Yi Sang

Yi Sang (September 14, 1910 – April 17, 1937) is an author of modern Korean literature.

Life

Though most widely known by his pen name, Yi Sang was born in Seoul, Korea, as Kim Hae-gyeong on September 14, 1910, in Seoul. He graduated from Sinmyeong School and then entered the Donggwang School. In 1922 he was admitted to Boseong Normal School. In 1929 he graduated from Gyeongseong Engineering High School with training as an architect and for a time was employed as a draftsman in the public works department of the Governor-General of Korea. In December 1929 he won first and third prizes in a design contest for the cover of Korea and Architecture (Joseongwa geonchuk), and the journal of the Korean Architecture Society (Joseon geonchukhoe), respectively. Most of his works were produced during the 1930s.

In 1934 he joined the Circle of Nine (Guinhoe), whose core members included Kim Girim, Lee Taejun, and Jung Jiyong. In 1936 Lee began to edit the Circle of Nine (GuInhoe, whose core members included Kim Girim, Lee Taejun, and Jung Jiyong) journal, Siwa soseol, published by Changmunsa under the aegis of Koo Bonung. Several of his works were published in this journal, including his poems “Paper gravestone” (Jibi), “Street exterior, street passage” (Gaoe gajeon), and “Condition serious” (Widok) and the stories “Meeting of a spider and a pig” (Jijuhoesi), “Wings” (Nalgae), “Meetings and Farewells” (Bongbyeolgi), and “Children's Skulls” (Donghae). His short story “Diary Before Death” (Jongsaenggi) and his personal memoir “Monotony” (Gwontae) were published posthumously in Tokyo.