Novelist Kwon Yeo-seon's short story collection Gakgak-ui Gyejeol (Each Season) has been selected as the winner of the 39th Manhae Literary Award, Changbi announced on the 2nd.
The Manhae Literary Award selects nominees based on literary achievements in Korean over the past two years by individuals who have debuted for at least 10 years or have equivalent experience, and then awards the prize.
The judging panel described the winning work as "a collection of stories by Kwon Yeo-seon, who has never disappointed readers, now even deeper and more delicate." They added, "The dense interlocking of the whole and the details creates a level of density and an intellectual narrative worthy of life’s critique that is not easily found, so there was no disagreement about the authorial capability reaffirmed in this collection. Insight into the era and relationships has deepened, and the language has become more delicate," praising the work. They further explained, "This collection was selected as the Manhae Literary Award winner because it masterfully depicts middle-aged and early elderly women, who have rarely been closely examined in Korean literature until now, living each season with their own faces and voices, demonstrating craftsmanship at a masterful level while capturing the latent utopian emotional desires uniquely held by a generation of women."
The main award winner was decided through preliminary screening and two rounds of final judging.
In the preliminary screening, eight finalists were selected, including four poetry collections and four short story collections. On August 12, the first round of final judging narrowed the candidates to four finalists: two poetry collections and two short story collections. Then, on September 9, Kwon Yeo-seon's short story collection Gakgak-ui Gyejeol was chosen as the final main award winner. The main prize is 30 million won, and no special award was given this year.
Novelist Kwon Yeo-seon was born in 1965 in Andong, Gyeongbuk. She debuted in 1996 with the novel Pureureun Teumsae (Blue Gap) and has published short story collections such as Cheonyeochima (Virgin Skirt), Bunhong Ribbon-ui Sijeol (The Era of the Pink Ribbon), Nae Jeongwon-ui Bulgeun Yeolmae (The Red Fruit of My Garden), Bijanamu Sup (Juniper Forest), Annyeong Jujeongbaengi (Goodbye Drunkard), Ajik Meoreotdaneun Mal (The Words That It’s Still Far), and Gakgak-ui Gyejeol (Each Season), as well as novels such as Legato, Tow-ui Jip (Tow’s House), and Lemon. She has received the Yi Sang Literary Award, Dong-in Literary Award, Hankook Ilbo Literary Award, Dongri Literary Award, Kim Seung-ok Literary Award, Kim Yu-jeong Literary Award, and Lee Hyo-seok Literary Award.
The Manhae Literary Award was established by Changbi in 1973 to commemorate the achievements of Manhae Han Yong-un and to carry on his literary spirit.
The full judges’ comments and the acceptance speech will be published in the winter 2024 issue of the quarterly Changjakgwa Bipyeong (Creation and Criticism), scheduled for late November. The award ceremony will also be held in late November.
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