This video document the lecture “Navigating Back and Forth Between Reality and Fantas” delivered by science fiction writer Bo-young Kim on October 9, 2021, as part of the Guide to Popular Media at the 11th Seoul Mediacity Biennale.
In her lecture, Kim examined the spatiotemporal universality inherent in fantasy fiction, the effects of narrative distancing, the imaginative portrayal of marginalized groups, and the reimagining of classical narratives. She specifically addressed the paradox in which fantasy, by offering a sharper and more universal perspective, can depict reality more precisely, while realism may, conversely, drift toward the unreal. The discussion emphasized the power of fictional worlds that confront the realities of contemporary society.
Drawing upon her own literary works as well as a diverse range of science fiction literature and film, Kim articulated how science fiction engages closely with reality while maintaining critical distance, thereby enabling freer expression and allowing marginalized voices to move toward the center of narrative discourse.
