This paper explores the impact of Booker T. Washington and his autobiography on colonial Korea, with a particular focus on its reception in early modern Korea. In America, Washington's autobiography received mixed reviews, celebrated by the white mainstream culture primarily as a myth of his success and as a narrative showcasing an exemplary black leader. However, Washington's life story and his strategies for racial uplift and self-reliance, deeply rooted in the African American experience, also found resonance in the unique context of colonial Korea, where there was an ongoing search for emancipation. This study reveals that the reception of Washington's work in Korea was not straightforward but complex, involving selective adaptation and reconfiguration to address the social and political challenges of the time. By examining the diverse perspectives and positions on black issues related to Washington, this paper demonstrates that the intersections between the black movement, black literature, and colonial Korea's situation are multifaceted rather than linear, reflecting a nuanced engagement with his autobiography in colonial Korea.