Acceptance and influence of Latin American literature in Korea

Abstract

As the concept “nation” has weakened rapidly in recent years, the conventional boundary of culture is fading away and the world is moving towards an integrated cultural order, through constant exchanges among cultures, despite discriminatory barriers. Literature, in this regard, is no exception and it is necessary to discuss the relationship between Korean literature and Latin American literature from the perspective of comparative literature. The present study takes a closer look at the process and various aspects of how works of Latin American writers have been accepted in South Korea. Latin American literature has been continuously introduced to Korea since 20th century and spread rapidly after 1980s when the postmodern literary controversy was unleashed and the works of García Márquez and Borges was introduced to Korean lectors. It would be interesting to look at aspects of how Latin American writers such as Neruda, Borges and García Márquez have been integrated into the Korean literature. At this stage, however, it is difficult to determine if their influence is permanent enough to become a lineage or merely a temporary phenomenon. Nevertheless, Latin American literature will expand growing interrelations with Korean literature beyond boundaries, influencing each other.