Yi Sang

Who was Yi Sang?

Yi Sang is considered one of the most innovative writers in modern Korean literature. Crossing and blurring the boundaries between poetry, fiction and essay, his experiments in literary form and language, as well the psychological complexity of his inquiry into passion, eroticism and the indeterminate nature of self were unprecedented in Korean literary practices of his time.

Though most widely known by his pen name, Yi Sang was born in Seoul, Korea, as Kim Hae-gyeong. Most of his works were produced during the 1930s. He was trained as an architect and for a time was employed as a draftsman in the public works department of the Governor-General of Korea. Reflecting his architectural background, his writing, particularly poetry, consciously employed diagrams and numbers to push the conventional boundaries of linguistic expression.

While visiting Tokyo in 1936 he was arrested on charges of "thought crimes." Prison took a severe toll on his health, which was already in decline from years of suffering from tuberculosis. He died soon after his release. He was 27 years old.

Yi Sang never received much recognition for his writing during his lifetime, but his works began to be reprinted in the 1950s. In the 1970s his reputation soared, and in 1977 the Yi Sang Literary Award was established. It has become one of Korea's most prestigious awards for literary works. His most famous short story is probably "The Wings", and his poem "Crow's-Eye View" is also well-known.