Reading, Writing, and Collecting Queer Literature

Introducing ‘Rainbow Bookmark,’ Your Source for Korean Queer Literature

• English Translation: 피웊

• Translation review: Miguel

• Writer of the original text: 권태

• Review and amendments to the original text: Miguel, Payung

• Web & SNS Posting: Miguel

• News Card Design: 가리

Since 2016, feminine narratives and queer narratives have gained significant attention in Korean literature. In the realm of queer literature, various genres including novels, poetry, and essays are being created, while critical reviews and research on queer literature are also active. Many works have received prestigious literary awards, establishing themselves as significant contributions to the literary scene. Numerous authors such as Kim Melra, Park Sangyoung, and poets like Hwang Inchan and Kim Hyeon are focusing on queer literature. Today, we introduce a platform that provides information on Korean queer literature: the ‘Korean Queer Literature Comprehensive Platform Rainbow Bookmark’.

Founded in 2015, ‘Rainbow Bookmark’ is a platform that introduces Korean queer literature. It includes works of various genres published in print in Korea that either feature LGBTQ+ characters or highlight queer relationships and contexts, even if LGBTQ+ identities are not explicitly emphasized. Rainbow Bookmark not only introduces diverse queer literary works but also shares queer-themed reviews, awards the ‘Rainbow Bookmark Queer Literature Award,’ conducts various seminars related to queer literature, and holds creative writing classes.

(Image description: An introduction to the winner of the 6th Queer Literature Award hosted by Rainbow Bookmark. The image features a holographic background blending sky blue and purple, with white text. The winner is Kim Melra’s short story collection "Dream My Dream." The lower left corner of the title introduction shows a close-up of the cover, featuring pink clouds against a blue sky. To the right of the book cover, a quote from the Rainbow Bookmark judges reads: "Kim Melra’s novels embrace different stories of various characters like ‘empty brackets.’ They tell us that joy and love in our lives do not disappear even as time passes, situations change, or farewells separate us." Below the quoted review is the message: "Congratulations to Kim Melra on winning the award!") Image source: Rainbow Bookmark website(http://rainbowbookmark.com/new/bbs/board.php?bo_table=B31&wr_id=50)

Specific activities hosted by Rainbow Bookmark include the following. Since 2022, the book club has been reading queer literature works together, sharing discussions, and writing short reviews uploaded to the Rainbow Bookmark website. Year-end parties are held alongside the queer literature award ceremonies, and there are novel writing courses led by novelists and writing workshops conducted by poets. Furthermore, Rainbow Bookmark collaborates with publishers to release queer literature collections and essays on queer literature. In 2021, they published the queer romance short story collection So We Love with the publisher Dolbegae, and the quarterly magazine This is Queer Literature with Jaeum & Moeum Publishing. Authors who have participated in activities with Rainbow Bookmark or have been featured in Rainbow Bookmark seminars include Kim Melra, Jeong Haena, Han Jeonghyeon, Jo Uri, Kim Nayul, Kim Bora (film director), Hwang Inchan, Hwang Jeongeun, Choi Jinyeong, Lee Jongsan, Kang Hyebin, and Ahn Boyun.

Openly queer poet Hwang Inchan also conducted creative writing classes at Rainbow Bookmark. Hwang Inchan is a beloved young Korean poet, both among queer individuals and the general public. He has been actively publishing poetry collections since 2012, with five collections to his name. His poetry collection You Have Reached the End of the Future has even been translated into English. We conclude with a few lines from Hwang Inchan, known for the line “At night, I closed my eyes / It was a dream where I wasn’t scolded for loving.” We hope you take an interest in Rainbow Bookmark and the Korean queer literature it seeks to promote.

I was washing rice

I looked out the window

There was a path leading to the forest

The person went in but never came out

It was a long time ago

In the evening, we will have dinner

In the morning

A breakfast

At night I closed my eyes

In a dream where loving is not scolded

- Hwang Inchan, The Fig Forest

With non-human things

I walk the street of humans though I have no love nor am I interested in such things

- Hwang Inchan, Our Era is Different (excerpt)

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• English Translation: 피웊

• Translation review: Miguel

• Writer of the original text: 권태

• Review and amendments to the original text: Miguel, Payung

• Web & SNS Posting: Miguel

• News Card Design: 가리