Pilon's Pig

Modern Korean Literature #16

by Yi Mun-Yol

Bi-lingual Edition Modern Korean Literature (set 2). "Pilon's Pig" by Yi Mun-yol. ASIA Publishers present some of the very best modern Korean literature to readers worldwide through its new Korean literature series . We are proud and happy to offer it in the most authoritative translation by renowned translators of Korea literature. We hope that this series helps to build solid bridges between citizens of the world and Koreans through rich in-depth understanding of Korea. If these marines had to die for the greater good, Lee had the conscience and courage to share the responsibility for these murders as an accessory. But what was unfolding before him was no longer a fight for the greater good; it was blind hatred and heated emotions. So then, what should I do? Lee pondered. It occurred to him that the soldiers had to be stopped. But didn’t he just see similar efforts snubbed right before his eyes? Just as he couldn’t incite the soldiers to stand up against the marines, he wasn’t capable of staunching this unnecessarily violent and cruel payback.

93 pages, Paperback

About the author

Yi Mun-yol (born May 18, 1948) is a South Korean writer.

Yi Mun-yol was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1948, but the outbreak of the Korean War and his father's defection to North Korea forced his family to move about until they settled in Yeongyang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the ancestral seat of his family. The fact that his father defected dramatically affected his life, as he was seen and treated as "the son of a political offender," and was "passed around among relatives[.] After dropping out of the College of Education of Seoul National University in 1970, Yi Mun-yol made his literary debut through the annual literary contests of the Daegu Maeil Newspaper in 1977, and the Dong-A Ilbo in 1979. On being awarded the prestigious "Today's Writer Award" for The Son of Man in 1979, Yi emerged as the most noteworthy writer of the time. The Son of Man explores the theme of the complex relationship between God and humanity in light of the finite nature of human existence inadvertently cast in infinite universe, through the eyes of the protagonist who is doubtful of the Christian Weltanschauung. From 1994 to 1997, he taught Korean language and literature at Sejong University. Since 1999, he has also served as the head of Buak Literary Center, a residential program for budding writers. He is currently a chair professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

(from Wikipedia)

Associated Names:
* Yi Mun-Yol
* 이문열 (Korean Profile)

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the critical analysis at the end of this story, as well as some analysis found online, I find it curious that Yi Mun-yol is considered to be a "conservative" intellectual. His account of soldiers on a train in the 1980s is very fascinating. While this story in particular may not be as subversive as other literature of the time, it feels as if Yi out-subversed the subverse, by depicting both sides as equally grotesque and unpleasant. Only those who close their eyes to the so-called "war-zone" around them can avoid being immersed in violence. But by closing yours eyes, or sleeping as the eponymous Pilon's pig, one cannot provoke change. It's a conundrum: fighting for one's rights, betraying your own, working for the "man" - all of these actions can result in violence, whereas doing nothing and accepting the status quo results only in the safety of one's physical self, if not one's mind.

While I may not be as well-read in Korean literature yet as I'd like, this is a fascinating read, probably one of the most interesting Korean books I've read yet. The portrayal of the moral dilemma at the heart of the story is one that makes this story stand out, and - in my admittedly western-biased opinion - shows how subversive this author can be. I look forward to reading more stories by this author.

[Ocean G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everytime I read Yi Mun-Yol I'm reminded of why I like his books so much. This short story was excellent, discussing violence, and the moral dilemma of violence, both with the aggressor as well as with how the victims of aggression often are no better.

It was interesting to read, in the afterword, how Yi Mun-yol is seen as too conservative in Korea. This story certainly didn't convey that at all (in fact, if anything it seemed quite the opposite), and frankly, knowing how his father defected from South Korea to North Korea, one can see how he might be a bit more right-leaning.

Regardless, the book stands on its own and is a great short read.