A major, never before translated novel by the author of Mujong / The Heartless often called the first modern Korean novel.

Yi Kwang-su was born in 1892 during the twilight years of the Korean monarchy, which ended in 1910 with the anexation of Korea by Japan. Recognized as one of modern Korea's best novelists, especially for his 1917 novel The Heartless, he died in disfavor in 1950, accused of collaboration with the Japanese.