The purpose of this paper is to portray how modern Koreans have re-interpreted classical Chinese literature as they faced the new global order of the 21st century. The author first gives a brief overview of the significance of classical Chinese literature and how it has been perceived in Korea, from a historical point of view. Next, the paper discusses how such perception has changed in relation to the rise of the vernacular. With this in mind, the author finally attempts to discuss the germination of the so-called ‘next generation’ of Korean translations of classical Chinese literature, especially of philosophical texts. The turning point occurs when new methodological ideas of translating classical Chinese texts emerged in the early 1980s. This particular brand of translation, however, is yet to be fully manifested.