April 8, 2025

Korean Edition of “Star Park,” Daisaku Ikeda’s Children’s Story, Republished

SEOUL, South Korea: The Korean-language edition of Hoshi no yūenchi (tentative translation: Star Park), a fairy tale by Daisaku Ikeda (1928–2023) that encourages children to cultivate a courageous heart, has recently been released by the publishing arm of Dong-A Ilbo Co., a major South Korean media company best known for its daily newspaper.

The book follows four children who board a mysterious paper crane that whisks them away to a cosmic amusement park. There, they embark on thrilling adventures—riding a roller coaster through the universe and encountering a hellish black hole—through which they learn the importance and value of courage and friendship.

The Japanese edition, first published in 1988 and reissued by Gakken in September 2023, has been cherished across generations and continues to receive wide acclaim.

The recent republication of the original Japanese version prompted a renewed Korean translation, whose earlier edition was published in 1994. The new edition was produced with the cooperation of Gakken. 

Over the course of his lifetime, Mr. Ikeda authored more than 20 original fairy tales and children’s stories, which have been translated and published in 23 languages to date, including English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Korean. Animated adaptations have also been broadcast on television in 26 countries and regions—including Spain, Chile, Australia and the Philippines—and continue to be loved by children around the world.

The world is replete with challenges created by humankind, such as environmental degradation, poverty, war and nuclear weapons. In this social climate, Mr. Ikeda’s works deliver a message of peace to the hearts of young children who will shoulder the responsibility of shaping their generation. His fairy tales and stories—transcending generations and national borders—will continue to shine as a beacon of hope for the future.

 [Adapted from an article in the April 8, 2025, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan]

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