Into the Light

by Kim Sa-ryang, Jane Kim (Translator)

In “Into the Light,” which can be considered his greatest short story, Kim Sa-ryang accurately depicts the troubles of the main character “Nam” as he struggles to overcome the hardships of his life under oppression. Written in Japanese, this piece was first published in Japan in 1939. A candidate for the Akutagawa Award in 1940, it was even carried in Spring and Autumn Literature (Munye Choonchu). This work is a masterpiece that accurately details the discrimination and sorrow experienced by colonized Koreans living in Japan, the duplicity and distorted desire of Koreans who were trying to hide their Korean identity, and the immutable, yearning for one’s Korean mother. This is shown through the life of mixed-blood Haruo, who is born of a Korean mother and a Japanese father, and the relationship that he has with a Korean male teacher. In short, it can be said that “Into the Light” impressively draws out the pain and oppression of the Korean-Japanese living in Japan during that period. This is the very reason that this work has received such high regard in the history of modern Korean novels.

63 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 1939

Reviews

[Barry Welsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

KBS Korea 24 @KBSKorea24

"For #KoreaBookClub, @BarryPWelsh brings a classic short story from 1939 called "Into the Light" by Kim Sa-ryang, which has at least two English translations. It tells the story of a teacher hiding his Korean identity while living under Japanese colonial rule. #김사량 #빛속에”

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[Veronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Into the Light Kim Sa-ryang presents us a picture of Koreans living in Japan who face severe discrimination. Through the lens of a Korean-born teacher we observe the struggle of a mixed Korean-Japanese child who doesn't want to accept his heritage and is torn between the models of his Japanese father and his Korean mother.