic and closer to our lives’ - Interview with Director Park Chan-wook of Decision to Leave” (Professor Kang Yoo-jung, Film Critic), page 41

I don’t intend to create works with the thought of presenting some grand issue to society. I simply want to be a creator who carefully gathers things I find interesting and gently lays them out before you. I earnestly hope that what I like, you will like as well. Everyone, I look forward to your continued support. - From “2023 Cultura AWARDS - Today’s Drama | ‘Woo Young-woo gave me encouragement and courage... I want to be a creator who carefully presents what I find interesting’ - Interview with Writer Moon Ji-won of Extraordinary Attorney Woo” (Reporter Lee Eun-joo), page 67

I like speaking, and I like revising what I say even more. Somehow, this feels like transcending time and space. It feels like making the impossible possible. But what I truly love is taking responsibility for what I say. Knowing that some things cannot be undone, that some things are irreversible. So perhaps continuously speaking and revising could break me down. Someone might ask me, “Why do you go that far? Why do you do that much? It’s too much. You’re crazy.” - From “17th Cultura Newcomer Awards | Poetry Category Acceptance Speech” (Kim Hae-sol), page 90

While my peers are diligently transforming into responsible members of society through NCS and TOEIC Speaking, I am still lost in the fantasy of film. Or rather, I am floundering in the delusion that writing through film is an absurd dream. It would be a lie to say I’m not anxious. The two landmarks of film and writing are fading in color, and I am utterly confused about where to steer my future. So, the boredom with film, like the boredom between lovers, stems from me. The sneaky thought of ‘Should I learn coding now?’ constantly torments me, and I am unfairly blaming my friend, film, for this problem. - From “17th Cultura Newcomer Awards | Film Criticism Category Acceptance Speech” (Lee Woo-bin), page 98

Cultural Magazine Cultura February 2023 Issue (No. 104) | Jakga Publishing | 144 pages | 12,000 KRW