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Busan Library to Host Book Concert Featuring Acclaimed Author Kim Ae-ran

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Busan Library will host a book talk concert titled "Kim Ae-ran's We Said Goodbye" at 2:00 p.m. on October 31 at its Modeullak Theater, featuring Kim Ae-ran, one of South Korea's leading contemporary literary figures.

The event is designed to explore the author's literary journey and her profound insights into contemporary life through an in-depth examination of her works, ranging from her latest short story collection, We Said Goodbye, published in 2025, to her widely acclaimed earlier works. It will also provide an opportunity for participants to connect with the author through literature and share their appreciation of her writing.

Since making her literary debut in 2002 after winning the inaugural Daesan University Literary Award, Kim Ae-ran has established herself as a prominent figure in Korean literature, capturing the nuances of everyday life with sensitivity and profound insight.

Her published works include the novel One of Them Is a Lie, selected as the 2025 One Book One Busan Book of the Year; the short story collections Run, Dad, The Outside Is Summer, and We Said Goodbye; and the novel My Brilliant Life. She has received numerous prestigious literary honors, including the Hankook Ilbo Literary Award, the Lee Hyo-seok Literary Award, and the Kim You-jeong Literary Award.

In particular, her works My Brilliant Life and Where Would You Like to Go? have been adapted into films, earning recognition for both their literary merit and popular appeal and attracting a broad readership.

The upcoming book concert will combine musical performances with literary dialogue, creating an engaging cultural experience that encourages meaningful connections through literature.

The event will open with a performance by Busan-based musicians Kwon Nunsseop and Park Gonzal. Their romantic vocals and the distinctive sounds of the tres, a Latin American string instrument, will come together to offer attendees a memorable musical experience.

The performance will be followed by a book talk moderated by literary critic Kim Dae-seong, who will lead an in-depth discussion of the central themes and literary vision running through Kim Ae-ran's works, from her latest collection, We Said Goodbye, to her other major publications. The session will also include a question-and-answer segment, allowing audience members to engage directly with the author.

The event is free of charge and open to 200 local residents on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. on October 20 through the Busan Library website (library.busan.go.kr).

For further details, please visit the announcements section of the Busan Library website or contact the Busan Library Information Services Team at 051-310-5442.

Park Eun-a, Director of Busan Library, said, "This will be a meaningful opportunity to explore in depth the distinctive literary sensibility that Kim Ae-ran has developed throughout her career, from her earliest writings to her most recent works."

She added, "As autumn deepens, we hope many residents will join us to reflect on everyday life through literature and find warmth, comfort, and inspiration in the experience."