KGL

This page is for those who are interested in reading English translations of same-sex (gay /lesbian)themed stories by Coreans. All translations are "works in progress" and unpublished. No citations please because translation rights have not been secured and probably never will be."PLASTIC SEX" ( 플라스틱 섹스 Yi Nam-hui) is the story of a Corean woman in her mid-30s who enters a relationship with a 19 year old woman. The story realistically tackles differences in worldviews between older generation 'pre-identity Coreans' and new generation 'identity' Coreans. The story is set in late 1990s Seoul when the 'iban' (queer) movement was just beginning to become visible in Corean society as part and parcel of broader liberalizations (sexual expression, music, fashion)among Corean youth after 1987 (Democratization)."WHEN A WOMAN IS A WOMAN" (여자가 여자일 때 PLASTIC SEX 2) continues the journey of the PLASTIC SEX heroine into an exploration of her family life.DARK PASSIONS (어두운 열정 PLASTIC SEX 3) rounds out the 'three generations' motif. Will Eunmyeong discover the answer she seeks?" A MOTHER'S WORST NIGHTMARE" (어머니의 괘씸한 아들 by Jeon Myeong-an) is one Corean man's 'coming out' story. It provides rich insight into the problems and ironies of establishing and maintaining a queer identity in contemporary Corean society."THE RULES OF THE GAME" (게임의 법칙 by Jeon Myeong-an) is about a Corean man's frustrated love for his conflicted African lover."PLAYING WITH STAG MONUMENT" (수사슴의 기념물과 놀다 by Yun Dae-nyeong) comically narrates an encounter between a lonely gay man and his bizarre pick-up."TROUT AND SWEETFISH" (송어와 은어 by Song Gyeong-a) is an allegorical tale about a young man's week-long stay in the town of 'Apparition'. Centered around a fantastical tale of two lesbian lovers, the story offers up a stinging metaphor for the hypocrisy underlying contemporary Corean attitudes regarding homosexuality."THE STRAWBERRY FIELD" (딸기 밭 by Shin Gyeong-suk) is a sorrowful, haunting tale of a woman's love for a woman and a man. (NOTE: "STRAWBERRY FIELD" HAS BEEN REMOVED. Appears in Azalea Journal #2)"THE WELL IN MY SOUL" (내 영혼의 우물 by Choe In-seok) is not a work of 'gay literature' insofar as it does not thematize sexual identity. A grim look at homosexuality and power politics in a male prison, homosexuality not as love, but as domination and submission."TROUBLED, BASE CLEFS" (나쁜 음자리표 by Gweon Yeo-seon) is a dark, somewhat quirky narrative about lives led in the shadow of happiness."DREAMING OF ANDALUSIA" (by an anonymous Corean writer called 'Jerome')is a short piece about a young man's painful memory and his release from pain through an act of revenge.I have also posted an English translation of the transcript of a recent Corean documentary film about the experiences of lesbian high schoolers in Seoul. "OUT: LESBIAN CENSORSHIP AT SCHOOL" was released in 2007. The documentary content shifts between VLOGS created by the students with hand-held video cameras, and interviews with each girl by the documentary's female director contained in the 'office' scenes. The video was created by WOMB: Women's Video Group.............*GI HYEONGDO POEMS HAVE BEEN REMOVED. Will appear in Azalea journal #3, I hope. *********************
2008 Korea "Queer Scandal" Pride Parade 서울 제9회 퀴어문화축제
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJXzlKyguRA

동성애자와 트랜스젠더 등 사회적으로 차별받는 성적소수자들이 자신들의 자긍심을 담아 도심을 당당하게 행진하는 아름다운 모습 Looking great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KlXsfacBHA