Synopses & Reviews
A cinematic journey through the Seoul subway that masterfully portrays the many unique lives we travel alongside whenever we take the train. A poetic translation of the bestselling Korean picture book.
Accompanied by the constant, rumbling ba-dum ba-dum of its passage through the city, the subway has stories to tell. Between sunrise and sunset, it welcomes and farewells people, and holds them — along with their joys, hopes, fears, and memories — in its embrace.
Originally published in Korean and brought to English-speaking audiences with the help of renowned translator Deborah Smith (The Vegetarian), I Am the Subway vividly reflects the shared humanity that can be found in crowded metropolitan cities.
Review
"Magnificent...Kim insightfully acknowledges the unique lives of strangers you might never meet again on spread after spectacular watercolor spread, the diverse passengers each caught in a single moment in time...Lucky readers, climb aboard: extraordinary explorations await." Terry Hong, Shelf Awareness (Starred Review)
Review
"In this picture book, a subway train shares intimate stories while ferrying passengers around Seoul...A contemplative, poignant rendering of everyday journeys." Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Review
“[S]ensitive, closely observed portraits of Seoul's subway passengers...in this quiet treasure of a tale, every person in the crowd has a story, a family they love, and dreams they cherish." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
About the Author
Kim Hyo-eun studied textile design at college and illustration at the Ibpil Future Illustration Research Institute. Books written and illustrated by Kim Hyo-eun include I Am the Subway. Picture books with illustrations created by Kim include A Baby on a Train, A Starry Flower Wall, The Place We Walk Becomes the Road, and Minji and a Squirrel.
Deborah Smith is an internationally renowned translator. She founded Tilted Axis Press to learn, share, and support a more nuanced and equitable awareness of our mutually entangled lives. In 2016 she was co-winner of the Man Booker International Prize for Literature, alongside author Han Kang, for her translation of The Vegetarian.