🇰🇷Intro to Premodern Korean Literature Unit 1 – Premodern Korean Lit & Culture Intro

Key Concepts and Themes

• Confucianism played a significant role in shaping Korean literature, emphasizing morality, social hierarchy, and filial piety
• Buddhism introduced new spiritual and philosophical ideas, influencing the themes and imagery in literary works
  • Buddhist concepts of impermanence, suffering, and enlightenment are prevalent in many works
• Shamanism, the indigenous religion of Korea, contributed to the development of unique folktales and myths
• The concept of "han" (a deep sense of sorrow and resentment) is a recurring theme in Korean literature
• Nature and the changing seasons are often used as metaphors for human emotions and experiences
• The relationship between individuals and society, particularly the tensions between personal desires and social obligations, is a common theme
• The idea of loyalty, both to one's family and to the state, is a central concept in many works

Historical Context

• The Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE - 668 CE) saw the rise of the Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla kingdoms, each with distinct cultural and literary traditions
• The Unified Silla period (668-935) was marked by the flourishing of Buddhism and the introduction of Chinese literary forms
• The Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) witnessed the development of a unique Korean writing system, Hanja, and the emergence of new literary genres
• The Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) was characterized by the dominance of Neo-Confucianism and the creation of Hangul, the Korean alphabet
  • Hangul was created in 1443 by King Sejong the Great to promote literacy among the common people
• The Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) saw the suppression of Korean language and culture, but also the emergence of modern Korean literature
• The post-liberation period (1945-present) has been marked by a resurgence of interest in traditional Korean literature and the development of new literary forms

Major Literary Works

• The Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) is a collection of folktales, myths, and historical accounts from the Three Kingdoms period
• The Hyangga are poems written in Hanja that date back to the Unified Silla period and often express Buddhist themes
• The Goryeo Gayo are songs and poems from the Goryeo Dynasty that reflect the aristocratic culture of the time
• The Sijo is a poetic form that emerged during the Goryeo Dynasty and reached its height during the Joseon Dynasty
  • Sijo poems consist of three lines, each with 14-16 syllables, and often express themes of nature, love, and loyalty
• The Gasa is a longer poetic form that originated in the Joseon Dynasty and often tells stories or expresses social commentary
• The Pansori is a form of musical storytelling that developed in the Joseon Dynasty and combines singing, narration, and drumming
• The Honggildongjeon (The Tale of Hong Gildong) is a classic novel from the Joseon Dynasty that tells the story of a Robin Hood-like hero

Cultural Influences

• Chinese culture had a significant impact on Korean literature, particularly through the introduction of Confucianism and Buddhism
  • Chinese literary forms, such as the Hanshi (Chinese poetry) and the Guwen (classical Chinese prose), were adopted and adapted by Korean writers
• The Mongol invasions of the 13th century led to the destruction of many Korean literary works, but also brought new cultural influences from Central Asia
• The Japanese invasions of the 16th century (Imjin War) and the Japanese colonial period had a profound impact on Korean literature and culture
  • Many Korean writers used literature as a means of resistance against Japanese oppression
• Western literature began to influence Korean writers in the early 20th century, leading to the development of modern Korean literature
  • The introduction of Western literary forms, such as the novel and free verse poetry, led to experimentation and innovation in Korean literature

Literary Styles and Genres

• Hyangga: Poems written in Hanja that often express Buddhist themes and date back to the Unified Silla period
• Goryeo Gayo: Songs and poems from the Goryeo Dynasty that reflect the aristocratic culture of the time
• Sijo: A poetic form that emerged during the Goryeo Dynasty and reached its height during the Joseon Dynasty, often expressing themes of nature, love, and loyalty
• Gasa: A longer poetic form that originated in the Joseon Dynasty and often tells stories or expresses social commentary
• Pansori: A form of musical storytelling that developed in the Joseon Dynasty and combines singing, narration, and drumming
• Novels: Longer prose works that tell fictional stories, such as The Tale of Hong Gildong
• Folktales and myths: Traditional stories passed down orally that often feature supernatural elements and moral lessons
  • Many folktales and myths have been collected and written down, such as those found in the Samguk Yusa

Important Figures

• Heo Nanseolheon (1563-1589): A prominent female poet of the Joseon Dynasty known for her innovative use of the Sijo form
• Kim Manjung (1637-1692): A scholar and writer best known for his novel The Cloud Dream of the Nine, which critiques the social hierarchies of the Joseon Dynasty
• Kim Sakkat (1807-1863): A renowned Sijo poet who lived during the late Joseon Dynasty and is known for his witty and satirical poems
• Yi Injik (1862-1916): A scholar and writer who played a key role in the development of modern Korean literature and the Korean language
  • Yi Injik argued for the use of Hangul and the creation of a new literary language that reflected the speech of ordinary Koreans
• Ju Sigyeong (1876-1914): A linguist and scholar who helped establish Hangul as the official writing system of Korea
• Han Yongun (1879-1944): A Buddhist monk and poet who wrote works that combined Buddhist themes with nationalist sentiments during the Japanese colonial period
• Choe Namson (1890-1957): A scholar and writer who played a significant role in the development of modern Korean literature and the study of Korean history

Language and Writing Systems

• Hanja: The Korean writing system based on Chinese characters that was used for much of Korean history
  • Hanja was used to write classical Chinese texts and was the primary writing system for Korean literature until the invention of Hangul
• Hangul: The Korean alphabet created by King Sejong the Great in 1443 to promote literacy among the common people
  • Hangul consists of 24 letters (14 consonants and 10 vowels) that are combined to form syllabic blocks
  • Hangul was initially met with resistance from the educated elite, who viewed it as a threat to their power and the status of Hanja
• Mixed script: A combination of Hanja and Hangul that was used in Korean writing until the early 20th century
  • In mixed script, Hanja was used for content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives) while Hangul was used for grammatical particles and endings
• Pyojun-eo: The standardized form of the Korean language that is based on the Seoul dialect and is used in modern Korean literature and media
  • Pyojun-eo was established in the early 20th century as part of efforts to modernize and standardize the Korean language

Legacy and Modern Relevance

• Premodern Korean literature has had a lasting impact on modern Korean culture and identity
  • Many classic works, such as The Tale of Hong Gildong and the Sijo poems, continue to be widely read and studied in Korea today
• The themes and values expressed in premodern Korean literature, such as loyalty, filial piety, and the importance of education, continue to shape Korean society
• The study of premodern Korean literature has undergone a resurgence in recent years, with scholars and writers exploring new interpretations and adaptations of classic works
  • Modern Korean writers have drawn inspiration from premodern forms and themes, incorporating them into contemporary works
• Premodern Korean literature has also gained increasing recognition and appreciation internationally, with translations and studies introducing it to a wider audience
• The legacy of the Japanese colonial period and the suppression of Korean language and culture has led to ongoing efforts to preserve and promote traditional Korean literature
  • Government initiatives and cultural organizations have been established to support the study and dissemination of premodern Korean literature
• The impact of globalization and the spread of Korean popular culture (Hallyu) has led to a renewed interest in Korean traditional culture, including literature
  • Premodern Korean literature is seen as a key resource for understanding the roots of Korean culture and identity in an increasingly interconnected world