Seventh Volume of Southeast Asia Modern Literature Series Publishes Cigarette Girl in Korean

The Hanse YES24 Cultural Foundation in Seoul has released the seventh volume in its Southeast Asia Modern Literature Series, publishing Indonesian author Latī Kumala’s novel Cigarette Girl. The book was launched at a press briefing held at the Korea-ASEAN Centre on March 13.

At the event, Latī Kumala expressed gratitude that her work is now available in Korean and said she hopes the translation offers readers a clearer glimpse into Indonesian culture.

Cigarette Girl is set against the 1960s kretek cigarette industry in Indonesia. Its central figure is Jeongya, a female perfumer who emerges as a leading talent in a male-dominated field. The story follows the heirs of the Kretek Jagad Raya family as they confront their father’s secrets and trace Jeongya’s legacy through a turbulent era in Indonesian industry and society.

The author also highlights the broader social climate of the period, noting that women were marginalized and relegated to supporting roles in a society where women making cigarettes was seen by many as a misstep that could spoil the product’s reputation.

Kumala said she chose a strong, proactive female protagonist because Jeongya embodies a forward-thinking figure whose presence remains relevant across eras, potentially inspiring contemporary women.

The Indonesian ambassador to South Korea attended the briefing and described the Korean edition as an important milestone for sharing history and strengthening cultural ties between Korea and Indonesia.

Cigarette Girl has already been translated into six languages, including English, German and Arabic, and has even been adapted into a Netflix original series, signaling strong cross-border appeal and potential for wider global audiences.

Latī Kumala, born in 1980 in Jakarta, is a novelist and screenwriter whose work often explores Indonesia’s diverse social fabric and inclusive ideals. She has also worked on film and television scripts. Her husband, Eka Kurniawan, is another prominent Indonesian author who has had his works introduced in Korea.

The new title is the seventh publication in the Hanse Yes24 Cultural Foundation’s Southeast Asia Literature Series, a program the foundation has run since 2020 to promote cultural exchange between Korea and Southeast Asian countries. Foundation chair Baek Soomi said the project helps Korean readers discover Southeast Asian masterpieces and see the region’s unique cultures connected to global audiences.

The Korean edition is translated by Bae Dongseon and runs 332 pages.