1. Life
Kim Haki's life journey reflects a profound engagement with the political and social landscape of South Korea, marked by his activism and the severe consequences he faced for his convictions.
1.1. Birth and Background
Kim Haki was born on June 24, 1958, in Ulsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. His early life experiences and upbringing in this region would later inform some of the themes in his literary works.
1.2. Education and Student Movement
In 1978, Kim Haki enrolled in the Department of Philosophy at Busan National University. During his time there, he became actively involved in the student movement, participating in protests against the government's policies and the expansion of martial law in South Korea. His activism led to his arrest in May 1980 for violating martial law, after which he was subjected to forced conscription.
1.3. Political Imprisonment
Following his initial arrest, Kim Haki was re-arrested in connection with the Burim incident, a significant event in South Korean history where a group of students, teachers, and office workers were falsely accused of being involved in a communist organization. He was sentenced to ten years in prison. Kim Haki served eight years of his sentence before being released on parole in 1988, an experience that profoundly shaped his perspective and became a central theme in his literary output. His imprisonment underscores the severe human rights implications faced by activists during that era.
2. Literary Career
Kim Haki's literary career began immediately after his release from prison, driven by a desire to convey the experiences of those who suffered under political oppression and to explore broader societal issues.
2.1. Debut and Early Works
After his release from prison in 1988, Kim Haki transitioned into a full-time writer. His debut work, A Young Man Imprisoned (한 젊은이가 갇혀 있다Korean), was published in 1988 and comprised a collection of poems and letters he had composed during his imprisonment. In 1989, his short story Living Tomb (살아있는 무덤Korean) was published in the autumn issue of Changjakgwa Bipyeong (Creation and Criticism) magazine, marking the official start of his literary activities. He also published other early short stories such as Yellow Flame (노란 불꽃Korean) and Haemi (해미Korean).
2.2. Major Works
Kim Haki has authored numerous significant works, including short story collections and novels, which delve into various societal challenges and historical experiences.
2.2.1. Short Story Collections
- A Perfect Encounter (완전한 만남Korean, 1991), published by Changbi Publishers. This collection earned him the first Im Sugyeong Unification Literary Award.
- A Ginkgo Love (은행나무 사랑Korean, 1996), published by Practical Literature Company. An English translation of this work, titled Gingko Love, is available [https://www.amazon.com/Gingko-Bi-lingual-Edition-Modern-Literature/dp/8994006885/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384941214&sr=8-1&keywords=gingko+love+bilingual].
- A Peach Blossom Place (복사꽃 그자리Korean, 2002), published by Munhakdongne.
- Colonial Boy (식민지 소년Korean, 2007), published by Cheongnyeonsa.
2.2.2. Novels
- A Flight Without a Course (Part 1) (항로 없는 비행(상)Korean, 1993), published by Changbi Publishers.
- A Flight Without a Course (Part 2) (항로 없는 비행(하)Korean, 1993), published by Changbi Publishers.
- A Thousand Years of Light 1 ~ 3 (천년의 빛Korean, 2001), published by Go-Do.
2.2.3. Other Works
- A Late Bloomer (늦깎이Korean, 1991), published by Chingu.
- Finally Standing at the End of the Fence (마침내 철책 끝에 서다Korean, 1995), published by Munhakdongne.
- Bu-Ma Democratic Protests (Re-read History 4) (부마민주항쟁 (역사 다시읽기 4)Korean, 2004), published by the Korea Democracy Foundation.
- Cave of Beauties (미인들의 동굴Korean, 2006-2009), serialized in Gyeongsang Ilbo.
- Hagi C Column (하기C칼럼Korean, 2011-2012), serialized in Giho Ilbo.
2.3. Themes and Literary Characteristics
Kim Haki's writing is characterized by its deep engagement with social and historical issues, often drawing directly from his own experiences. A recurring theme in his early works, such as Living Tomb and A Perfect Encounter, is the suffering and problems faced by long-term political prisoners and those accused of "current affairs crimes" (시국사범Korean). These narratives aim to shed light on the human rights implications of political imprisonment.
His later long-form novel, A Flight Without a Course, explores the struggles of individuals, particularly those involved in the student movement, as they navigate and overcome the profound changes and uncertainties of the 1990s. This work notably focuses on younger protagonists who reinterpret the painful history of their parents' generation to forge their own paths. While some critics have described his works as occasionally "too schematic" in their approach, Kim Haki is widely recognized for his significant contribution to publicizing the often-overlooked issues of long-term political prisoners through his powerful narratives.
3. Awards and Recognition
Kim Haki has received significant literary awards recognizing his contributions to Korean literature and his impactful exploration of social themes.
In 1989, he was awarded the first Im Sugyeong Unification Literary Award for his short story collection A Perfect Encounter. In 1992, he received the 10th Shin Dong-yeop Creative Fund for Writers Prize, further cementing his place as an important voice in contemporary Korean literature.
4. Impact and Evaluation
Kim Haki's work has had a notable impact on both society and literature, offering critical perspectives on South Korea's modern history and its human rights record.
4.1. Social Impact
Through his literary works, Kim Haki has played a crucial role in raising public awareness about the plight of long-term political prisoners in South Korea. His narratives have exposed the human rights abuses associated with political oppression and contributed to the broader discourse on democratic development in the country. By giving voice to the marginalized and those who suffered for their political beliefs, his writings have fostered a deeper understanding of the societal costs of authoritarian rule and the importance of human dignity.
4.2. Literary Significance
Within modern Korean literature, Kim Haki holds a significant position for his unwavering commitment to themes of social consciousness and historical memory. His ability to transform personal suffering into compelling narratives has made his work a vital record of a turbulent period in South Korean history. Despite some critical observations regarding his style, his efforts to bring the experiences of political prisoners into the literary mainstream are widely praised, establishing him as a writer who not only documents but also actively shapes the collective memory of social justice and democratic struggle.