Kim Jung-mi (writer) facts for kids
Kim Jung-mi (Hangul: 김중미; born 1963) is a famous writer from South Korea. She writes books for children and young adults. She studied education at Korea National Open University.
Kim Jung-mi started her writing career in 2000. Her story, Gwaengiburimal a-ideul (괭이부리말 아이들), which means The Children of Gwaengiburimal, won a big award called the Changbi Good Children's Book Contest. This made her well-known as a writer.
She has written many books, including:
- Children's books like Jongibap (종이밥 Paper Meal) and Nae dongsaeng ayeongi (내 동생 아영이 My Little Sister Ayeong).
- Young adult novels such as Modu kkameon (모두 깜언 Everyone Come On) and Jokeowa na (조커와 나 The Joker and I).
- Picture books like Yukbeongileul jikyeora ttukttak (6번길을 지켜라 뚝딱 Let's Protect Road Number 6).
She also wrote a book called Dasi gileul tteonada (다시 길을 떠나다 Once Again On the Road). This book tells the story of Mun Jeong-hyeon.
Her Life and Work
Kim Jung-mi was born in a city called Incheon. When she was in her 20s, around 1987, she moved to a less wealthy area of Manseok-dong. There, she opened a special place called Gichatgilyeop gongbubang. This means The Study Room by the Railroads.
In 2000, she wrote Gwaengiburimal a-ideul. This book shares the real stories of children and families living in the Manseok-dong neighborhood. It won a major prize and made her a famous writer.
In 2001, she moved to the countryside in Ganghwa. She opened another study room there too. Today, she travels between Ganghwa and Manseok-dong. She continues to meet and help children in both places. Her study room programs grew to include fun art activities. So, the study room's name changed to Gichatgilyeop Jageun Hakgyo. This means The Small School by the Railroads.
Her Writing Style
Kim Jung-mi's books are inspired by her own life. She lives and works with children in the communities she writes about. Her first and most famous book, Gwaengiburimal a-ideul, is set in a poor neighborhood in Incheon. This neighborhood is also known as Gwaengiburimal.
Kim moved to this area when she was 24. She set up her study room there. After helping children and living in the community for 10 years, she wrote their stories into her novel. People wondered, "Is there still a place that poor?" Her book helped answer this question. This neighborhood became the starting point for many of her future stories.
After Gwaengiburimal a-ideul, Kim Jung-mi kept writing about people who are often forgotten. She writes about those living in difficult parts of society. She shows their lives in a real but caring way.
For example, in Nae dongsaeng ayeongi (My Little Sister Ayeong), the main character, Ayeong, grows up in a poor family. She also has Down syndrome. In Modu kkameon (Everyone Come On), Kim shows what life is like in the countryside. This area is often overlooked in South Korea.
Her short story collection, Jokeowa na (The Joker and I), talks about important topics. One story in it discusses domestic violence and disability. Another story, "Kkeumeul jikineun camera" (The Camera That Guards Dreams), is about people who lose their homes. This happens because of new building projects. She also writes about school violence in stories like "Bulpyeonhan Jinsil" (The Uncomfortable Truth).
Kim Jung-mi is interested in the lives of people in overlooked areas. She shows their lives in a very real way. Her books are known for being truthful and detailed. This is because she writes from her own experiences of living and working with these communities.
Her Books
- Geunal, goyangiga naegero watda (That Day, a Cat Came To Me), 2016.
- Kkoteun maneulsurok jotda (It's Better to Have More Flowers), 2016.
- Gyeot-e seoda (Standing Beside), 2015.
- Modu kkameon (Everyone Come On), 2015.
- Yukbeongileul jikyeora ttukttak (Let's Protect Road Number 6), 2014.
- Ttongbada-e gega sanda (A Crab Lives in a Sea of Poop), 2013.
- Neoyeong nayeong gureombi-eseo nolja (Let's All Play at Gureombi), 2013.
- Jokeowa na (The Joker and I), 2013.
- Dasi gileul tteonada (Once Again On the Road), 2011.
- Moyeora! Uranginhyeonggeukdan! (Gather Around! The Travelling Puppet Show). 2009.
- Kkotseomgogae chingudeul (Friends From the Flower Island Hill), 2008.
- Geodaehan ppuri (The Great Root), 2006.
- Beullusiaui gawibawibo (Blusia's Rock Paper Scissors), 2004.
- Nae dongsaeng ayeongi (My Little Sister Ayeong), 2002.
- Gwaengiburimal a-ideul (The Children of Gwaengiburimal), 2000.
Books in Other Languages
- 纸饭 (Chinese)
