Kim Soyoung
Korean-English Translator
About
Soyoung (Serena) is a freelance translator working between Korean and English. While she primarily translates literary and film works, she also localizes content for global brands.She started off her career in advertising and PR, later gravitating toward humanitarian communications through a stint at the ICRC. Eventually, her love for books and film set her on the path to translation.Soyoung is currently based in Korea.
Translations
Film Subtitles
• The Mutation by Shin Suwon (2025 Busan International Film Festival)
• 3670 by Park Joonho (2025 Jeonju International Film Festival)
• The Land of Morning Calm by Park Riwoong (2024 Busan International Film Festival)Screenplay
• Drive by Park Donghee (2024)
• No Way Out: The Roulette by Choi Gukhee (2024)
• Way to Étretat by Shin Suwon (TBC)Book
• Rattaila by Kim Younhee (Filipa Note, 2025)Stage Play
• Sunlight Shower by Jang Woojae (K-Story Up, 2024)
• This is Home by Jang Woojae (K-Story Up, 2024)Literary Journal
Korean Literature Now
• Even So, the Heart Grows by Lee Kkochnim (Vol. 68, Summer 2025)
• Becoming Utterly Ordinary by Lee Yoochae (Vol. 67, Spring 2025)
• Aging and Death Attuned to Ecological Hospitality by Choi Hyunsook (Vol. 66, Winter 2024)KLWAVE (Korean literature platform)
• Encounter with Beings from Beyond by Park Hyunjoo
• Queering the Norm: Marching Beyond Pride by Oh Hyejin
• Labor Day Reads: Will Tomorrow’s Sun Shine Upon Us Too? by Choi Jaebong
• Rising Above the Scars of History by Im IntaekSample Translation
• Body and Women by Lee Seosu (몸과 여자들, Hyundae Munhak)
• “Mijo’s Era” by Lee Seosu (미조의 시대, EunHaengNaMu Publishing)
• A World in a Week by Kim Miwol (일주일의 세계, Hyundae Munhak)Other
Soyoung has worked with companies in the tech, pharma and non-profit sectors, translating and writing press releases, press kits, PR strategies, and more. Please feel free to inquire via email for details.
Awards & Grants
Award
• Grand Prize, 2021 Media Translation Contest, Literature Translation Institute of Korea
• 2023 Outstanding Graduate Award, Regular Course, Literature Translation Institute of KoreaGrant
• 2025 Copyright Export Support Program Grant, Literature Translation Institute of Korea
- My Perfect Boyfriend and His Lover by Min Jihyeong (나의 완벽한 남자친구와 그의 연인, Wisdom House, 2021)
- One Day Eunyu Came To Me by Park Yikang (어느 날 은유가 찾아왔다, Gyoyudang, 2023)
- My Cancer Diaries by Kim Hakchan (투암기, Gyoyudang, 2025)
Education & Training
• B.A. in English Interpretation and Translation (minor in French), Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
• M.A. in Business Administration, Graduate School of International Studies, Yonsei University
• Literature Translation Regular Course (a selective, government-funded program), Literature Translation Institute of Korea
• Media Translation Workshop with Darcy Paquet (translator of film Parasite)