SIBF 2025 18-22 June, 2025 l COEX Halls A & B1
ㅣSpeaker: Lian-en Lin (Artist), Huang Yi-Wen (Artist), Zhou JianXin (Artist)
ㅣModerator: Kwon Ae-young (Translator)
- Date/Time: June 18 (Wed) 16:30 - 18:00
- Location: Readers Hall 1
The book signing session will take place after the talk. Numbered tickets for the signing
will be distributed before the talk begins. Limited quantity; while supplies last.
ㅣSpeaker: Rex How (Author, Publisher of Locus Publishing Company)
ㅣ Moderator: Lee Suzy (picture book artist)
- Date/Time: June 19 (Thur) 10:30 - 11:30
- Location: Readers Hall 2
ㅣSpeaker: Bei Lynn (Artist), Keum-suk Gendry Kim(Cartoonist)
ㅣModerator: Yoo So-yeong (Interpreter, Lecturer at Jeju National University)
- Date/Time: June 19 (Thur) 12:00 - 13:30
- Location: Readers Hall 2
The book signing session will take place after the talk. Numbered tickets for the signing
will be distributed before the talk begins. Limited quantity; while supplies last.
ㅣSpeaker: Kevin Chen (Author), Xue Chen (Author)
ㅣModerator: Roh Yuda (Co-CEO of Oomzicc Publisher)
- Date/Time: June 19 (Thur) 14:00 - 15:30
- Location: Book Salon
The book signing session will take place after the talk. Numbered tickets for the signing
will be distributed before the talk begins. Limited quantity; while supplies last.
ㅣSpeaker: Ada Huang (Chief editor of Children's Publications Co., Ltd.), Amber Chen (Vice President of Ecus Publishing House), Arwin Hung (Chief editor of Dala Publishing Company), Tingyi Wu (Foreign Rights Director of Business Weekly Publications)
ㅣModerator: Shu-Kuan Su (Director at Department of International Business, TAICCA)
- Date/Time: June 20 (Fri) 11:00 - 12:30
- Location: Readers Hall 1
The book signing session will take place after the talk. Numbered tickets for the signing
will be distributed before the talk begins. Limited quantity; while supplies last.
ㅣSpeaker: Xiao Xiang Shen (Author), Yang Shuang-zi (Author)
- Date/Time: June 21 (Sat) 17:00 - 18:30
- Location: Readers Hall 2
The book signing session will take place after the talk. Numbered tickets for the signing
will be distributed before the talk begins. Limited quantity; while supplies last.
※ All programs in Taiwan GoH stand do not require a prior reservation.
◼ June 18 (Wed)
Drifting Island: Wu Ming-Yi and the Literary Journey of “The Man with the Compound Eyes”
“The Man with the Compound Eyes” is one of the most internationally acclaimed novels by Taiwanese author Wu Ming-yi, and it will be published in Korean for the first time in 2025. In this conversation, the Korean translator of the book, Heo Yoo-young, will join Wu Ming-yi to reflect on the journey of the novel—from its origins in Taiwan, across linguistic and cultural boundaries, to its arrival in Korea. Blending elements of fantasy and science fiction, the novel weaves together poetic yet melancholic narration, moving fluidly across characters, times, and places. It follows vanished seafarers and echoes of war, delves into the island’s ecology and ethnic memory, and delicately portrays marginalized lives and inexpressible emotions. Every being holds a unique meaning, awakening a deep reflection on loss and the periphery. When the past cannot be fully captured in words, and reality begins to crumble, can literature gather the fragments and make them whole? Is the writer’s task to keep writing and listening, even amid silence and forgetfulness? This session invites readers into the novel’s multilayered perspectives, exploring how literature mirrors the world and transcends the limits of language.
ㅣSpeaker: Wu Ming-Yi (Author)
ㅣModerator: Heo You-young (Translator)
- Date/Time: June 18 (Wed) 13:30-14:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
All about “Still Young Still New”
“Still Young Still New” is a quietly powerful picture book, full of subtle movement and emotional undercurrents. In this talk, illustrator Chen Pei-Hsiu shares her creative journey in bringing to life the deceptively simple yet deeply resonant text by writer Haigou Fangdong. Transforming such clarity into visual storytelling was no easy task. Chen will reveal how she carefully tuned the visual rhythm to match the prose, and the thought behind each scene and object in the book. For readers who love “Still Young Still New”, this session offers a rare opportunity to experience the intimate dialogue between words and images—through the eyes of the artist herself.
ㅣSpeaker: Chen Pei-Hsiu (Artist)
ㅣModerator: Lee Hye-ryoung (Author)
- Date/Time: June 18 (Wed) 15:00-16:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Meeting Asia at the Margins: Annpo Huang’s Anthropological Journey
Get to know author and her unique approach to nonfiction writing that blurs the lines between personal observation and field investigation. In this talk, Annpo will share how travel and attentive observation shape her exploration of borders and identity—both literal and metaphorical. Focusing on her acclaimed work, she examines how borders influence national belonging, legal status, and cultural identity. With chapters covering North and South Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Macao, her stories are sure to resonate deeply with Korean readers and anyone curious about the shifting meanings of place and self.
ㅣSpeaker: Annpo Huang (Author)
ㅣModerator: Wu Pei Ju (Podcast Host of Echoes of Hanbando & Bookstore Owner of Echo Islands)
- Date/Time: June 18 (Wed) 16:30-17:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
◼ June 19 (Thur)
Between Image and Text: The Creative Journey of maniniwei
In the first part of the session, maniniwei will introduce her creative process across various formats—including poetry, prose, and visual reportage. She will share how she developed her own way of “speaking honestly” through different media, and why she chooses to engage with subjects that are often heavy and difficult. Through this talk, maniniwei reflects on her journey as a multidisciplinary creator, offering insights into how she intertwines words and images to explore emotional depth and social issues. She invites the audience to consider the responsibilities of storytelling, and how creative work can become a meaningful form of engagement with the world.
ㅣSpeaker: maniniwei (Artist)
ㅣModerator: Liu Hung-Fong (Chief Editor of Initial Publish)
- Date/Time: June 19 (Thur) 10:30-11:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Walking Through the Fog: The Picture Book Creation Process
“The creative process is like finding your way through a thick fog—taking one step forward, two steps back, three steps ahead again, and sometimes simply standing still. It’s through this constant dialogue with oneself that direction slowly begins to emerge.” In this inspiring talk, Lian-en Lin, author of “HOME” and “A Tree Falls in a Forest”, shares her journey as a picture book creator. With honesty and sensitivity, she will reflect on how a story gradually takes shape—from initial ideas to fully formed narratives—revealing how creation often unfolds through quiet persistence and inner exploration.
ㅣSpeaker: Jeong Hee-hwa (Author), Lian-en Lin (Artist)
- Date/Time: June 19 (Thur) 12:00-13:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
The Healing Power of Storytelling
In this session, celebrated author Wu Ming-yi reflects on the emotional power of literature through his novel “The Stolen Bicycle.” Together with the audience, he explores how storytelling helps us confront loss, make sense of fractured histories, and reconnect with ourselves in a world where absence has become part of daily life.
ㅣSpeaker: Wu Ming-yi (Author)
ㅣ Moderator: Yu-Yi Lin (Associate Professor, Department of Korean Language and Culture, NCCU)
- Date/Time: June 19 (Thur) 13:30-14:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Still Unsure, But Still Drawing
“Time has quietly passed as I’ve walked the path of picture book creation. It’s been a journey of constant questions and pursuit, guided by a desire to make meaning through art. Though I often still feel uncertain about how to balance creativity and life, even the confusion no longer feels unfamiliar. I now wish to share the reflections gathered along the way with fellow creators and curious minds.” Hsiaochi Chang, author of “While Waiting for Mama,” is known for her delicate ability to capture everyday moments with playful imagination and emotional depth. In this heartfelt talk, she opens up about her creative journey—sharing honest insights, quiet struggles, and the joy of storytelling in hopes of sparking connection and inspiration with her audience.
ㅣSpeaker: Hsiaochi Chang (Author)
- Date/Time: June 19 (Thur) 15:00-16:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Signals of Death and Forms of Fear: From “Coral Bones” to “K.I.N.G.”’s Supernatural City
Beginning with her short story “Coral Bones,” featured in the anthology “Chopsticks: Strange Tales of the Occult,” author Xerses explores how she blends everyday objects—like chopsticks—with physical horror and cursed imagery to craft an atmosphere thick with supernatural unease. The talk then shifts to “K.I.N.G.: Natural Disaster Response Center,” her urban fantasy set in a post-disaster world filled with extraordinary powers. Xerses examines how the narrative intersects with social issues such as youth disappearances and collective anxiety. She will also introduce elements from her novel The Agnostic Detective, where the concept of “visualizing death” deepens the exploration of fear. Through these works, Xerses reveals how the unseen is given shape—and how horror becomes something we can almost see.
ㅣSpeaker: Xerses (Author)
ㅣ Moderator: Yu-Yi Lin (Associate Professor, Department of Korean Language and Culture, NCCU)
- Date/Time: June 19 (Thur) 16:30-17:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Taiwanese Ghosts You Can’t Find in Korea: The World of Xiao Xiang Shen’s Tales
While ghost stories exist in every culture, Taiwan’s spirits, monsters, and urban legends carry a flavor all their own. Author Xiao Xiang Shen masterfully draws from Taiwanese folk beliefs, regional legends, and everyday environments to craft horror tales that are uniquely local yet strangely familiar. Her stories go beyond simple thrills—infused with longing, warmth, and a quiet eeriness, they reflect a distinctly Taiwanese take on the supernatural. In this session, you’ll encounter ghosts and creatures you’ve never seen before—mysterious, moving, and rooted in a cultural world unlike any other. Dive into the shadows of Taiwan’s urban legends and discover their haunting literary charm.
ㅣSpeaker: Xiao Xiang Shen (Author)
ㅣ Moderator: Yu-Yi Lin (Associate Professor, Department of Korean Language and Culture, NCCU)
- Date/Time: June 19 (Thur) 18:00-19:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
◼ June 20 (Fri)
Book Talk: “Practicing Goodbye” and “Let’s Pretend We Are Fish”
Several of Bei Lynn’s beloved picture books have been published in Korean, including three newly released titles in 2024: “Practicing Goodbye,” and “Let’s Pretend We Are Fish.” In this special book talk, Bei Lynn will be joined on stage by Professor Yoo So-yeong, Korean translator of “Practicing Goodbye” and “Let’s Pretend We Are Fish.” Together, they will share behind-the-scenes stories from the creative and translation process, explore the emotional depth of their works, and discuss how Bei Lynn’s books continue to evolve in the Korean market.
ㅣSpeaker: Bei Lynn (Artist), Yoo So-yeong (Translator)
- Date/Time: June 20 (Fri) 10:30-11:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Survivors in the Margins: Zhou JianXin × Keum Suk Gendry-Kim’s Historical Testimonies
What was it like to grow up in East Asia as a child of the 1930s—coming of age through World War II and the turmoil that followed? In “Son of Formosa,” the protagonist is imprisoned for a decade at age 19, accused of being a communist for reading socialist literature. In “Grass,” the main character is sold to a foster family and forced into sexual slavery as a “comfort woman.” Both works, based on real-life events, have received international acclaim and been translated into multiple languages—bringing to light the stories of ordinary people in Taiwan and Korea whose lives reflect the larger truths of modern history. This talk examines how these powerful graphic novels use a distinctly Western visual language to share East Asian narratives with the world—and how they open new paths for cross-cultural dialogue through the medium of comics.
ㅣSpeaker: Keum Suk Gendry-Kim (Comic Books Artist), Zhou JianXin (Artist)
ㅣ Moderator: Huang Pei-Shan (Editor-in-chief of Slowork Publishing)
- Date/Time: June 20 (Fri) 12:00 - 13:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
“Skyscrapers” and the World of Author Chen Xue
To mark the first visit to Korea by renowned Taiwanese author Chen Xue, a special book talk will focus on her acclaimed novel “Skyscrapers.” In conversation with translator Heo Yoo-young, Chen Xue will explore the towering world of “Skyscrapers”—a high-rise apartment complex that becomes a lens for examining modern social anxieties, the silent despair within women’s lives, and the disintegration of human connection. More than a tale of crime or mystery, “Skyscrapers” is a profound reflection on isolation and broken relationships, raising urgent questions about the language and intimacy lost in today’s disconnected world. Join us for this rare opportunity to engage directly with the author.
ㅣSpeaker: Chen Xue (Author)
ㅣModerator: Heo You-young (Translator)
- Date/Time: June 20 (Fri) 13:30-14:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Facing the Unspoken: Pam Pam Liu × Ma Yeong-shin’s Comic Chronicle
In the comics of Pam Pam Liu and Ma Yeong-shin, you won’t find heroes, beauties, or members of the elite. Instead, you’ll encounter raw, unfiltered portrayals of family conflict, social isolation, sex, illness, jealousy, and hate—fragments of life that many struggle to speak about. Pam Pam Liu’s “A Trip to the Asylum,” a semi-fictionalized account based on her own family history, became the first comic in Taiwan to win a major literary award. Ma Yeong-shin’s “Mothers,” which explores love and desire among middle-aged women working as janitors, has also received wide international recognition. This session invites readers to discover how both artists confront the unspoken through their work, and how comics can become a powerful space for sharing the stories we often keep hidden.
ㅣSpeaker: Ma Yeong-shin (Author), Pam Pam Liu (Author)
ㅣ Moderator: Huang Pei-Shan (Editor-in-chief of Slowork Publishing)
- Date/Time: June 20 (Fri) 15:00-16:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
The Joy and Challenges of Picture Book Creation
Being an illustrator is no easy job—it requires not only sustaining passion and developing a unique style, but also making a living. Over the past decade, Meng-Yun Chiang, has published numerous picture books, including “I Want a Pet Tiger,” “What Are They Pushing at the Front?,” and “The Glowing Tree.” For her, the greatest challenges lie in experimenting with illustration styles, choosing the right visual language, and building collaborative relationships with writers. Creating the perfect picture book goes far beyond drawing—it’s about finding the exact images that elevate the story. Now, after years of honing her craft, she’s learned how to create works where “1 + 1 > 2”—books that spark a synergy greater than the sum of their parts. In this heartfelt talk, Meng-Yun Chiang will share the ups and downs of her 10-year creative journey, offering inspiration and insight into the life of a professional illustrator.
ㅣSpeaker: Meng-Yun Chiang (Author)
ㅣModerator: Shin Eun-joo (Instructor)
- Date/Time: June 20 (Fri) 16:30-17:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
A Taiwanese Culinary Journey Through Fiction: Yang Shuang-zi’s Flavors and Memories
The author Yang Shuang-zi explores how food serves as a narrative bridge in her fiction—connecting memory, emotion, and human relationships. She invites readers to experience how a single dish can awaken a character’s inner world, spark interaction between people, and even mark a turning point in life. Focusing on her work “Taiwan Travelogue,” Yang will discuss how a meal becomes more than nourishment—it becomes a vessel for storytelling. From evoking personal memories to linking historical events, she shows how taste can become a powerful medium for exploring identity, culture, and the passage of time.
ㅣSpeaker: Yang Shuang-zi (Author)
ㅣModerator: Wu Pei Ju (Podcast Host of Echoes of Hanbando & Bookstore Owner of Echo Islands)
- Date/Time: June 20 (Fri) 18:00-19:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
◼ June 21 (Sat)
A Different Kind of Beauty — The Writings of Syaman Rapongan
Syaman Rapongan (born 1957), a writer of the Tao (Yami) people from Orchid Island, Taitung, entered the realm of Taiwanese literature in the 1990s with his groundbreaking work Deep Affection for the Cold Sea. Since then, he has infused Taiwan’s literary landscape with a rich sense of “otherness.” Writing from the perspective of a marginalized, minority, and often disadvantaged people, Syaman explores what he calls “body literature,” where “physical strength and experience precede the story.” His work navigates and dives deep into the spaces between large islands and small, land and sea, tribe and nation, tradition and modernity — constructing what feels like a world from another planet, yet is a profoundly real and vivid vision of the “Fourth World.”
ㅣ Speaker: Tung Shu Ming (Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Chinese Language and Literature, National Taitung University)
ㅣ Moderator: Kim Taesung (Translator)
-Date/Time: June 21 (Sat) 10:30 - 11:30
-Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Expressing the World Through Music and Literature-Introducing Young Talented Author, KA-SIÔNG TIUNN
Discover how the haunting legacy of Taiwan’s modern history—set in a rural village—is reimagined through the lens of the supernatural in “Late Night Patrol of the Abandoned God.” This session explores how themes of forgotten deities and spiritual remnants become a powerful metaphor for trauma, memory, and survival.
ㅣSpeaker: KA-SIÔNG TIUNN (Author)
ㅣModerator: Kim Taesung (Translator)
- Date/Time: June 21 (Sat) 12:00-13:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Exploring the Literary World of Globally Acclaimed Author, Kevin Chen
What role has literature played in shaping Taiwan into the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage? This talk delves into the history and current landscape of “Queer literature”—a major current in Taiwanese writing that centers LGBTQ+ voices. Join us as we explore how literature has influenced social change in Taiwan, and hear firsthand from an author who, as an Asian writer living in Europe, shares insights from publishing across cultures and continents.
ㅣSpeaker: Kevin Chen (Author)
ㅣModerator: Kim Taesung (Translator)
- Date/Time: June 21 (Sat) 13:30-14:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Fiction, Mirrors Within Mirrors, and National History
Renowned Taiwanese author Ping Lu invites readers into a mirror-like world of fiction—one that reflects the deep entanglement between personal fate and historical destiny. This special event centers on her landmark project, the “Ping Lu Taiwan Trilogy,” a sweeping literary exploration that sheds light on a century of Taiwan’s shadows and hopes through fictional narrative. For Ping Lu, a novel is not a mirror that reflects a single truth, but a prism that reveals complexity. Through myth and history, she captures the intersection of individual freedom and the fate of an island. Join her in a thoughtful journey as she asks: How can we converse with the past? How do we reflect on history—and imagine the future?
ㅣSpeaker: Ping Lu (Author)
ㅣModerator: Kim Taesung (Translator)
- Date/Time: June 21 (Sat) 15:00-16:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Travel in Taiwan A to Z — Tips for Beginners
Known in Korea as the author of the bestselling travel guide “This is Taiwan,” Shin Seo-hee invites you on a journey through the heart of Taiwan. In this talk, she’ll reveal what makes Taiwan such a captivating destination and share tips on how to explore it in richer, more meaningful ways. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or simply looking to deepen your adventure, Shin will unveil her go-to secrets for experiencing Taiwan like a seasoned pro—no matter your travel style!
ㅣSpeaker: Shin Seo-hee (Author)
- Date/Time: June 21 (Sat) 16:30-17:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
From Literature to Screen — The Adaptation Process for Netflix Series
Join author Freddy Fu-Jui Tang, the original writer behind the Netflix Taiwan series “Port of Lies,” as he shares his firsthand experience navigating the journey from page to screen. In this special talk, Tang explores the creative challenges and discoveries he encountered while adapting his novel into a political drama—and what it means to reshape a literary narrative for a visual medium. From the nuances of storytelling structure to the tension between artistic vision and screenwriting demands, this is a rare behind-the-scenes look at adaptation through the eyes of the original creator.
ㅣSpeaker: Freddy Fu-Jui Tang (Author)
- Date/Time: June 21 (Sat) 18:00-19:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
◼ June 22 (Sun)
Between Fiction and Reality: The Contradictions in Picture Book Creation
Step into the captivating world of picture book author and illustrator Huang Yi-wen. In this talk, we’ll explore the unique qualities of Huang’s storytelling—where fiction meets reality, love clashes with disgust, light dances with shadow, and simplicity coexists with complexity. Her works don’t shy away from contradiction; instead, they weave opposing forces into a seamless narrative universe through both text and illustration. Join us as we uncover how these tensions transform into story—and experience the quiet thrill of discovering the secrets hidden between the pages.
ㅣSpeaker: Huang Yi-wen (Artist), Jo Sung-soon (Author & Children's Book Critic)
- Date/Time: June 22 (Sun) 10:30-11:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Logging Out of Fantasy
Online anonymity can set us free—but it can also turn us into prey. In a world where digital spaces offer both refuge and danger, what happens when the internet becomes our only lifeline? Join Taiwanese author Wu Xiaole, whose novel “Login to Death” delves into a chilling case often called Taiwan’s “Nth Room,” and Korean writer Lee Hee-joo, creator of “Mayumi,” a story that breathes life into a virtual human. Together, they explore the dark edges of online identity, the hunger for connection, and the cost of survival in the digital age.
ㅣSpeaker: Lee Hee-joo (Author), Wu Xiaole (Author)
ㅣModerator: Kwak Sun-hee (Editor)
- Date/Time: June 22 (Sun) 12:00-13:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Introducing The “Second Lead“ by Joanne Deng
Join us for a special session with Taiwanese actress and writer Joanne Deng, as she shares insights into her novel “The Second Lead.” Through live readings and reflections, she will guide us into the world of her story—revealing the inspiration behind it and exploring the nuanced emotions of its characters, all in her own voice.
ㅣSpeaker: Joanne Deng (Author)
ㅣModerator: Lee Kisun (Translator)
- Date/Time: June 22 (Sun) 13:30-14:30
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)
Unveiling the Black Box: From SNS to Webtoon Artist
Taiwan’s webtoon industry began to take off in earnest around 2014. Prior to that, comics in Taiwan were mostly published in print or shared through illustrations and writing on social media platforms. PONY, the creator of “Black Box”(黑盒子), also began his career by sharing his illustrated works on SNS. In 2017, he won an award in the LINE Webtoon competition, which led to the serialization of “Black Box”. The work went on to become the first Taiwanese webtoon to be successfully adapted into a live-action production. In this talk, PONY will share his journey of growing from a social media-based creator into a full-fledged webtoon artist, offering a firsthand account of his creative evolution.
ㅣSpeaker: PONY (Author)
- Date/Time: June 22 (Sun) 15:00-16:00
- Location: GoH Stand Main Stage (A01)