Park-ha graduated from the Department of Early Childhood Education in Keimyung University. She wrote many essays about rural life. The Gazette interviewed her and asked her some questions about her life and her essays.

1. What made you become an essayist?

When I was 10 years old, I wrote a children’s verse called “Sundrops.” After that, my class teacher said to me, “If you become a poet, you can be a good poet.” Later, when I was a high school student, my high school teacher also told me like the other teacher had said. Even though I was very busy, I wrote some essays during my leisure times. When I sent my essays to KBS, MBC, and CBS, they always selected my essays. I used to enjoy getting prize money and other prizes. Later, when my husband passed away suddenly, essays helped to soothe my sorrow and overcome the mental shock.

2. Among your essays, there are A bluebird in Gum-ho river, Life, Delight of Mentor, and Green smile. What is your favorite essay?

Every essay is very precious to me, and I wrote another many essays, too, but Peony Blossom is very valuable to me. This essay is about misty memories of my early days.

3. When you write essays, what is your motivation?

My motivation comes from my experiences of country life. That is, I love nature, love, life, and yearning. Through this, I can write essays and poets more lyrically.

4. What are your best memories of your university life?

When I was a university student, it was the 1960’s. University life was very beautiful and it had a family atmosphere. Once a week, I went to a chapel, and played with friends. Also, I translated English storybooks into Korean. It was very interesting for me.

5. Finally, please give some advice to Keimyung Students.
I think that students have every chance to challenge themselves life. So, don’t hesitate any challenge.