Meet the translators

Three translators worked on the Korean Classic Stories, a five-volume series consisting of Korean classic literature and folktales.

The first two volumes, “Avengers & Artists” and “Confucians in Love,” were translated by Kevin O’Rourke, professor emeritus of English at Kyung Hee University in Seoul.

Formerly a Catholic priest from Ireland, O’Rourke has been living in Korea since 1964. He is believed to be the first foreigner to receive a Ph.D. in Korean literature. He earned the degree from Yonsei University in Seoul in 1982.

He has translated many works of Korean classic and contemporary literature into English, including Yi Mun-yol’s iconic work of fiction “Our Twisted Hero” and a collection of selected poems by Kim Sakkat, the famous 19th-century satirical poet.

Meanwhile, translator Ally Hwang translated volume 3 and 4, “War & Exile” and “All Walks of Life.” Hwang, who received a Ph. D. in comparative literature from Binghamton University in the U.S., is a fellow of the International Translation Foundation.

After publishing her first translation work, author Seo Ha-jin’s “At the Gunwale,” Hwang is ahead of the publication of her second book, “A Good Family,” an English edition of Seo’s collection of short stories.

“A Good Family” is one of the 25 volumes of Dalkey Archive Press’ “Library of Korean Literature,” a series which consists of works by Korea’s contemporary authors and those who lived through Korea’s colonial and postcolonial periods. “A Good Family,” along with 14 other volumes, is scheduled to hit bookstores in the U.S. next year.

Hwang is currently translating author Cheon Woon-young’s novel “Myoungrang.”

The fifth volume, “Lives of Women,” was translated by freelance journalist Kim Jung-eun. Kim, who also works as a producer for documentary films and international current affairs programs for TV broadcasting networks including the BBC, CNN International and ABC Nightline, has won a number of awards for her work, including the RFK MEMORIAL Journalism Award for International Reporting. “Lives of Women” is Kim’s first published translation work.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)