[57th Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards] Fiction Commendation Award winner Jude Vandervort

Jude Vandervort emerged as the Fiction Commendation Award winner in the 57th Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards. The recipient, a recent graduate from Rutgers University, pursued a combination of majors in cell biology and neuroscience, accompanied by a minor in Korean studies. This unique academic background played a significant role in Vandervort's translation of Jeong Ji-a's novel "Bead by Bead," which won the prestigious award.

Vandervort's journey in the world of translation began during his analysis of Korean articles in language classes at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His fascination with the emotional effect of a sentence's impact led him to venture beyond the precision of scientific writing and embrace the possibilities of interpretation in literary works.

The translation process for Vandervort transcended the mere transfer of words between languages; it became a literary art form shaped by the translator's unique perspective.

His winning translation of "Bead by Bead" exemplified this artistic approach, as Vandervort strove to stray from the literal and venture into more poetic verse. This recognition in the Korea Times Literature Translation Awards not only acknowledged his exceptional work but also highlighted the growing appreciation for the art of translation within the Korean literary community.