Cold Reading

Cold Reading
happyphobia
Superconductor
Becoming Orange
Infinite Proliferation
Blue and Squashy Water Bottle
Sook-ee Wants to be a Ssubject
Anna Likes the Summer Parka
Return and Order
Afternoon, Sunscreen Suggested
Squares of Yours
House on the Far End, 6th Floor
Prince Stationery Store Alley
Virtual Happy Hour
Chamber Music with Warm Air
Orchid Heaven
Healing
Cemetery Park
Yilan
Winter Solstice 冬至
Vladivostok
Poet’s Note
Poet’s Essay
Commentary
Praise for Kang Hyebin

I prayed to all the gods I knew.
Please let my future be quiet.
Flash, when my eyes open.
Ecstasy.
The poem begins.
•From “Poet’s Essay”

Kang Hyebin deeply understands the paradox of juxtaposing seemingly incompatible propositions. One wonders how such insight is possible; is it because she is a poet, a photographer, a lecturer, an a tarot master, fending her life as multiple bodies simultaneously? We might not know everything, but one thing is clear: that she is enduring both a busily bustling life and slow death, passionate love and fierce hate at the same time. Not only does she endure, but daringly enjoys it. Following the footsteps of Kang Hyebin, who cries and laughs with light face resembling water droplets, we are not just afraid of the collapsing world. We feel what awaits us is more than just imminent destruction.
•Sung Hyunah (Literary Critic)