[2] Shim Hun was born in Seoul in 1901 to an old yangban family which for centuries held high government positions and served the royal court as ministers.

In 1930, Sim married Ahn Jeong-ok (1913-2004), a "modern woman" whom he met at a music-theatre group, with whom he had three sons; Jae-geun, Jae-gwang and Jae-ho.

[3] His novel Dongbang-eui Aein (동방의 애인, Lover from the East) was serialised in the Chosun Ilbo beginning in October 1930.

[4] His Jiknyuseong ("Weaver Girl" star or Constellation Lyra) was serialized in Chosun Joong Ang Ilbo in 1934 and is believed to honor and be inspired by his first wife Yi Hae-Yeoung's life.

[citation needed] Decades after his death in 1936, Shim Hun is still honored as one of the pioneers of modern Korean literature, for his patriotic service to Korea through resistance and the Sangrok Movement, and for living a life that was an embodiment of exceptional artistic talent, prolific writing, and vision for his country's future freed from the darkness of colonialism.

[2] His third son Shim Jae-Ho, who lives in Virginia, United States, holds the original manuscripts of many of his works; he lent them out to be displayed in Dangjin in 2010.

In 1932, Shim Hun designed and built his house Pilgyeongsa (필경사) in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do, where he wrote most of his major works and his children were born.