Rising Poet Go Seon-kyung Gains Popularity with 30,000 Copies Sold of Debut Collection
Go Seon-kyung, a 28-year-old poet, recently shared her thoughts on the playful and entertaining nature of poetry, stating, "I believe poetry has a strong power of playfulness and entertainment." She humorously noted, "The hardest times in my life were lifted by jokes and playfulness, even when I fell, as if it were part of my plan."
Meeting in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, she appeared in a checkered shirt with panda stickers on her headphones, revealing a casual yet creative vibe. "Why do I write better poetry at someone else's house? I can never write at my own place," she mused, indicating that her laid-back demeanor was genuine rather than a mere act.
Go has become a sensation in the literary world, having debuted in 2022 through the Chosun Ilbo Spring Literary Contest. Her first poetry collection, "Shower Gel and Soda Water," was published in October 2023 and has impressively sold 30,000 copies across 16 print runs, a remarkable feat in the small poetry market. Several publishing houses, including Munhakdongne, Nanda, and Changbi, are eagerly waiting to collaborate with her, allowing her to pursue a full-time career as a poet. In a surprising turn, she was chosen as the first poet for a new series by the publisher Yeollimwon, leading to the release of her second collection, "A Tomato Harder than the Heart," last month.
Often referred to as an 'MZ Poet,' Go's work reflects the specific experiences of the younger generation. Lines from her poems, such as "Two-room new villa deposit of two thousand, monthly rent of ninety" and "Monthly rent of seventy thousand yen / share house," capture the realities of youth today. In her poem "Opening a Chinese Restaurant in the Alps," she cleverly parodies Kim Hyeong-do's "Empty House," depicting a trapped shop owner.
Her unique poetic flair was evident from her debut, with judges praising her distinct 'poetic audacity.' One of her most talked-about pieces, "Street Literature Fighter," introduces a fictional poetry survival audition, where participants are humorously restricted from using common words like 'world,' 'love,' and 'death.'
In her second collection, Go has moved away from memes and parodies, expressing a desire to create deeper poetry. She intentionally chose heavy themes like death and loss, although she humbly acknowledged, "It may not be that deep because I am still young and lack experience and study."
In her poem "I Want to Be a Promising Talent Even After Death," she conveys a strong attachment to life and a desire to improve her craft. Recently, she enrolled in a poetry class, where she wrote a piece titled "My Boyfriend is the Third Generation of a Conglomerate." After sharing it with peers, she realized her patterns were becoming predictable, a concern she had been grappling with. Go is currently navigating the balance between continuing her strengths and showcasing new aspects of her work, wishing for the resilience to bounce back like a spring.
Her latest collection also features a sequel to "Street Literature Fighter," where poets appear on a home shopping channel to sell their poetry. In a humorous twist, she writes about teachers who criticize the commercial aspect of poetry, yet she cleverly turns their disapproval into a part of her poetic journey. Go Seon-kyung continues to advance with her charming and playful approach to poetry.
