Stories should belong to everyone.

At Green Lantern, we believe books are more than stories. They open doors, preserve heritage, and help children dream of new possibilities.

Founder’s Message

- Jay Lee, Founder and Member of Green Lantern International

I was just a kid when I first fell in love with stories. They made me feel seen. They made me think.

They showed me that life could be bigger than the one I knew. That changed everything.

I started Green Lantern International because I wanted other kids,

especially the ones who feel small or stuck, to feel that same spark.

These books are not just pages and pictures. They are bridges. Between cultures. Between people.

Between who you are and who you can become.

Every library we build, every story we share, is a promise.

You matter. Your story matters. And the world is so much bigger than you think.

Decorative gold and black floral border design.

Why Folktales?

Folktales are more than stories. They carry centuries of wisdom, values, and cultural identity.

Through folktales, children naturally learn kindness, resilience, and life lessons that no textbook can provide.

Decorative gold and black ornate border with intricate swirling patterns.

What comes to mind when you think of Korea’s national heritage?

Many imagine palaces or temples, but heritage isn’t only what we can see and touch.

Its true value often lies in the stories and lessons behind those places.


This presentation by the founder of Green Lantern International explores that idea through

Sangwonsa Temple and its 1,300-year-old bronze bell—the legend of the Grateful Pheasant

shows how folktales themselves are living artifacts, giving meaning and life to the heritage we preserve.


The presentation was honored with the 국가유산청장상 (Cultural Heritage Administration Award).

Behind every temple, bell, or legend, there’s a story that keeps our heritage alive.

A digital illustration of a book cover titled 'Sangwonsa Temple: Korean Folklore Behind National Heritage' by Jay Lee. The cover features traditional Korean art elements, including a pink and white lotus flower on the left, a mountain landscape with
A collage illustrating Korean heritage. The top left features a traditional Korean stone pagoda, the top right shows a wooden pavilion with a stone pagoda, the bottom left depicts a mountain peak surrounded by clouds, and the bottom right displays a
The image has a beige background with two black fairy silhouettes, one on the bottom left and the other on the top right. The text in the center reads "FOLKLORE" with a subtitle describing folklore as stories passed down over hundreds or thousands of
A presentation slide titled 'Why Is It Important?' displaying images of historical children's magazines and Korean fairy tales, with Korean text and captions about Korea's first collection of traditional fairy tales from 1926.
A presentation slide titled "Why Is It Important?" with historical Korean documents and a colorful illustration of a woman teaching children.
A collage of images highlighting the Seokga Pagoda, a historic stone pagoda located in Bulguk-Dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-Do. The left side shows a photograph of the stone pagoda behind traditional Korean buildings. The right side features a cartoo
A sign reading 'Scenic Site National Treasure No. 100 Ulsan Rock, The Legend of Ulsan Rock' with two images: a photograph of a rugged mountain peak partly covered in clouds, and a cartoon of a gray stone figure with outstretched arms surrounded by re
A poster featuring the Bell of King Seongdeok, an ancient Korean artifact, displayed on the left, and a cartoon illustration of a mother crying while holding her distressed child on the right. Title and description in Korean and English about the art
A graphic highlighting the Mireuk Temple, a historical site in South Korea, with a photo of the temple on the left and an animated character of a girl in traditional Korean clothing bowing in prayer on the right.
A sign highlighting the Ondal Fortress, a historic site in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, with a photo of the fortress ruins and a cartoon illustration of two characters in traditional Korean attire at a table.
Photo of a large, ornate bell with intricate designs, displayed outdoors at Sangwonsa Temple with trees and mountains in the background.
An illustrated image of a man in traditional Korean attire with a hat, standing on green grass with mountains in background. The man is smiling and waving, with four black and white birds flying around. Korean text overlays the scene. To the right, t
Two parent pheasants attack a snake wrapped around a tree to protect their babies.
An animated man shooting an arrow at a snake, with a green bush and blue sky in the background, captioned 'The man kills the snake, saving the pheasant babies.'
A cartoon man dressed as an archer with a wide-brimmed hat and quiver of arrows on his back, looking tired and sweating, standing in the rain as it gets dark.
A cartoon man dressed as a ninja with a snake on him, lying on the ground and looking surprised while the snake spits a red tongue at his face. The background is wood panelling.
A cartoon scene of a man dressed as a wizard with a tall black hat sitting with bird-like creatures in a room with wooden furniture and an empty speaker in the background. The man looks tired or sad.
A collage of five photos taken at a mountain temple. The top left image shows a woman squatting in front of a traditional wooden pavilion with a bell, wings, and decorative elements, smiling and arms outstretched. The top right images are close-ups o
A smiling woman crouches down with arms outstretched in front of a traditional Asian pavilion with intricate wood carvings and Chinese characters on signs, surrounded by greenery and cloudy sky.
Thank you for listening. Samgwonsa Temple, Korean folklore behind national heritage, with illustrations of a mountain, lanterns, a stone lantern, pink and green dragonflies, and a decorative gold border.

Chiak Mountain Folklore Brochure

This brochure was made for people who want to walk Chiak Mountain with its stories in mind, not just its trail signs. It folds together two folktales that grew out of the mountain and the places where those stories are said to live.

On the front, you’ll find short retellings of two legends from Chiak, placed alongside hand-drawn illustrations that pick out key moments and images from each tale.

The full versions of the stories are available through a QR code printed inside the brochure for anyone who wants to keep reading beyond the page.

The back shows a map of the mountain with peaks, temples, waterfalls, and a few “mythical stops” marked along the way—spots that are mentioned in the stories or carry related symbols and names. Each marked place has a brief explanation so visitors can match what they’re reading to what they’re seeing as they move through the mountain.

Brochure Korean Version
Read 'The Nine Dragons' Tale
Read 'The Greatful Pheasant'
Illustration of two goblins and a small man, with one goblin holding a fiery torch and the other goblin and the small man appearing to converse, set against a dark, mystical background with glowing lights, accompanied by text in Korean and English.
Illustration of fairies in a night scene, with two fairies flying near the moon and one fairy in a pond, and a girl with bunny ears sitting on a hill. A person in traditional Korean clothing is standing near the pond. The image contains Korean and English text describing a story involving fairies and a woodcutter.

The Power of Language

Our books are bilingual, with English printed alongside the language of the story’s culture. This side-by-side format helps children compare and learn with ease.

A Universal Audience

Our books are read and enjoyed by a wide community:

  • Children discovering new stories

  • Parents sharing time with their kids

  • Heritage learners reconnecting with their roots

  • Language learners around the world

Stories bring together people of every age, language, and background.

Icon representing education with an open book and a pen, labeled as '4 Quality Education' in white text on a red background.

Equal Access to Education

Millions of children still grow up without access to books.

We create digital, bilingual folktales so that any child, anywhere, can read freely, no matter their wealth, location, or circumstance.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Graphic highlighting Goal 10 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Reduced Inequalities, with directional arrows pointing up, down, left, and right.

Books as Bridges

For children in underserved communities, books are not luxuries. They are lifelines.

They open doors to worlds beyond poverty and help young readers imagine futures that can break the cycle across generations.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Building Libraries, Building Futures

Our mission goes further than publishing.

We aim to build real libraries in underserved regions, creating lasting spaces where children can learn, explore, and dream.