Yi Jon-chang was a real historical figure who appeared in the history of Catholicism in Joseon, and his life unfolded largely during the reign of King Jeongjo in the late 18th century. Despite his name surfacing at crucial junctures of Joseon’s Catholic history, the details of his actions, relationships, and personal background remain a mystery to this day. This novel brings into focus Yi Jon-chang-an intriguing figure who has attracted the attention of scholars yet has never been fully illuminated-by reimagining him within a literary narrative. During the so-called “Renaissance of Joseon” under King Jeongjo (1776-1800), the people of Joseon embraced Catholicism not through missionary dispatch but through their own effort and tremendous sacrifice. This unprecedented introduction of Catholicism-without precedent anywhere in the world-forms the backdrop of the story. The novel’s protagonist, Yi Jon-chang, though a real person, remains elusive: his origins, family ties, and even the circumstances of his birth are unknown. Alongside him, countless Catholics in Joseon-men and women, young and old, of all ranks-fell like grains of wheat, vanishing into seeming futility. And yet, the message of this book reminds us that the work we do, the path we walk-though sometimes small, uncertain, or overshadowed by fear-is nevertheless a sacred and invaluable journey. The narrative avoids exaggerated drama or meticulous description, instead unfolding like a puzzle, piece by piece, as it traces Yi Jon-chang’s life and the spread of Catholicism in Joseon. The novel richly revives the role and significance of women in this history, a dimension often overlooked. Dialogues, written almost like a stage script, draw readers into the story as though they themselves are taking on a role in the unfolding drama. At times flowing, at times plainspoken, the prose leaves behind a lasting weight when the final page is turned-a resonance that consoles not only Catholics but anyone reflecting on their own life’s path. Many novels in the 21st century revisit past history. What sets this debut novel apart is its immediacy and groundedness. The author, long active as an economist and research director at the central bank of South Korea, has previously written primarily in the field of economics and finance. Through decades of meeting entrepreneurs, workers, and ordinary citizens, the author has closely observed the currents of our time, both broadly and in detail. The efforts of reform-minded intellectuals to create a better livelihood have continued from past centuries into the present. Yet again and again, those voices of reform were drowned out when they failed to truly see the everyday lives of the people. The turbulent arrival of Catholicism in Joseon mirrors those very struggles and longings. The yearning for a new dawn is never confined to one moment in history-it is a desire that transcends eras, echoing into our own time.

저자 : Jeung Dae-yeung Jeung Dae-yeung worked for 34 years at the central bank of South Korea before founding the Songhyun Economic Institute in 2012, where he has continued to study the structural challenges of the Korean economy. Engaging with activists, entrepreneurs, and journalists, he has sought realistic and inclusive policy alternatives. Since 2018, he has lived in a rural village at the foot of Mount Dogo in the historical Naepo region, where he farms and writes. There, he came across the story of Yi Jon-chang, a Catholic martyr whose life left a profound impression on him. With few historical records remaining, Jeung chose to reimagine Yi’s story through fiction. His major works include 『Dolus Eventualis in Korea’s Economy』, 『The Coin Has Another Side』, 『The Theory of New Risk Management』, and 『In Search of Alternatives for the Korean Economy』. He has also co-authored volumes on monetary theory and employment policy. 역자 : Peace Pyunghwa Lee Peace Pyunghwa Lee is a diasporic Korean writer and translator whose work explores the intersections of spirituality, feminism, and ancestral memory. Educated at Princeton and Duke, she brings a decolonial lens to Korean-English translation. This is her first full-length literary translation of a Korean historical novel.

Jon-chang prays,

‘Heavenly Lord, thank you.
I have learned a lot, felt much, and have experienced many joys. My joy has flourished because I have had the opportunity to believe in you. I have received so much support from so many people around me. It is all thanks to you, dear Lord.
Father, if I may ask for just one thing… Please ensure that I fulfill my dream in my next life. Please allow me to help build a country where no one starves, and where people can freely worship you. This is the promise I made with Brother Yi Byeok as well as with my friends in the Dongji Fellowship, with the late King, and it is what I owe to others. Please ensure that those who have died for you in this
country have not died in vain.
If you give me such an opportunity, I will gladly endure any suffering, even the punishment of being consigned to Hell after death.’

The caged cart passes Cheonsan Samgeori and heads towards Gongju. A pregnant woman, holding the hand of a young boy, chases after the cart with much difficulty. It must be Sun-i and Do-yeon. Unable to catch up with the moving cart, they fall farther and farther behind. Gradually, they recede from his vision.

리뷰 및 에디터 소개 Sean E. Mitchell, a PhD candidate in theology at the University of G?ttingen. Han Seo-yeon, a doctoral researcher at Ruhr University Bochum, specializes in East Asian studies and religious studies. Jio Park, who studied Data Science at UC Berkeley, took the leading role in the review and editing of this translation. 편집자 주 『The First Korean Apostle-Yi Jon-chang』 sheds compelling new light on a pivotal yet mysterious figure in the history of Korean Catholicism. Set against the vivid backdrop of late 18th-century Joseon, author Jeung Dae-yeung vividly reconstructs the life of Yi Jon-chang Ludovico, whose journey symbolizes the profound struggle of intellectuals caught between Confucian tradition and the transformative wave of Western thought. Highlighting Joseon’s unique embrace of Catholicism without foreign missionaries-a remarkable achievement rooted in local determination and sacrifice-this meticulously researched and beautifully crafted novel invites readers to reflect deeply on the choices that define us and the paths we ultimately follow. It is a powerful exploration of faith, freedom, and human courage that resonates far beyond its historical setting.