Yi Hyoseok

Yi Hyoseok, who wrote under the pen-name 'Gasan' () was born on February 23, 1907, in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, Korean Empire. Yi was deeply impressed by Chekhov and Thomas Mann and graduated first in his class at the Gyeongseong Imperial University. Yi Hyoseok enrolled in Gyeongseong Imperial University in 1925, the same year, his poem “Spring” (Bom) was published in Maeil Sinbo. At Gyeongsong Yi published his poetry in a student magazine (Clear and Cool or Cheongnyang), and in a literary coterie journal (Friends in Literature or 무누). ==Work==

Yi Hyoseok wrote more than 70 pieces of fiction and first attracted attention of the literary world in 1928 when his story City and Ghost (Dosi-wa yuryeong) was published in Light of Korea (Joseon jigwang). Yi published many other works including Unanticipated Meeting (Giu), Shattered Red Lantern (Kkaetteuryeojineun hongdeung) and At Sea Near Russia (Noryeong geunhae), all of which reflected his socialist sympathies. In 1933, however, coincident with increased pressure from Japanese occupiers that literature not be political, Yi Hyoseok helped found the League of Nine (Guinhoe), and abandoned political literature in favor of more aesthetic approaches. and a "modern classic", and has been adopted into a movie directed by Lee Song-gu in 1967. == Personal life ==

One of Yi's partners was the singer Wang Su-bok. ==Yi Hyoseok Village and Festival==

When Buckwheat Blossoms Bloom is set in Yi's hometown of Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, and the area is still famous for its buckwheat production. The town is surrounded by a ring of mountains and the Yi Hyoseok Memorial Hall is located in the town inside the Yi Hyoseok Culture Village which, in 1990 was designated ‘the first national cultural village,’ by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The site features is a small river, a water mill house, a small thatched house and the inevitable miniature dioramas of the novel. At the end of August to early September (the date differs each year) the annual Yi Hyoseok Cultural Festival takes place. The event is buckwheat themed and the events include an essay contest, a photo contest, a colorful parade and a variety of films and performances related to Buckwheat Blossoms. There is also an abundance of buckwheat based food, including excellent noodles and pancakes. ==Works==

• When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom / The Buckwheat Season () • KHI HOA KiẾU MẠCH NỚ () • Cuando florece el alforfón () • Flower Dust • Pollen () • Endless Blue Sky () • Collected Works of Yi Hyoseok () == References ==