Lee Jin

The novel LEE Jin brings to the pages the forgotten life of an unforgettable woman caught up in the turmoil of a changing nation as the modern world came knocking on the gates of feudal Korea at the end of the 19th century. Base on a true story, the novel follows the heroine LEE Jin as she goes from a beloved court dancer to the wife of a French diplomat, from a Parisienne socialite to a woman of the old kingdom all over again, in pursuit of love and independence.

Born into the feudal society of the kingdom of Joseon, then transplanted to the modern society of Paris, LEE Jin stood at the forefront of her times, unafraid to live her own life, but greeted a tragic death as her motherland faced its demise. Her short and beautiful life is brought to life in the novel with vivid lyricism, most notable in the depictions of her dance.

LEE Jin is a novel of epic proportions, moving from the palatial grounds of turn-of-the-century Korea to the streets of Champs-Elysees, a sweeping period piece told in a sophisticated modern voice.