Rina Olsen’s career is the success many writers dream of. With a multicultural background and a gift for blending heritage, history, and fantasy, Olsen creates stories that resonate with readers and publishers across the globe. Her latest novel, The Water Stricken, exemplifies her talent, skillfully mixing Korean folklore with the rich backdrop of 19th-century Joseon Korea. Part of The Haedong Chronicles, which includes the much-praised Third Moon Passing, this novel tackles themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of justice against societal turmoil. The Asian Cut recently sat down with Olsen to discuss the multicultural influences behind her writing and the themes fueling her stories.
Born in Tokyo to a Zainichi Korean mother (ethnic Koreans who have lived in Japan for generations) and an American father, Olsen spent her early years in Guam, a place that encouraged her creativity. “Growing up on Guam—an island that celebrates diversity—has taught me to express myself and allowed me to cultivate a unique voice,” she shares. This environment starkly contrasted with the silence maintained by her family’s previous generations to avoid discrimination in Japan. “I feel comfortable using literature for social activism,” Olsen explains, reflecting her commitment to improving social conditions for Zainichi Koreans through her art.
At home, Olsen was surrounded by a mix of traditions, where Western holidays like Christmas blended with Eastern observances such as Seollal and Korean ancestor worship. This cultural fusion broadened her appreciation for different traditions and deepened her understanding of language. “Different cultures have distinct words and phrases to express things that can’t always be translated into other languages,” she points out.
For Olsen, her cultural heritage is inseparable from her work. “I’ve discovered that whenever I try to write a novel without including some aspect of East Asia, I’m unable to write anything,” she admits. “I think it’s because, when it comes to the West, I don’t have much to say… I don’t think it’s a matter of whether I feel free to explore or what expectations I might be held to. It’s more about upholding my responsibility as an artist to express what is important to me, which just happens to coincide with my cultural heritage.”
At the heart of Olsen’s latest novel, The Water Stricken, is her ability to blend careful historical research with folklore and fantasy. “My priority is researching historical facts and timelines because this serves as the foundation of the narrative. Once I know what took place, I’m able to insert folklore and fantasy elements as the story develops and then fine-tune everything in later drafts,” she explains. The story, set during a time when Catholicism challenged traditional beliefs in Korea, follows Hwangbo Pyori, a young concubine whose tragic death sparks a gripping tale of murder, political tension, and the supernatural. The novel also delves into issues of racism and cultural misunderstandings between Korea and Europe—deeply personal themes for Olsen, given her family’s painful experiences in Japan.
The novel’s central characters, Hwangbo Pyori and Geum Narae, reflect their era’s social struggles. Pyori, who dies young, is an unreliable narrator trapped between life and death, while Narae, a bold damo (woman police officer) and secret Catholic, is driven by her moral convictions. “Pyori was my experiment with the unreliable narrator, while Narae became the opposite with her strong moral compass,” Olsen shares. Their contrasting beliefs push the story forward, revealing the tension between tradition and change.
Women’s rights frequently appear in Olsen’s work, and she often examines how societal expectations affect women from different backgrounds. “Women’s rights and needs is a theme that I’m inclined to explore in my work,” she notes. Through characters like Pyori and Narae, Olsen vividly captures the limitations imposed on women in 19th-century Korea, enriching the story with a strong sense of historical authenticity. “The distinct situations of each woman in the narrative illustrate the boundaries imposed on different classes and ages of women at the time,” she adds.
Olsen’s storytelling also carries a quiet humility that makes her characters feel incredibly real. When Pyori watches her family continue living without her, she reflects, “Not even the tears of dead girls are enough to bring them back to their mothers.” There’s a profound sense of empathy woven into Olsen’s writing that enhances the authenticity of her stories.
Outside of writing novels, Olsen’s experience as an editor and instructor gives her a unique perspective on how literature helps young people explore their cultural identities. She recalls attending the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association Poetry Contest, where she overheard someone question whether Gen Z is still interested in literature and was compelled to push back. “My experiences as a writer, editor, and instructor have shown me that the number of young writers has grown exponentially through the digital age,” she asserts. Digital platforms and increased social awareness have amplified the voices of young writers, especially those of colour.
In her course, “Identifying Identity through Diasporic Poetry,” Olsen encourages students to explore beyond language, teaching them that poetic form can be a powerful tool for expression. Using contemporary CHamoru concrete poetry as an example, she shows how literature can be a refuge for those navigating complex issues of identity and belonging. “It offers a home for identities in a world where the concept of ‘home’ is increasingly difficult to define,” she explains.
Olsen has created her own literary sanctuary through The Haedong Chronicles, including Third Moon Passing, The Water Stricken, and her upcoming novel Muddy Jade Pieces. The series will conclude with a fourth book centred on the British occupation of Geomun Island (1885–1887). “The Haedong Chronicles is my first attempt to shine a light on historical events that I believe deserve more attention,” she says.
Looking ahead, Olsen’s next projects will focus on the experiences of ethnic Koreans in Japan, exploring the struggles of Zainichi Koreans throughout the 20th century. “I have a few works lined up after The Haedong Chronicles that will focus specifically on Zainichi Koreans, so we’ll see how that evolves,” she shares.
As Olsen continues to grow her body of work, her dedication to uncovering overlooked histories remains at the core of her storytelling. With each new project, she brings history to life in a way that’s both engaging and deeply impactful—a rare gift.
