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K-Fiction Series #7
Danny
This < K-Fiction > Series represents the brightest of young imaginative voices in contemporary Korean fiction. Each issue consists of a wide range of outstanding contemporary Korean short stories that the editorial board of Asia carefully selects each season. These stories are then translated by professional Korean literature translators, all of whom take special care to faithfully convey the pieces' original tones and grace. We hope that, each and every season, these exceptional young Korean voices will delight and challenge all of you, our treasured readers both here and abroad.
134 pages, Paperback
First published April 17, 2015
24 people want to read
About the author
Yun I-hyeong
21 books5 followersAssociated Names:
* 윤이형 (Korean)
* Yun I-hyeong (English)
* 尹異形 (Chinese)
* 윤이형 (Korean)
* Yun I-hyeong (English)
* 尹異形 (Chinese)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 15, 2015
This is a sci/fi humanization of the idea of cyborgs (many people compared it to the TV show "Humans" and the movies "Her" and "EX Machina". I haven't watched any of those, so I can't judge, I'll watch them soon to compare).
But it talks about this new type of cyborgs or "Artificial Babysitters" that Koreans started to use to take care of their babies after an incident that happened in many care centers across Korea. The story revolves around one of those cyborgs called Danny, a 24-years-old male, and an old grandmother, and how their friendship affects both of them.
It's also a look at how grandmothers are treated in the Korean society and I think it's portrayed beautifully. The only con was that the translation felt a bit disconnected at some parts. I loved this and wished that it was a bit longer.
But it talks about this new type of cyborgs or "Artificial Babysitters" that Koreans started to use to take care of their babies after an incident that happened in many care centers across Korea. The story revolves around one of those cyborgs called Danny, a 24-years-old male, and an old grandmother, and how their friendship affects both of them.
It's also a look at how grandmothers are treated in the Korean society and I think it's portrayed beautifully. The only con was that the translation felt a bit disconnected at some parts. I loved this and wished that it was a bit longer.
November 8, 2015
I've been reading a lot of translated Korean literature lately, and it all seems to be much like this book. Great setup, beautiful painting of scenery and description of plot, great, anticipatory first and second act plotting...
...and a totally unexpected, anti-climactic ending that leaves me scratching my head and wondering what the previous 50 or 200 pages were really for. I'm not sure if that's due to translation issues or a cultural literary quirk that I don't understand yet or what but...yeah. Confused.
In any case, this is a great read, told from an uncommon point of view--a put-upon 72 year old woman raising her baby grandson. It's to the author and translator's credit that she is a complete, fully fleshed out, fascinating, vital woman with a deep internal life that doesn't revolve around the fact of her being old--even though others seem to see it that way. This is a sci-fi story, but that aspect is very minimal. Suffice it to say--the other main character is a robot. And even after reading this twice--I'm still not really sure what happens to him.
In any case, overly soft ending or no, this is a good read.
...and a totally unexpected, anti-climactic ending that leaves me scratching my head and wondering what the previous 50 or 200 pages were really for. I'm not sure if that's due to translation issues or a cultural literary quirk that I don't understand yet or what but...yeah. Confused.
In any case, this is a great read, told from an uncommon point of view--a put-upon 72 year old woman raising her baby grandson. It's to the author and translator's credit that she is a complete, fully fleshed out, fascinating, vital woman with a deep internal life that doesn't revolve around the fact of her being old--even though others seem to see it that way. This is a sci-fi story, but that aspect is very minimal. Suffice it to say--the other main character is a robot. And even after reading this twice--I'm still not really sure what happens to him.
In any case, overly soft ending or no, this is a good read.
August 8, 2022
I confess I wasn't really able to follow this story. Having said that, I really enjoyed it for various reasons.
The commentary on grandmothers taking care of their grandchildren was poignant, very true, and as far as I know hasn't been tackled anywhere else (and I've frankly never seen it mentioned anywhere, despite witnessing it more than once). I'm really glad this book took that theme on.
I also liked the idea of a cyborg helping out with taking care of children in the not too distant future, after a group of teachers snap.
(SPOILER BELOW, PROBABLY):
I feel like I was missing something, however, since I never really understood why the cyborg was arrested.
(END POSSIBLE SPOILER)
I saw some commenters had complained about the translation. I noticed some issues too (words missing here and there, or odd sentence structure), but actually I think it was more of an issue with the editor, whoever it was. I've read at least one other book translated by this same person, which had no issues.
4 stars, mainly for discussing the grandmother child-rearing issue.
The commentary on grandmothers taking care of their grandchildren was poignant, very true, and as far as I know hasn't been tackled anywhere else (and I've frankly never seen it mentioned anywhere, despite witnessing it more than once). I'm really glad this book took that theme on.
I also liked the idea of a cyborg helping out with taking care of children in the not too distant future, after a group of teachers snap.
(SPOILER BELOW, PROBABLY):
I feel like I was missing something, however, since I never really understood why the cyborg was arrested.
(END POSSIBLE SPOILER)
I saw some commenters had complained about the translation. I noticed some issues too (words missing here and there, or odd sentence structure), but actually I think it was more of an issue with the editor, whoever it was. I've read at least one other book translated by this same person, which had no issues.
4 stars, mainly for discussing the grandmother child-rearing issue.
May 22, 2021
The translation doesn't do the piece justice. I was surprised by how the sentences both didn't read smoothly in English and lost the distinct Korean feel the originals had.
Anyways, despite what's lost in translation the plot and the spirit of the human condition come through enough that I still recommend it. I didn't realize sci-fi had become more mainstream in Korea, and was wondering what would set 'K-sf' apart from western sci-fi; this story is the answer. Easily one of the best pieces of short sci-fi stories I've read so far. Not to mention a bittersweet author's note at the end.
Anyways, despite what's lost in translation the plot and the spirit of the human condition come through enough that I still recommend it. I didn't realize sci-fi had become more mainstream in Korea, and was wondering what would set 'K-sf' apart from western sci-fi; this story is the answer. Easily one of the best pieces of short sci-fi stories I've read so far. Not to mention a bittersweet author's note at the end.
March 28, 2025
Watch my review on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yNAs...
Meet 3 Young Award Winning Korean Writers 젊고 우수한 3명의 한국 작가들을 만나보세요 at Seoul Book and Culture Club
Meet three of the brightest young imaginative voices in Korean fiction on September 12th in central Seoul. These three exceptional Korean writers will read their work and be interviewed (in English & Korean!) at Seoul Global Cultural Centre in Myeong-dong. You will also be able to ask them questions in the Q and A session, buy new bilingual editions of some of their most celebrated stories and get them signed. The event will be moderated by Seoul Honorary Citizen Professor Charles Montgomery and is co-organised with ASIA Publishers – publishers of some of the most exciting Korean literature in print. (www.facebook.com/events/1620470551540...)
한국문학을 밝히는 젊고 창의적인 세 명의 작가들을 오는 9월에 서울에서 만나보세요. 이 특출난 한국 작가들이 명동에 위치한 서울글로벌문화체험센터에서 작품을 낭독하고 인터뷰를 할 예정입니다. (한국어와 영어로!) 질의응답 시간에 작가들에게 질문도 할 수 있고, 우수한 작품으로 선정되어 출간된 새로운 K-픽션 책을 구입해 사인도 받을 수 있습니다. 이 이벤트는 서울명예시민인 찰스 몽고메리 교수가 사회를 볼 예정이며, 가장 재미있는 한국문학 작품들을 한영대역으로 출간하는 아시아 출판사와 함께 진행합니다. (www.facebook.com/events/1620470551540...)
The authors are:
함께할 작가들은 다음과 같습니다.
Hwang Jung-eun - ‘Kong’s Garden’
황정은- “양의 미래”
Yun I-hyeong – ‘Danny’
윤이형-“대니”
Cheon Myeong-kwan – ‘Homecoming’
천명관-“퇴근”
ASIA Publishers are the publishers of the bilingual K-Fiction series of short stories. They publish some of the most exciting Korean literature available in English. (www.bookasia.org/ & www.facebook.com/asiapublishers)
아시아 출판사는 한영대역선인 ‘K-픽션’ 시리즈를 출간하고 있는 곳입니다. 그 외에도 가장 흥미로운 한국의 문학작품들을 영어로 번역해 출간하고 있습니다. (www.bookasia.org/ & www.facebook.com/asiapublishers)
The event will be moderated by Charles Montgomery. Charles is a professor at Dongguk University, an honorary citizen of Seoul and the creator of the www.ktlit.com website dedicated to Korean literature in translation.
행사의 사회를 맡으신 찰스 몽고메리 동국대 교수님은 서울시 명예시민이며 한국문학 번역서 관련 웹사이트 www.ktlit.com 을 개설해 운영중입니다.
Event host Barry Welsh is an English instructor at Sookmyung Women’s University, the host of Seoul Book and Culture Club (www.facebook.com/groups/seoulbookandc...), one of the organizers of Seoul Film Society (www.facebook.com/groups/seoulfilmsoci...) and creator of www.seoulabc.com.
사회자 배리 웰시 숙명여대 교수님은 Seoul Book and Culture 클럽을 운영하고 있으며 서울필름소사이어티 주최자이고 www.seoulabc.com을 개설해 운영중입니다.
I hope you can all make it. I really look forward to seeing you there. I think it’s going to be a fantastic meeting.
많은 분들이 참여해주시길 바랍니다. 그곳에서 모두 뵙기를 기대하겠습니다. 아주 멋진 모임이 될 것입니다.
All the best
안녕히 계세요.
Barry Welsh 드림.
Date: Saturday 12th September.
날짜: 9월 12일 토요일
Time: 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
시간: 오후 4시부터 6시
Admission fee: FREE
참가비: 무료
Place: Haechi Hall in Seoul Global Cultural Center
(5th Floor M Plaza in Myeong-dong) (www.facebook.com/SeoulGlobalCultureTo...)
Full directions are here www.seoultourism.kr/2013/eng/center/c...
장소: 서울글로벌문화체험센터 해치홀 (명동 M플라자 5층)
오시는 길은 다음 링크를 참조하시기 바랍니다.
www.seoultourism.kr/2013/eng/center/c...
(Call Barry on 010 5138 8859 if you get lost or can't find it and I will come meet you at exit 6 Myeong-dong station.)
(행사 장소를 찾기 어려우시면 010-5138-8859 배리 웰시에게 전화를 주세요. 명동역 6번 출구로 마중나가겠습니다.)
Meet 3 Young Award Winning Korean Writers 젊고 우수한 3명의 한국 작가들을 만나보세요 at Seoul Book and Culture Club
Meet three of the brightest young imaginative voices in Korean fiction on September 12th in central Seoul. These three exceptional Korean writers will read their work and be interviewed (in English & Korean!) at Seoul Global Cultural Centre in Myeong-dong. You will also be able to ask them questions in the Q and A session, buy new bilingual editions of some of their most celebrated stories and get them signed. The event will be moderated by Seoul Honorary Citizen Professor Charles Montgomery and is co-organised with ASIA Publishers – publishers of some of the most exciting Korean literature in print. (www.facebook.com/events/1620470551540...)
한국문학을 밝히는 젊고 창의적인 세 명의 작가들을 오는 9월에 서울에서 만나보세요. 이 특출난 한국 작가들이 명동에 위치한 서울글로벌문화체험센터에서 작품을 낭독하고 인터뷰를 할 예정입니다. (한국어와 영어로!) 질의응답 시간에 작가들에게 질문도 할 수 있고, 우수한 작품으로 선정되어 출간된 새로운 K-픽션 책을 구입해 사인도 받을 수 있습니다. 이 이벤트는 서울명예시민인 찰스 몽고메리 교수가 사회를 볼 예정이며, 가장 재미있는 한국문학 작품들을 한영대역으로 출간하는 아시아 출판사와 함께 진행합니다. (www.facebook.com/events/1620470551540...)
The authors are:
함께할 작가들은 다음과 같습니다.
Hwang Jung-eun - ‘Kong’s Garden’
황정은- “양의 미래”
Yun I-hyeong – ‘Danny’
윤이형-“대니”
Cheon Myeong-kwan – ‘Homecoming’
천명관-“퇴근”
ASIA Publishers are the publishers of the bilingual K-Fiction series of short stories. They publish some of the most exciting Korean literature available in English. (www.bookasia.org/ & www.facebook.com/asiapublishers)
아시아 출판사는 한영대역선인 ‘K-픽션’ 시리즈를 출간하고 있는 곳입니다. 그 외에도 가장 흥미로운 한국의 문학작품들을 영어로 번역해 출간하고 있습니다. (www.bookasia.org/ & www.facebook.com/asiapublishers)
The event will be moderated by Charles Montgomery. Charles is a professor at Dongguk University, an honorary citizen of Seoul and the creator of the www.ktlit.com website dedicated to Korean literature in translation.
행사의 사회를 맡으신 찰스 몽고메리 동국대 교수님은 서울시 명예시민이며 한국문학 번역서 관련 웹사이트 www.ktlit.com 을 개설해 운영중입니다.
Event host Barry Welsh is an English instructor at Sookmyung Women’s University, the host of Seoul Book and Culture Club (www.facebook.com/groups/seoulbookandc...), one of the organizers of Seoul Film Society (www.facebook.com/groups/seoulfilmsoci...) and creator of www.seoulabc.com.
사회자 배리 웰시 숙명여대 교수님은 Seoul Book and Culture 클럽을 운영하고 있으며 서울필름소사이어티 주최자이고 www.seoulabc.com을 개설해 운영중입니다.
I hope you can all make it. I really look forward to seeing you there. I think it’s going to be a fantastic meeting.
많은 분들이 참여해주시길 바랍니다. 그곳에서 모두 뵙기를 기대하겠습니다. 아주 멋진 모임이 될 것입니다.
All the best
안녕히 계세요.
Barry Welsh 드림.
Date: Saturday 12th September.
날짜: 9월 12일 토요일
Time: 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
시간: 오후 4시부터 6시
Admission fee: FREE
참가비: 무료
Place: Haechi Hall in Seoul Global Cultural Center
(5th Floor M Plaza in Myeong-dong) (www.facebook.com/SeoulGlobalCultureTo...)
Full directions are here www.seoultourism.kr/2013/eng/center/c...
장소: 서울글로벌문화체험센터 해치홀 (명동 M플라자 5층)
오시는 길은 다음 링크를 참조하시기 바랍니다.
www.seoultourism.kr/2013/eng/center/c...
(Call Barry on 010 5138 8859 if you get lost or can't find it and I will come meet you at exit 6 Myeong-dong station.)
(행사 장소를 찾기 어려우시면 010-5138-8859 배리 웰시에게 전화를 주세요. 명동역 6번 출구로 마중나가겠습니다.)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews