Sohn Won-Pyung studied sociology and philosophy at Sogang University before studying film directing at the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA). Her debut novel, Almond, won the 10th Changbi Prize for Young Adult Fiction and has since been translated and published in more than 30 countries, including the UK and the US. She is the author of the novels Counterattacks at Thirty, Prism and Tube, the short story collection The House of Others, and the children’s book series The Mighty Fox Tail. She also wrote and directed the feature film Intruder. Her honours include the Cine21 Film Criticism Award, the Jeju 4·3 Peace Literary Prize and the Japan Booksellers’ Award. Her fifth novel, The Land of Youth, set in a near future shaped by declining birth rates and an ageing population, explores the lives of young adults navigating a rapidly changing society and is slated for publication in English by HarperVia.

Ela Lee, is a London-based author. Her debut novel Jaded was published as a lead title by Vintage in the UK, and Simon & Schuster in the US. In 2024, Jaded was an Amazon Best Fiction Book of the Year and Lee was named a Spotify Breakout Author. She has also been selected for Forbes 30 under 30, Class of 2025. Her second novel, Minbak, published in 2026, and was a BBC Book Club pick.

The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. Refreshments will be provided.