Ailing poet puts out book while battling cancer

Hwang Myeong-keol By Kim Seong-ryong

After fighting cancer for more than four years, one of Korea’s leading poets has just released a collection of poems and illustrations.
Hwang Myeong-keol, who has been battling prostate cancer, has still managed to produce a new anthology, “Hwang Myeong-keol’s Poems with Pictures.”
The most recent anthology includes 50 works by famous Korean poets such as Jung Ji-sang, Mi Dang and Ki Hyung-do. Hwang, 73, a long-time painter, provided all the illustrations.
“It has been difficult for me to write poetry because of the medical treatment,” Hwang said.
“So I focused on reading poems by poets I admire, and I picked some for the new collection.”
Hwang promises to try his best to keep composing poems and painting as long as he is able to hold a brush and pen.
“I was determined to work as if this might be the last piece before I pass away,” Hwang said.
“I would like to work until the last time I close my eyes.”
An exhibition of Hwang’s illustrated poems is scheduled for mid-February at the Gong Gallery in Insa-dong, Jongno District.

By Lee Esther JoongAng Ilbo [enational@joongang.co.kr]