Arko Literary Week 2026 'Glancing Around' to Open on August 19th

The 2026 Arcology Literature Week, titled 'Whispering Glances', will commence on the 19th of next month at Sejong University's Maroni Garden in Seoul and across the nation. A total of 270 literary writers will participate. The Seoul event will begin with the reading/performance titled 'It sounds nice to call it "Dreaming" (16th at 7:30 PM)', followed by about 50 programs.

Opening acts include actors Go Arsen, poets Im Min-ha, Kim Jin-seon, and Hong Ji-ho, as well as singer-songwriter Go Joon-na. Kim A-eun, poet Oh Eun, and musician Gun Nam-na will join in 'Kim A-eun's Eye Contact' (17th), while actors Hong Yu-hui and Kim Se-yeong will perform the 'Public Hypnosis' (17th) by introducing poet Kim Hyo-sun's poem.

Poets Kim Hyun-wo, I Won, Kim Hyung-suk, and So-yun, along with journalist Jeong Se-yeon, will participate in the recitation event 'The Winner: And So One Day Love Came' (19th). Novelist Choi Joon-yeong, poet Kim Hyun, musician 9 andS, will participate in the closing performance 'The Case of the Novel' (20th). For those interested in SF, authors Kim Chu-yeop, Yeon Yeomeong, and Kook Hye-kyeong, and critics Sim Bang-seon can be met at 'SF and Together Everywhere' (17th).

For young writers' world, Kim Da-noo, Kang In-sang, Kim Ji-wan, and Yun Sulli will challenge in 'Next, Page' (18th). For critics, critics Kim Bo-geong, Yi So, Oh Eun-gyo, Teik-Hwa, and Sung Hyun-jin will participate in 'Convergence Era Literature and Criticism' (16th). Other programs include a book signing/musical gala, poet Kim Hyun, singer-songwriter Kwun Woori, and author Oh Jeong-gil's daring 'The Neighbor's Queer', Kim Ji-ri's 10-week author Kim Jung-mi, Park On-young, critic Oh Seo-ran, and editor Kim Tae-hwi's 'Park Ji-ri, Remembered Name' (a repeat issue from 2008), and the live editing of 'Consonants and Vowels' (a repeat issue from 2008).

Through nationwide programs, poets Jeong Ho-seong and Jang Suk-ju, novelists Eunhee Kim, Seo Ha-na, Cheon Myung-gwan, Information Ra, and Gyeom Byom-mo can be met. The event will be held on the event-us.kr platform, with walk-in registration possible and seating capacity limited. All are welcome free of charge. Detailed program schedules can be found at munhakweek.or.kr or instagram @munhak_week.