# Bruce Fulton

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**Bruce Fulton** is an American professor of Korean Literature and a noted translator of contemporary Korean fiction with an extensive list of publications. He has lived in the United States, Canada, and South Korea, and is married to fellow translator Ju-Chan Fulton.

## Life

Fulton received his [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) in philosophy from [Bowdoin College](/source/Bowdoin_College) in 1970, his [Master of Arts](/source/Master_of_Arts) in Korea Regional Studies from the [University of Washington](/source/University_of_Washington) in 1983, and his [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.) in Modern Korean Literature from [Seoul National University](/source/Seoul_National_University).[1]

Fulton and his wife, Ju-Chan, met at Seoul National University in 1978, while Fulton was volunteering in the [Peace Corps](/source/Peace_Corps). They married in 1979 and eventually realized that together they were "the ideal translation team," as Bruce was a native speaker of English who knew [Korean, and Ju-Chan was a native speaker of Korean who knew English.[2] He also won [The Korea Times](/source/The_Korea_Times) Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards three times, in 1985, 1987, and 1989.[3]

Fulton is the inaugural holder of the Young-Bin Min Chair in Korean Literature and Literary Translation in the Department of Asian Studies, [University of British Columbia](/source/University_of_British_Columbia).[4] Fulton has also won several awards, including Korea's [Daesan Foundation's translation prize](/source/Daesan_Literary_Awards) and the 2018 Manhae Literature Grand Prize.[5]

## Career

Fulton has translated a variety of works, including novels (such as Cho Se-hui’s *The Dwarf*) and anthologies (such as *Land of Exile*, *The Red Room*, *Lost Souls: Stories by Hwang Sunwon.*)[6][7] Fulton almost always works in partnership with his wife, Ju-Chan Fulton, in translating works from Korean to English.[8]

One of Fulton's more recent translation is *River of Fire and Other Stories* by O Chonghui which contains nine stories, written from 1968 to 1994, describing family dysfunction, the decline of tradition, and lost love from a woman's perspective.[5] Recently, he has translated *The Future of Silence*, which uses some stories by older writers and stories by newer writers such as [Kim Sagwa](/source/Kim_Sagwa), [Han Yujoo](/source/Han_Yujoo), [Kim Ae-ran](/source/Ae-ran_Kim_(writer)), and [Cheon Un-yeong](/source/Cheon_Un-yeong). His most recent translation is *The Human Jungle* by Cho Chongnae.

As a professor, Fulton works in the Department of Asian Studies at the [University of British Columbia](/source/University_of_British_Columbia), where he teaches modern [Korean literature](/source/Korean_literature) and researches modern Korean fiction and its translation.[9]

## Translations

*(with Ju-Chan Fulton unless otherwise indicated)*

- *From Stepping Stones to Stories: 120 Years of Korean Americans* (Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle, 2025)

- *Chinatown* by Oh Jung-hee (Penguin UK Modern Classics, 2025)
- *Togani* by [Gong Ji-young](/source/Gong_Ji-young) ([University of Hawaiʻi Press](/source/University_of_Hawai%CA%BBi_Press), 2023)
- *One Left* by [Kim Sum](/source/Kim_Sum) ([University of Washington Press](/source/University_of_Washington_Press), 2020)
- *The Catcher in the Loft* by [Cheon Unyeong](/source/Cheon_Unyeong) ([Codhill Press](/source/Codhill_Press), 2020)
- *Mina* by [Kim Sagwa](/source/Kim_Sagwa) (Two Lines Press, 2018)
- *Sunset: A Ch'ae Manshik Reader* (works by [Chae Man-sik](/source/Chae_Man-sik)) ([Columbia University Press](/source/Columbia_University_Press), 2017)
- *Moss* by [Yoon Tae-ho](/source/Yoon_Tae-ho)
- *The Human Jungle* by [Jo Jeong-rae](/source/Jo_Jeong-rae) (Chin Music Press, 2016)
- *The Moving Fortress* by [Hwang Sun-won](/source/Hwang_Sun-won) (MerwinAsia, 2016)
- *Juvesenility* by [Chae Man-sik](/source/Chae_Man-sik) ([ASIA Publishers](/source/ASIA_Publishers), 2015)
- *Leaves of Grass* by [Yi Hyoseok](/source/Yi_Hyoseok) (ASIA Publishers, 2015)
- *An Idiot's Delight* by [Yi Taejun](/source/Yi_Taejun) (ASIA Publishers, 2015) - with Kim Chong-un
- *Mama and the Boarder* by [Ju Yoseop](/source/Ju_Yoseop) (ASIA Publishers, 2015) - with Kim Chong-un
- *Another Man's City* by [Choe Inho](/source/Choe_Inho) ([Dalkey Archive Press](/source/Dalkey_Archive_Press), 2014)
- [*And Then the Festival*](https://www.amazon.com/Then-Festival-Hye-kyung-Lee-ebook/dp/B074N4P8J8) by Yi Hyegyeong ([ASIA Publishers](/source/ASIA_Publishers), 2014)
- *In the Trunk* by [Jeong Yi-hyeon](/source/Jeong_Yi-hyeon) (ASIA Publishers, 2013)
- *River of Fire and Other Stories* by [O Jeonghui](/source/O_Jeonghui) (Columbia University Press, 2012)
- *How in Heaven's Name* by [Jo Jeong-rae](/source/Jo_Jeong-rae) (MerwinAsia, 2012)
- *The Man Who Was Left as Nine Pairs of Shoes* by [Yun Heunggil](/source/Yun_Heunggil) (ASIA Publishers, 2012)
- *The Last of Hanak'o* by [Choe Yun](/source/Choe_Yun) ([ASIA Publishers](/source/ASIA_Publishers), 2012)
- *Chinatown* by [O Jeonghui](/source/O_Jeonghui) (ASIA Publishers, 2012)
- *Human Decency* by [Gong Jiyeong](/source/Gong_Jiyeong) (ASIA Publishers, 2012)
- *Lost Souls: Stories* by [Hwang Sun-won](/source/Hwang_Sun-won) (Columbia University Press, 2009)
- *There a Petal Silently Falls: Three Stories* by [Choe Yun](/source/Choe_Yun) (Columbia University Press, 2008) - tr. "Whisper Yet" with Kim Kichung
- *The Dwarf* by [Jo Sehui](/source/Jo_Sehui) (University of Hawaiʻi Press, 2005)
- *Trees on a Slope* by [Hwang Sun-won](/source/Hwang_Sun-won) (University of Hawaiʻi Press, 2005)
- *The Last of Hanak'o* by [Choe Yun](/source/Choe_Yun) ([Jimoondang](http://www.jimoon.co.kr/), 2003)
- *Chinatown* by [O Jeonghui](/source/O_Jeonghui) ([Jimoondang](http://www.jimoon.co.kr/), 2003)
- *A Man* by [Hwang Sun-won](/source/Hwang_Sun-won) ([Jimoondang](http://www.jimoon.co.kr/), 2003)
- *Deep Blue Night* by [Choe Inho](/source/Choe_Inho) ([Jimoondang](http://www.jimoon.co.kr/), 2002)
- *Crows* by [Yi Tae-jun](/source/Yi_Tae-jun), in *Reunion So Far Away: A Collection of Contemporary Korean Fiction* ([Korean National Commission for Unesco](/source/Korean_National_Commission_for_Unesco), 1994), pp. 5–21
- *Mother: A Play* by [Jang Jeongil](/source/Jang_Jeongil), in [Korea Journal](/source/Korea_Journal), October 1989, pp. 56–62
- *The Moving Castle* by [Hwang Sun-won](/source/Hwang_Sun-won) (Si-sa-yong-o-sa, 1985)
- *Debasement and Other Stories* by Song Ki-jo ([Fremont Publishers](/source/Fremont_Publishers), 1983)

## Edited volumes

- *The Penguin Book of Korean Short Stories* ([Penguin UK](/source/Penguin_UK), 2023)
- *Modern Korean Fiction: An Anthology*, with Kwon Youngmin (Columbia University Press, 2005)
- *Waxen Wings: The Acta Koreana Anthology of Short Fiction From Korea* (Koryo Press, 2011)
- *The Future of Silence: Fiction by Korean Women* ([Zephyr Press](/source/Chicago_Review_Press), 2016)
- *The Red Room: Stories of Trauma in Contemporary Korea* (University of Hawaiʻi Press, 2009)
- *Land of Exile: Contemporary Korean Fiction*, revised and expanded edition ([M. E. Sharpe](/source/M._E._Sharpe), 2007) - with [Marshall R. Pihl](/source/Marshall_R._Pihl)
- *A Ready-Made Life: Early Masters of Modern Korean Fiction* (University of Hawaiʻi Press, 1998) - with Kim Chong-un
- *Wayfarer: New Fiction by Korean Women* (Women in Translation, 1997)
- *Land of Exile: Contemporary Korean Fiction* ([M. E. Sharpe](/source/M._E._Sharpe), 1993) - with [Marshall R. Pihl](/source/Marshall_R._Pihl)
- *Words of Farewell: Stories by Korean Women Writers* ([Seal Press](/source/Basic_Books), 1989)

## Textbook

- *What Is Korean Literature?* with Kwon Youngmin (Institute of East Asian Studies, [University of California, Berkeley](/source/University_of_California,_Berkeley), 2020)

## References

1. KTLIT Fulton CV Page

1. ["Books - Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton bring Korean literature to the English-speaking world - Seattle Times Newspaper"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221126/http://o.seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2011868432_litlife17.html). *O.seattletimes.nwsource.com*. Archived from [the original](http://o.seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2011868432_litlife17.html) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2018.

1. ["Translation Awards"](https://thekoreatimes.imweb.me/). *The Korea Times*. Retrieved 7 November 2024.

1. ["Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton | the Red Room | Changing Hands Bookstore"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120320164258/http://www.changinghands.com/event/redroom). Archived from [the original](http://www.changinghands.com/event/redroom) on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2012-07-25.

1. ["NW Books: A new J.A. Jance mystery, Channeled Scabland guide"](http://seattletimes.com/html/books/2018753051_localbooks24.html). *Seattletimes.com*. Retrieved 3 February 2018.

1. ["My Interview with Professor and Translator Bruce Fulton"](http://www.ktlit.com/korean-literature/my-interview-with-professor-and-translator-bruce-fulton). *Ktlit.com*. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2018.

1. ["Korean Literature in Translation : Lost Souls - Korea Literature Translation Institute"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140224223942/http://eng.klti.or.kr/ke_04_02_011.do?method=book_detail&DB_NUM=598&user_system=keuser). *eng.klti.or.kr*. Archived from [the original](http://eng.klti.or.kr/ke_04_02_011.do?method=book_detail&DB_NUM=598&user_system=keuser) on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2022.

1. ["Interview with Bruce Fulton: Podcast AND Transcript"](http://www.ktlit.com/korean-literature/interview-with-bruce-fulton-podcast-and-transcript). *Ktlit.com*. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2018.

1. ["Bruce Fulton - Department of Asian Studies"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150723051555/http://www.asia.ubc.ca/people1/bruce-fulton/). *Asia.ubc.ca*. Archived from [the original](http://www.asia.ubc.ca/people1/bruce-fulton/) on 2015-07-23. Retrieved 3 February 2018.

10. ^ "An Interview with Ju-Chan and Bruce Fulton, for the translation of Kim Tae-yong’s “Pig on Grass” selected for publication in the Massachusetts Review and then for winning the 4th Annual Chametzky Prize for Translation!" April 7, 2015, [https://www.massreview.org/node/437](https://www.massreview.org/node/437)

## External links

- [\[1\]](https://news.korean.go.kr/index.jsp?control=page&part=view&idx=12595) Interview
- [Audio interview with Bruce Fulton (transcript included)](http://www.ktlit.com/korean-literature/interview-with-bruce-fulton-podcast-and-transcript)
- [An interview with Bruce Fulton](http://blog.colinmarshall.org/?p=2712) on *Notebook on Cities and Culture*
- [Podcast](http://www.koreasociety.org/policy/found_in_translation_sunset_a_chae_manshik_reader_and_cho_chongnaes_the_human_jungle_with_bruce_and_ju-chan_fulton.html)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bruce Fulton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Fulton) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Fulton?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.