Young Choi
BIO
Biography

A full member of The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC) and Korean Canadian Writers' Association, YoungJa Choi (pen name: Young Choi / 강영자) is an Ottawa-based poet, historical researcher, and journalist for The Dongponews and Korea Art News. A former Sejong Korean Language Institute instructor, she directed the Ottawa Korean Library Book Club and served as President of the Korean Canadian Writers' Association. She currently serves as Vice President of the Korea-Canada Cultural Arts Center.

Recognized nationally and internationally, her honours include: 2026 Bywords.ca Selected Poet (February issue), 2026 Urban Legends CIPS National Qualifier (Ottawa GCTC), 2021–22 World Korean Women's Foundation Recitation Grand Prize (2x), 2012 Simunhak Critic's Top 50 Writers, Munhak-ui Bom debut (New Writer's Prize), and 2025 Perched National Poetry Winner ("The Millstone of Time").

Choi served as lead researcher and co-screenwriter for the 2026 Berlinale documentary "Faraway Hometown" and as narrator for the 2025 musical "The Light on Choseon".

ADDRESS
City: Ottawa, Province/Territory: Ontario
EMAIL
GENRE
Poetry Non-fiction / Journalism Historical Research
LANGUAGES
Korean, English
PUBLICATIONS
Publications
Title
Of Red Maples and Mugunghwa : Knots, Hanji Grain/ Dancheong in Exile
Publisher
Korean Canadian Writers' Association (KCWA): 979-11-5711-562-4
Year
2025
Title
Korean Canadian Literature 21 - Thunderbird /Echoes of the Korean Peninsula
Publisher
Korean Canadian Writers' Association(KCWA): 979-11-5711-562-4
Year
2024
Title
Of Red Maples and Mugunghwa - To My Beloved Daughter / One Single Wish
Publisher
Korean Canadian Writers' Association(KCWA)
Year
2023
Title
Father! Let's Go Flower Viewing /To You Who Walk This Path /The Sunflower's Prayer
Publisher
Hansol Literature lSBN 9791189537968 03810
Year
2021
Title
The Dream Tree
Publisher
The World of Poetry
Year
2014
Title
The Flower Blossom /The Dreaming Stone/The Apple Tree's Prayer / The Prayer of the Tendril
Publisher
Jongno Literature
Year
2021 -2022
Title
The Scent of Burning Love/The Song of the Coffee Tree/The Lotus of the Wind/The Earth/The Aesthetics of Life/The Flowering Quince
Publisher
Jongno Literature
Year
2020-2018
Title
The Notebook of Life/ Drunk on the Phone
Publisher
Literary Publication in Canada (2019)
Year
2019
AWARDS
Awards
Name
Polar Bear Express Publishing National Poetry Contest
Publication
Perched 2025
Year
2025
Name
Munhak-ui Bom Grand Poetry Prize
Publication
Official Poetry Debut
Year
2012 Vol21
Name
Critic's Top 50 Writers Selection (Rimbaud in Windshoes)/Where Love LingersThe Breathing SoulWings of Hope
Publication
Modern Poetry Magazine
Year
2012
Name
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival Participation /The Little Prince’s Dream/
Publication
Seoul Poets Association
Year
2013, Seoul Poets.Grand Prize, New Year'sLiterary Award
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Presentation details
Audience Size
Audience size
Korean-Canadian Diaspora Poetry & Recitation (10-50)
Presentation Genre
Poetry
Presentation Length
45-60 minutes
Presentation Description
Presentation description

Interactive bilingual poetry reading blending Korean hanji imagery with Ottawa's red maple landscapes. Explores ecological reverence, intergenerational memory, and transcultural identity through "Let's Go Flower Viewing" series. Includes Q&A and writing prompts. Zoom-friendly.



 

Presentation Fee(s)
$200-500 CAD (negotiable for community/non-profit)
Workshop details
Audience Size
8-20
Intended Audience
Adults, teens (15+), emerging writers, Korean diaspora, multicultural groups
Workshop Length
90-120 minutes
Workshop Description
Workshop description

Hands-on bilingual workshop exploring Korean-Canadian identity through poetry. Participants create work blending hanji imagery, red maple landscapes, and personal migration stories. Includes "꽃구경 가자" writing prompts, peer sharing, and revision techniques. Materials provided. Zoom adaptable.

 

Workshop Fee(s)
$300-600 CAD (sliding scale for community groups)
School presentation details
Audience Size
15-40 students
Intended Audience
Grades 7-12 (ages 12-18), ESL students, multicultural classrooms
Presentation Length
45-60 minutes
Presentation Description
Presentation description

Bilingual poetry reading and interactive workshop exploring Korean-Canadian diaspora identity. Features "꽃구경 가자(Let's Go Flower Viewing)" poems blending hanji paper imagery with Ottawa red maples. Students write their own migration/memory poems. Includes Q&A and Zoom option. Materials provided. Proven success with KOWIN Ottawa youth programs and Sejong Language Institute teaching experience.

Presentation Fee(s)
$300-500
EQUITY INITIATIVE
As part of the Union’s Equity Implementation Plan, we are committed to increasing awareness of authors who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQI2S, or living with a disability. This author identifies as:
Members who identify as:
Black, Indigenous, and/or racialized
Programs & Interests
Interested in participating Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program:
All members are eligible for the Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program. Are you interested in participating in this pro
Yes
Interested in participating in the Northern Ontario WITS program:
The Union’s Northern Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program funds in-person visits to northern Ontario schools when possible. Ar
Yes