Moon Ji-hyeok’s ‘Night Train’: A Journey of Autofiction & Self-Discovery

Seoul, South Korea – South Korean author Moon Ji-hyeok has released his latest novel, Night Train, a work of autofiction drawing on a three-week backpacking trip through Europe undertaken in 1999, when he was entering his twenties. The book, published by Hyundae Munhak, explores themes of memory, identity and the transformative power of travel.

Moon, known for his diverse literary spectrum ranging from science fiction to autofiction, discussed his new work in a written interview. The novel is structured as a “layered novel,” comprised of three interconnected narratives. It features the “I” of a young man in his twenties embarking on a European journey, the “I” within the novel he writes during that trip, and the “I” of a man in his forties, 25 years later, reconstructing the journey through recollection.

According to Moon, the novel within the novel mirrors a manuscript he struggled to complete in his youth. It feels as if I, 20 years later, picked up the baton that had fallen to the ground and finally completed it, he stated. He emphasized the importance of completion over achieving critical acclaim, stating, I may not be able to stand on the podium, but I feel relieved.

The story begins with the arrival of a package sent by his father, containing relics of his youth: a silver Sony CD player, a faded military uniform, a diary, university textbooks, photographs, a collection of poems, and a bundle of manuscripts. The discovery of a rusted silver ring, a parting gift from a former girlfriend, triggers a wave of memories and sets the stage for the novel’s exploration of loss and remembrance.

The ring’s significance lies in its connection to a journey undertaken to discard it in Vienna, Austria – a symbolic act of letting go. However, as the narrative unfolds, the journey deviates from its intended purpose, mirroring the unpredictable nature of life itself. The novel evokes the sensibilities of late 20th-century cinema, particularly films like Before Sunrise, with its evocative and lyrical prose, and portrays the growth of a naive young man through the experience of travel.

Moon poses a central question within the novel: Is this a record of a journey? But can life exist without travel? He clarifies that his intention isn’t to reiterate the cliché that life is a journey, but rather to highlight the significance of the act of leaving and returning. It’s not where you go that matters, but the process of leaving and coming back that is most important, he explained. He argues that even upon returning to one’s starting point, one is invariably changed by the experience, subtly altered by the journey.

Autofiction has become a defining characteristic of Moon’s work. He acknowledges that he initially stumbled into the genre but now finds it increasingly compelling. Especially in an era dominated by artificial intelligence, the uniqueness of individual experience may be the last defense of what we consider ‘humanity,’ he stated. He referenced his previous work, Elementary Korean, and suggested that endless first-person murmuring may be all that remains of human-authored literature.

When asked about the balance between fact and fiction in his writing, Moon responded with characteristic ambiguity. Annie Ernaux writes everything she experienced. Some authors change proper nouns. Some change gender, age, or appearance. Some fabricate everything. None of these are wrong, and none are perfect. They simply express what they think and believe. He added that he feels comfortable revealing himself directly but embellishes or distorts details relating to others, playfully referring to the specific ratio as a trade secret.

Moon debuted in 2010 with the science fiction short story Chaser on Naver, and has since consistently published novels and short story collections. He has already released two books this year, including a short story collection titled What You Gave Me last month. He revealed that several more publications are planned, including Intermediate Korean, the third installment in a series following Elementary Korean, expected to be released in the spring.

Currently recovering from a major surgery to remove a cyst in his mouth, Moon expressed gratitude to his readers and wished them good health in 2026. I hope everyone stays healthy in 2026. I am recovering well and will return with a healthy appearance soon. Thank you, he concluded.