Booker shortlisted Cheon Myeong-kwan of 'Whale' says 'failure' shaped his novel

South Korean novelist Cheon Myeong-kwan has gained a global reputation as a writer when his novel “Whale” was shortlisted for the 2023 International Booker Prize, but he feels his career and literature have been driven by failures.

His first full-length novel, originally published in 2004, winning the 10th Munhak Dongne New Writer Award, gained renewed attention and popularity in Korea after nearly 20 years.

Set in a remote village, the adventure-satire novel depicts human desire, achievement and downfall, following the lives of three women -- Geum-bok, her mute daughter Chun-hui and a one-eyed woman who "controls honeybees with a whistle."

The novel was nominated for the prestigious literary award after its English edition, translated by Chi-Young Kim, was published by Europa Editions in January 2023.

“People often ask me why I became a writer and I answer, ‘Because I have failed,’” said Cheon during a book talk held at the Seoul International Book Fair at Coex, in Seoul on Saturday.

“The reason I have been switching between the professions of film and writing is that I haven’t achieved clear success in either field. That’s why, even at this age, I feel like I’m still leading a wandering life,” said the 59-year-old writer.

Cheon began his career as a screenwriter in his 30s, and started writing novels at the age of 40. In a previous interview with The Korea Herald, he said he was in a “deadlock” when he wrote “Whale.” He made a directorial debut in 2022 with the noir film “Hot Blooded."

"Failure" not only led him to switch his careers, but he believes it is also the essence of literature.

“A novel is essentially stories about failure,” he explained, “Classics like ‘Crime and Punishment’ and ‘The Stranger’ are all stories about failed individuals. The greatness in literature lies in our ability to connect and empathize through books.”

“Reality is absurd. Good deeds don’t necessarily bring blessings, and bad deeds don’t always lead to punishment. … Living through this absurd world, (I think) writers hold onto this crumbling, collapsing world and reconstruct it through imagination.”

"So those who have never thought about failure do not read books," Cheon continued. "Those who are still excited about the hope of getting rich don't read fiction. I think people read novels because they have to go on despite failures."

The novelist also shared some behind-the-scenes stories from the Booker Prize award ceremony in London on May 23.

“My agents and interpreter suggested that I prepare an acceptance speech, just in case. It felt amusing to write a speech. … I asked the interpreter to throw away the script immediately if I don’t win. (The interpreter) replied, ‘There are countless acceptance speeches in my trash bin,’” Cheon chuckled.

In response to some of the reviews that “Whale” contains elements of “han,” or a uniquely Korean characteristic of sorrow, grief and resentment, Cheon said, “I don’t think ‘han’ is a quintessentially Korean sentiment. … It’s a very universal sentiment. And besides such sorrowful sentiments, Korea is just as dynamic, energetic, cheerful and humorous."

Regarding his upcoming projects, Cheon shared that he is currently working on a novel that he had previously put on hold after writing about half of it, with Changbi Publishers. He intends to complete the manuscript and release the book within the year.