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Baek Hee-na

ベク・ヒーナ

Baek Hee-na

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1971-12-01 （Seoul, South Korea）
Nationality
South Korea
Languages
Korean
Residence History
Seoul

Career

Occupations
Author of picture books, Illustrator, Animator
Active Years
2004-

Education

Ewha Womans University
Educational Technology
Country: South Korea
California Institute of the Arts
Character Animation
Country: United States
Studied character animation

Awards

The Illustrator of the Year at the Bologna Children's Book Fair
2005
Work: Cloud Bread
Organization: Bologna Children's Book Fair
Result: 受賞
The 53rd Korea Publishing Culture Awards
2012
Work: The Bath Fairy
Organization: Korea publishing/culture organizations
Result: 受賞
Changwon Children's Literature Award
2013
Work: The Bath Fairy
Organization: Changwon (local award)
Result: 受賞
IBBY Honour List
2018
Work: Magic Candies
Organization: International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)
Result: 選定
The Picture Book Translation Award and Reader Award (24th Japanese Picture Book Awards)
2019
Work: Magic Candies
Organization: Japan School Library Association / Mainichi Daily News
Result: 受賞（翻訳賞・読者賞）
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
2020
Organization: Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) Steering Committee
Result: 受賞（第1回韓国人受賞者）
The Boston Globe - Picture Book Honor Books Award
2022
Work: Moon Pop
Organization: The Boston Globe
Result: オナー
Andersen "Gualtiero Schiaffino" SuperPrize
2023
Work: Magic Candies
Organization: Andersen award (Gualtiero Schiaffino SuperPrize)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Cloud Bread

2004 Picture book

A warm story about bread made from clouds. Notable for handmade models and photographed illustrations combining craft and animation techniques.

ImaginationFamilyKindness
Adaptations
  • [Musical] Cloud Bread (musical)
  • [TV animation] Cloud Bread (TV animation)
Translations
  • Translated into multiple languages including English

Magic Candies

2017 Picture book

A heartwarming story with distinctive characters and meticulously crafted backgrounds; internationally acclaimed and adapted for the stage.

ImaginationFriendshipMagic
Adaptations
  • [Stage (musical)] Magic Candies (musical)
Translations
  • Translated into English, German, Chinese, Japanese and other languages

The Bath Fairy

2012 Picture book

A warm, slightly fantastical picture book that received domestic publishing awards.

FantasyHomeComfort

Moon Sherbet

2010 Picture book

A poetic picture book themed around the moon and dreams.

DreamsNightGentleness

I am a Dog

2019 Picture book

A humorous and endearing picture book told from a dog's perspective.

AnimalsSelf-awarenessHumor

Bibliography

  • Cloud Bread (2004)
  • The Boy Who Looked for the North Wind (2007)
  • The Pink Rope (2007)
  • Moon Sherbet (2010)
  • Last Evening (2011)
  • Peep's Mother (2011)
  • The Bath Fairy (2012)
  • The Poop Fly I Tasted in my Dream (2014)
  • Strange Mother (2016)
  • Magic Candies (2017)
  • The Strange Visitor (2018)
  • I am a Dog (2019)
  • Yeoni and Mr. Willow (2022)
  • The Recipe of Magic Candies (2024)
  • Happy Birthday (2024)

Adaptations

  • Cloud Bread — musical and TV animation adaptations
  • Magic Candies — stage musical adaptation

Translations of Works

  • English, German, Chinese, Japanese, Swedish, Norwegian and other translations

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Photographic picture-book technique using handmade three-dimensional modelsVisual storytelling influenced by stop-motion and animation techniquesCinematic staging and meticulous attention to detail
Recurring Motifs
Handmade dolls and setsFood and sweetsWarmth and comfort of home

Legacy

Internationally acclaimed South Korean picture-book author whose works have been translated and adapted worldwide. She became the first Korean to win the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2020. Her case also drew attention to unfair publishing contracts in Korea, influencing industry practices.

In Popular Culture

  • Cloud Bread adapted as a musical and TV animation
  • Magic Candies stage musical

Quotes

  • "Baek Hee-na is an artist who develops the field of picture books, showing uncompromising and bold techniques and artistic solutions by interestingly combining crafts made by hand and animation elements."
    Source: ALMA (Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award) Steering Committee commentary (2020)

Trivia

  • Cloud Bread was translated into about 10 countries and adapted as a musical and TV animation.
  • By 2014 related merchandise sales reached hundreds of billions of won, but due to an unfair contract Baek received only a small royalty; this prompted Korean government action against such contracts.
  • In 2020 she won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, becoming the first Korean laureate.