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Seoul Int'l Book Fair

Program

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Book Talk/Seminar

■ December 11 (Thu)

The Art of Simplicity: Minimal Words, Maximum Meaning

The picture books by Tom Liu and Choi Min-ji may read as light and effortless, yet beneath their simplicity lie countless choices and acts of restraint. Rather than pursuing simplicity as “ease” or “lightness,” each artist creates their own form of space—inviting readers into those open moments. We discuss with them how simplicity can spark active interpretation and imagination in readers.

ㅣSpeaker: Choi Min-ji (Picture Book Author, Illustrator), Tom Liu (Picture Book Author, Illustrator),
ㅣModerator: Choi Hyejin (Author, Editorial Director)

- Date/Time: Dec. 11 (Thu) 13:30-15:00
- Venue: Sky Island

Picture Books Pondering Our Tomorrow

We quietly gaze into the sea, noticing colorful fragments gradually accumulating in the blue waters. The sea depicted in two picture books is no longer unfamiliar. This session reflects on contemporary picture books that capture the stories around us and engages in a discussion on the environmental issues closely intertwined with them.

ㅣSpeaker: Kim Jihyoung (Picture Book Author, Illustrator), Lee Myung Ae (Picture Book Author)
ㅣModerator: Jo Seong-Soon (Picture Book Critic)

- Date/Time: Dec. 11 (Thu) 16:00-17:30
- Venue: Sky Island

Future Learning: Growing with AI

Children are already learning alongside AI, and AI-based personalized and adaptive learning is gaining attention in education. As AI technology becomes increasingly commonplace even for young learners and educational trends rapidly evolve, this session explores the key features and directions of “future learning.” It also shares insights into the skills parents need to develop and practical ways to support their children’s growth at home.

ㅣSpeaker: Son Byoung-mok(President, T-Learning Company, VISANG Education), Choi yiun-hee(Director of Growth Coaching)

- Date/Time: Dec. 11 (Thu) 13:00-14:30
- Venue: Sea Island

■ December 12 (Fri)

Once Upon a Time, the Storyteller Said

Isn't the charm of picture books also in how illustrations and text breathe together to create a narrative? Follow the adventures within picture books told by two storytellers, Park Yeoncheol and Lee Gee Eun. We explore the process of creating stories that actively engage readers and invite boundless imagination.

ㅣSpeaker: Park Yeoncheol (Picture Book Author, Puppeteer), Lee Gee Eun (Author)
ㅣModerator: Oh Hyun-Su (Picture Book Magazine <LARCHIVEUM J> Editor)

- Date/Time: Dec. 12 (Fri) 11:00-12:30
- Venue: Sky Island

100 Children, 100 Different Dreams

Two children who grew up in the city of the sea become picture book authors and visit the Busan International Children’s Book Fair. Recalling childhood dreams filled with music and art, they discuss their picture book work infused with personal experiences. And they ask the audience: What are your dreams?

ㅣSpeaker: Shin Yoomi (Picture Book Artist), Cha Yada (Picture Book Author)
ㅣModerator: Shin Hye Eun (Picture Book Psychologist)

- Date/Time: Dec. 12 (Fri) 11:30-13:00
- Venue: Sea Island

Beyond Picture Books

Writing and illustrating picture books can be likened to crossing the sea. The author leaves familiar shores to row toward new worlds. Over his 11 years as a picture book author, Jung Jinho has encountered countless adventures, sometimes finding that experiences outside the world of picture books strengthen his identity as a picture book author. In this talk, he shares stories of new inspiration and adventures discovered while navigating the world surrounding picture books.

ㅣSpeaker: Jung Jinho (Picture Book Author)

- Date/Time: Dec. 12 (Fri) 13:30-15:00
- Venue: Sky Island

We Are Dinosaurs, Moles, and Crows

In picture books, animals often appear more familiar than our own. They become me, or the friends who understand my heart best. Together with three picture book authors who use animals as their personas, we explore the world of endless possibilities—and the selves we discover within it.

ㅣSpeaker: Kyung Hye-won (Illustrator), Kim Sang-keun (Picture Book Author), ZO-O (Picture Book Author)
ㅣModerator: Choi Hyejin (Author, Editorial Director)

- Date/Time: Dec. 12 (Fri) 16:00-17:30
- Venue: Sky Island

■ December 13 (Sat)

Unfolding Big and Small Feelings

If a book could embrace someone, the picture books of Kim Dong-soo and Seo Hyun would surely offer a tender embrace to children full of worries and tears. Their works face not only happiness but also sadness, frustration, anxiety, and even death—with humor and imagination. Let's share a conversation about our hearts with these two authors.

ㅣSpeaker: Kim Dong-soo (Picture Book Author), Seo Hyun (Picture Book Author)
ㅣModerator: Kim Ji-eun (Youth Literature Critic)

- Date/Time: Dec. 13 (Sat) 11:00-12:30
- Venue: Sky Island

To Children Living Like the Sea

Jordan Scott, internationally acclaimed for works such as I Talk Like a River and My Baba’s Garden, visits the Busan International Children’s Book Fair. Just as a river flows, swirling and winding endlessly, a child’s inner world carries an ever-continuing vitality and capacity to learn. In this talk, Jordan Scott and Kim Ji-eun will engage in a conversation about the strength and resilience that flow within children.

ㅣSpeaker: Jordan Scott (Poet, Children’s Author)
ㅣModerator: Kim Ji-eun (Youth Literature Critic)

- Date/Time: Dec. 13 (Sat) 13:30-15:00
- Venue: Sky Island

The Life I Want to Live

We listen closely to the voices of the youth. What stories are they telling, and what stories do they need? Two young authors, Baek Eun-Byeol and Jeon Isoo, share their thoughts on books, dreams, possibilities, and discoveries, offering messages they wish to convey to the world today.

ㅣSpeaker: Baek Eun-Byeol (Teenage Best-selling Author), Jeon Isoo (Painter, Writer)
ㅣModerator: Oh Se-ran (Youth Literature Critic)

- Date/Time: Dec. 13 (Sat) 13:30-15:00
- Venue: Sea Island

The Joy of Reading and Creating Picture Books

The Seoul International Book Fair selects ten picture books annually through the “Best Book for Children in Korea(BBCK),” competition. At the Busan International Children’s Book Fair 2025, we will once again spotlight this year’s selected books and take an in-depth look at them. Join Kim Dong-sung of “The Boy who is Crazy about Flowers”, Bam Co of “Prepping Anchovies”, and Ahn Hyo-lim of “A Pearl Cabinet Grandma” for an engaging discussion.

ㅣSpeaker: Kim Dong-sung (Picture Book Author), Bam Co (Picture Book Author, Illustrator), Ahn Hyo-lim (Picture Book Author)
ㅣModerator: Han Mihwa (Publishing Industry Critic)

- Date/Time: Dec. 13 (Sat) 16:00-17:30
- Venue: Sky Island

■ December 14 (Sun)

Raising the Anchor and Setting Sail on a Journey

The winner of the BolognaRagazzi Awards' Opera Prima, “If You Want to Eat a Red Apple” of Lee Ga-hee and Jin Joo. We explore the beginnings and process of creating picture books, and how two artists gradually expand their creative worlds since their first award.

ㅣSpeaker: Lee Ga-hee (Photographic Illustrator), Jin Joo (Picture Book Author)
ㅣModerator: Kim Inae Sujung (Critic)

- Date/Time: Dec. 14 (Sun) 15:00-16:30
- Venue: Sky Island