Im Hwa (1908 – ­1953) is best remembered as an early, influential literary critic and theorist. He dabbled in many of the creative arts and was an active poet throughout his career. In addition, Im Hwa was a leading member of KAPF (Korea Artista Proleta Federatio), a coalition of leftist writers during the colonial period. In 1947, two years after Korea’s liberation from Japan, he crossed the 38th parallel to join the regime in the North, where he remained until he was purged in 1953.