출판사 리뷰
Damyang is the hometown of poetry, holding 500 years of legend.
The city holds a distinguished poetic style which stands at the sacred ground and the highest level of humanities.
This style has given consolation and healing to Koreans in the modern world.
The style is called a ‘Free verse,’ written purely in Hangul, King Sejong’s great invention in 1446. Choe Nam-seon’s “From the Sun to a Boy” is known as the beginning of Korean poetry, however, it is actually the first poem to be published in the form of a modern literary magazine.
In fact, Jeong Cheol built a gazebo in Songangjeong, Damyang, in 1588, and cited “Samiingok.” It was 140 years after Hangul was created.
Songgang(Jeong Cheol’s pen name) wrote poems like “Samiingok,” “Sokmiingok,” “Seongsanbyeolgok,” and “Hoonminga,” which were all written in Hangul, more freely than the traditional Korean poems.
This style is more known by the term “lyrics,” which is the origin of Free Verse.
Then started the culture of writing Free Verses on the coats of Damyang’s women. This is called ‘The Free Verse on the Coats.’ Intention of Writing
Including Myeonang Songsoon who wrote the lyrics for “Myeonangjeongga,” there came poets like Kim Inhoo, Kee Daeseung, Im Eokryeong, Yang Eungjeong, and Yoon Seondo, all of who contributed to setting the foundation stone for modern lyrics, or the free verse. These poets made Damyang a sacred place of lyrical poetry.
Yet, modern people, even those born in Damyang, barely know this legend of the city or the value of this history.
In such a background, the writer sought to spread the origin of modern lyrical poetry by putting “Damyang’s market day” in the main concept and subject of his poetry collection. He also dreams of blooming the flower of a Nobel Prize and thus contribute to the peace, freedom, and happiness of the humanity. He wishes that these sacred lyrical poems can become a high-quality content, allowing for the world to enjoy Korean poetry. With the vision of creating K-Literature Contents that can lead the global literary world, he wrote this collection.
Out of deep affection for my hometown, which gave me the blood and bones, I summoned all the history and legends of the city and poured them into my poems. The southern accent has been used as it is, adding beauty and a mood of fairy-tale, helping to visualize the poems.
My wish is to help readers feel and taste the role of poetry in human life and how it touches our hearts. Isn’t that the essence of poetic literature, after all?
I believe that poetry is the tool that helps transcend our spirituality, making us live a life of talent and altruism. It is the deepest form of art created by human beings, and can be used as the path to our home and realizing our ideals.
With lyricism, spirit of the age, universal value, humor, and Korean identity on the base, I have written this collection to console and heal this devastated humanity. I hope my poems can help purify the corrupt authority and capital. The poems are optimized to give compassion, protection, consolation, healing, and support to the grass roots who are weak and weary.
Author, Saemteo Lee Jung-Rok
A poet from an artistic village, who plants
the legendary hometown of Damyang
into his bones to bloom a flower
Kim So-yeop
(Poet, Literary Critic, Chair Professor of Daejeon University,
President of the Federation of Artistic & Cultural Organization of Korea)
The poet Lee Jung-Rok, known by the pen name Saemteo, is a prominent poet in Korea who has been writing poetry for 36 years and made his debut in 1992.
He has become a highly influential poet, ranking among the steady-seller and best-seller poets. Beyond being a poet, he also leads the literary group Saemmoon (formerly Saemteo Literary Group), showcasing his leadership and gaining significant recognition in the literary world. Currently, the Saemmoon Group has about 200,000 members, combining both offline and online communities. Additionally, the poet has personally garnered a loyal following of tens of thousands.
The poet not only has tens of thousands of loyal readers but also operates the Saemmoon Lifelong Education Center, Saemmoon Arts College, and an academic research institute, all authorized by the Ministry of Education. These institutions focus on poetry, sijo, essays, and the study of poetry composition and recitation. Additionally, he established and manages the Saemmoon Translation Institute. He inherited Korea's premier literary magazine (Korea Literature), founded in 1966 by esteemed figures Kim Dong-ri and Lee Geun-bae, and organizes the Korean Literature Award through it. Furthermore, with permission from the family of Han Yongun, he founded the Han Yongun Literature Award and the Han Yongun National Poetry Recitation Contest, which are held every fall.
Every spring, he also holds the Saemmoon News New Year's Literary Contest and the Saemmoon Literature Award, which have been celebrated for 14 years. Additionally, he has received authorization by the government as a private qualification education institution and qualification issuing organization under national laws and the Basic Qualification Act. Through this, he has guided and nurtured many promising students, helping them enter the society and academia. We must admit that he is truly an outstanding figure representing Damyang.
Now, let's further evaluate the poet.
First, he has written poetry with high literary quality. As a result, he has attracted significant attention from the literary community and has expanded his literary activities in various ways. He has won numerous prestigious literary awards, including the Korean Literature Award, the Saemteo Literature Award Grand Prize, the Korean Story Literature Award, the Han Yongun Literature Award, and the Yoon
Dong-ju Literary Award. His accomplishments have been recognized, and in 2019, he was listed in the National Distinguished Figures edition, in the sections dedicated to the key figures of modern history and cultural arts. His name appears alongside notable figures such as Jo Ji-Hoon, Yoon Dong-ju, Lee Jung-seob, Seo Jeong-ju, Jeong Bi-seok, Noh Cheon-myeong, Hong Nan-pa, Ahn Ik-tae, Kim Dong-in, Park Mok-wol, Yeom Sang-seop, and Park Jong-hwa.
Secondly, he is a poet with a deep love for his hometown. As a poet devoted to his roots, his poetry is deeply connected to his hometown. He loves his hometown more than anyone else, embracing its history, legends, and culture.
In particular, in the chapter “Market Day in Damyang,” his soul and spirit are infused with a strong sense of hometown pride, which is clearly reflected in the poems.
In works such as , , , , and , he deeply expresses his love for his hometown. His affection for his hometown has led him to extract its history and legends, elevating them into poetry.
Moreover, his ability to craft beautiful, almost fairytale-like poems while preserving the unique dialect of the Southern region suggests that his love for his homeland played a crucial role in this artistic achievement.
Poems such as , and are truly beautiful, rustic, and full of affection, with a strong sense of local flavor. This deep connection to his hometown allowed him to nostalgically dream of Damyang for many years, even beyond his sixties. Places like Wandong Valley, Ganadang, Manseong-ri, Cloud Bridge, Eonggul Cave, Hyanggyo, and Jukmuljeon are not just remnants of the past or old place names; they are dynamic, living entities that continue to breathe in the poet's mind. They are essential sources of his lyrical, altruistic, and loving poetry. This is a testament to his deep love and longing for his hometown.
Thirdly, as a poet with strong leadership in Korean poetry, he has mentored many students in the field of poetry and literature. Currently, he serves as the head professor at the College of Literature and Arts at Daerim University, where he continues to mentor and shape the next generation of literary talents. Through Saemteo Literature (now Saemmoon), he actively promotes poetry collections like Conversion Emotional Poetry, Saemmoon Poetry Selection, Korean Literature Poetry Selection, and Han Yongun Poetry Selection, alongside engaging in literary activities through multimedia. His ongoing efforts have earned continuous support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Jungnang District for the establishment of the Han Yongun Literature Award and the Han Yongun Poetry Recitation Contest.
Fourthly, he is a person who will achieve significant cultural accomplishments for his hometown, society, country, and humanity. He writes poetry with more passion than anyone else and possesses the highest values and abilities to achieve great cultural accomplishments for both his hometown and society. For this reason, I believe that such a dedicated individual deserves support and recognition.
For these four reasons, I strongly recommend Poet Lee Jung-Rok(Saemteo) to the people of South Korea and readers around the world, along with Lee Geun-bae, President of the Korean Academy of Arts, and Son Hae-il, Chairman of the International PEN Korea Center. Thank you.
작가 소개
지은이 : 이정록
<교육 경력>서울대학교총동창회 이사(29대, 30대)서울대학교 생활과학대학숭실대학교 중소기업대학원고려대학교 시창작 수료대림대학교 주임교수대림문예대학 주임교수샘문평생교육원 샘문예술대학 원장, 교수샘문사아버교육원 샘문예술대학 원장, 교수<현재 경력>(사)도서출판샘문(샘문시선) 회장(사)문학그룹샘문 이사장(사)샘문그룹문인협회 회장(사)한국문인협회 회원(사)국제PEN한국본부 이사(사)한국현대시인협회 이사(사)한용운문학 이사장(주)한국문학 회장한용운문학상 운영위원장한용운전국시낭송대회 운영위원장한국문학상 운영위원장김소엽 전국시낭송대회 운영위원장<언론>샘문뉴스 발행인, 회장<수상>시, 시조, 수필, 소설, 평론 : 등단1992 신춘문예(국제) 시 등단윤동주문학상 한용운문학상 한국문학상(문협)한국스토리문학상샘터문학상 대상동양화국제대전 특선 2회 수상(일본, 도쿄미술관/ 2017년/ 2019년)<시비제막 경력>충남 보령시 미산면 봉선리《샘터시비공원/ 총25기 제막》<시집출간 경력>제1집 :산책로에서 만난 사랑(1993/매일)제2집 : 내가 꽃을 사랑하는 이유(7쇄) 《베스트셀러/ 골든존 등극》제3집 : 양눈박이 울프(5쇄) 《베스트셀러/ 골든존 등극》제4집 : 산책로에서 만난 사랑(재발행/ 9쇄) 《네이버 선정》 《베스트셀러/스테디셀러/ 골든존 등극》제5집 : 꽃이 바람에게(5쇄) 《베스트셀러 / 골든존 등극》제6집 : 바람의 애인, 꽃(시화집) 《한글판/ 6쇄》 《베스트셀러/ 골든존 등극》제7집 : 바람의 애인, 꽃(시화집/ 영문판/ 2023.06.01. 출간)) Lover of ter Wind Fiower (대한민국/ 국내 출간) (영국 런던/ 해외 출간)제8집 : 담양골 오딧세이(한글판/ 2024.11.15. 출간)제9집 : 산책로에서 만난 사랑(영문판/ 2024.11.14. 출간) The Love I Met on the Trail (대한민국/ 국내 출간) (영국 런던/ 해외 출간)제10집 : 꽃이 바람에게(영문판/ 2024.11.13. 출간) Dear Wind From Flower (대한민국/ 국내 출간) (영국 런던/ 해외 출간)제11집 : 내가 꽃을 사랑하는 이유(영문판/ 2024.11.16. 출간) The Reason I Love Flower (대한민국/ 국내 출간) (영국 런던/ 해외 출간)제12집 : 담양골 오딧세이(영문판/ 2025.06.05. 출간) Damyanggol Odyssey (대한민국/ 국내 출간) (영국 런던/ 해외 출간)<공저출간 경력>◇사랑, 그 이름으로 아름다웠다◇청록빛 사랑 속으로◇사립문에 걸친 달 그림자◇아리아, 자작나무 숲 시가 흐르다◇시詩, 별을 보며 점을 치다◇우리 집 어처구니는 시인◇고장 난 수레바퀴◇태양의 하녀, 꽃◇첫눈이 꿈꾸는 혁명◇바람을 연모하는 꽃◇ㅤㅂㅝㅇ새의 낭창 소리(시화집)◇리라꽃 그늘 아래서 ◇태초의 새벽처럼 아름다운 사랑◇개봉관 신춘극장 《컨버전스시선집/ 샘문시선》◇추야몽 秋夜夢◇나 그렇게 당신을 사랑합니다◇이별은 미의 창조 《한용운문학시선집/ 샘문》◇위대한 부활 그 위대한 여정◇호모 노마드투스 《한국문학시선집/ 샘문》<인물사전 등재> 국가상훈인물대사전 <국가상훈편찬위원회> <예술인 등재> <문화체육관광부/한국예술인복지재단><전시회> 한국(국내전) 2017, 외 4회 <예술의전당> 동양화(국제대전) 2017, 외 3회 <일본, 도쿄미술관><앨범/가곡 등> 내가 꽃을 사랑하는 이유 외 21집<시화전> 세종대 광개토대왕홀 외 23회<시낭송회> 시힐링디너콘서트 등 총27회
목차
Intention of Writing / 4
Summary / 6
Foreword … Kim So-yeop / 7
Part 1,
The Legend of Songsoon
The Legend of Songsoon / 16
The Magical View of Yeongsan River / 18
Climbing the Moonlight of Jewoldang / 19
Bamboo Tea Blends with the Scent of Poetry / 21
Spring Flower / 24
Falling Flower, Flowing Water / 26
My Boy, You are Full and Ripe / 28
Fairyland / 34
Wedding Day of a New Bride / 37
The Memory of Fairyland / 39
Sosaewon Embraces the Universe / 41
Sosaewon Becomes a Hermit / 43
Love Song of the Crescent Moon / 45
White Dream on a Summer Night / 47
Under the Light of Fireflies and the Snow / 48
Liverleaf in the Snowy Yongheungsa Temple / 55
Chuwolsan Mountain, Revelation of the Nature’s Secret / 56
Part 2,
A Hundred-Year-Long Legend of the Bamboo Shoot
Bamboo Drink, the Scent of Fairyland / 58
Food Stand at Juknokwon / 59
Bursting Bamboo Rice / 61
The Tale of Bamboo Rice / 62
Secret Love Affair at a Cabin in Chuwolsan Mountain / 65
Lovers of the Nature, Blooming the Flower of Talk / 66
The Window 1 / 68
The Window 2 / 70
Dream / 72
Legend of the Bamboo Sprout / 75
Apricot Flower in the Snow, Love of Spring / 77
Wanderer with a Barley Flute / 78
Market Day in Damyang / 80
Dream of a Father and Son in Wandong Valley / 82
Let Her Be the Wings of a God / 90
Waterfall of the Blue Mountain / 92
First Resolution / 94
Legend of the Bamboo Sprout / 97
Riverside Scene of the Market Day in Damyang / 99
Part 3,
The Birch Tree Never Breaks
A Small Shack / 102
Praise for Damyang / 103
Poetry, the Philosophy of Healing / 105
Heartless Love / 110
Hope / 111
The Birch Tree Never Breaks / 113
The Magical Castle of Damyang / 115
Universal Gravity / 116
Source Code to Heaven / 118
Uninvited Guest / 120
Love of a Red Apricot Flower / 121
White Dream / 122
Father’s Bamboo Brush, Forming the Eol / 123
Reunification of South and North / 127
That Year in May / 128
Running Life / 136
Spring Breeze / 138
The Graceful Path of Life / 139
I Love You / 140
