A dialogue with Korean writer Hwang Sun-mi

The exchange session was attended by representatives from the Korean Literature Translation Institute, Nha Nam Publishing House, the Department of Oriental Studies, and several Vietnamese translators such as translator Le Dang Hoan (Vietnam Literature Association) and translator Nguyen Thi Thu Van (University of Foreign Languages, Vietnam National University, Hanoi).

Hwang Sun-mi was born in 1963 in Hongseong, South Korea. She studied creative writing at Seoul National University of the Arts. Making her debut as a writer in 1995, Hwang Sun-mi has published over 30 books in various genres. Her works address a range of themes, including the clash and compromise between tradition and modernity, the issue of survival, and the pursuit of freedom… all interwoven and interwoven with traditional motifs. She is best known as a fantasy writer with a critical, modern perspective.

Writer Hwang Sun-mi at the fan meeting.

Several famous works by writer Hwang Sun-mi have been translated into Vietnamese, including: "The Hen Who Escaped the Coop," "The Naughty Child's Report Card," "The Long-Haired Blue Dog," "Friends in the Valley of the Sun," and "The Whale on the Mountaintop"...

In 2011, the two books "The Naughty Child's Report Card" and "The Hen That Escaped the Coop" achieved record sales in South Korea, selling over 1 million copies. "The Hen That Escaped the Coop" was also adapted into an animated film script and became the most-watched animated film in Korean history. The work has also been adapted numerous times for the stage. Through the works of author Hwang Sun-mi, not only children but also adults can feel faith and love for life and the people around them. This is also the reason why Hwang Sun-mi's works are so popular with the public, and she has received many literary awards both domestically and internationally.

Sharing her feelings during the exchange, writer Hwang Sun-mi said she was surprised and delighted to receive such a warm welcome from the students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and that they spoke Korean very well. Therefore, even though this was her first time in Vietnam, she felt familiar and comfortable. She also felt happy to see her works translated into Vietnamese and reaching a large Vietnamese readership, including many young readers. She believes this exchange and the affection of the students here will be valuable memories and experiences in her life.

During this talk, writer Hwang Sun-mi shared her views on the meaning of children's literature, how to construct content and ideas for her works, and her reflections and considerations in the process of thinking about and selecting life experiences to incorporate into her works.

The author believes that literature easily touches the hearts and souls of people and comes from the most fundamental and profound aspects of the human heart. She writes children's books based on the observations and experiences of her loved ones, such as her children, parents, and family. The main characters in her stories are animals, but they reflect the personalities, destinies, and desires of humans. Adults can see their own lives and struggles reflected in these characters. Her works strive to convey life values ​​and lessons through the experiences of an adult, but expressed through vivid, engaging, and easily understandable characters, details, and settings for children. Therefore, children can learn a great deal from these insights. Adults can also understand and empathize with their children's stories, wanting to accompany and support them on their journey of discovering life's values. These children's books, however, encompass life values ​​for generations to come.

Writer Hwang Sun-mi shared that she also faced many difficulties during the writing process, sometimes including pressure from deadlines and the expectations of readers. She has a habit of keeping all drafts and revisions of her works. To gather details, she also makes a habit of recording everything that happens and what leaves her with an emotional impact each day. She also shared that she loves writing and always feels happy living with this work every day.