• Contact Us
Department of
English Language And Literature

Dr. Michelle Chan organized an exhibition of Korean children’s picture books in a bookstore –Cabinet of Stories, from the 1st to 21st November, 2023. This project was supported by the funding provided by LTI Korea.

 

The Asian market of picture books was catching the public’s attention, and it was clear that there was a rising significance and popularity of Korean picture books in the global market. Korean picture books developed sophisticatedly in recent decades in terms of expanding their readers from children to adults, including mature and challenging themes, and making use of unique visual and textual narratives to elaborate views and comments on the social, cultural and historical subjects.


This exhibition aimed at introducing Korean picture books to Hong Kong readers not only through the works of a few well-known writers but also through a more comprehensive list of Korean works and authors available. It showcased Korean picture books in four categories: history, folklore, fantasy, and social issues. To express the significance of paper and printing to the genre, the exhibition came with an animated board composed of papers of different textures. Introductory cards were used so to point out the important issues and features of each category. Audio guides were also provided so to enrich visitors’ experience.


Three guest speakers were invited to discuss the uniqueness of visual cultures in presenting and re-presenting Korean literature and culture. Miss Connie Yuen, an illustrator and picture book creator, shared her view on animal rights and protection shown in Korean and Hong Kong picture books. Dr. Kacey Liu, an Associate Professor of the Department of English Language and Literature at HKSYU, gave a talk on gender representations and mother-children images in Korean picture books. Mr. Eddie Cheung, an art critic, pointed out the importance of aesthetics and artistic values in all kinds of picture books.


The exhibition hoped to address the growing interest and diversity in Asian and global picture books and children’s literature. It intended to provide an in-depth and critical understanding of the globalization of Korean art and literature. It showed the vibrancy of Korean literature, and how its sophisticated textual and graphic narratives became one important form of global literacy.