KOREAN AND VIETNAMESE LITERATURE

KOREAN LITERATURE

• Korean literature was the body of works written

by Koreans, at first in classical Chinese, later in
various transcription system using Chinese
characters and finally in Hang-ul the national
alphabet.
 EARLY KOREAN LITERATURE
• Early Korean literature was heavily influenced
by shamanism, Buddhism and Confucianism.

• Began as an oral tradition

• Korean writing were poems called Hyangga.

SHAMANISM

• Shamanism is a practice that

involves a practitioner
reaching altered states of
consciousness in order to
encounter and interact with
the spirit world.
 BUDDHISM
• Is a religion indigenous to the
Indian sub content that
encompasses a variety of
traditions, beliefs and practices
largely based on teachings
attributed Siddhartha Gautama,
who is commonly known as
Buddha (meaning; “the
awakened one” in Sanskrit and
Pali)

• Korean Buddhism is
distinguished from other forms of
Buddhism by its attempt to
resolve what it sees as an
inconsistencies in Mahayana
Buddhism
 CONFUCIANISM

• Korean Confucianism is the

form of Confucianism
developed Korea. One of the
most substantial influences in
Korea intellectual history was
the introduction of Confucian
thought as part of the cultural
influence from china.
CHARACTRISTICS OF KOREAN LITERATURE

• Korean literature is usually divided

chronologically into two; CLASSICAL and
MODERN LITERATURE
CLASSICAL PERIOD
• Classical Korean literature
lies in the folktales and songs
sung on the Peninsula, as well
as local legends. In regards to
the fiction written under
Chinese and literature has
been written in what has
become modern day Korean
language.

• Classical Korean literature is

told through Pansori,
traditional dance, puppet
shows and mask play.
 MODERN PERIOD

• Modern korean literature has

shown dissent both political
and moral, and has deviated
from traditionally restricted
subject matters to
encompasses varied themes.
FAMOUS KOREAN AUTHORS
1. KYUNG-SOOK SHIN
• Is a femist poet who has been
integral to contemporary Korean
poetry.

• Born; January 12, 1963, jeongeup,

south Korea
• Age; 63
• Occupation; novelist, writer.
• Nationality; south Korean
• Notable work; winter fable (1990),
please look after my mom (2009)
J’s story (2002) sleep, sorrow
(2003)
• Awards; Yi sang literary award
(2001), man Asian literary prize
(2012)
“PLEASE LOOK AFTER MOTHER”
• Is a story that tells of the
appearance of So-nyo, a mother
and her family subsequent
search for her.

• Themes; related to be self

sacrifice of mother in general
(and in Korea in particular), the
relationship between memories
of the past and realities of the
present, and the chameleonic
aspects of identity.

• Moral lesson; one should never

take anything and anyone for
granted.
2. KIM YOUNG HA
• Is a novelist known for
existentialist themes of modern-
day existence

• Born; November 11, 1968,

Hwacheon, south Korea
• Age; 54
• occupation; novelist
• Notable work; I have the right
to destroy myself (na-neun na-
reul pageohal gwoll ga issda
1996), the vampire (Heup-hyul
gwi 1998)
• Notable awards; Yi sang literary
award, Dong in literary award.
 “I HAVE THE RIGHT TO DESTROY MYSEF”
(NA-NEUN NA-REUL PAGOEHAL GEOLL GA ISSDA)

• Is a story of a society where

death seems an attractive
option. It explores the
emptiness of life and
introduces the people suffering
in its midst to a man to make it
all go away.

• THEME; life and living

 3. KIM HAE-GYEONG
• Known for his art name Yi
sang. He is one of the most
important figures in the past
century. He was active during
active during the colonial era.

• Born; September 23, 1910,

Jongro, Seoul
• Died; April 17, 1937
• Aged; 26 Tokyo
• Occupation; poet novelist,
architect, painter, illustrator.
• Notable works; crow’s Eye view
(1934), the wings (1936)
“THE WINGS”
• Is a dark allegory of infidelity
and self-deception, probes the
ambiguities of perception and
language through an
unreliable narrator who bears
an uncanny resemblance to
the author himself.

• Theme ; infidelity and self-

deception
FAMOUS KOREAN PROSE
“WHEN MY NAME WAS
KEOKA”
BY; LINDA SUE PARK

• PUBLISHED DATE; 2002

 “WHEN MY NAME WAS KEOKO”
AUTHOR; LINDA SUE PARK

• THEME; identity, resilience, and resistance

during wartime

• ABOUT; when my name was keoko is a historical

fiction novel set during world war II in Korea.
The story follows two siblings, Sun-Hee and
Tae-Yul, as they navigate the challenges and
restrictions imposed by the Japanese
occupation of their country. They are forced to
abandon their Korean names and culture and
adopt Japanese names, facing discrimination
and oppression. Despite the hardships, they
find ways to preserve their Korean heritage and
resist the colonizers. The novel highlights the
power of family, tradition, and resilience in the
face of adversity.

• MORAL; the moral of when my name was keoko

is the importance of holding onto one’s
identity, culture, and values in the face of
oppression. The characters show courage,
strength and determination to preserve their
Korean heritage and resist the attempts to
‘PLEAS LOOK AFTER MOM”
BY; KYUNG - SOOK SHIN

• PUBLISHED DATE; 2008

 “PLEASE LOOK AFTER MOM”
AUTHOR; KYUNG-SOOK SHIN

• THEME; motherhood, family, and identity

• ABOUT; tells the story of a family’s search for

their mother who goes missing in a busting Seoul
train station. The novel explores the complex
dynamics within the family as each member
reflects on their relationships with their mother
and their own sense of identity. Through their
individual narratives , the novel delves into
themes of sacrifice, unconditional love, and the
often overlooked role of mothers in society.

• MORAL; emphasizes the importance the

importance of appreciating and cherishing loved
ones, particularly the often unnoticed sacrifice
made by mothers. The novel serves as a reminder
to not take family members for granted and to
recognize their value and contributions. It urges
readers to reflect their own relationships with
their mothers and to make an effort to show
gratitude and care while they are still present in
their lives
FAMOUS KOREAN POETRY
“JINDALLAE FLOWER”
BY; KIM SO WOL

• PUBLISHED DATE; 1925

 “JINDALLAE FLOWER”
AUTHOR; KIM SO-WOL

• THEME; the beauty and resilience of the

Jindallae flower.

• ABOUT; also known as the Korean

rhododendron, which grows on a mountain.
Despite the harsh conditions and odds against
it, the jindallae flower survives and blooms
beautifully. The story highlights the beauty and
strength of the flower, as well as its ability to
thrive in challenging environments. It serves as
a symbol of the resilience and perseverance in
life.

• MORAL; find the strength and beauty in

difficult situations. It teaches us to embrace
challenges and adversity, and to appreciate the
resilience and beauty that can be found in
nature and ourselves
 “ FLOWERS OF A MOMENT”
BY; KO IN

• PUBLISHED DATE; 2006 ( ENGLISH

TRANSALATION)
“FLOWERS OF A MOMENT”
AUTHOR; KO UN

• THEME; Nature, spirituality, and the

transient nature of life.

• ABOUT; is a collection explores various

themes, including nature, Buddhist
philosophy, the passage of time, and the
human experience. Ko un’s poems often
evoke a sense of fleeting beauty and
emphasize the impermanence of life. The
collection reflects on the significance of
moments, both big and small, and invites
readers to contemplate their own
existence in relation to the natural world.
• MORAL; the poems encourage readers to appreciate the beuaty of
the present moment, recognize the transient nature of life, and find
meaning in the connection between humanity and natural world. It
highlights the importance of mindfulness and the beauty the can be
found in the passing moments of our lives.
FACTS ABOUT VIETNAM
10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT VIETNAM

• The national language is Vietnamese.

• Vietnam has the world’s largest cave.
• Vietnam is full of amazing temples.
• Vietnam had 37 million registered motorbikes.
• Pale skin is preferred.
• Many Vietnamese words come from Chinese.
• Business professionals; be sincere.
• Vietnam is the world’s second largest coffee-producing nation after
brazil.
• Vietnam is home to more ducks than any other country.
FAMOUS VIETNAMESE AUTHORS
NGUYEN DU (1765-1820)

• Nguyen Du, (January 3, 1765-

September 16, 1820)
• Courtesy name; To Nhur
• Art name; Thanh hien,
• Is celebrated Vietnamese poet
and musician. He is most know
for writing the epic poem the
tale of kieu.
 HO XUAN HURONG (1772-1822)

• Ho Xuan Hurong (1772-1822)

• Was a vietnamese poet born at
the end of the Le Dynasty.
• Xuan Dieu a prominent
modern poet, dubbed her “The
Queen of Nom poetry.
FAMOUS VIETNAMESE
POEM
 “TALE OF KIEU”
BY; NGUYEN DU
• Also known as Truyen Kieu

• Published in 19th century

• THEME: Filial devotion.

• MORAL: Purity of heart and unbroken

spirit are heroic achievements that even
under the most difficult circumstances find
expression in the poetry of music and the
music of poetry.

• ABOUT; in 3,254 verses, written in luc bat

(six eight) meter the poem recounts the life,
trials and tribulations of Thuy Kieu, a
beautiful and talented young women, who
sacrificed herself to save her family. To save
her father and younger brother from prison,
she sells herself into marriage with a middle
aged man , not knowing that he is a pimp,
and forced into prostitution.
FAMOUS VIETNAMESE PROSE
 “THE GENERAL RETIRES”
BY; HUY THEIP NGUYEN

• First appeared in 1987.

• ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 1992

• THEME; courage and guilt

• ABOUT; film of nguyen Huy Thiep’s

controversial story about a general
who, after devoting his life to the
communist cause, retires only to find
that his household is in disarray, his
grown children money grubbing, and
Vietnamese society far from the rosy
picture of equality he’d imagined he’d
help make it
PRESENTORS:
ANGKIL, RHEA P.
ILAH, BERNAIDA
NASSER, FATIMA SHALIHA
AVESTRUZ, CIARA MAE A.