"Kapitan Ri" by Chon Kwang-yong
for adult division, 2025 essay competition
Adult division PROMPT for “Kapitan Ri”
“Kapitan Ri” is generally seen as a satirical representation of a certain type of opportunistic Korean. The story can also be read as an allegory and a criticism of the Korean nation as a whole that applies even today, but what makes it such an important part of modern Korean literature is that its details are very true to life. How do you, as a contemporary reader in the U.S, judge Dr. Yi? How would that compare to how a Korean of the older generation would judge him? Is there anything about him that is redeeming from either point of view? As you compare how different readers might regard Dr. Yi, what do you learn about the themes of the story?
Kapitan Ri (23 pages)