A scene from the video “K-Literature: Ushering in a Renaissance” (Image provided by Professor Seo Kyoung-duk)
SEOUL, April 30 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea is turning its literary achievements into a global cultural export with the release of a new promotional video titled “K-Literature: Ushering in a Renaissance,” unveiled Monday by Seo Kyoung-duk, a renowned public diplomacy expert and professor at Sungshin Women’s University.
Produced in partnership with KB Financial Group, the four-minute video was narrated by popular singer-songwriter Lee Sang-soon, who has recently gained popularity as a radio host. The video was released in both Korean and English on YouTube, aiming to raise international awareness of Korea’s literary heritage.
The initiative comes amid heightened global interest in Korean literature, following novelist Han Kang’s historic Nobel Prize in Literature win — the first for an Asian woman. The video positions “K-Literature” as a cultural brand, much like K-pop or K-drama, spotlighting its unique linguistic and historical roots.
“In a country with a single language and a turbulent history, Korean literature has developed a distinct literary voice,” Seo said in a statement, adding that the project aims to promote that creative uniqueness to a broader global audience.
The video highlights milestones such as the inclusion of The Story of Hong Gildong — Korea’s first novel — in Penguin Classics in 2016. It also introduces “Dica Poetry” (Dikasi), a modern literary movement born in South Gyeongsang Province that blends digital photography and poetry, and which has since gained international traction as a form of digital literature.
Seo also emphasized that now is a prime moment for global outreach. “The current ‘text hip’ trend, where reading is seen as stylish and modern — especially across social media platforms — makes this an ideal time to share K-Literature with the world.”
The video is available in both Korean and English, reflecting the campaign’s ambition to engage readers across borders.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
