Online club brings magic to Potter fans

Jeong Mi-kyeong, a 27-year old computer programmer, has been very busy since the latest release in the Harry Potter series. Ms. Jeong is the head of an online fan club called “Harry Potter’s Magic School.” Created on Jan. 1, 2000, it is one of the largest Harry Potter fan clubs in Korea, with more than 120,000 members.
Although the English book is already available in bookstores, the Korean translation has not yet been released so the online community Web boards are crammed with postings, some written by fans who have read the English version, but aren't sure they understood it correctly. There are also boards filled with discussion on the significance of the events that happen in the recent edition.
These avid discussions keep Ms. Jeong busy because the community is like Hogwarts, with members assigned to different houses. To participate in some discussions, one must be of a certain rank, determined by participation and quiz results. “I fell in love with the book. I guess you could say I was entranced by the magic,” she says.

by Wang Hee-soo