Actor, writer Cha In-pyo to give guest lecture at Oxford University for Korean literature festival

Actor and novelist Cha In-pyo is set to visit Oxford University to deliver a special lecture about his literary perspective, according to Professor Jieun Kiaer, of Oxford's Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, on Tuesday.

Cha In-pyo has been selected as the lecturer of the first “Oxford Korean Literature Festival” for his 2021 book “If We Ever Gaze at the Same Star” (translated) [JOONGANG ILBO]

Actor and novelist Cha In-pyo is set to visit Oxford University to deliver a special lecture about his literary perspective, according to Professor Jieun Kiaer, whose Korean name is Cho Ji-eun, of Oxford's Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, on Tuesday.

Cha has been selected as the lecturer of the first “Oxford Korean Literature Festival” for his 2021 book “Once We Look at the Same Star."

This event is planned to be held annually starting this year and aims to invite notable Korean authors to share their literary perspectives. There are also plans to translate major works into English, German and French.

Cha has written three novels: “Today's Forecast” (translated) (2011), “Once We Look at the Same Star” and “Mermaid Hunting” (translated) (2022).

The novel “Once We Look at the Same Star,” originally published in 2009 as his first full-length novel “Goodbye Hill” (translated), deals with the issue of Korean comfort women under Japanese colonial rule.

Cha starring in comedy film ″What Happened to Mr. Cha?″ (2021) [NETFLIX]

"I am delighted that a work I wrote over a decade ago is being rediscovered," said Cha through Kiaer’s research team. "I will do my best to meet more readers and create new works through this opportunity."

Cha will visit Oxford University with his wife, actor Shin Ae-ra, and hold a Q&A session with the audience. Professor Kiaer’s research team plans to support the translations of “If We Ever Gaze at the Same Star” into English, German and French.

"I am grateful to Professor Cho Ji-eun and the officials at Oxford University for inviting me after reading my novel written long ago,” said Cha on Instagram on Wednesday. “Above all, I am thankful to the readers."

Cha debuted in 1993 in the MBC drama "Han Ji-bong's Three Families." He is known for starring in MBC drama "Star in My Heart" (1997), SBS drama "Hong Kong Express" (2005) and "Big Thing" (2010). Cha also starred in the comedy film "What Happened to Mr. Cha?" (2021).

To find out more about Cha In-pyo, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]