Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Explores Possibility of Expanding 'K-Book' at Paris Olympics

Korea House Hosts 'K-Book' Author Event

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Publication Culture Industry Promotion Agency will hold a 'K-Book' author event for two days starting on the 6th (local time) at the Paris Olympics Korea House. This is an extension of the K-Book events held since June at bookstores, libraries, and schools throughout Paris. Kim Yong-seop, Director of the Media Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "We will widely promote the excellence, artistry, and popularity of K-Books to expand the flow of publishing Hallyu worldwide."

The most eye-catching program is live painting. Picture book author Lee Ki-hoon will create the 'Masquerade' series at the Korea House small theater. The process and time of completion are regarded as part of the artwork, expanding and conveying its meaning and narrative in real time. The 'Masquerade' series has recorded tens of millions of views on social networking services (SNS).

Authors Yoon Go-eun and Baek Su-rin, along with French author Bernard Minier, will discuss "The Mystery of Being Human" on the 6th, exploring humanity in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). They will delve into the profound abyss and inner mysteries of humans that AI technology cannot solve. The discussion will be moderated by literary critic Heo Hee.

Author Yoon received the Dagger Award for translated mystery novels from the British Crime Writers' Association in 2021 for "Travelers of the Night," becoming the first Asian author to do so. The work, praised as an "eco-thriller," has been translated and published in eleven languages and is currently being adapted into a film. Author Baek debuted in 2011 with the short story "Practice of Lies" and has published several works including "Falling in Fall" and "Dismal Light." Bernard Minier, a leading figure in French mystery literature, debuted in 2011 with the novel "The Murder of Snow."

Kang Hyung-won, the first Korean to win the Pulitzer Prize twice as a photojournalist, will also participate in the event. On the 7th, he will introduce Korea's artifacts, ruins, and long-standing civilization and culture under the theme "Korean Cultural Heritage Through Photography." Kang has worked for the LA Times, AP, and Reuters.