'Jeju Language Literature' is literature that uses the language of Jeju as a medium and is imbued with the history and traditional culture of Jeju. It can be said that this genre has a unique color only present in Jeju literature. Jeju language best expresses the life and feelings of the Jeju people. Jeju language developed a uniqueness that is different from other areas. The Jeju people today are using the language, which was once commonly used, as a literary language to engage in creative activities. Jeju language literature expresses the sense of community through the sentimentality and creativity of Jeju. It is also an attempt to preserve and pass down a language that is in danger of going extinct.
The era where Jeju language was used for certain conversations or topics to express the regionalism of the piece.
Yaro (1946) : A novel that depicts Jeju right after liberation, the first literary work that features Jeju language
Odolong Halabang (1952): Stories of peasants at a funeral that utilizes Jeju language.
Honbaek (1962): A Korean novel published in Japan, it depicts conversations of Jeju people during the Japanese occupation in the Jeju language.
Authors from other areas also used Jeju language such as Hwang Soon Won's Bibari (1956), Choi Hyun Sik's Hwaja (1959) and Hyubjukdo (1962), and Oh Yung Soo's Flower on a String (1968)
The literary value of the language is given attention and earnest attempts were made at using the language.
-오성찬의「비바리」중에서 -
Pale Moonlight (1971), Bibari (1973), Hallasan (1978), Weed Story (1981)
Soonie's Uncle (1978), Sea Dragon Story (1979), The Crow of Doryeongmaru (1979)
- 문충성 시 「김통정」 -
Kim Tong Jung (1978), Jeju Port - The dream of the 50s (1979), Yungdeungjae (1981)
'New Jeju Holksongs by Kim Gwang Hyub' published in the Jeju Press (1982-1983)
- 김용길 시 「할망(打令)」중에서 -
Do You Know Soegwipo?(1988), Grandma's Song (1988)
As interest in preserving the Jeju language increased, Jeju literature had been promoted and many works have been published purely in the Jeju language.
- 김용해의 시 「혼저옵서게」 -
- 고정국의 시 「괄락괄락 콩물두 먹국」 -
- 김종두의 시 「사는 게 뭣 산디 2」 -
- 고훈식의 시 「매기 독딱」 -
- 양전형의 시 「지평선」 -
- 황금녀의 시 「나팔소리」 -
「Honjeo Obseoge」
1992 / Kim Yong Hae
‘Honjeo Obseoge' means 'Welcome' and this book of poetry is filled with poems about greeting the reader with open arms.
「What Is the point of living」
2000/ Kim Jong Du
Meaning 'I don't know what life means,' this book has interpreted reality and ideals of normal people through the experiences of the poet.
「Jiman Uldan Jangkulegi」
2005 Goh Jung Kuk
'Jiman Uldan Jangkulegi' can be translated into 'the lizard who cried by himself, but it comes from the painful memory of hungry children being made fun up of after the Jeju Uprising on April 3rd.
「Yooborok Sooborok」
2006 / Goh Hoon Sik
'Yooborok Sooborok' means one can adjust to anything if they use their head. This emphasizes the frugal lifestyle of poets.
「Heocheon Barredang Pudeojinda」
2008 Yang Jeon Hyung
Meaning one will if attention isn't paid, this book is about how we should all live carefully in the stories it tells.
「Na mueume bul sumamsomasseum」
2010 Hwang Guem Nyuh
Meaning 'I have a fire in my heart," this piece is about the devoted convction of a believer and his everyday life.
「Cross the line with this song」
2013
The Jeju Munin Association and the Jeju Writer's Committee came together on this collaborative effort to preserve the Jeju language, and they compiled works from 51 writers from Jeju.
「Dolharuebanim What should I do」
2013
On this collaborative effort to preserve the Jeju language in literature, the Jeju Munin Association and the Jeju Writer's Committee collected the essays and novels of 26 writers from Jeju.