Korean edition of novel 'Cigarette Girl' published, part of Southeast Asia cultural exchange series
Published: 13 Mar. 2026, 15:49
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- WOO JI-WON
- [email protected]
![Raith Kumala, writer of the Indonesian novel "Cigarette Girl" (2012), poses with the Korean edition of her novel after a press conference held at Han-ASEAN center in jung District, central Seoul, on March 13. [WOO JI-WON]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/13/f5fb4e5b-508d-48ae-a9cf-1271f983057a.jpg)
Raith Kumala, writer of the Indonesian novel "Cigarette Girl" (2012), poses with the Korean edition of her novel after a press conference held at Han-ASEAN center in jung District, central Seoul, on March 13. [WOO JI-WON]
The Korean edition of the Indonesian novel “Cigarette Girl” (2012) has been published, announced Hansae Yes24 Foundation on Friday.
The novel follows three generations of a family involved in Indonesia's kretek, or clove cigarette, industry from the 1940s to the present. The story revolves around three brothers searching for a woman named Jeng Yah, uncovering family secrets and stories of love against the backdrop of Indonesia's turbulent history.
“Cigarette Girl” has already been published in six languages, including English and German, and was also adapted into a Netflix series in 2023.
![A core spice used in the kretek cigarettes featured in “Cigarette Girl” is displayed on a table. [WOO JI-WON]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/13/8d4cdf50-3167-4b29-9dc8-45c6a2f1fe82.jpg)
A core spice used in the kretek cigarettes featured in “Cigarette Girl” is displayed on a table. [WOO JI-WON]
“I hope this book will be an introduction to Indonesian culture. It contains not only a love story but also history,” Kumala added.
Cecep Herawan, Indonesian ambassador to Korea, also attended the event to celebrate the publication, saying, “This publication is very meaningful for Indonesia.”
“We hope Korean readers can gain insight into the culture, traditions and social dynamics of Indonesia,” he said.
The Korean translation of “Cigarette Girl” was published by Hansae Yes24 Foundation as part of the organization's Southeast Asian Literature Series, which translates and publishes contemporary Southeast Asian literature into Korean to promote cultural exchange between Korea and the region.
In 2022, the social contribution foundation translated and published contemporary works from Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. Last year, three books by Vietnamese writers were published to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines.
Books in the series are selected based on how well they reflect a country's history and culture, as well as how relatable they may be for Korean readers, said Baek Soo-mi, chairperson of the foundation's board.
![From left: Baek Soo-mi, chairperson of the Hansae Yes24 Foundation’s board, author Ratih Kumala and Cecep Herawan, Indonesian ambassador to Korea, speak during a press conference held at the Han-ASEAN Center in Jung District, central Seoul, on March 13. [WOO JI-WON]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/13/786b1111-3a9e-403d-8673-70c52a4ae200.jpg)
From left: Baek Soo-mi, chairperson of the Hansae Yes24 Foundation’s board, author Ratih Kumala and Cecep Herawan, Indonesian ambassador to Korea, speak during a press conference held at the Han-ASEAN Center in Jung District, central Seoul, on March 13. [WOO JI-WON]
BY WOO JI-WON [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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