Yi Mun-Yol
(b. 1948), Korean novelist. Since he made his debut in 1977 with a short story in a Daegu newspaper, Yi Mun-yol (Lee Mun-yol) has published prolifically, producing novels dealing with a wide range of subjects, from experience of military service to serious religious and philosophical questions to traditional Korean cultural heroes. In his novels— most particularly in his two masterpieces, Yongung shidae (1984, An Age of Heroes) and Pyongyong (1989, The Outskirts/Borderlands)—he reveals himself to be a sensitive witness to the twists and turns of modern Korean history. He has received numerous Korean literary prizes: his Hwangje rul wihayo (1985; trans. 1986, Hail to the Emperor!) was awarded the Republic of Korea Literary Prize, and Saram ui adul (1979, Son of Man) received the Today's Writer Prize.
Yi is one of the most controversial literary figures in the contemporary Korean cultural arena. His conservative stance on political and gender issues (the latter motivated by his reappraisal of traditional Confucian values) has been severely criticized by many left-leaning intellectuals and feminists. His conservative stance toward Korean politics has sometimes been interpreted as reflecting his plight as the son of a communist who defected to North Korea during the Korean War.
Further Reading
Lee, Mun-yol. (1986) Hail to the Emperor! Seoul: Si-sa-yongo-sa.
Yi, Mun-yol. (1995) The Poet. London: Harvill. ———. (2001) Our Twisted Hero. New York: Hyperion.
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