Korean Literature:
Traditional and Contemporary
Perspectives
Asian Studies Development Program
Infusing Chinese and Korean Studies
East-West Center
Honolulu, Hawaii
August 3, 2011
Prepared by Yung-Hee Kim
Professor of Korean Literature
Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
Chronology of Korean History
1. Old Chosŏn Kingdom (2333 B.C.-?)
Founder: Tan’gun
Capital: P’yŏngyang
2. Three-Kingdom Period
1) Koguryŏ (37 B.C. - 668 A.D.)
Founder: King Tongmyŏng
Capital: P’yŏngyang
2) Paekche (18 B.C. - 663 A.D.)
Founder: King Onjo
Capital: Puyŏ
3) Silla (57 B.C. - 668 A.D.)
Founder: Pak Hyŏkkŏse
Capital: Kyŏngju
Chronology of Korean History
3. Unified Silla Kingdom (668 A.D.–935 A.D.)
4. Koryŏ Dynasty (918–1392)
Founder: Wang Kŏn (King T’aejo)
Capital: Songdo (Kaesŏng)
5. Chosŏn (or Yi) Dynasty (1392–1910)
Founder: Yi Sŏng-gye (King T’aejo)
Capital: Hansŏng (Seoul)
6. Japanese Colonial Rule (1910–1945)
7. Republic of Korea (1948– )
First President: Syngman Rhee
Capital: Seoul
Pre-modern Korean Literary Traditions
1. Foundation Myth
Tan’gun, the sacred, politico-cultural hero
Bear woman, tiger, and taboos
Rite of passage
Folk medicine
Justification of national sovereignty
Pre-modern Korean Literary Traditions
2. Classical Chosŏn Poetry: Sijo
Prosody, structure, and artistry
청산은 내 뜻이요 녹수는 임의 정이
녹수 흘러 간들 청산이야 변할손가
녹수도 청산을 못 잊어 울어예어 가는가
황진이
Syllable Count of the Sijo
(a) The basic standard:
First line 3
4
Middle line 3
4
Last line 3
5
(b) Variants that occur:
First line 2–5
3–6
Middle line 1–5
3–6
Last line 3
5–9
Control of the language
Themes and images
Sijo genre and kisaeng
4 (or 3)
4 (or 3)
4
4
4
3
2–5
2–5
4–5
4–6
4–6
3–4
Pre-modern Korean Literary Traditions
3. Tales
Hŏ Kyun (1569–1618), “The Tale of Hong Kiltong”
Social criticism
Yangban classes and the marginalized
Use of magic
Overseas adventurism
Utopian idealism
4. Popular Performances and Entertainment: P’ansori
Ch’unhyang-ga (The Tale of Ch’unhyang)
Love
Social injustice and reform
Humor
Pre-modern Korean Literary Traditions
5. Later Poetry: Sasŏl sijo
Break with regulated prosody
시어머님 며늘아기 미워 부엌 바닥을 구르지 마오
빚에 받은 며느리인가 값에 쳐온며느리인가
밤나무 썩은 등걸에 휘초리 난 것같이
매서우신 시아버님
볕 쬔 쇠똥 깉이 말라빠진 시어머님
삼년 결은 망태에 새 송곳부리 같이 뾰족하신 시누이님
당피 갈은 밭에 돌피 난 것 같이
샛노란 외꽃 같은 피똥 누는 아들 하나 두고
건 밭에 메꽃 같은 며느리를 어디를 머워 하시는고.
New thematic trends
Changes in images
Women Writers and Major Issues in
Modern/Contemporary Korean Literature
1. In Search of Women’s Identity
Na Hye-sŏk (1896–1948). “Kyŏnghŭi” (1918)
2. Korean War Revisited
Ch’oe Yun (b. 1953). “His Father’s Keeper” (1990)
3. Evolving Familial Relations and Old Age
Pak Wan-sŏ (1931–2011). “Dried Flowers” (1995)
Na Hye-sŏk
(1896–1948)
Ch’oe Yun
(b. 1953)
Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris
Mur des Fédérés, Père Lachaise Cemetery
Monument du mur des fédérés, Paris
Pak Wan-sŏ
(1931–2011)