Pahk Yon-hee

1.1. Birth and Early Career

Pahk Yon-hee was born on September 24, 1918, in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province, which is now part of North Korea. He made his literary debut in 1944 with the short story "Jorangmal" (조랑말_Pony^Korean). Following Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, he managed an orchard. In 1946, he moved to South Korea and officially commenced his literary career with the publication of the short story "Ssal" (쌀_Rice^Korean). He continued to publish, with two short stories, "Gomok" (고목_{Old Tree}^Korean) and "Sampalseon" (삼팔선_{The 38th Parallel}^Korean), appearing in 1948. During the Korean War, his short story "Saebyeok" (새벽_Dawn^Korean) was included in the 1953 anthology Jeonseon munhak (전선문학_{Literature of the Frontlines}^Korean), published by the Army War Writers Group (육군 종군 작가단_{yukgun jonggun jakgadan}^Korean).

1.2. Professional Career

Beyond his creative writing, Pahk Yon-hee held significant roles in the media and corporate sectors. He worked as an editor for various magazines, including Baengmin (백민_{Pure Subjects}^Korean), Jayu segye (자유세계_{Free World}^Korean), and Jayu munhak (자유문학_{Free Literature}^Korean). In 1958, he became the deputy head of the culture division at the Dong-A Ilbo, a prominent South Korean newspaper. In 1962, he took on the role of senior editor at the press office of the Korea Electric Power Corporation. Throughout these professional engagements, he continued his prolific writing, publishing significant works such as "Jeungin" in 1956 and Geu yeojaui yeonin in 1958. In the 1960s, he began writing in a realistic style, producing works like "Banghwang" (방황_Wandering^Korean) in 1962 and "Byeonmo" (변모_{Transformation}^Korean) in 1965, which aimed to denounce the inhumane realities and irrationalities of society. By the 1970s, he transitioned to writing historical novels, exemplified by the epic Hong Gildong in 1975. He remained active in his later years, publishing Millansidae (민란시대_{Age of Insurrection}^Korean) and Juin eomneun dosi (주인 없는 도시_{City Without an Owner}^Korean) in 1988. In 1997, he served as an advisor for the Korea Writers Association. Pahk Yon-hee passed away in 2008 due to old age.

2.1. Periodical Changes in Literary Style

Pahk Yon-hee's literary output can be broadly categorized into three distinct periods, each reflecting a shift in thematic focus and stylistic approach. His **early writings** are characterized by a strong emphasis on themes of futility and decadence. A representative work from this period is the 1948 short story "Gomok."

In his **middle period writings**, Pahk actively engaged in social criticism, using his works to denounce the prevailing societal realities. For instance, the 1956 short story "Jeungin" directly criticized the dictatorial regime of Syngman Rhee. The 1958 work "Hwanmyeol" (환멸_{Disillusionment}^Korean) depicted the corruption of human nature within equally corrupt environments. Additionally, the 1962 short story "Banghwang" portrayed the anguish and agony experienced by student soldiers during the Joseon Dynasty. During this time, he also published works in the stylistic vein of realism, such as "Banghwang" in 1962 and "Byeonmo" in 1965, aiming to expose the inhumane realities and irrationalities of the society around him.

His **later writings** saw a significant shift towards historical novels. Works such as the 1975 Hong Gildong, the 1978 Yeomyeonggi (여명기_{The Beginning of a New Era}^Korean), and the 1988 Juin eomneun dosi exemplify this period. In these works, Pahk delved into the past not merely for historical recounting but as a means to closely examine the present and to explore new possibilities for humanity in the future. The 1978 novel Hachonilga (하촌일가_{A Family in Rosy Cloud Village}^Korean) is another important later work that describes North Korean society after the 1945 liberation through the testimony of a young boy, offering a unique perspective on a complex historical period.

2.2. Thematic Consciousness

A central pillar of Pahk Yon-hee's literary work is his consistent denunciation of contemporary political irrationalities and societal evils, aiming to foster a strong sense of resistance. This commitment was evident in his actions; from October 1954 to February 1955, his work Gamyeonui hoehwa (가면의 회화_{Conversation of Masks}^Korean) was serialized in the Pyeonghwa Newspaper, where he critically examined politics and religion. When the newspaper company requested that he write a more popular love story, Pahk voluntarily suspended his writings, an act that clearly demonstrated his unwavering consciousness and integrity as a writer.

Furthermore, Pahk's literature uniquely combines a humanistic perspective of the world with realism. This blend allowed him to manifest a genuine sense of humanity and create a distinctive worldview. The humanism portrayed in his works was heavily influenced by Russian literature. This influence meant that his humanistic themes were not confined to depicting the daily lives of ordinary people but extended to emphasize a profound sense of social consciousness, urging readers to reflect on broader societal issues and injustices.

2.3. Analysis of Representative Works

Pahk Yon-hee's representative works stand out for their incisive social commentary and their brave confrontation of authoritarianism and societal hypocrisy.

His 1956 short story, "Jeungin" (증인_Witness^Korean), directly addresses the dictatorial regime of the Liberty Party and the political oppression that arose from a stringent anti-communism ideology. Among the novels published in the 1950s, "Jeungin" is notable for being the only one that directly and courageously denounces the dictatorial nature of former President Syngman Rhee's rule. It also uniquely and concretely portrays the Sasaoip gaeheonpadong (Selective Constitutional Reform) incident, a significant political event in South Korean history. The story's protagonist, Jun, a newspaper writer, is forced to resign after writing an article opposing the Selective Constitutional Reform, as it could benefit the opposition party. Shortly thereafter, he takes in a student, Hyeon Il-u, as a boarder. However, due to Hyeon Il-u, Jun is arrested on suspicion of being a spy and holding secret rendezvous. He is subjected to solitary confinement and severe interrogation. When he begins vomiting large amounts of blood during questioning, he is finally released. As he recovers on his sickbed, Jun is tormented by questions about the reasons for his imprisonment and the purpose of his continued existence. Through Jun's suffering, "Jeungin" powerfully portrays the hardships faced by ordinary people under the cruel and merciless tyranny of authority, thereby exposing the hypocrisy and senselessness prevalent in contemporary society.

In his 1958 novel, Geu yeojaui yeonin (그 여자의 연인_{The Man She Loved}^Korean), Pahk Yon-hee explores the joys and sorrows of life by tracing the complicated romantic entanglements of an intellectual within an absurd reality. The novel centers on Im Gyuju, a managing editor at Goryeo Publishers and a novelist. While his own wife suffers from tuberculosis, Im Gyuju embarks on affairs with Song Gyeongwon, the second wife of his publishing company's CEO, and Gang Seonok, the wife of his poet friend who defected to North Korea. He also rejects the romantic advances of Jang Seonghye, another employee at the publishing company. In the midst of these personal complexities, a serialized newspaper novel he is writing is accused of having a "thought problem." Although Im Gyuju is summoned by the authorities, he is freed with the help of his CEO and Song Gyeongwon. Subsequently, Im Gyuju begins operating a co-op farm, and as he rides a bus, he reflects on the faces of all the women he has loved. While Im Gyuju may wander in matters of love, the novel extends beyond personal romance to deliver a profound social critique. It states that "democracy is not measuring happiness through money," thereby criticizing a societal environment where money and happiness are inextricably linked. The novel emphasizes that capitalism is not synonymous with democracy and, through its diverse cast of characters, advocates for the construction of a democratic society led by the people.

3.1. Short Story Collections

• Musahodong (무사호동_{Warrior Hodong}^Korean), Hagwonsa, 1957.
• Banghwang (방황_Wandering^Korean), Jeongeumsa, 1964.
• Bameman jaraneun dol (밤에만 자라는 돌_{The Rock That Only Grows at Night}^Korean), Daeundang, 1979.

3.2. Novels

• Geu yeojaui yeonin (그 여자의 연인_{The Man She Loved}^Korean), Samseong, 1972.
• Hong Gildong (홍길동_{Hong Gildong}^Korean), Gabin, 1975.
• Yeomyeonggi (여명기_{The Beginning of a New Era}^Korean), Dong-A Ilbo, 1978.
• Hachonilga (하촌일가_{A Family in Rosy Cloud Village}^Korean), Daeundang, 1978.
• Juin eomneun dosi (주인 없는 도시_{City Without an Owner}^Korean), Jeongeumsa, 1988.
• Millansidae (민란시대_{Age of Insurrection}^Korean), Munsa, 1988.
• Wangdo (왕도_{The Rule of Royalty}^Korean), Jesamgihoek, 1992.
• Hwangje yeonsangun (황제 연산군_{Emperor Yeon Sangun}^Korean), Myungmundang, 1994.

3.3. Works in Translation

Several of Pahk Yon-hee's works have been translated into other languages, allowing his themes and stories to reach a broader international audience.

• The Man She Loved (translation of Geu yeojaui yeonin), Crescent Publications, 1986.
• Sewol: Hyeondae Namjoseon Soseolseon (세월: 현대남조선소설선_{歲月: 現代南朝鮮小說選}^Korean), a collection including works by Pahk Yon-hee and others, Shinheung Seobang, 1967.