At the press conference commemorating the 60th anniversary of the quarterly magazine ‘Creation and Criticism,’ members of Changbi held the anniversary issue for a photo. From left are Hwang Jeong-a, deputy editor of Creation and Criticism; Lee Nam-joo, chief editor; Yeom Jong-seon, CEO of Changbi; and Baek Ji-yeon, deputy editor. (Yonhap News)
“‘Constantly the same, yet newly every day.’ We will restore the ‘humanistic spirit’ in modern society facing crises, while safeguarding our roots and expressing innovation,” said Lee Nam-joo, chief editor of Creation and Criticism.
The quarterly magazine ‘Creation and Criticism,’ which leads the discourse on Korean literature, marks its 60th anniversary this year. Aiming to be a ‘critical comprehensive magazine,’ covering literature such as novels, poetry, and critiques, Creation and Criticism is now the foundation of publisher Changbi. On the 24th, Changbi held a press conference in Seoul’s Mapo-gu at the Changbi Seogyo Building to discuss its accomplishments and the future direction of the quarterly magazine and publishing house.
The quarterly magazine Creation and Criticism began as a small 132-page booklet in January 1966. Baek Nak-cheong, Professor Emeritus of English at Seoul National University, who was its first editor and served as chief editor, retired in 2015 but remains an honorary editor. The magazine’s original price at its launch was 70 won. It faced hardships, such as being forcibly discontinued in 1980 under the military regime, and having its publisher registration cancelled in 1985. The magazine restarted in 1988 with democratic changes, eventually restoring its publisher name, reaching its current status.
As of the spring 2026 issue, the print circulation of Creation and Criticism is 9,000 copies. It is estimated to have 10,000 regular subscribers (7,500 print and 2,500 electronic subscribers), with 629 subscribers having been with the magazine for over 10 years. The book club ‘Club Changbi,’ which includes quarterly subscriptions, has gained interest among young readers, with 40% of subscribers being in their 20s and 30s.
“We strive to fulfill the dual task of adapting to and overcoming our times, rather than compromising with reality or recklessly surpassing an era,” said Yeom Jong-seon, CEO of Changbi.
Creation and Criticism, identifying itself as a ‘hub for K-discourse,’ plans to focus on elucidating the ideological roots of Korea in the future. Scheduled for the 60th anniversary spring issue, the magazine will feature critiques revealing the roles of celebrated figures in early Korean modern literature, Yeom Sang-seop and Na Hye-sok, as cultural critics. The ‘Selections of Korean Thought’ series, initiated in 2024 and spanning 30 volumes, will be completed this year, followed by a ‘K-Ideology Symposium’ in the fall.
Additionally, the magazine intends to maintain its sensitivity towards the frontiers of literature as a literary journal. It plans to highlight works by young poets through the ’50 New Poets Series’ and feature ‘novella specials’ that spotlight noted mid-career and emerging authors each season. The magazine also aims to explore new channels through expanding digital content like e-books and engaging in secondary creative projects such as visual and performance adaptations.
Furthermore, it will continue to uphold its identity as a critical journal that also engages in political and social commentary. The journal compares its identity to that of the ‘New York Review of Books,’ which publishes reviews covering politics, literature, and art; the ‘New Left Review,’ which analyzes global affairs and culture from a new left perspective; and ‘Sekai,’ a leading intellectual magazine representing Japan’s postwar generation.
“The tradition of ‘K-Ideology’ we emphasize has always been a fusion of literature and discourse. Broadly speaking, this can be termed the humanistic spirit. Upholding this tradition is our direction and something we will pursue with greater vigor in the future,” remarked Hwang Jeong-a, deputy editor of Creation and Criticism.