"Trees on a Slope" book discussion - the Korean Literature Club

OUR GROUP

The Korean Literature Club (active since 2012) is an in-person, English-language discussion group dealing with Korean literature-in-translation. We are active in Seoul (and occasionally outside it.

We hold regular gatherings to discuss works of Korean literature(-in-translation). We are a 100% English-language group. All discussion is in English only. We also host or are involved in many other special events and occasional excursions (as with our recent day-trip to Paju Book City).

We think of ourselves as a nexus for people interested in Korea(n literature) and exploring it. We believe we are the leading such group in existence anywhere.

We have an open-door policy. We have newcomers or guests at every major event we host. Feel free to be among them! If you have any level of interst in Korean literature in English translation, you are welcome to join us.

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THIS EVENT

On Thursday, November 12, 2026, the Korean Literature Club is hosting a discussion of "Trees on a Slope," one of the classics of mid-20th-century Korean liteature (originally published in 1960). The author is one of the most acclaimed and loved Korean novelists of the 20th century.

The time and location are as usual (arrival welcome starting 6:30pm; main-event starts 7:30pm. See below for time and location particulars if you are new.

The translators for "Trees on a Slope" are Bruce & Ju-chan Fulton (2005). (Decades earlier there had been another translation but we are not reading this one.)

A few general discussion questions on "Trees on a Slope" will be forthcoming and published here by about November 5.

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SPECIAL GUESTS!

• The translators, Bruce & Ju-chan Fulton, will be joining us as special guests for the November 12 session!

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RELATED EVENTS

• On September 17, 2026 we hosted a special session on the classic story by Hwang Sunwon, "The Cloudburst" (Sonagi). If you missed that session, you can (re-)read the story and that session's materials easily. Contact us if you don't know where to find this (text and some optional study materials).
• On Sunday, November 1, 2026, we are hosting a day trip to the "Hwang Sunwon 'Sonagi cultural village" in Yangpyeong.

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REQUIREMENTS

To join our November 12 session:

• You should have read the novel Trees on a Slope, by Hwang Sunwon [1960] (tr. Bruce & Ju-chan Fulton). / Note: This is an English-language group and the published English-translation versions always take precedence.
• Be able and willing to discuss the novel in English and respectful of other participants.
• (Discussion questions, forthcoming.)

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LOCATION & HOW TO FIND US

• "The North Terrace Building," Jongno, Seoul. Find us in the basement. You will not miss us.
• Inputting the name "North Terrace Bulding" in your map app should be sufficient to find our venue. The address is also listed elsewhere on this Eventbrite page. The name in Hangul is "노스테라스빌딩."
• Walking directions: The venue is about 7 minutes walk north of Jongno-3ga Exit 7. It is also accessible from Anguk Station and very near bus stops near Changdeok Palace (창덕궁 / 돈화문국앋당).
• To find the North Terrace Building venue at night (dark) can be difficult for a newcomer. As of summer 2026, right across from the venue a new boutique hotel is operating with a garishy bright-white-neon sign saying UNPLUG ANGUK. If you see this sign, you will find us just across.
• North Terrace Building leases some of its space to Trevari. Trevari runs the 1F cafe. (We are not related to Trevari.) If you see a sign for Trevari on the 1F, you are in the right place. Find your way down to the basement.

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DATE & TIMES

• Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026.
• Encouraged arrival time: 6:30pm is when you are welcome to arrive. We have substantial pre-event activities, light snacks and drinks provided, and people can get to know each other, or look through our venue's extensive English-book collection.
• Latest arrival time: 7:30pm is when discussion begins and the main-event begins. (If at all possible, arrive before this time.)
• Discussion ends at 9:00pm. At this time, book signings with the translator begin. We still have the venue; participants who wish to continue with post-event socializing.
• Post-event ("2nd round"): By about 9:30pm or soon after, those remaining and interested depart to a venue nearby Jongno-3ga Station. Our 2nd Round event generally breaks up by or before 11:15pm (last trains).

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"2nd Round" particulars

• TBA

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NOTE on arrival time::

• Arrive when you can; leave when you need to or want (at 9:00pm or after)...
• BUT we do encourage you to arrive early, well before 7:30pm, if you can!.
• This especially applies to first-time newcomers. We are friendly and welcome all readers of good-will. Come early and meet people! Don't get stuck in any possible "standing-room only" situation.

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QUESTIONS:

Use the 'Contact' button here at Eventbrite; or use any other method you know of to reach us.

• KoreanLiteratureClub.com
• Instagram: @Ras_Korea_Lit
• GoodReads
• KakaoTalk (find ID at our GoodReads main page).

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TEXT-BASED DISCUSSION ON "TREES ON A SLOPE"

• Feel free to write long-form comments on this book in our GoodReads group: "Thoughts on 'Trees on a Slope' by Hwang Sunwon"

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Thanks! See you on November 12.

-- Peter J. (coordinator), on behalf of the KLC organziers.