Lee Garim (Hangul: 이가림; born 1943) is a South Korean writer.

Life

Lee Garim was born in Yolha,

Manchuria Manchuria is an exonym (derived from the endo demonym " Manchu") for a historical and geographic region in Northeast Asia encompassing the entirety of present-day Northeast China (Inner Manchuria) and parts of the Russian Far East (Outer Manc ...

. He graduated from Song Kyun Kwan University and Graduate School with a degree in

French Literature French literature () generally speaking, is literature written in the French language, particularly by citizens of France; it may also refer to literature written by people living in France who speak traditional languages of France other than Fr ...

. He received his Ph.D. in

from Rouen University in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

. He has lectured at Sungjon University, Songshin's Women's University, Rouen University,

Inha University Inha University (인하대학교(仁荷大學校)) is a private research university located in Incheon, South Korea. Known traditionally for research and education in the engineering and physical sciences, the University was established by the ...

, and worked as a producer at MBC in

Daejeon Daejeon () is South Korea's fifth-largest metropolis, with a population of 1.5 million as of 2019. Located in the central-west region of South Korea alongside forested hills and the Geum River, the city is known both for its technology and ...

, Korea. Lee has also severed as the Vice-President of the French Language and Literature Association of Korea.

Work

LTI Korea The Literature Translation Institute of Korea ( ko, 한국문학번역원, LTI Korea, formerly known as Korean Literature Translation Fund) was founded in 1996 by the Government of South Korea with the aim of promoting Korean literature and cultu ...

summarizes Lee's work: :Lee Garim’s poetry is characterized by exquisite use of language and careful attention to the creation of poetic imageries. His interest in French philosopher Gaston Bachelard stems from his search for the materiality of imagination. While he maintains a nostalgic attitude towards harmonious life in his poetry, he also maximizes linguistic creativity through the use of powerfully contrasting images. Lee Garim's collections include ''Ice Age'' (Binghagi, 1973), ''With the Forehead Against the Window'' (Yurichangae imareul daego, 1981), and ''Sad Peninsula'' (Seulpeun bando, 1989). Lee Garim has also translated works by

Gaston Bachelard Gaston Bachelard (; ; 27 June 1884 – 16 October 1962) was a French philosopher. He made contributions in the fields of poetics and the philosophy of science. To the latter, he introduced the concepts of ''epistemological obstacle'' and '' epi ...

including ''The Flame of a Candle'' (Chotbul-ui mihak) and ''Water and Dreams'' (Mulgwa kkum). He has been awarded Jung Jiyong Literature Prize. Major poems include “A Book of Winter Lithographs” (Gyeoul panhwajip, 1966), “Proust’s Letters” (Peuruseuteu-ui pyeonji, 1966), “Iris of Many Colors” (Dasaek-ui nundongja, 1969), “Between Five and Seven O’Clock” (Daseotsiwa ilgopsi sai, 1970), “Night Watchers” (Yagyeongkkun, 1970), “A Violet” (Orangkaekkot, 1973), “Weed” (Ppul, 1979), and “A Top” (Paengi, 1985).

Works in translation

French * Le Front Contre la Fenêtre (유리창에 이마를 대고)

Works in Korean (partial)

* “A Book of Winter Lithographs” (Gyeoul panhwajip, 1966) * “Proust’s Letters” (Peuruseuteu-ui pyeonji, 1966) * “Iris of Many Colors” (Dasaek-ui nundongja, 1969) * “Between Five and Seven O’Clock” (Daseotsiwa ilgopsi sai, 1970) * “Night Watchers” (Yagyeongkkun, 1970) * “A Violet” (Orangkaekkot, 1973) * “Weed” (Ppul, 1979), * "A Top” (Paengi, 1985

Awards

* Korean PEN Translation Award * Idealistic Work Award * PEN Poetry Award * Jeong Ji-Yong Prize

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Garim 1943 births Korean writers Living people