Singaporean translator Shanna Tan brings Korean bestsellers to global readers


‘I started self-studying Korean when I was 18. At the time, Korean wasn’t a very popular language to learn, so I had to be very resourceful. I used anything I could get my hands on, be it from the library or online,’ says Tan. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon

Singaporean literary translator Shanna Tan, who translated Welcome To The Hyunam-dong Bookshop into English, found herself in the spotlight during a recent bookshop tour with author Hwang Bo-reum in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

As they engaged with eager audiences, Tan faced numerous questions about the nuances of translation, the challenges of capturing the original work’s essence, and the collaborative process between translator and author.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Culture

Pelicot’s memoir launches in 22 languages, turning horror into hope for survivors
Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica hits peak height
Horror comics boom in our modern age of anxiety
Weekend for the arts: Cerikapak digital show, Hamidi Hadi's 'Menjejak Hening'
Damascus book fair draws crowds, with censorship eased in post-Assad Syria
Royal Shakespeare Company to adapt 'Game Of Thrones' for theatre
Boh Cameronian Arts Awards nominations take a distinctly cultural turn
Notorious Courbet painting goes on show in Vienna
Crowds flock to Museum of Innocence as a TV adaptation draws new fans
Newly opened Raja Shahriman Art Gallery elevates sculptural heritage

Others Also Read