문학과 지성사

Essays by a novelist, a traveler, and a book lover.
Critiques that at times sound harsh, yet ultimately aimed at himself.

Comprising eighteen essays compiled into two chapters, “Politics” and “Aesthetics,” this collection of essays focuses on the organic intersection of the two rather than placing an artificial divider between them. An unforgettable read despite its long title, Why Does the Past Keep Returning sheds light on the fundamental contradictions shared among the issues such as political corruption, racial discrimination, gender inequality, climate change, and the literary community’s elitism and cronyism. As Marx wrote, “History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce,” thus rendering itself difficult to forget in its continuous return to our private and public lives. We’re all constantly reminded that both the tragedy and the farce are the consequence of our neglect and complacency. To the question, “Is it possible to overcome anachronisms, biases, patriarchy, and authoritarianism that have persisted throughout the histories of art and society?” Baek Minseok responds with this textual reflection on his life instead of asserting a grand alternative scheme.