1. Overview
Son Taek-su, born in 1970, is a prominent South Korean poet and editor whose work is deeply rooted in social commentary and humanistic expression. His literary journey began with an early appreciation for the rhythmic beauty of poetry, inspired by his work with the blind. Throughout his career, he has explored themes ranging from the intricacies of urban and agricultural life to the profound laws of nature and the meaning of existence, often incorporating elements of traditional lyric poetry and Buddhist concepts. As an editor and former president of Silcheon Munhak, he has also significantly contributed to the Korean literary landscape. His distinctive poetic style, characterized by a delicate sensibility and lyrical beauty, has earned him numerous accolades, including the Sin Dong-yup Creative Writing Prize and the Isu Literary Prize, solidifying his position as a vital voice in contemporary Korean literature.
2. Life and Background
Son Taek-su's personal history and formative experiences significantly shaped his literary perspective and career.
2.1. Birth and Childhood
Son Taek-su was born in 1970 in Damyang County, South Jeolla Province, South Korea. His early childhood was spent in close proximity to nature, playing by the stream next to his grandmother's house, fostering a deep connection with water, mountains, and soil. After moving to Busan, he experienced severe homesickness, a period that likely influenced his later explorations of belonging and place in his poetry.
2.2. Education and Early Career
He pursued his academic interests in literature, graduating from Kyungnam University with a degree in Korean Literature, and subsequently completing his studies at Busan University Graduate School in the same field. After high school, Son Taek-su worked at a facility caring for the blind. It was during this time that he discovered the power of poetry, realizing the potential of rhythmic writing to engage and comfort. This experience marked his initial encounter and profound connection with the art form, inspiring him to become a poet.
2.3. Publishing Career
Beyond his creative endeavors, Son Taek-su has also played a crucial role in the Korean literary industry as an editor. He worked as an editor for notable publishing houses, including Jaeum & Moeum Publishing and Ijibook. His commitment to literature extended to leadership, as he served as the president of Silcheon Munhak, a significant literary organization, further cementing his influence in the publishing world.
3. Literary Career and Works
Son Taek-su's literary career demonstrates a consistent evolution of his poetic voice, marked by significant publications and thematic depth.
3.1. Debut and Early Poetry
Son Taek-su officially began his literary career in 1998. His poem, 언덕 위의 붉은 벽돌집Eondeok wi-ui bulgeun byeokdoljibKorean (The Red Brick House Atop A Hill), won the Korea Times New Writer's Contest and the Kookje Shinmun New Writer's Contest in the same year, marking his formal debut. His first poetry collection, 호랑이 발자국Horangi baljagukKorean (A Tiger's Footsteps), published by Changbi in 2003, showcased his keen observational skills. In this collection, he explored the lives of those around him and delved into the deeper aspects of life, often centered on his own family.
3.2. Major Poetry Collections and Themes
His poetic tendencies expanded significantly with his second collection, 목련전차MokryeonjeonchaKorean (The Magnolia Streetcar), published by Changbi in 2006. This collection used settings such as soil, the ocean, and ports to poetically reflect on his impoverished adolescent years. Son Taek-su continued to develop his themes in subsequent works, including 나무의 수사학Namu-ui susahakKorean (The Rhetoric of the Tree), published by Silcheon Munhak in 2010, and 선천성 그리움Seoncheonseong GeuriumKorean (Congenital Longing), published by Munhakui Jeondang in 2013.
A notable aspect of his later work involves the exploration of Buddhist concepts and mystical stories drawn from fables and legends, contributing to a deeper and more expansive poetic universe. This worldview is particularly evident in his collection 떠도는 먼지들이 빛난다Tteodoneun meonjideuli bitnandaKorean (The Drifting Dust Are Shining), published by Changbi in 2014. His poems, through their descriptions of the realization of natural laws and the meaning of life, are considered a strong pillar of Korea's traditional lyric poetry. He also uses his poetry for social commentary, as seen in a passage from Namu-ui susahak 3, which connects the "shame" of blooming cherry trees to the tragic deaths of evicted residents near a subway station, highlighting the suffering caused by urban development.
3.3. Other Writings
In addition to his poetry, Son Taek-su has published essay collections and other literary works. His essay collection, 다시 희망에 말을 걸다Dasi huimang-e maleul geoldaKorean (Talking to Hope Again), was published by Gongjeo, Book Ocean in 2013. He also authored 교실 밖으로 걸어 나온 시Gyosil bakeuro geoleo na-on siKorean (The Poem That Stepped Out of the Classroom), published by Silcheon Munhak in 2012.
3.4. Works in Translation
One of Son Taek-su's works, "[https://issuu.com/ltilibrary/docs/_korean_short_stories_son_taek-su__ Lacquer-Tree Chicken]," has been translated into English, allowing his poetry to reach a broader international audience.
4. Awards and Recognition
Son Taek-su has received numerous significant literary awards throughout his career, underscoring his critical acclaim and impact on Korean literature.
4.1. Major Literary Awards
- 2001 3rd Suju Literary Award (Grand Prize)
- 2002 2nd Busan Writer's Award
- 2003 9th Hyundae Poet's Award (for five poems including 목련 전차MokryeonjeonchaKorean and 아버지의 등을 밀며Abeojiui deungeul milmyeoKorean)
- 2004 22nd Sin Dong-yup Creative Writing Prize (for Horangi baljaguk)
- 2005 2nd Yuksasi Literature Prize for New Writers
- 2005 3rd Aeji Literature Prize (for 가시잎은 시들지 않는다Gasiipeun sideulji anneundaKorean)
- 2007 14th Isu Literary Prize (for Mokryeonjeoncha)
- 2007 Today's Young Artists Award
- 2011 3rd Imhwa Literature Prize
- 2013 13th Nojak Literature Prize (for five poems including 저물녘의 왕오천축국전Jeomulnyeokui WangocheonchukgukjeonKorean)
- 2018 8th Munhakgwa Uisik Literary Award
5. Poetic Style and Themes
Son Taek-su's poetry is characterized by its deep affinity with nature, its exploration of life's complexities, a delicate sensibility, and a lyrical aesthetic. He is known for continuing the tradition of lyric poetry while infusing it with an agricultural sentiment and imagination. His works beautifully reveal a subtle sensitivity and lyrical beauty, earning him praise for fostering poetic renewal.
He adeptly expresses the joys and sorrows of urban life while maintaining a traditional lyrical perspective. With acute senses and keen insight, he calmly examines the often-overlooked aspects of life, presenting detailed observations of the human condition. His poems often describe the realization of the laws of nature and the profound meaning of life, serving as a strong foundation for Korea's traditional lyric poetry.
A significant aspect of his thematic approach is his belief that the elements of the natural world and even abstract concepts are "copyright holders" of his poetry. This is vividly illustrated in his poem 내 시의 저작권에 대해 말씀드리자면Nae siui jeojakgweone daehae malsseumdeurijamyeonKorean (If I Were to Talk About the Copyright of My Poetry), where he lists: "clouds 5%, dust 3.5%, trees 20%, rice paddies 10%, rivers 10%, birds 5%, wind 8%, butterflies 2.55%, dust 1%, stones 15%, sunset 1.99%, nap 11%, moon 2%." He humorously adds apologies for not including a donkey and mentions an earthworm, highlighting his profound connection to all living and non-living elements as integral to his creative process. This perspective underscores his humanistic approach, where even the smallest and most overlooked aspects of existence contribute to the richness of life and, by extension, his poetry. Furthermore, his work often subtly reflects societal conditions, connecting natural phenomena to human struggles, as exemplified by his poem linking the "shame" of blooming cherry trees to the plight of evicted residents.
6. Bibliography
Son Taek-su's published works include several poetry collections and essay collections.
6.1. Poetry Collections
| Original Title | Translated Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 호랑이 발자국Korean | A Tiger's Footsteps | Changbi | 2003 |
| 목련전차Korean | The Magnolia Streetcar | Changbi | 2006 |
| 나무의 수사학Korean | The Rhetoric of the Tree | Silcheon Munhak | 2010 |
| 선천성 그리움Korean | Congenital Longing | Munhakui Jeondang | 2013 |
| 떠도는 먼지들이 빛난다Korean | The Drifting Dust Are Shining | Changbi | 2014 |
6.2. Essay Collections and Other Works
| Original Title | Translated Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 교실 밖으로 걸어 나온 시Korean | The Poem That Stepped Out of the Classroom | Silcheon Munhak | 2012 |
| 다시 희망에 말을 걸다Korean | Talking to Hope Again | Gongjeo, Book Ocean | 2013 |