Yi Gwangsu

Yi Kwang-su (1892-1950), who wrote under the pen name Chunwon, was a leading writer and journalist of Korea's Japanese colonial period. His novel Mujeong (The Heartless) is regarded as the first modern full-length Korean novel and a work that opened the way for modern Korean literature. Active early on in the patriotic enlightenment movement, he later turned to pro-Japanese collaboration—including urging Koreans to adopt Japanese names—and remains a controversial figure whose achievements and failings are still debated today.