Yi Jon-chang, The First Korean Apostle (소설 이존창 영문판)
정대영 | 실반트리
20,700원 | 20250815 | 9791196999148
Yi Jon-chang was a real historical figure who appeared in the history of Catholicism in Joseon, and his life unfolded largely during the reign of King Jeongjo in the late 18th century. Despite his name surfacing at crucial junctures of Joseon’s Catholic history, the details of his actions, relationships, and personal background remain a mystery to this day. This novel brings into focus Yi Jon-chang-an intriguing figure who has attracted the attention of scholars yet has never been fully illuminated-by reimagining him within a literary narrative.
During the so-called “Renaissance of Joseon” under King Jeongjo (1776-1800), the people of Joseon embraced Catholicism not through missionary dispatch but through their own effort and tremendous sacrifice. This unprecedented introduction of Catholicism-without precedent anywhere in the world-forms the backdrop of the story. The novel’s protagonist, Yi Jon-chang, though a real person, remains elusive: his origins, family ties, and even the circumstances of his birth are unknown. Alongside him, countless Catholics in Joseon-men and women, young and old, of all ranks-fell like grains of wheat, vanishing into seeming futility. And yet, the message of this book reminds us that the work we do, the path we walk-though sometimes small, uncertain, or overshadowed by fear-is nevertheless a sacred and invaluable journey.
The narrative avoids exaggerated drama or meticulous description, instead unfolding like a puzzle, piece by piece, as it traces Yi Jon-chang’s life and the spread of Catholicism in Joseon. The novel richly revives the role and significance of women in this history, a dimension often overlooked. Dialogues, written almost like a stage script, draw readers into the story as though they themselves are taking on a role in the unfolding drama. At times flowing, at times plainspoken, the prose leaves behind a lasting weight when the final page is turned-a resonance that consoles not only Catholics but anyone reflecting on their own life’s path.
Many novels in the 21st century revisit past history. What sets this debut novel apart is its immediacy and groundedness. The author, long active as an economist and research director at the central bank of South Korea, has previously written primarily in the field of economics and finance. Through decades of meeting entrepreneurs, workers, and ordinary citizens, the author has closely observed the currents of our time, both broadly and in detail. The efforts of reform-minded intellectuals to create a better livelihood have continued from past centuries into the present. Yet again and again, those voices of reform were drowned out when they failed to truly see the everyday lives of the people. The turbulent arrival of Catholicism in Joseon mirrors those very struggles and longings. The yearning for a new dawn is never confined to one moment in history-it is a desire that transcends eras, echoing into our own time.
