Na Do-hyang


Na Do-hyang was a Korean writer born in Seoul.

Biography

He graduated from Baejae School and entered Gyungsung National University School of Medicine. However he went to Japan aspiring to find fame in literature. This pursuit of learning about literature didn't last long, because he didn't have the money to support himself. He became a high school teacher in Andong, Gyeongsang-do.
He started his career as a writer publishing A Young Man's Life. His famous works include The Water Wheel, Mulberry, and Deaf Samryongi.

Work

Na went by the penname Na Bin.
His early works are sorrowful, romantic pieces: A Young Man's Life, Delight. However his works changed from romanticism to realism: Haengnang Jasik <행랑 자식> and Before She Found Herself, in which he describes a man who overcomes difficulties by the strength of his will.
His works depict Korean farm villages and people, and life during the 1920s. His last novel criticized the society and reality of his time.
The Literature Translation Institute of Korea analyzes his work:

''Deaf Samryongi''

Deaf Samryongi is considered one of the best newspaper serial stories of Korean literature. The novel has been adapted into a movie by Na Woon-gyu in 1929, and Shin Sang-ok in 1964. For his work in the 1964 The Deaf Samryongi, leading actor Kim Jin-kyu was awarded Best Actor in the 12th Asian Film Festival.