"I sometimes felt it was an order to create unreadable books," said Kim Eon-ho, CEO of Hangilsa, during a press conference on August 4 at the Kim Dae-jung Library at Yonsei University in Seoul, marking the release of the 200th title in the Hangil Great Books series.
Kim described the Hangil Great Books as "books made slowly and meant to be read slowly," emphasizing that they are published with the belief that they convey important messages that remain relevant.
Founded in 1976, Hangilsa has worked to produce quality books under the belief that "one book can change a person and a society." This philosophy led Kim to ponder what ideas are necessary for today, prompting the launch of the long-term project Hangil Great Books in 1996.
The series features faithful translations and commentaries of classics and significant works from various cultures and eras. It began with Alfred North Whitehead's The Adventure of Ideas and has included notable titles such as The Transformation of the Ordinary, Jerusalem's Eichmann, The Human Condition, Sad Tropics, Wild Thinking, and Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms. Translations have taken anywhere from three to over ten years.
After years of dedicated effort, the series reached its 200th title last month with the publication of Capitalism in the Age of the Anthropocene, a milestone achieved 30 years after the first volume was released. In total, 1 million copies have been published.
Kim noted, "Thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye," adding that the achievement of 200 titles reflects not just the capabilities of a single publisher but the strength of society as a whole. He credited the consistent efforts of Hangilsa, the dedication of translators, and the readers who embraced the classics.
Some books have gained renewed attention in light of contemporary issues. Jerusalem's Eichmann garnered significant interest during the candlelight protests in 2016-2017 for its exploration of the "banality of evil." Additionally, during a time when translations from Japanese were common, key classics like Feudal Society were translated directly from the original texts.
However, many titles in the Hangil Great Books series are not commercially viable. Kim acknowledged that publishing such works posed business risks, yet he reflected that titles like Jerusalem's Eichmann provided crucial insights for observing today's society, which allowed the series to continue.
In light of the rise of artificial intelligence, Kim emphasized the importance of humanities and reading. He remarked, "There are claims that AI will solve everything, but to creatively navigate the AI era, reading physical books becomes even more important." He predicted that the ability to ask questions will become increasingly vital in the AI age, stating that "developing the power to question is possible through reading."
Choi Myung-yong, who attended the event as a representative of readers, shared that the Great Books series has helped him develop a deeper understanding of social issues. He expressed that the journey of thought from the first volume, The Adventure of Ideas, to the 200th title has been moving, allowing him to encounter fragments of thought that traverse both Eastern and Western philosophies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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