Jude Vandervort wins award for translating Korean fiction

Jude Vandervort won the fiction Commendation Award at the 57th Korea Times Literature Translation Awards for his work on Jeong Ji-a’s novel, "Bead by Bead."

Vandervort, a recent graduate of Rutgers University in New Jersey, transitioned from a background in cell biology and neuroscience to the world of literary translation. During his studies, he served as a senior student ambassador for the Asian Languages and Cultures Program.

He discovered an interest in how Korean sentences convey emotional effects while analyzing articles in his language classes. The translation process taught Vandervort to move away from the literal precision of scientific writing toward a more poetic style. He described the experience as a way to embrace interpretation and literary art. The award recognizes his ability to capture the essence of Korean literature for an English speaking audience.