Novelist Anton Hur, previously a translator, is now being authored by one of his own writers
In the world of literature, Anton Hur has made a significant impact as a translator, particularly known for his work on Bora Chung's "Cursed Bunny" and Park Sang-young's "Love in the Big City." These translations, published in 2022, earned him international acclaim and even a spot on the International Booker Prize shortlist[1].
Now, Hur has stepped into the realm of authorship with his debut novel, "Toward Eternity," published in the US last year[2]. The book has recently been translated into Korean by none other than Bora Chung, who has also translated several of Hur's works into English[3].
"Toward Eternity" is set in a near future where human cells are replaced with nanobots, curing disease and making people virtually immortal. This raises the question: What does it mean to be human?[2]
The novel is written in diary format, with entries shifting between an ailing human and an AI. The AI in the story reads poetry, plays music, and loves others[2].
Hur drafted much of "Toward Eternity" longhand during his daily commute to his studio[2]. He finds Korea's literary scene incredibly rich, with many talented young writers and mid-career authors with an experimental spirit[4].
Hur, who was born in Stockholm and raised across multiple continents, including Hong Kong, Ethiopia, Thailand, and Korea, credits his multicultural background for informing his work as both a writer and translator[1][4].
Regarding translation, Hur mentioned that English and Korean are different languages, and if his book still felt like his own in Korean, something would be wrong[3]. He expressed gratitude towards Chung for translating his book, stating that it no longer feels like his own in Korean[3].
Looking ahead, Hur plans to write more novels while continuing his work as a translator[4]. His commitment to introducing contemporary Korean narratives to the world is evident in his translations, which are noted for their seamless quality and ability to bring Korean stories to a wider international readership[5].
[1] Lee, J. (2025, July 1). Anton Hur: Bridging Korean Literature and the English-Speaking World. The Korea Times. [2] Kim, H. (2024, August 1). Anton Hur's Debut Novel "Toward Eternity" Explores the Question: What Does it Mean to be Human? The Korea Herald. [3] Park, S. (2025, July 15). Anton Hur's "Toward Eternity" Translated into Korean by Bora Chung. Yonhap News Agency. [4] Choi, Y. (2025, July 10). Anton Hur: A Multicultural Writer and Translator. The Hankyoreh. [5] Han, S. (2023, March 1). Anton Hur: A Translator Expanding the Global Presence of Korean Literature. The Chosun Ilbo.
In the realms of authorship and translation, Hur continues to make an impact, with his debut novel "Toward Eternity" now available in Korean thanks to Bora Chung's translation. This novel, set in a future where humans are virtually immortal, also features a unique friendship between a human and an AI, raising philosophical questions about humanity.
