HEEJOO LEE is a contemporary Korean writer who began her career in 2016 when she won the Munhakdongne University Youth Award. Her first novel, The Imaginary Side, received local and professional attention, and she later published notable works, the most recent being “사과와 링고” "Apple and Ringo", released in 2025. HEEJOO LEE’s works are characterized by a focus on the hidden aspects of human relationships and a reminder of the value of genuine communication between people in a world that no longer pays attention to it. In this article, we will learn more about her literary style and her most prominent works.
The interview was conducted via email from January 1 to January 7.

Could you tell us more about your beginnings? What motivated you to join the literary scene?

Like many other writers, I loved novels since my childhood. Naturally, I wished to become a person who writes stories. If I had been born just twenty years later, I would have been busy watching short clips on social media and would not have become a writer. During my university studies, I made my literary debut with a long novel titled The Imaginary Side, in which I philosophically addressed the story of a fan of youth music groups. At that time, Korean youth pop music was not as popular as it is now, so dealing with this pop culture was not taken seriously in literary circles, even within fan communities themselves. Sometimes, the reactions of fellow fans were the most hurtful for me. Nevertheless, I continued working and writing consistently, and this is how I reached where I am today.

Could you tell us more about your book “사과와 링고” "Apple and Ringo" writing process? How did you come up with the idea, and what are the main themes you tried to discuss?

As a large part of human relationships moved online, creating and breaking relationships became easier than before. With just one click, a person can decide not to see someone or an opinion they dislike for their entire life. Yet, some relationships are hard to break, particularly family relationships. In Korean society, where Confucian values are still present, family is considered absolute. I wanted to address the pain of unavoidable relationships and the mix of love and violence within them.

How do you build your characters, and do you usually come up with the plot first or the characters? Share with us significant moments you had during the creation of 사과와 링고 "Apple and Ringo" characters.

I usually start by imagining a general story, and as I write, the details of the characters emerge. In Apple and Ringo, Sara was initially a woman suffering from poverty and an uncertain future. Like many people with mental struggles, she vaguely wished the world would end. But when this lonely woman meets her imaginary friend Mark, a new layer is added to the story. It becomes clear that Sara has a god-like ability, creating another world as a way to endure reality. The moment Sara enters the bathroom, sits on the toilet, and talks naturally with Mark sitting there, I realized her story would go in a completely different direction.

Do you prefer waiting for inspiration, or do you tend to plan carefully?

I start writing with a general idea, such as wanting to tell a certain kind of story, but while writing, much better ideas than I had imagined appear. At that point, the plan becomes meaningless.

How much does the readers' and critics' feedback matter to you? Is there any specific feedback or advice that affected your career or style?

While writing, it’s just me and the story, so I thought other people’s opinions were not important. Recently, however, a reader told me, “Someone needs your stories.” That had a very deep impact on me. My novels may be read for entertainment, but I see that their core is solitude. When I meet a reader or critic who reads and resonates with this solitude, I feel as if a message in a bottle thrown into a distant sea has finally reached its destination, filling me with peace. Then I want to continue writing for them.

What challenges did you face as an aspiring writer, and how did you face them? Also, how did you contact the publishing house and get a contract for your first book?

In Korea, there is a special system for literary debut, where major publishing houses or newspapers announce annual competitions for new works, and a winner is chosen to have the opportunity to practice literary activity. During my university years, this system was common. I was chosen in a long novel competition organized by a major publishing house, through which I signed a publishing contract. In my early days, opportunities to publish works were very rare, but I used that time to read books I had not read before and to study writing methods. I believe that continuing to work is enough for someone to eventually notice you.

How does it feel knowing 사과와 링고 "Apple and Ringo" is part of someone’s personal library abroad?

What do you imagine when you think of a reader far from Korea discovering your book?

It would be extremely joyful. Sometimes I meet readers who are reading my books in bookstores or cafes, which is very pleasing. If I imagine this scene in a faraway country, my happiness increases. I picture a literature-loving reader, open to other cultures, sitting in a comfortable place, smiling at the dark humor, empathizing with the characters, and immersing in reading until the end.

Have you thought about how 사과와 링고 "Apple and Ringo" might be translated into other languages?

What do you think is most difficult to translate in your writing?

I haven’t thought much about translating this work, but if it happens, I would be very happy. When writing, I focus on the rhythm and flow of the sentences, and I find the idea of this rhythm transferring into another language more interesting than worrying.

What are your upcoming plans?

In 2026, I plan to focus on writing a long novel, and I will reduce participation in events and interviews. At the same time, this year will be the first year one of my works is published in translation abroad. It is a work that deals with the dark side of fandoms, unlike other works that focus on the bright side. I will also participate in literary events in France, and this will be the first time I meet readers from outside my country. I feel both nervous and excited, and I hope the meetings will be enjoyable and that my work will receive attention from readers.

HEEJOO LEE’s writings give readers the chance to slow down in a fast world and reflect on human relationships in an honest, imperfect way. Works of this kind require patience and a real desire to understand the essence of things, not just to get superficial and pre-packaged answers. Attention to such works for translation is a sign of attracting readers’ interest worldwide to aspects of Korean literature that were previously unnoticed.

Keywords:

Apple and Ringo, HEEJOO LEE, Korean literature, contemporary literature, Korea Net, Republic of Korea