Vancouver Korean Book Festival: Artist Talk with Kun-woong Park
About the event
As part of this year's Vancouver Korean Book Festival, the library is hosting a special conversation and book launch with Park Kun-woong, one of South Korea’s leading graphic novelists, for his latest work commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong. The Story of the Battle of Kapyong brings to life the poignant wartime memoir of Canadian veteran Lt. Col. Hub Gray, Beyond the Danger Close. Through powerful black-and-white visual storytelling, the graphic novel honours the courage and sacrifice of Canadian soldiers while inviting us to reflect on our shared history and the future of Canada–Korea relations. The author will appear in conversation with educator Dr. Christine Paget. The event will conclude with a lucky draw for an exclusive caricature & book signing, offering attendees a chance to win personalized live caricatures drawn on-site and signed copies of the book. -- Please note: this conversation will be in Korean with automatically generated captions in English projected on screen. We will also have an interpreter for key discussions and the Q&A session. This event is presented in partnership with the the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver. – Park Kun-woong is one of South Korea’s leading graphic novelists, celebrated for his distinctive woodcut-inspired visual storytelling and deep engagement with modern Korean history. His work explores historical memory, conflict, and the experiences of individuals whose stories are often overlooked in conventional historical narratives. He is a recipient of the prestigious Golden Apple Award at the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB), and his works have been widely recognized for their artistic depth and historical resonance. Dr. Christine Paget is an educator, administrator, and history specialist with the West Vancouver School District. With a strong commitment to history education and curriculum leadership, she brings extensive experience in connecting historical narratives with contemporary perspectives. Her work encourages meaningful dialogue about how the past is remembered, understood, and shared with new generations. -- Accessibility: VPL is committed to making our programs accessible for all. If you have an access need that we have not addressed here, please email us at programs@vpl.ca. Elevator access to the Alice MacKay Room is available in the concourse near the bank machine. There will be designated spaces for wheelchairs and patrons with mobility devices. For more information on physical access, view the Accessibility information on the Central Library page.
