{"product_id":"134210","title":"It's been a while ","description":"\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/tmgdisk01.cafe24.com\/images\/vs\/4172\/sv\/3jYC5RFPx0OrW96OfJoMjllzsY1C8W.png?v=1765026316\" style=\"max-width:100%;max-height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"width:95%\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:center;font-size:30px;font-weight:bolder;line-height:1.6em\"\u003e It's been a while \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"border-bottom:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-color:;padding-bottom:20px\"\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable align=\"center\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\u003ctbody style=\"border:0px\"\u003e\n\n\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"center\" style=\"line-height:1.2em;text-align:center;font-size:18px;color:black;font-weight:bold;padding-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:center\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/image.yes24.com\/goods\/163650101\/XL\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"width:95%;{split_style6}padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:20px\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:left;font-size:16px;font-weight:bold;padding-bottom:20px\"\u003e Description \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6em;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ch5\u003e \u003cb\u003eBook Introduction\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e \u003cb\u003eDiscovered in letters from writers who lived through the times\u003cbr\u003e The profound lyricism of Korean literature\u003cbr\u003e From Kim Gwang-gyun, Kim Ji-ha, Hwang Seok-yeong, Baek Nak-cheong, Jeong Ho-seung, and Do Jong-hwan\u003cbr\u003e Even poet Baek Seok's lover, Mrs. Jaya,\u003cbr\u003e Read the longing messages permeating every letter.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Poet Lee Dong-soon, a representative poet of our poetry world and a researcher who has actively maintained his position across fields such as literature, biographies, and popular music, has published a collection of essays titled “It’s Been So Classy: The Footsteps of Korean Literature Read Through Letters,” which compiles handwritten letters exchanged with fellow poets, writers, and social figures over the past 50 years along with literary reflections. \u003cbr\u003eThis book, which captures the vivid landscape of modern and contemporary Korean literature, the twists and turns of the times, and even the beauty of memories, discovers the profound lyricism of Korean literature through the handwriting of writers who lived through that era.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e While letters from poets Kim Gwang-gyun, Kim Gyu-dong, and Kim Ji-ha, which vividly capture the landscape of modern Korean poetry, offer a glimpse into the literary world, the oppression of the dictatorship that intruded into everyday life in the 1970s and 1980s is also vividly revealed in letters exchanged with writers Hwang Seok-yeong, critic Baek Nak-cheong, and poet Lee Si-yeong.\u003cbr\u003e The letter containing the heartfelt story of Mrs. Jaya, who was the lover of poet Baek Seok, is a valuable resource for those who love Korean poetry, and the warm greetings exchanged with poets Jeong Ho-seung, Ahn Do-hyeon, and Do Jong-hwan are imbued with not only the formal aesthetics of letters but also the warmth of everyday life. \u003cbr\u003eThe longing messages from the past, written with each letter pressed down with a single recipient in mind, are conveyed to readers today in a touching way.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e You can preview some of the book's contents.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan\u003ePreview\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ch5\u003e \u003cb\u003eindex\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e At the beginning of the book | The warmth of a longing letter\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePart 1 | Prelude to Poetry and Revolution\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I was overcome with emotion, one after another - A letter from poet Kim Gwang-gyun\u003cbr\u003e I wanted to try modernism - A letter from poet Kim Gyu-dong\u003cbr\u003e Irreversible, most precious, and beautiful - A letter from Mrs. Kim Ja-ya\u003cbr\u003e Those materials are part of my body - Letter from critic Im Jong-guk\u003cbr\u003e Never Lower the Flag of Sanjeong - A Letter from Poet Park Yong-rae\u003cbr\u003e Don't be blind and give it your all - A letter from poet Kim Chun-su\u003cbr\u003e Poetry is not written by talent alone - A letter from poet Min-yeong\u003cbr\u003e I was swept to the ends of the earth and lost in the waves - A letter from poet Kim Ji-ha \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePart 2 | Resistance of Confined Language\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I want to go to that country house too - A letter from author Hwang Seok-young\u003cbr\u003e A Noisy Fight to Preserve Silence - Letter from Critic Baek Nak-cheong\u003cbr\u003e Even if the core of our lives is submerged - A letter from critic Yeom Mu-ung\u003cbr\u003e If I Had One Promise - A Letter from Poet Lee Si-young\u003cbr\u003e What is language and writing, after all? - A letter from author Kim Seong-dong.\u003cbr\u003e For the time being, good poetry instead of alcohol - A letter from author Song Ki-won\u003cbr\u003e Let's meet often with people we miss in the new year - A letter from critic Choi Won-sik\u003cbr\u003e I have a habit of smiling awkwardly at times like this - A letter from author Jeong Chae-bong\u003cbr\u003e Just because the sky is a little cloudy doesn't mean you have to worry about rain - A letter from poet Kim Myeong-in\u003cbr\u003e No Hatred, No Hate - A Letter from Poet Jeong Ho-seung\u003cbr\u003e A Letter from Sculptor Lee Tae-ho, Asking for Forgiveness for My Sloppy Handwriting\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePart 3 | Lyricism of Everyday Life\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I truly believe this as hope - A letter from poet Lee Ga-rim \u003cbr\u003eLet's take our time and savor it - A Letter from Poet Lee Seon-gwan\u003cbr\u003e I Picked Up a Lazy Pen - A Letter from Poet Seunghee Kim\u003cbr\u003e Pain and suffering are vivid in my eyes - A letter from author Song Woo-hye\u003cbr\u003e I love everything about summer - A letter from author Lee Kyung-ja\u003cbr\u003e If you write to me often, I will feel less lonely - A letter from Father Lee Jeong-woo\u003cbr\u003e Is there any other path for conscience than to transcend humiliation? - A letter from Monk Won Gwang\u003cbr\u003e There's a more moving reality here - A letter from poet Lee Jin-heung\u003cbr\u003e I'm sending you a fan to keep the hot wind away - A letter from poet Ahn Do-hyun.\u003cbr\u003e If the vines are too thick, the fruit won't be firm - A letter from poet Do Jong-hwan\u003cbr\u003e Just sending you news by postcard - A letter from poet Kim Sa-in\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePart 4 | Memory, Tribute, and Response\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e That frog hasn't contacted me yet this year - A letter from Father Jeong Ho-gyeong\u003cbr\u003e Grace and peace be with you - A letter from Bishop Dubong\u003cbr\u003e Is there such a thing as poetry? - A letter from Pastor Lee Hyun-joo \u003cbr\u003eIt's a wonderful feeling, as if we're on friendly terms - A letter from Pastor Choi Wan-taek\u003cbr\u003e Where the Heart Runs - A Letter from Social Critic Bae Young-sun\u003cbr\u003e I'll take a look at this letter too - A letter from author Seo Mi-ju\u003cbr\u003e Everything in life seems new - A letter from poet Kim Tae-jeong\u003cbr\u003e I will strive not to live in shame - A letter from poet Baek Chang-il\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ch5\u003e \u003cb\u003ePublisher's Review\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003cb\u003eLetters from 38 People Vividly Capture the Landscape of Modern and Contemporary Korean Literature\u003cbr\u003e Enduring harsh times to reach today\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This book, which contains 64 letters from 38 poets, writers, and critics, is divided into four parts.\u003cbr\u003e Part 1, “Prelude to Poetry and Revolution,” contains letters from those who vividly remember the landscape of modern Korean literary circles.\u003cbr\u003e The author says that it was a special joy and a thrill to receive a handwritten letter from the veteran poet Kim Gwang-gyun, whose work he had been reading in a textbook. \u003cbr\u003eKim Gwang-gyun, a representative modernist poet, used special stationery printed with his pen name, ‘Woodu (雨杜)’.\u003cbr\u003e It has a strong sense of the scholarly tastes of the old literati.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mrs. Jaya, who was the lover of poet Baek Seok, would send letters to him on sleepless nights, filled with memories of her old lover Baek Seok.\u003cbr\u003e These letters, written in the one-of-a-kind 'Jayache' script, are a valuable resource that provides a glimpse into the life of poet Baek Seok.\u003cbr\u003e Meanwhile, poet Kim Ji-ha, who became acquainted with the author through a special singing competition, said while hospitalized on a summer morning in 1986, “Kim Ji-ha is dead.\u003cbr\u003e He also wrote a letter declaring, “From now on, call me ‘Kim Young-il’” (page 97).\u003cbr\u003e This is a valuable opportunity to encounter poet Kim Ji-ha's handwritten letters, which are difficult to find.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe letters contained in Part 2, “Resistance of Confined Language,” vividly reveal how the Yushin regime and the military dictatorship oppressed the daily lives of writers.\u003cbr\u003e Author Hwang Seok-young, who was imprisoned on charges of violating the National Security Act, sent a short letter from prison that was like a memo.\u003cbr\u003e The stamp 'Censored' next to his handwriting feels like a metaphor for the times.\u003cbr\u003e When the author's poem \"Flooded People\" was censored by the authorities, critic Yeom Mu-woong sent a letter suggesting that the author give it a \"'blind' title\" of \"Song of Water.\"\u003cbr\u003e In the short sigh, “Haha, what a strange world” (page 119), one can sense a deep sigh that cannot be fully expressed in words. \u003cbr\u003eThe letters of critic Baek Nak-cheong, written when the government was preparing to reopen the quarterly journal 『Creation and Criticism』, which had been forcibly shut down, and the letters of poet Lee Si-yeong, who remained steadfast despite the numerous oppressions under the Yushin regime, are particularly moving, showing the strength of those who endured harsh times.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Let’s meet often with people we miss.”\u003cbr\u003e The gentle beauty conveyed by a leisurely greeting\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Letters that allow you to feel the warmth contained in ordinary greetings are collected in Part 3, “Lyricism of Everyday Life.”\u003cbr\u003e It was a time when we would send congratulatory letters when we heard news of an award, express our thoughts on the book when it was published, and express our gratitude when we exchanged gifts.\u003cbr\u003e Author Lee Dong-soon takes out letters exchanged with writers with familiar names, such as Ahn Do-hyun, Do Jong-hwan, Kim Seung-hee, and Kim Sa-in, and reads in them the beauty of memories and the authenticity of the medium of letters. \u003cbr\u003eEven when there was no special business, he would exchange greetings, and at other times, he would write down serious reflections on what literature is.\u003cbr\u003e In today's world, where we are accustomed to fast and convenient communication such as text messages and emails, a leisurely warmth that is rarely found is fully conveyed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Part 4, “Memories, Tributes, Responses,” is a compilation of letters from those who poured out their deepest affection for each other, even in fleeting relationships.\u003cbr\u003e Bishop Dubong, a Frenchman who had stood on the side of the oppressed peasants since he first set foot on the unfamiliar land of Korea as a young man, sent a letter of warm encouragement, typed with his fingers on the typewriter keyboard. \u003cbr\u003eCritic Bae Young-sun, who readily gave him his cherished red accordion, confessed in a long letter the secret feelings of friendship he had not been able to express before, and poet Baek Chang-il, who poured out his respect for his teacher like a waterfall over the phone even in the wee hours of the morning, expressed his feelings in his own poems.\u003cbr\u003e The author reminisces about precious memories with those who have already passed away and pays a quiet yet passionate tribute to their old letters.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe philosophy of life discovered in old letters\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The senders of the letters included in \"It's Been a While\" are familiar names to readers of Korean literature, but it is a rare opportunity to see their letters, written in everyday language rather than literary works, gathered together.\u003cbr\u003e Author Lee Dong-soon introduces the human and intimate confessions of writers that are not easily found in their works, and examines the role letters have played in literary history. \u003cbr\u003eIt also reminds us of the preciousness of relationships formed in the past, discusses the beauty of life that shines even amidst the transience of time, and seeks out a philosophy of life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It's an era where people rarely write letters.\u003cbr\u003e Email, text messaging, and messenger applications have made communication simple and easy.\u003cbr\u003e Yet, as you read this book, you realize that the love, tears, longing, and excitement contained in those old letters are still relevant today.\u003cbr\u003e Sometimes, why not stop for a moment and consider the aesthetics of this ancient medium: letters?\u003cbr\u003e Like a heartfelt greeting, a letter written with sincerity, and a heart slowly conveyed, \"It's been a while\" will slowly seep into the hearts of readers.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAuthor's Note\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eIf there's something you want to say to someone right now but haven't yet, I hope a passage from this book can be the beginning of that.\u003cbr\u003e If the feelings that were not reached are transformed into words and conveyed to someone's heart like gentle waves, then this book will have sufficient meaning in itself.\u003cbr\u003e Just as a single, unforgettable word can embrace someone's life, I hope this book can remain as a single letter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e November 2025\u003cbr\u003e Lee Dong-soon \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"width:95%;padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:20px\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:left;font-size:16px;font-weight:bold;padding-bottom:20px\"\u003e GOODS SPECIFICS \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:left;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6em;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"width:100%;margin-bottom:5px;line-height:1.6em;font-size:14px\"\u003e - \u003cstrong\u003eDate of issue:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 13, 2025\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"width:100%;margin-bottom:5px;line-height:1.6em;font-size:14px\"\u003e - \u003cstrong\u003ePage count, weight, size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 344 pages | 506g | 140*210*19mm\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"width:100%;margin-bottom:5px;line-height:1.6em;font-size:14px\"\u003e - \u003cstrong\u003eISBN13:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9788936480974 \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"height:10px\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/center\u003e","brand":"LIBRAIRIE COREENNE","offers":[{"title":"Default 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