GEC 14

WORLD LITERATURE

MODULE 12
KOREAN LITERATURE

Korean literature is produced by Koreans in Korean language and Classical

Chinese language. It is divided into classical period and modern period.

Classical Korean literature started in traditional folk beliefs and folk tales of the
Korean Peninsula. They have four major poetic forms which are: (1) native songs; (2)
special songs or long poems; (3) current melodies; and (4) verses.

One famous earliest poetry or lyric song was the poem entitled “Gonghuin.” It
was written by Yeo-ok, the first female poet of Korea.

Native Songs was the first Korean form of poetry. It indicated songs that were
sang during the Silla period. The two native songs were Samguk Yusa and
Gyunyeojeon.

Korean prose literature are divided into: (1) narratives; (2) fiction; and (3)
literary groups. Narratives include myths, legends and folk tales found in the written
records.

The sources of these narratives are the two great historical records compiled in
Classical Chinese during the Koryo era. These are: (1) Historical Record of the Three
Kingdoms; and (2) Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms.

The most important myths are: (1) those concerning the sun and the moon; (2)
the founding of Korea by Tangun; and (3) the lives of the ancient kings.

The legends are about place and personal names and natural phenomena.

The folk tales were about: (1) stories about animals, ogres, goblins and
supernatural beings; (2) kindness rewarded and evil punished; and (3) cleverness and
stupidity.

The Samguk Yusa were about: (1) the lives of Buddhist saints; (2) the origin of
monasteries, stupas and bells; (3) the accounts of miracles performed by Buddhas; and
(4) tales rich in shamanists and Buddhist elements.
 The literary compilations made in the Koryo period were: (1) the stories of
prehistoric times; (2) the three kingdoms; and (3) the Silla dynasty.
Han Kang is a South Korean writer. She won the “Man Booker International Prize
for Fiction” in 2016. Her famous literary works is “The Vegetarian.” It is about a woman
who decided to stop eating meat which resulted to devastating consequences. Her
other literary works are: (1) The White Book; (2) Evening Proposal; (3) Greek Lessons;
and many others.

Hwang Sok Yong is a South Korean novelist. His literary works are: (1) The
Shadow of Arms; (2) Princess Bari; (3) Familiar Things; (4) The Old Garden; and many
others.

Linda Sue Park is a Korean-American author. Her first novel is “Seesaw Girl.” It is
about a young girl who would like to see the way of life outside of her home. Her other
literary works are: (1) A Long Walk To Water; (2) A Single Shard; (3) When My Name
Was Keoko; and (4) Prairie Lotus.

END

Search for the following literary works in the internet.

1) The literary work “The White Book” was written by Han Kang. What is the plot of
“The White Book?”
2) The literary work “The Shadow of Arms” was written by Hwang Sok Yong. What is
the plot of “The Shadow of Arms?”
3) The literary work “A Single Shard” was written by Linda Sue Park. What is the plot of
“A Single Shard?”