Korean author Lee Young-do's 'The Bird That Drinks Tears' shortlisted for Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire

Korean fantasy author Lee Young-do’s novel “The Bird That Drinks Tears” (2003) has been shortlisted in the foreign novel category of the Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire, one of France’s most prestigious genre fiction awards, publisher Golden Bough said Tuesday.

The Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire award is widely regarded as France’s top prize for science fiction and fantasy, with winners selected by a panel of journalists, writers and critics. It is comparable to the Hugo Award, the top sci-fi and fantasy accolade in the English-speaking literary community.

First published in 2003, “The Bird That Drinks Tears” is a four-volume epic fantasy series that blends Korean cultural elements — including dokkaebi (goblins), traditional wrestling and the board game yutnori — into an original fictional world. The series has sold more than 1 million copies since its release, establishing itself as a landmark work in Korean fantasy literature.

“The Bird That Drinks Tears” has been translated and published in more than 30 countries, including Germany, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. In France, the first volume sold over 20,000 copies within four months of its release, according to Golden Bough.

The French publisher of the translation of “The Bird That Drinks Tears” described the short list nomination itself as recognition of the novel’s literary merit in both France and the broader European market, according to Golden Bough. 

An English-language edition, translated by Anton Hur, is scheduled for release in the United States and the Britain in June this year. Hur is known for his work on “Cursed Bunny” (2017) by Bora Chung.

Lee, who started serializing his first fantasy epic series “Dragon Raja” (1998) on an internet portal, Hitel, in 1997, has often been called the “J.R.R. Tolkien of Korea.” His works include “Polaris Rhapsody” (2001), “Future Walker” (1999) and a sequel series to “The Bird That Drinks Tears,” “The Bird That Drinks Blood,” published in 2005.  

The winner for this year’s Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire will be announced on May 18 at La Comédie du Livre, a major literary event held in France.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]