Eun, Hee-kyung

The novelist Eun Hee-kyung approaches the truth of life through meticulous and subtle descriptions of everyday trivialities. Combining sophisticated cynicism with light, humorous prose, Eun illuminates everyday interactions and conventional mannerisms that undermine the possibility for true communication between two people. “Happy Ones Do Not Look at the Clock” is a keenly perceptive tale that problematizes the institution of marriage and the modern family. “My Wife’s Box” focuses on a marriage that breaks down when the couple’s pretense of love can no longer hide the loneliness that resides at the core of their relationship. Although Eun embraces feminist perspective, she also departs from it to allow herself a broader scope for self-introspection and inquiry into human nature. Both entertaining and insightful, Eun’s works have enjoyed great popularity as well as critical acclaim. Eun has been honored with numerous awards including 1998 Isang Literary Prize and 2000 Korean Literature Award.