Tainan: Taiwanese literature is gaining readers abroad, particularly in South Korea, but still struggles to sustain long-term momentum, translators said Tuesday, citing challenges such as limited funding, shrinking translator networks, and uneven exposure in foreign markets.

According to Focus Taiwan, at the 2025 International Forum on Taiwan Literature Translation and Publishing in Tainan, Korean translator Kim Tae-sung highlighted that Taiwanese literature has made “remarkable progress” in South Korea. Fewer works from China have been translated and published, prompting readers to turn to Taiwan’s mature storytelling. Kim noted that the South Korean edition of “Ghost Town” sold over 30,000 copies in less than two years, attributing its success to the sophisticated themes and styles that appeal to South Korean readers.

In Japan, Taiwanese author Wu Ming-yi has gained popularity, with several of his works reissued in pocket-sized editions, according to veteran translator Etsuko Uozumi. Uozumi, who promotes Taiwan’s Indigenous writing, mentioned that this format indicates a growing readership despite Japan’s small market. However, she also pointed out challenges such as limited funding and a decline in translators, which hinder the sustainability of translated works in Japan.

Meanwhile, Polish translator Maciej Artur Gaca discussed the challenges of promoting Taiwanese literature overseas, emphasizing that “continuity” is crucial for success in small markets. Gaca, a former Polish representative to Taiwan, noted that a book’s impact is significant if it is featured in literary magazines, cited in universities, or translated into other languages.

The forum gathered translators, editors, publishers, and scholars from seven countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic. It coincided with a literary translation workshop led by Singaporean translator Jeremy Tiang and Anna Goode, managing director of the British Centre for Literary Translation. This workshop was held for the first time in Taiwan after four editions in the U.K.

Both events are part of the inaugural Taiwan Writers Festival, which runs through Nov. 30. Chen Ying-fang, head of the National Museum of Taiwan Literature and the events’ main organizer, stated that the festival was inspired by the strong reception of Taiwanese writers at international literary events. She emphasized the importance of having a festival dedicated to Taiwan’s own authors.