# Choe Inseok

Choe Inseok (Korean: 최인석, born 1953) is a South Korean writer, playwright, and screenwriter. He began his literary career during a period of strict censorship in South Korea, which influenced his transition from playwriting to fiction writing. Choe has received multiple literary awards and is known for exploring themes of political and social struggle in his works.

## Early Life and Career

Choe Inseok was born on September 17, 1953, in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do. His father was a journalist and editorialist. He attended university in 1972 and initially focused on playwriting. In 1977, he participated in a playwriting workshop led by Yoh Suk-kee, a professor of English literature at Korea University. His play *Byeokgwa Chang* (벽과 창, *The Wall and the Window*) won the Monthly Korean Literature New Writer's Award in 1980, marking his literary debut.
In the 1980s, Choe gained recognition for his plays, including *Eotteon Saramdo Sarajiji Anneunda* (어떤 사람도 사라지지 않는다, *No One Disappears*), which won the Baeksang Arts Awards in 1983 and the Yeonghui Play Award in 1985. His work often addressed themes of marginalization and social unrest.
In 1986, Choe transitioned to fiction writing with his novel *Gugyeongkkun* (구경꾼, *The Onlooker*), which won the Novelists’ Award. His later novels, such as *Nae Yeonghonui Oomul* (내 영혼의 우물, *The Well of My Soul*), received critical attention and won the Daesan Literary Award in 1995.

## Literary Style and Themes

Critics have noted that Choe’s works often portray individuals on the margins of society. According to literary scholar Hwang Jong-yeon, his characters "often emerge from politically radical backgrounds" and exist in settings that highlight social inequality, such as prisons, construction sites, and marginalized urban districts. His works frequently depict themes of alienation, state control, and personal resilience.

## Selected Works
### Novels

* Gangcheolmujigae (강철무지개, Iron Rainbow), 2014.
* Tugikkundeuleul wihan membeosip teureining (투기꾼들을 위한 멤버십 트레이닝, Membership Training for Speculators), Silcheon Munhak, 2013.
* Yeonae, haneun nal (연애, 하는 날, A Day of Love), MunyeJoongang, 2011.
* Geudaereul ileun nalbuteo (그대를 잃은 날부터, From the Day I Lost You), Jaeum & Moeum (Ireum), 2010.
* Yaktali sijakdwaetda (약탈이 시작됐다, The Looting Has Begun), Changbi, 2010.
* Isanghan nara-eseo on spai (이상한 나라에서 온 스파이, The Spy From a Strange Country), Changbi, 2003.
* Seokeoseu seokeoseu (서커스 서커스, Circus Circus), Chaeksesang, 2002.
* Aneseo bakkateseo (안에서 바깥에서, From the Inside From the Outside), Purunnamu, 1992.
* Nae maeumeneun akeoga sanda (내 마음에는 악어가 산다, A Crocodile Lives In My Mind), Sallim Books, 1990.
* Gugyeongkkun (구경꾼, The Onlooker), Soseolmunhaksa, 1986.

### Short story collections

* Moksumui gieok (목숨의 기억, The Memory of Life), Munhakdongne, 2006.
* Gureongideului jib (구렁이들의 집, The House of Serpents), Changbi, 2001.
* Areumdaun na-ui Gwisin (아름다운 나의 鬼神, My Beautiful Ghost), Munhakdongne, 1999.
* Nareul saranghan pyein (나를 사랑한 폐인, The Cripple Who Loved Me), Munhakdongne, 1998.
* Hondoneul hyanghayeo hangeoleum (혼돈을 향하여 한걸음, A Step Towards Chaos), Changbi, 1997.
* Nae yeonghonui oomul (내 영혼의 우물, The Well of My Soul), Goryeowon (Goryeowon Media), 1995.
* Inhyeongmandeulgi (인형만들기, Making Dolls), Hangilsa, 1991.
* Saette (새떼, A Flock of Birds), Hyeonamsa, 1988.

### Works in Translation

* Der Brunnen meiner Seele (German)
* Le puits de mon âme (French)

## Awards

* 2003 8th Hahn Moo-Sook Literary Prize
* 1997 8th Park Young-joon Literary Prize
* 1995 3rd Daesan Literary Award
* 1988 the 27th Grand Bell Award in Dramatization
* 1985 Yeonghui Play Award
* 1985 Korean Literature Prize New Writers Award
* 1983 the 19th Baeksang Arts Awards New Writers Award
* 1980 Korean Literature New Writers Award