Jeong Ho-seung’s Storybook for Young Adults and Adults
Written by renowned lyric poet Jeong Ho-seung, whose writing touches on themes of loneliness, love, sadness, and joy, Loving is now available in a newly published English edition. Originally published in Korean in 1998, Loving has seen multiple reprints as a long-beloved storybook for adults that reminds readers of the true meaning of love.
Regarding his motivation for writing the book, Jeong explained, “I wanted this storybook to show how humans cannot exist alone. I wanted to tell everyone that my existence takes on value through their existence.” He added, “I wished to portray love as the utmost purpose of life, revealing the unconditional, boundless, sacrificial, committing, and forgiving nature of true love.”
Nuanced Translation and Soulful Illustrations
Loving offers a delicately nuanced English translation by Brother Anthony of Taizé (An Sonjae), Emeritus Professor at Sogang University. As the translator behind A Letter Not Sent (2016) and Though Flowers Fall I Have Never Forgotten You (2016), Jeong’s bilingual poetry collections previously published by Seoul Selection, Brother Anthony draws on decades of experience of translating Korean literature for English-speaking readers around the world. Graced by Park Hang-ryul’s illustrations, Loving transports readers into its story with poignant words and artwork.
Reflections on Love and Sacrifice, Life and Death
The story of Loving revolves around an unlikely heroine: a fish from a wind chime hanging beneath the eaves of Unjusa Temple’s main hall in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do. Named Blue Bubble-Eyes, this fish grows weary of her mundane routine and begins to question the love of her partner Black Bubble-Eyes. While dreaming of escaping both Unjusa Temple and her partner, Blue Bubble-Eyes unexpectedly breaks free of the wire that had kept her attached, becoming a flying fish who soars through the sky in a quest for freedom and true love. Though exciting at first, the adventure proves to be a perilous journey. After several close encounters with death, Blue Bubble-Eyes realizes that love does not come quickly and without pain.
Jeong’s tender depiction of Blue Bubble-Eyes infuses the story with a deep warmth. When disheartened by adversity, Blue Bubble-Eyes pours out her heart to Unjusa Temple’s recumbent Buddhas in stirring scenes of self-reflection, gaining insight into love and the world. Her fraught process of learning resembles the meditative journey of Zen monks who follow Hua Tou, phrases that rise from encounter-dialogue with Buddhist teachers. The realistic, relatable dialogue between Blue Bubble-Eyes and the recumbent Buddhas lends a compelling touch to the narrative, making the poet’s message all the more vivid and memorable.
