National Library of Korea opens exhibition on literary giant Lee O-young

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National Library of Korea opens exhibition on literary giant Lee O-young

Inside the special exhibition commemorating the passing of former Culture Minister and literary giant Lee O-young one year ago at The National Library of Korea in Seocho District, southern Seoul [NATIONAL LIBRARY OF KOREA]

Inside the special exhibition commemorating the passing of former Culture Minister and literary giant Lee O-young one year ago at The National Library of Korea in Seocho District, southern Seoul [NATIONAL LIBRARY OF KOREA]

 
The National Library of Korea will open a special exhibition on Saturday, commemorating the passing of former Culture Minister and literary giant Lee O-young one year ago. 
 
Located on the first floor of the library's main building in Seocho District, southern Seoul, "Lee O-young's Seo (序)" is a short yet carefully curated space full of Lee's personal possessions and books. The Chinese character of Seo means the beginning of a piece of writing chronicling something from start to finish. 
 
The first part of the exhibition contains a plethora of Lee's treasured belongings such as his desk where he worked until one month before his death, pens, bag and glasses. The hall is designed with hoops, inspired by the "boy with the hoops" moment during the opening ceremony of the 1988 Seoul Olympics which Lee directed. 
 
The exhibition showcases 185 books written by Lee, including the first editions of five of his iconic works - "Literature of Resistance" (1959), "In This Earth & In That Wind: This Is Korea" (1963), "Smaller Is Better: Japan's Mastery of the Miniature" (1984), "Semiotics of Space" (2000) and "Where Did You Come From" (2020). [NATIONAL LIBRARY OF KOREA]

The exhibition showcases 185 books written by Lee, including the first editions of five of his iconic works - "Literature of Resistance" (1959), "In This Earth & In That Wind: This Is Korea" (1963), "Smaller Is Better: Japan's Mastery of the Miniature" (1984), "Semiotics of Space" (2000) and "Where Did You Come From" (2020). [NATIONAL LIBRARY OF KOREA]

 
Another section titled "The Power of Speech, the Power of Writing and the Power of Books" showcases 185 books written by Lee, including the first editions of five of his iconic works — "Literature of Resistance" (1959), "In This Earth & In That Wind: This Is Korea" (1963), "Smaller Is Better: Japan's Mastery of the Miniature" (1984), "Semiotics of Space" (2000) and "Where Did You Come From" (2020). 
 
"From his 20s, Lee on average wrote 2.7 books per year, which is quite an incredible feat," explained librarian Gal Yoon-ju during the press tour of the exhibition on Friday.  
 
There are also video clips of Lee and an interactive media art section at the very end of the exhibition where visitors can digitally type in their messages to Lee and with those words, media art of Lee's portrait forms. 
 
"Just like Lee O-young, who said that he found joy in trying things that have never been done before, we wish that everyone who sees this exhibition may walk their paths with courage," said the library in a statement on Feb. 21. 
 
The exhibition runs through April 23. It is free of charge and does not require a reservation. 
 
A video clip of Lee O-young inside the special exhibition commemorating his one-year passing at the National Library of Korea in Seocho District, southern Seoul. [NATIONAL LIBRARY OF KOREA]

A video clip of Lee O-young inside the special exhibition commemorating his one-year passing at the National Library of Korea in Seocho District, southern Seoul. [NATIONAL LIBRARY OF KOREA]

 
Lee passed away on Feb 26, 2022, at the age of 88. He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017 but refused treatment so that he could continue writing.
 
Born in 1934 in Ansan, South Chungcheong, Lee penned piercing critiques, especially during his younger years. After graduating from Seoul National University, Lee marked his debut as a critic in a piece titled "Destruction of an Idol" in 1956. 
 
Lee produced over 130 writings over the span of 60 years, including critiques, novels, poems and essays. Lee was appointed as the country's first culture minister, from 1990 to 1991, under the Roh Tae-woo administration. In this position, Lee led the establishment of the National Institute of Korean Language, headquartered in Gangseo District, western Seoul. Lee was also an educator. He taught Korean literature at Ewha Womans University for some 30 years. He retired in 2011 and became professor emeritus at the school.
 
The National Library, founded in 1945, is a comprehensive and treasured repository of intellectual and informational resources in Korea run by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.  
 
 
 
 
 

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]
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