In the ancient times of magic and sorcery, there once lived a renowned and feared figure known as the Witch Hunter Bnok. Bnok was a skilled and ruthless hunter of witches, dedicating his life to eradicating these dark beings from the world. Born with an innate gift for sensing and detecting magic, Bnok was trained from a young age in the ways of the witch hunter. His training focused on sharpening his senses, honing his combat skills, and studying the complex and intricate world of magic. He learned to identify the signs of witchcraft, the use of forbidden spells, and the hidden symbols that witches often left behind. As Bnok grew older, he ventured out into the world, hunting down witches and bringing them to justice.
"A poignant transgenerational story of trauma and recovery in South Korea, Japan, and America." - Library Journal
Her mother writes letters, in Korean, over the years seeking forgiveness and love letters Eun Ji cannot fully understand until she finds them years later hidden in a box. He also is the author of nine books including the award-winning A Biographical Guide To The Great Jazz And Pop Singers , Sinatra The Song Is You , Stardust Melodies , Tony Bennett The Good Life , Looney Tunes Merrie Melodies , and Jazz Singing.
As Bnok grew older, he ventured out into the world, hunting down witches and bringing them to justice. His reputation grew with each successful mission, and soon he became a legend in his own right. Villages sought his aid when plagued by supernatural disturbances, and kingdoms offered him significant rewards to rid their lands of witches.
The magical language series
Drawing by Karl Stevens for the New York Review of Books
The Magical Language of Others is a powerful and aching memoir, a tale of deep bonds to family, place, and language.
After living in America for over a decade, Eun Ji Koh’s parents return to South Korea for work, leaving fifteen-year-old Eun Ji and her brother behind in California. Overnight, Eun Ji finds herself abandoned and adrift in a world made strange by her mother’s absence. Her mother writes letters, in Korean, over the years seeking forgiveness and love―letters Eun Ji cannot fully understand until she finds them years later hidden in a box.
In this incandescent memoir, E. J. Koh fearlessly grapples with forgiveness, reconciliation, legacy, and intergenerational trauma. Join us for an in-depth conversation with E. J. Koh about her memoir, poetry, and translation.
“Koh’s book is a tremendous gift. We’re so fortunate to have this literary reckoning from a tremendously talented writer. The Magical Language of Others is a wonder.”
—The San Francisco Chronicle
“A haunting, gorgeous narrative…lushly told. Brilliant.”
—The Star Tribune
Due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), this program will be conducted virtually. This live session will be provided free of charge at the specified date and time. A limited number of viewing links will be provided to the people who sign up through the form below. Those unable to view the live session will have the opportunity to watch the recorded video or listen to the podcast soon after.
The Magical Language of Others with E.J. Koh
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 | 6 PM (EST)
The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
E. J. Koh is the author of the memoir The Magical Language of Others and the poetry collection A Lesser Love. She is the winner of the Pleiades Press Editors Prize, and her poems, translations, and stories have appeared in Boston Review, Los Angeles Review of Books, and World Literature Today, among others. She earned her MFA in Literary Translation and Creative Writing from Columbia University, and is completing the PhD program at the University of Washington in Seattle. She is a recipient of The MacDowell Colony and Kundiman fellowships.
About the Speaker:
Tamar Herman is a New York City-based journalist specializing in international music and media with a focus on the Asian pop culture market and its trends. In addition to her role as pop correspondent at Billboard, she has written for outlets including NBC News, Forbes, and Entertainment Weekly, and appears in the "K-Pop" episode of Vox's Explained docu series on Netflix. She serves as the managing editor of K-Pop blot KultScene and is a co-host of the Nice Jewish Fangirls podcast.
Will Friedwald writes about music and popular culture for The Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, Playboy magazine and other publications (and reviews current shows for Citiview). He also is the author of nine books including the award-winning A Biographical Guide To The Great Jazz And Pop Singers, Sinatra: The Song Is You, Stardust Melodies, Tony Bennett: The Good Life, Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies, and Jazz Singing. He has written over 600 liner notes for compact discs, received ten Grammy nominations, and appears frequently on television and other documentaries. He is also a consultant and curator for Apple Music. current books : The Great Jazz And Pop Vocal Albums (Pantheon Books / Random House, November 2017), Sinatra: The Song Is You! - New Revised Edition (Chicago Review Press, May 2018) and Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole (Oxford University Press, May 2020).
I didn’t know anything about E.J. Koh before this, and this memoir was an interesting read, full of surprises I didn’t expect. There are some trigger warnings that would’ve been nice (CW: eating disorders are mentioned, as well as her grandmother essentially killed herself. There’s also details about her grandmother slitting her wrists and multiple different attempts at suicide. That I was not prepared for at all), but it thankfully didn't impact me too much.
Bnok was a solitary figure, rarely seen in the company of others. He believed that the only way to combat the darkness of witchcraft was to embrace the solitude and silence of his surroundings. He would spend days meditating, connecting with the natural world, and preparing himself mentally and physically for the battles that lay ahead. His weapons of choice were a pair of enchanted daggers, said to have been blessed by ancient spirits. These daggers allowed him to channel his own inner energy, enhancing his attacks and providing him with protection against harmful spells. With these weapons, Bnok struck fear into the hearts of witches. But Bnok's life was not without its challenges and dangers. The witches he hunted were not weak or defenseless. They were cunning, intelligent, and often possessed formidable powers. Bnok had to rely on his instincts, his skills, and his unwavering determination to prevail in his battles. He knew that in order to defeat a witch, he had to be one step ahead, always thinking several moves ahead, and exploiting any weakness he could find. Throughout his career, Bnok encountered countless witches, each with their own unique abilities and motivations. Some witches were evil to the core, using their powers to harm and manipulate others. Others were misunderstood, using magic for good but falling victim to societal prejudices. Bnok approached each encounter with caution, never assuming anything, and taking on not only the role of a witch hunter but also a judge of character and intentions. As the years went by, Bnok's reputation continued to grow, and his impact on the world became undeniable. The world became a safer place, and the existence of witches became rarer and rarer. Some whispered that Bnok was even capable of purifying the souls of witches, saving them from their cursed fate and guiding them back to the path of righteousness. Legend has it that in the end, after a long and tireless journey, Bnok himself became immortalized, becoming a being of magic and legend. Some say he ascended to a higher plane of existence, forever watching over the world and ensuring that the darkness of witchcraft never took hold again. The story of Witch Hunter Bnok is one of bravery, dedication, and the constant struggle between light and darkness. It reminds us of the power of perseverance and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of the unknown and the supernatural. Bnok's legacy lives on, inspiring future witch hunters and reminding us that heroes can come from the most unexpected places..
Reviews for "Witch Hunter Bnok: A Beacon of Light in the Darkness"
1. Mark - 2/5 - "Witch Hunter Bnok was a disappointment for me. I found the story to be quite predictable and the characters felt one-dimensional. The dialogue was also very cheesy and forced, making it difficult for me to fully connect with the story. Additionally, I felt that the world-building was lacking and the magic system was not well-explained. Overall, I wanted to enjoy this book, but it fell short of my expectations."
2. Laura - 3/5 - "While Witch Hunter Bnok had an interesting concept, I felt that the execution was lacking. The pacing of the story was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The main character also seemed to lack depth, and I struggled to root for their journey. The writing style was average, and I was hoping for more vivid descriptions and immersive prose. Overall, this book had potential, but it needed more refinement to truly captivate me."
3. Chris - 2/5 - "I must admit that Witch Hunter Bnok did not capture my interest. The plot felt disjointed and poorly constructed, with numerous plot holes and inconsistencies. The writing style was also mediocre, lacking the descriptive prose and compelling dialogue that I look for in a fantasy novel. Furthermore, the characters felt flat and uninteresting, making it difficult for me to become emotionally invested in their fates. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it to others."
4. Sarah - 2/5 - "Witch Hunter Bnok left me feeling unsatisfied. The pacing was off, with the story moving too slowly in some parts and rushing through important events in others. The world-building was also underdeveloped, leaving many questions unanswered. I found it hard to connect with the characters, as they lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. Additionally, the writing style felt amateurish and lacked finesse. Overall, this book fell flat for me and I was disappointed by the lack of substance."