K-BOOK Festival 2025: A Thrilling Convergence of Literature and Film

K-BOOK Festival 2025: A Cultural Convergence of Literature and Film

Get ready for the K-BOOK Festival 2025, set to take place on November 22-23 in the heart of Tokyo's Jinbocho district. For its seventh iteration, the festival is themed "8; 마지わる 우리 모두 다 같이 - A Time Where Connection Becomes Hope -". It promises a rich exploration of Korean literature and film appreciation over two exciting days.

This year, the spotlight shines on the intersection of literature, film, translation, and publishing. The festival has already created a buzz, with key events selling out just a day after registration opened, indicating heightened interest from fans than ever before.

Engaging Highlight: Literature & Film

Among the festival’s special features is the "Literature and Film" segment. For the first time, the Jinbocho Theater will host a film screening event. Actor and publisher Park Jung-min will lead a talk event and viewers can enjoy a special screening of an exclusive interview at the main venue.

Exclusive Pre-recorded Interview

Festival attendees will get to witness an exclusive interview with Park Jung-min, where the multi-talented actor reveals his journey in the literary world, showcasing both his work in cinema, such as in films like "Smuggling: 1970" and "Harbin", and his current focus on his publishing venture, MUZE.

This year, Park announced that he would be taking a break from acting to dedicate himself to his role as a publisher. His insights will be compiled in a candid video interview, recorded with Aya Narukawa, a film and entertainment writer based in Korea.

Note: As scheduling permits, Park Jung-min may not attend in person for the event. Additionally, this exclusive footage will later be accessible on the official YouTube channel.

Dynamic Talk Events

At the festival's primary venue, Publication Club Building, attendees will also have a plethora of talk events led by writers and translators who contribute to the creation of K-BOOK, sharing their experiences with Japanese readers.

Among these are notable events, including a live Q&A session titled ```Getting to Know the Authors``` where popular Korean authors will address questions submitted by readers. Literary stars like Choi Eun-young, Baek Su-rin, Lee Seung-woo, and Na Tae-joo will be present for this electrifying exchange.

In-Depth Discussions on Korean Literature

Another highlight includes a talk between translation experts Kim Funa and Saito Mariko, discussing their extensive examination into the past century of Korean literature following the recent achievement of Nobel laureate Han Kang. This session promises to offer insights into how literature has evolved in Korea and its future trajectory.

Film Screening Events

In tandem with literary discussions, the festival will host three films related to Korean literature at Jinbocho Theater. Scheduled for November 22 is a screening of "Secret Sunshine 4K Restoration", including a conversation with translator Mariko Saito and film critic Yui Sato, highlighting the artistic collaboration between Lee Chang-dong and author Yi Chong-jun.

On November 23, attendees can enjoy a film screening of "The Poet Yun Dong-ju - Life of a Poetic Star", featuring a special appearance and talk with Park Jung-min himself, focusing on his role in portraying Song Mong-kyu.

K-BOOK Festival 2025 Overview

The K-BOOK festival is not only a celebration of literature but an essential bridge connecting Korean and Japanese cultures, facilitating new encounters between readers and the creative minds behind popular K-books. Through engaging activities, workshops, and discussions on the potent connection between literature and film, the festival enhances the visibility of K-books and their authors, cultivating a deeper appreciation among audiences.