I am a Korean translator and lecturer exploring the liminal spaces between distinctions and the uncanny emotions they evoke.
Specializing in Gothic literature, I hold a PhD in English literature and am currently working on my first monograph, Gothic Korea.
런던에서 번역가, 선생, 연구자로 활동하는 김유진입니다. 정의되지 않는 존재들 사이의 공간과 거기에서 발생하는 묘한 감정들에 대해 쓰고 생각합니다. 공포와 숭고, 그리고 그것들을 미학적인 형식을 통해 체화시켜 독자에게 윤리적으로 다가가려는 작가들의 작품을 옮기고 논합니다.
Originally from Incheon, I live and work in London with my husband and daughter.
About Me
I translate and teach Korean. I have been leading the Korean course at Kingston University London since 2019, where I also spent 10 years as a postgraduate student in English literature. My passion thrives between the two languages.
I am an editor in chief at Nabillera: Contemporary Korean Literature [나빌레라 한국 현대 문학]. Nabillera is a nonprofit web magazine that showcases the works of early-stage Korean writers by translating them into English. We work with emerging translators, editors, and communicators with a passion for contemporary Korean literature.
My first translation in collaboration with Timothy Holm, My Itchy Middle Finger (손가락이 간질간질), a novel by KANG Byoung Yoong, received a publication grant from Literature Translation Institute Korea in 2021. My Itchy Middle Finger is a light-hearted queer coming-of-age novel about a teenage baseball player who happens to have a third eye on their middle finger. My second translation in collaboration with Beth Hong, Dad Likes Today (아빠는 오늘을 좋아합니다), a short story also by KANG Byoung Yoong, has been chosen for the IWP Residency in Iowa, 2022.
I translated selected poems by KIM Hakjung and organised the poet's UK tour in 2023. You can find my other translations on Nabillera. I am actively involved in Korean cultural events in the London area. I work closely with local communities and Korean institutions to initiate meaningful connections and dialogue.
Recent Academic Activities
As an academic, I have extensively presented papers on Gothic literature. Recently, I have been shifting my research focus toward Korean studies, presenting on Korean cinema, literature, and culture at various conferences, including:
Antonin Artaud: New Critical Reflections – Kingston University | July 30–31, 2024
International Conference of Korean Studies in Ljubljana (ICKL) 2025: Diaspora and Korean Studies – Crossing Borders, Bridging Cultures and Disciplines – Modra Soba, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana | February 21, 2025
Association for Asian Studies 2025 Annual Conference – Columbus, Ohio | March 13–16, 2025
Past Events
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Past Events *
Moderator – Return to the Dallergut Dream Department Store
Korean Cultural Centre UK | November 16, 2024
Moderator – Korean Literature Night: An Evening with Eun Hee Kyung & Lee Geum Yi
Korean Cultural Centre UK | November 15, 2024Moderator – Korean Culture Month: Miye Lee in Conversation
Foyles London Bookshop | October 26, 2024Organizer & Moderator – Korean Literature Day: An Evening with Eun Hee Kyung & Lee Geum Yi
Kingston University | November 14, 2024Organizer – KLS Public Lecture Series: "The Future of Hangeul – Exploring Korea’s Script in a Globalized World" by Professor Jieun Cho (Oxford University)
Kingston University | October 10, 2024Curator – 2nd London Hallyu Festival
Korean Booth featuring Kingston University students’ art exhibitions
London, New Malden | October 12, 2024
Interpreter – The Korean Carbon Neutrality Commission’s UK Visit for Climate Change Discussions
London | November 1, 2023Moderator – A Discussion with Poet Kim Hak-jung
Korean Cultural Centre UK | August 17, 2023Moderator & Interpreter – KLS Public Lecture Series: Poet Kim Hak-jung
Kingston University London | August 18, 2023Interpreter – Bett UK 2023 – Korean Minister of Education
Excel London | March 29–31, 2023Interpreter – Poetry Translation Workshop with Poet Kim Yeon-Sook
University of Ljubljana, Slovenia | May 14, 2021Committee Member – BTS: A Global Conference
Kingston University London, UK | January 4–5, 2020Co-Moderator – Korean Literature Night: The White Book by Han Kang (with Steven J. Fowler)
Kingston University London, UK | January 24, 2020Interpreter – The Bakery of Coincidence: Children's Story Writer Kim Hea-Yeon’s Book Talk
Paddington Academy, UK | November 27, 2019Interpreter – London Korean Film Festival: In Conversation with Director Kim Sol
Kingston University London, UK | November 13, 2019