Author
Young-Do Lee
Associated Country
South Korea
Lee Young-do is a South Korean fantasy novelist widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Korean fantasy literature. Born in Busan, South Korea, he studied Korean language and literature at Kyungpook National University. During his university years, he became interested in tabletop role-playing games and Western fantasy, influences that helped shape his own approach to world-building and storytelling. At a time when fantasy fiction was still a niche genre in Korea, Lee emerged as one of its most important early voices, helping establish fantasy as a respected part of Korean popular literature.
Lee rose to prominence with The Bird That Drinks Tears (Nunmureul Mashingneun Sae), a groundbreaking epic fantasy novel first published as a serialized work. The novel introduced readers to an original world populated by richly imagined races, complex political conflicts, and philosophical themes drawn from both Eastern and Western traditions. Its success was followed by The Blood-Drinking Bird, set in the same universe, as well as other acclaimed series including Dragon Raja, Future Walker, and The Last Dragon Lord. His novels are celebrated for combining intricate world-building with humor, moral ambiguity, and thoughtful explorations of identity, leadership, and civilization.
Often referred to as the "father of Korean fantasy," Lee has had a profound influence on subsequent generations of Korean fantasy writers. His works have sold millions of copies in South Korea and continue to inspire adaptations, translations, and new readers around the world. Although relatively little of his bibliography has been translated into English, international interest in his fiction has grown steadily, particularly following the English publication of The Bird That Drinks Tears.
Lee rose to prominence with The Bird That Drinks Tears (Nunmureul Mashingneun Sae), a groundbreaking epic fantasy novel first published as a serialized work. The novel introduced readers to an original world populated by richly imagined races, complex political conflicts, and philosophical themes drawn from both Eastern and Western traditions. Its success was followed by The Blood-Drinking Bird, set in the same universe, as well as other acclaimed series including Dragon Raja, Future Walker, and The Last Dragon Lord. His novels are celebrated for combining intricate world-building with humor, moral ambiguity, and thoughtful explorations of identity, leadership, and civilization.
Often referred to as the "father of Korean fantasy," Lee has had a profound influence on subsequent generations of Korean fantasy writers. His works have sold millions of copies in South Korea and continue to inspire adaptations, translations, and new readers around the world. Although relatively little of his bibliography has been translated into English, international interest in his fiction has grown steadily, particularly following the English publication of The Bird That Drinks Tears.
Books
The Bird That Drinks Tears, Book 2
In a world teetering on the brink of another devastating war, old hatreds run deep. The northern lands live in the shadow of the Nhaga, a powerful race from the south, whose ambition threatens to once...
The Bird That Drinks Tears, Book 1
The world is divided by the Line of Limit. To the north are the Tokkebi—fire people able to manipulate flames as both weapons and illusions; Rekon—giant birdmen with immense strength and warrior...