신경림 申庚林
Populist poet known for Nongmu (Farmers' Dance); recipient of the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit in 2001; endowed professor at Dongguk University
| Life | 1936 ~ 2024 |
| Era | 현대 |
| Clan | 아주 신씨 |
Life & career
Shin Kyeong-nim (申庚林, 1936-2024) was a South Korean poet of the Aju Shin clan. Born on 6 April 1936 in Chungju, North Chungcheong (then Jungwon County), he graduated from Chungju High School and Dongguk University's English department. His poems 'Reeds', 'Daytime Moon' and 'Stone Statue' were recommended in the magazine Munhak Yesul in 1956, marking his literary debut.
In poor health he returned to his hometown and worked as a primary school teacher for a time, then took jobs at magazines and publishers in Seoul and wrote no poems for about ten years. He resumed in 1965, publishing works such as 'Remote Place', 'Notes on a Mountain Town' and 'Poetic Theme', and drew attention in the autumn 1971 issue of Changbi with 'Nongmu' (Farmers' Dance), 'Eve' and 'The Road to Seoul'. After this restart his poems, thick with the smell of country soil, the sweat of daily life, sorrow and will, earned him the name of a populist poet. He also published criticism on peasant and populist literature.
His works include the collections Nongmu (1973), Saejae, Dal Neomse, Namhangang, Gananhan Sarangnorae, Gil, Sseureojin Ja-ui Kkum, Eomeoni-wa Halmeoni-ui Silluet, Mokgye Jangteo, Ppul and Nakta, the Complete Poems, the children's poems Mom Doesn't Know Anything, the essays Baram-ui Punggyeong and the criticism Minjung and Literature. He received the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit (second class) in 2001 and died of cancer on 22 May 2024.
Silence and Restart
After his 1956 debut he stopped writing because of poor health and livelihood, and took up the pen again in 1965. Some critics say this silence let him observe rural and market-town life up close.
Surveillance
He was among the people placed under surveillance by the Defense Security Command, which became known through the October 1990 disclosures of a conscript, Yun Seok-yang. The wiki article notes he was watched by the government of the time as a leading figure of populist literature.
Grave
His burial place is not given in the sources consulted.
Descendants
Family details are not covered.