[Opinion] Fantasy Books

`Frankenstein,` `Dracula,` `the Lord of the Ring` and ‘Harry Potter` have one common denominator. They are fantasy stories written by British writers. Led by `Harry Potter,` a best-selling book that has sold more than 200 million copies worldwide, British fantasy stories are enjoying phenomenal popularity across the world. `Harry Potter` has become Britain`s second-best culture product after Beatles. Joan Rowling, author of `Harry Potter,` is not the only one who has distinct presence in bookstores worldwide. Fantasy books have become a new mantra in the global book industry, indeed.

Britain has a long history of fantasy books. Mary Sherly`s `Frankenstein` is one of Gothic books that were popular in the 19th Century Britain, and J. R. R. Tolkin`s `the Lord of the Ring` is a mid 20th Century class. `Harry Potter` is not an overnight success at all. It is based on the long tradition of the British book industry. Then, we feel envious of the culture powerhouse. We have fantasy stories, too. Novelist Bok Geo-il pointed out such Korean fantasy stories as `Nine Clouds,` `Legend of Geumo` and `Hong Gil-dong Story.` The fact that Korean fantasy books have begun to gain popularity is seen as encouraging.

Korean and British experts on fantasy stories held a seminar in Seoul yesterday. They discussed similarities and differences between the two groups and also talk about the future of fantasy genre. We must be keen to know whether we will be able to have our version of `Harry Potter` success. Koreans are imaginative and creative enough from literary perspective. Korean pop culture, which had long lagged behind that of Japan, is enjoy a great success across Asia. Korean movies have been doing well in competition with Hollywood blockbusters. Culture products have such great potential that poor divorcee Rowling became richer than the queen thanks to `Harry Potter.` It is time for Koreans to be imaginative and creative as they can in the culture market.

The government also recently announced a plan to become a cultural powerhouse. But to do so, it must do more than crafting a plan. Prince Charles of England said after reading `Harry Potter,` ˝I never read such a beautifully-written book before.˝ Likewise, top policymakers in Korea must have love for culture. Even in the literary circle, some show lukewarm reactions to the fantasy boom, saying they are just mediocre. It is time to change the mindset as well.

Hong Chan-shik, Editorial Writer, chansik@donga.com