'Important Bodies', one of Judith Butler's seminal texts alongside her renowned work 'Gender Trouble', has been newly translated into Korean for the first time in 23 years. The title, previously translated as 'A Body that Embodies Meaning' in 2003, reflects a clearer understanding of Butler's critical examination of the relationship between bodies and discourse. The new translation captures the nuances of Butler's arguments regarding the materiality of bodies and the interplay of power relations that dictate which bodies are deemed valuable within societal contexts.

The book not only addresses the discussions that emerged following the publication of 'Gender Trouble' but also responds to critiques about reducing bodies to mere discourse. Butler emphasizes that while material bodies cannot exist without discourse, pure materiality devoid of context is also a myth. This work dives deeply into concepts such as 'performativity', where Butler elaborates on how the repetition of norms perpetuates the exclusion of certain bodies from recognition as fully human, reinforcing regulatory norms in society. By engaging with themes of 'important bodies' and 'lives worth mourning', the text invites readers to envision radical politics through the lens of bodily politics.

The translator, Lee Seung-jun, is an independent researcher studying connections between feminism, Marxism, and ecological wisdom. His reflections in the translation shed light on the challenges of Butler's theories and the difficulties in choosing appropriate terminology. Additionally, Lee remarks on the resistance of young feminists over the past 23 years in Korea, which provides a contextual backdrop for understanding how Butler's ideas have been received and adapted within Korean culture. This renewed translation not only enriches the discourse surrounding gender and bodies in contemporary society but also underscores the relevance of Butler's work to ongoing feminist movements.