Hyoseok Lee

Hyoseok Lee, also known by the pen names Gasan (可山), Ase-A (亞細兒), and Munseong (文星), was a renowned Korean writer and professor during the Japanese colonial period. He is best remembered for his short story When the Buckwheat Flowers Bloom (also known as The Buckwheat Season in English), which remains one of the most celebrated pieces of Korean literature.

Born on February 23, 1907, in Jinbu, Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, Lee grew up in a rural environment that profoundly influenced his literary themes. His early education took him to Gyeongseong, where he excelled academically. Later, he attended Gyeongseong Imperial University, majoring in English literature.

His literary debut came in 1928 when he published the short story City and Ghosts (도시와 유령) in the magazine Joseon Jiguang. Initially, his works carried strong socialist themes, reflecting the time's social realism and leftist tendencies. However, his style gradually shifted towards pure literature, emphasising lyrical prose and rich, atmospheric storytelling.

Sophisticated language, an extensive vocabulary, and a poetic sensibility often characterise Lee’s writing. His later works prominently feature themes of nostalgia, rural landscapes, and human emotions, distinguishing him from many of his contemporaries. However, he is best known for When the Buckwheat Flowers Bloom. he wrote numerous other significant works, including The Northern Seas (노령근해), Sunflower (해바라기), Pigs (돈), and The Rooster (수탉). His novels Pollen (화분) and Endless Blue Sky (벽공무한) further explore his signature themes, though they received mixed critical reception.

In 1934, Lee became a professor at Soongsil College in Pyongyang, a position that provided financial stability and allowed him to focus on his writing. During this period, he produced some of his most mature works. However, the escalating political climate and Japanese imperial rule increased pressure on intellectuals, limiting creative freedom.

In 1939 and 1940, he travelled to Manchuria, which inspired works such as Endless Blue Sky and Harbin (하얼빈).

Tragedy struck in 1940 when his wife and two children passed away from illness, leaving him devastated. He himself soon fell ill, suffering from tuberculosis and meningitis.

Despite undergoing surgery, his condition worsened, and he passed away on May 25, 1942, at the age of 35. In 1982, he was posthumously awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit for his contributions to Korean literature.