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Christine Newell is an author and freelance writer based in Melbourne. Her debut memoir, Five Seasons in Seoul, was published by Affirm Press in March 2025. FIVE SEASONS IN SEOUL A life-changing year in South Korea A heartfelt, sumptuous journey through one of the most fascinating cultures and landscapes on the planet, Five Seasons in Seoul is for armchair travellers and memoir lovers alike. READ MORE. BUY NOW 'The beauty of this book is in the quiet and simple moments of Christine's memories: the joy of sharing a meal with colleagues turned friends, the lightness of an afternoon cycling in nature, the simplicity of walking around your favourite neighbourhood.' Madeleine Cleary, author of The Butterfly Women 'We’re used to the yearly pattern of four seasons, but in Korea they have a fifth, between late summer and autumn, when, as Christine Newell writes in this thoroughly engaging memoir of her time in Seoul, “the energies of yin and yang are perfectly balanced”...With admirable ease, she vividly evokes the sights, tastes and feel of the city, ranging from the exotic to the kinky, incorporating customs, beliefs – and a little romance.' The Age , Saturday 22 March 'From her days as a tap-dancing dinosaur in Melbourne to life in the high-stakes, adrenaline-fuelled world of musical theatre in South Korea, Five Seasons in Seoul is a sensory treat. A skilled storyteller, Newell writes with candour, humour and charm about rejection, grief, anxiety and fear — and finding yourself where you least expected.' Ariane Beeston, author of Because I'm Not Myself You See ABOUT CHRISTINE As a non-fiction writer, Christine loves nothing more than a compelling true story and has a strong interest in writing that explores travel, wellbeing and mental health. Her debut memoir, Five Seasons in Seoul , was longlisted for the 2024 Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize (under a different title) and was published by Affirm Press in March 2025. It was chosen as Dymocks Non-Fiction Book of the Month, was the Non-Fiction Pick of the Week in The Sydney Morning Herald /The Age Australia , and was featured on Arirang Radio, Korea. Christine has appeared on panels at the Manly Writers' Festival and the inaugural Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival. She has also spoken about her memoir and journey to publication at the Korean Cultural Centre Australia and on ABC Melbourne and ABC Radio National. Her writing has been featured in Onya Magazine and The Age Australia . With a background as a professional musical theatre performer, Christine has always been a storyteller. Her stage credits include the 1999 – 2001 national tour of The Sound of Music , starring Lisa McCune, John Waters and Bert Newton, and the Australian productions of The Wizard of Oz and Anything Goes . In 2016, Christine wrote and produced her own one-woman show, Places I Have Been , which premiered to a sold-out audience at the Kew Court House and inspired her to write her memoir. Christine is currently completing a Master of Arts in Writing and Literature at Deakin University. When she's not writing, she can usually be found enjoying a coffee at her local cafe, meditating at the park or watching K-dramas with her cat, Darcy, by her side. Photo by Ksenia Belova Photography News & Media Five Seasons in Seoul is the Dymocks Non-Fiction Book of the Month March 2025 Christine chats with Tegan Taylor about Five Seasons in Seoul on ABC Radio National LISTEN NOW Christine's article on impostor syndrome and anxiety in The Age READ NOW Five Seasons in Seoul is the Non-Fiction Pick of the Week in The Age READ NOW STAY IN THE KNOW Sign up to The Seasonal Traveller, a letter about moving mindfully through the seasons, creative living, travel and life as a debut author. FOLLOW CHRISTINE ON INSTAGRAM

Christine Newell is an author and freelance writer based in Melbourne. Her debut memoir, Five Seasons in Seoul, was published by Affirm Press in March 2025. THE FULL STORY (ALMOST) Christine made her first professional stage appearance on the day of her eighteenth birthday in the role of Sleeping Beauty for Storybook Theatre Company. A few years later, she made her musical theatre debut in the ensemble of the 1999 – 2001 Australian production of The Sound of Music starring Lisa McCune & John Waters. Under the direction of Broadway Director & Tony Award nominee Susan H. Schulman, Christine also understudied and performed the role of Liesl Von Trapp and toured nationally with the production. Christine's other musical theatre credits include Anything Goes (The Debutante), for The Production Company, The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble/Dorothy understudy), for GFO/SEL and Morning Melodies at the Victorian Arts Centre and Adelaide Festival Centre. Her television appearances include Good Morning Australia , Carols in the Domain and Full Frontal . In 2005, Christine relocated to South Korea to perform with LATT Children's Theatre, a multi-lingual repertory theatre company producing world-class Korean and English musical productions, based in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. In 2016, she wrote and produced her own one-woman show, Places I Have Been , which premiered to a sold-out audience at the Kew Court House in Melbourne and inspired her to write her memoir, Five Seasons in Seoul . Five Seasons in Seoul was longlisted for the 2024 Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize (under a different title) and was published by Affirm Press in March 2025. It was chosen as Dymocks Non-Fiction Book of the Month, was the Non-Fiction Pick of the Week in The Sydney Morning Herald / The Age Australia , and was featured on Arirang Radio, Korea. Christine has appeared on panels at the Manly Writers' Festival and the inaugural Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival. She has also spoken about her memoir and journey to publication at the Korean Cultural Centre Australia and on ABC Melbourne and ABC Radio National. Her writing has been featured in Onya Magazine and The Age Australia . Christine has completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts from Australian Catholic University (Music) and is currently studying a Master of Arts in Writing and Literature at Deakin University. Photo Ksenia Belova Photography

A heartfelt, sumptuous journey through one of the most fascinating cultures and landscapes on the planet, Five Seasons in Seoul is for armchair travellers and memoir lovers alike. FIVE SEASONS IN SEOUL A life-changing year in South Korea Christine thought a year in South Korea would hit the pause button on her messy life. Her dad's death had left her anxious and depressed, and her career in musical theatre had reached a new low of shopping-centre kids' shows. When she found herself pulled over by the side of the road, dressed as a dinosaur and sobbing uncontrollably, it was clear something had to change. A role with an experimental theatre company based in Seoul seemed the perfect way to put off dealing with her problems, at least for a year. But she soon found there's no running away from yourself. Travelling through South Korea, immersing herself in its culture and shifting her mindset along with the seasons, Christine discovered that sometimes the place you go to escape your life can hold the answers for how to heal it. A heartfelt, sumptuous journey through one of the most fascinating cultures and landscapes on the planet, Five Seasons in Seoul is for armchair travellers and memoir lovers alike. BUY NOW ‘South Korea comes to life in this story of traveland the ways it can transform us. With disarming vulnerability, Newell has captured both the joy and the pain of searching for your place in a new city.’ Rachael Coopes, author of Paris for Beginners and The Art of Forgiveness 'There’s something so comforting about Christine Newell’s memoir, Five Seasons in Seoul . I don’t know if it’s the coming of age style story, the exotic location so perfect for armchair travel, or the way that Christine’s vulnerabilities and joys mirror us all. Perhaps it’s the writing that sparkles on the page, or it could be the way cultural and historical exploration is woven so gently through the narrative.' Anne Freeman, author of Me That You See and Returning to Adelaide 'This is a memoir where armchair travel is just one sliver of an incredible story of grief, resilience, growth and presence ... the descriptions are almost visceral (the love hotel scene had me snort laughing on the train) and this feels like a love letter to Seoul, family (found and biological) and most importantly to self.' Holly Cardamone, author of Summer, in Between

Media and Interviews Interview: The Book Deal Podcast Christine and fellow memoirist, Carly-Jay Metcalfe, chat to host of The Book Deal Podcast, Madeleine Cleary, about writing memoir, sharing personal stories and the process of securing their book deals. LISTEN HERE Review: The Weekend Australian Literary critic, Samuel Bernard, reviews Five Seasons in Seoul in The Weekend Australian's Notable Books. READ HERE Feature: Arirang Radio Korea Host, Paul Matthews, features Five Seasons in Seoul on Arirang radio Korea. LISTEN HERE Interview: Onya Magazine Christine chats to Sandi Sieger from Onya Magazine about Five Seasons in Seoul , mental health, the difficult periods of life and what it means to be Australian. READ HERE Review: The Korea Times Jeffrey Miller reviews Five Seasons in Seoul in The Korea Times . READ HERE Interview: ABC Radio National Christine chats with Tegan Taylor about Five Seasons in Seoul , travel in South Korea and her illustrious stint as a tap dancing dinosaur. LISTEN HERE Interview: Before You Bloom Podcast Christine chats to Hayley Kinneavy about grief, loss, anxiety, impostor syndrome and healing in Seoul, South Korea. LISTEN HERE Interview: Just You Podcast Christine chats to Janika Galloway about what happens when a chapter in life changes you. LISTEN HERE Interview: Between the Lines Podcast Five Seasons in Seoul : A Journey Through Culture and Connection with Christine Newell. LISTEN HERE Interview: The Thoughtful Travel Podcast Christine chats to Amanda Kendle about living abroad in South Korea. LISTEN HERE Interview: Writers Advice Podcast Christine chats to Olivia Hillier about writing memoir and her journey to publication. LISTEN HERE Interview: Yellow Shelf Podcast Christine chats with Johanna Fink about Five Seasons in Seoul . LISTEN HERE

DANDENONG RANGES LITERARY FESTIVAL Blurred lines: the art of life writing Saturday 18 October 2025 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM The Belgrave Hub MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS AUTHOR TALK - WHEELERS HILL LIBRARY Thursday 4 September 2025 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Wheelers Hill Library Meeting Room 860 Ferntree Gully Road Wheelers Hill VIC MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS

Writers, readers, K-drama lovers – feel free to get in touch. I'd love to hear from you. Let's Chat Writers, readers, K-drama lovers – feel free to get in touch. I'd love to hear from you. Email: hello@christinenewell.com First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!