Moonji Publications
A leading South Korean literary and humanities publisher, founded in 1975 and known for its influential poetry series and Nobel laureate Han Kang.
Last updated September 27, 2026
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Overview
Moonji Publications (Korean: 문학과지성사, often shortened to Moonji) is a prominent South Korean publishing house founded in December 1975. It grew out of the quarterly literary magazine Literature and Intellect (문학과지성), which was launched in 1970 by a group of literary critics including Kim Hyun, Kim Byung-ik, Kim Chi-su, and Kim Ju-yeon. The company is headquartered in Seoul and operates a logistics warehouse in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Along with Changbi, Moonji is considered one of the two pillars of South Korean literary publishing, a period often referred to as the 'Moonji-Changbi era.' Moonji's first publications were Hong Sung-won's short story collection Weekend Trip and Cho Hae-il's novel Winter Woman. Its most famous steady seller is Cho Se-hui's The Dwarf, a classic of Korean modern literature. The company has published numerous influential literary series, including the Moonji Poets Series (문학과지성 시인선), Our Era's Classics, Writer Studies Series, Moonji Spectrum, and Moonji Blue Books. It also publishes the quarterly journal Literature and Society (문학과사회), which was re-launched in 1988 after the original magazine was forcibly closed by the military government in 1980. While initially focused on literature and social sciences, Moonji diversified after a generational change in management in the 2000s, expanding into children's and youth books, science, and other genres. In 2005, it established the Moonji Cultural Institute 'Sai' (문지문화원 사이), a multi-cultural space offering academies, seminars, projects, symposiums, and exhibitions. The publisher also runs literary awards such as the Moonji Literary Award and the Ma Hae-song Literary Award. In recent years, Moonji has gained international attention through its association with author Han Kang, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2024. The company published her works, including The Vegetarian, Human Acts, and We Do Not Part. It also publishes poet Kim Hye-soon, who won the Griffin Poetry Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Moonji continues to be a vital force in Korean literature, actively engaging readers through book clubs, readings, and online content.
History
Moonji Publications was founded in December 1975, emerging from the quarterly literary magazine Literature and Intellect (문학과지성), which had been launched in 1970 by a group of literary critics including Kim Hyun, Kim Byung-ik, Kim Chi-su, and Kim Ju-yeon. The magazine was a leading voice in Korean literary criticism and played a significant role in the intellectual and cultural landscape of the 1970s. The publishing house was established with capital provided by these critics and others associated with the magazine. The first books published by Moonji were Hong Sung-won's short story collection Weekend Trip and Cho Hae-il's novel Winter Woman. In the following decades, Moonji built a reputation for publishing high-quality literary fiction, poetry, and humanities titles. One of its most notable early successes was Cho Se-hui's The Dwarf (난장이가 쏘아올린 작은 공), a collection of linked stories that became a classic of Korean literature and a steady seller for the publisher. In 1980, the quarterly magazine Literature and Intellect was forcibly closed by the new military government. However, in 1988, Moonji re-launched it under the new name Literature and Society (문학과사회), which continues to be published today. The company also published various other magazines and mook (book-magazine) series, including Our Generation's Literature, Our Era's Literature, The Age of Criticism, and the cultural mook Ida. From 1989 to 2007, Moonji hosted the Isan Literary Award about 19 times in honor of poet Kim Kwang-seop. In 2002, it established the New Writer's Award through the quarterly Literature and Society to discover new talent in poetry, fiction, and literary criticism. The company also runs the Moonji Literary Award and the Ma Hae-song Literary Award. Initially focused on literature and social sciences, Moonji began to diversify after a generational change in management in the 2000s. It expanded into children's and youth literature, science, and other genres. In 2005, shortly after its 30th anniversary, it established the Moonji Cultural Institute 'Sai' (문지문화원 사이), a multi-cultural space that hosts academies, seminars, projects, symposiums, events, and exhibitions. The institute is located in the Moonji Building in Seoul. In recent years, Moonji has continued to innovate with new series such as 'SF Boda' (science fiction), 'Chae Seok Jang Ground' series, and '#Hashtag_Science' in collaboration with KIST. It also operates a book club called 'Moonji-gi' and has opened a salon in the basement of the Moonji Building. The publisher has gained international prominence through authors like Han Kang, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2024, and Kim Hye-soon, who won the Griffin Poetry Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Moonji remains a vital force in Korean literature, actively engaging readers through online and offline content.
- 2025
Published Han Kang's Nobel lecture 'Light and Thread'; participated in Seoul International Book Fair; Kim Hye-soon wins HKW award.
- 2024
Han Kang awarded Nobel Prize in Literature; Moonji Poets Series reaches 600th volume; 'Moonji Salon' opens.
- 2023
Launched 'Chae Seok Jang Ground' series and 'SF Boda' series; opened book club 'Moonji-gi'.
- 2022
Launched '#Hashtag_Science' series in collaboration with KIST.
- 2021
Started publishing the 'Si Boda' (poetry) series and renewed Moonji Spectrum.
- 2019
Moonji Archive created on the 6th floor of the Moonji Building.
- 2005
Moonji Cultural Institute 'Sai' (문지문화원 사이) established.
- 2002
Established the New Writer's Award through Literature and Society.
- 1989
Began hosting the Isan Literary Award in honor of poet Kim Kwang-seop.
- 1988
Literature and Society (문학과사회) quarterly re-launched.
Products and positioning
A prestigious literary and humanities publisher, known for discovering and nurturing major Korean writers and poets, and for its role in the democratization of Korean literature.
문학과지성 시인선 (Moonji Poets Series)
A flagship poetry series that has published over 600 volumes, featuring many of Korea's most important poets.
문학과사회 (Literature and Society)
A quarterly journal of literature and criticism, re-launched in 1988.
우리 시대의 고전 (Classics of Our Time)
A series of classic literary works.
문지 스펙트럼 (Moonji Spectrum)
A series covering various genres and topics.
문지 푸른책 (Moonji Blue Books)
A series for children and young adults.
대산세계문학총서 (Daesan World Literature Series)
A series of world literature in translation, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2021.
SF 보다 (SF Boda)
A science fiction series launched in 2023.
#해시태그_과학 (#Hashtag_Science)
A science series in collaboration with KIST, launched in 2022.
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