by O. Henry
Translated by Hyeseon Yun
Translated by Hyeseon Yun
ISBN 979-11-994625-3-3 (45840)
One of O. Henry’s most renowned short stories, After Twenty Years, has captivated readers around the world since its publication in 1906 with its sharp yet touching twist. Despite its brevity, the story skillfully explores themes of friendship and morality, and is still widely included in secondary school curricula and literary discussions across many countries.
This story follows two friends who meet on a dark street at night to keep a promise they made twenty years earlier. But time changes people, and the choices they make lead them down different paths. Their reunion is both welcome and bittersweet, and though brief, it raises profound questions about human nature, responsibility, and the meaning of justice.
This book includes both the Korean translation and the original English text, so you can compare the two as you read. The Korean is easy to understand, and the English lets you feel the original style and nuance. As you read, your vocabulary and reading skills will naturally grow.