Pak, Kyŏng-ni, 1926-2008

Pak Kyongni or Bak Kyoungli (Korean: 박경리; December 2, 1926 – May 5, 2008) was a South Korean novelist. Bak Kyoungli was born in Tōei, Korea, Empire of Japan (today Tongyeong, South Korea); later she lived in Wonju, Gangwon Province. Bak made her literary debut in 1955, with Gyesan (계산, Calculations). She is, however, most well known for her 20-volume story Toji (토지, The Land), an epic saga set on the turbulent history of Korea during 19th and 20th century. It was later adapted into a movie, a television series and an opera. Toji is regarded as one of the greatest contributions to Korean literature. South Korea-based international literary award Park Kyong-ni Prize, one of the richest literary prizes in the world, was named after her in 2011. Bak Kyoungli died from lung cancer at the age of 81 on May 5, 2008 and many literary writers recollected her as a guide for their literary works and life as a writer. She was posthumously awarded the country's top medal by the newly created Culture Ministry of South Korea for her promoting South Korean arts.