Kim Eok: Dongsimcho (and others)

Anseo Kim Eok (1896–1950?), the teacher of the poet Kim Sowol, was the first poet in the history of Korean literature to publish full-fledged modern poetry. He was also the first writer to publish a modern poetry collection and, at one time, the poet with the largest number of anthologies compiled by his own hand. His biography collection, *The Dance of Anguish*, was published in March 1921. Following *The Dance of Anguish*, he presented a total of about 20 volumes of anthologies (books compiled by excerpting the writings of one or more authors), combining his own works and translations. Of course, among poets who began their careers in earnest after August 15, 1945, there were examples of those who published even more anthologies; however, among poets under Japanese colonial rule, there had never been a case of publishing such a large number of anthologies as Kim Eok. He holds a unique position in the importation and reception of foreign poetry, focusing on the works of French Symbolist poets. Furthermore, he is a poet who left a distinct mark on the importation and introduction of foreign literary theories, particularly regarding poetics. Moreover, he once devoted himself to the dissemination and education of Esperanto, and he is also a contributor who introduced several outstanding poets and writers to the Korean literary scene—starting with Kim So-wol and Na Do-hyang—and supported their literary activities. In short, the legacy Kim Eok left on the history of Korean literature is very distinct and diverse.

Korean title: 동심초(외)

Korean author: 김억

Korean publisher: 범우사

ISBN-13: 9788908063198