The Jakarta Post
Behind the stories: New York Bakery translators Professor Koh Young Hun (left) and Maman S. Mahayana discuss the anthology series during a launch event on Aug. 29.Behind its high-tech, industrialized economy and its lively pop culture scene, there is a harsh reality that lies beneath South Korea. The citizens are struggling to keep pace with the constant change in their increasingly modern surroundings. This reality is candidly captured in New York Bakery, an anthology of short stories.Consisting of 14 short stories by award-winning Korean authors, the anthology explores social changes and culture clashes experienced by South Koreans.New York Bakery starts with a short story of the same title about a poet and novelist named Kim Yeon-su. The 24-year-old reminisces about a bakery that his family used to have in the city of Gimcheon, with his mother mostly being in charge of the business. I...