Oh Takbeon

Life

Oh Takbeon was born July 3, 1943, in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. He attended Korea University, where he studied Korean literature, and has worked as a Professor in the Department of Korean Education, also at Korea University.

Work

The Literature Translation Institute of Korea summarizes Oh's contributions to Korean literature:

The first work of his to be published was a children’s tale; “Cheori and His Father” (Cheoriwa abeoji) was awarded a prize in the New Year’s Literary Contest sponsored by the Dong-a Ilbo in 1966. The value of innocence associated with childhood has remained a persistent concern in Oh Takbeon’s work. The idealization of the natural state of grace in which a child lives heightens the sense of loss that must accompany the onset of adulthood; Oh Takbeon’s adult characters struggle against the depraved reality through impulsive behavior that flouts conventional norms or by embracing the healing power of maternal imagination. With concise and witty sentences, concrete imagery, and spirited tone characteristic of children’s tales, Oh Takbeon mirrors the ingenuousness of a child in his writing style as well.

Oh is known both for fiction and poetry, having won Korean awards in both arenas. He has also authored several works of criticism concerned with Modern Korean poetry and literary history.

Works in Korean (Partial)

Poems

This Resplendent, Silvery Morning (Suneuni binnaneun i achim, 1967)

The Land of Execution (Cheohyeongui ttang, 1967)

Snowfall (Gangseol, 1969)

Petty Official” (Hagwan, 1983)

Fiction

Gadeung Temple (Gadeungsa, 1970)

The Wedding (Hollye, 1971)

Returning Home (Guiro, 1972)

How to Turn the Key (Yeolsoereul dollineun beop, 1981)

The Tomb of Language (Eoneoui myoji, 1983)

Moon-Welcoming Flower (Dalmaji kkot, 1984)

Awards

Joongang Literary Award (1967)

Hanguk Munhak Literary Award (1987)

Dongseo Literary Award (1994)

Korean Poets Association Award (2003)

Kim Sakkat Literature Award (2010)