Potato and Other Dark Tales: Kim Dong-in's Aesthetic of the Grotesque

Kim Dong-in stands as one of the most significant figures in the development of the modern Korean short story. A staunch advocate of "art for art's sake," his work often delved into the darker, more grotesque aspects of the human condition, challenging the moralistic and didactic conventions of his time. This collection brings together his most influential works, offering a definitive look at his unique literary vision.

Potato (1925)

Kim Dong-in's most famous story, Potato (Gamja), is a masterpiece of naturalism. It follows Bok-nyeo, a young woman from a respectable family who is driven into poverty and eventually prostitution. Through her tragic descent, Kim Dong-in explores the deterministic forces of environment and heredity, depicting a world where morality is a luxury that few can afford.

The Boat Song (1921)

The Boat Song (Baettaragi) is a haunting tale of jealousy and regret set against the backdrop of a traditional Korean fishing village. Through the story of a man whose obsessive suspicions lead to the destruction of his family, Kim Dong-in crafts a powerful meditation on the destructive power of the human psyche.

Sonata Appassionata (1930)

In Sonata Appassionata, Kim Dong-in pushes his aestheticism to its extreme. The story follows a composer who believes that true art can only be created through extreme suffering—both his own and that of others. It is a disturbing and provocative exploration of the relationship between art, morality, and madness.

Toes (1932)

Toes (Bal-garak-i dalmat-da) is a poignant and deeply ironic story about a man who, unable to have children of his own, obsessively searches for physical resemblances between himself and his wife's newborn son. Through the man's desperate focus on the child's toes, Kim Dong-in captures the agonizing lengths to which humans will go to find meaning and connection.

The Mad Painter (1935)

The Mad Painter (Gwang-hwasa) tells the story of an artist obsessed with painting a portrait of the perfect woman. As his obsession consumes him, the boundary between art and reality begins to dissolve, leading to a tragic and inevitable conclusion. It is a final, powerful testament to Kim Dong-in's lifelong preoccupation with the transformative and often destructive power of the aesthetic drive.