KOREAN CLASSIC STORIES Vol. 4 Historical Romance Part I
All Walks of Life Compiled by
Kim Hunggyu Translated by Ally Hwang
KOREAN CLASSIC STORIES Vol. 4
All Walks of Life Copyright Š 2013 by Seoul Selection All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. Published by Seoul Selection 4199 Campus Dr., Suite 550 Irvine, CA 92612, USA Tel: 949-509-6584 Fax: 949-509-6599 E-mail: publisher@seoulselection.com Website: www.seoulselection.com ISBN: 978-1-62412-017-6 Library of Congress Control Number: 2013952727 Printed in the Republic of Korea
Contents
Foreword 7 Part I The Man from Andong Hunjomak
19 49
Part II Wolchul Island Old Servant Makdong
55 70
Part III Honest Yeom Hui-do The Tale of Jang Bok-seon Softened Cucumber
89 107 114
Foreword
by Kim Hunggyu
All stories included in this volume are works that belong to the category of yadam (historical romance). Among yadam, there are anecdotes that record actual events, stories that added a bit of embellishment to a historical incident, and works that employ fictional characters in interesting narrative structures and observations proper for fiction writing. In other words, in yadam, there coexists the realistic testimony of real lives and fiction that captures an impressive portrait of the society of the time. While the history of yadam can be traced back to a very distant past, it was between the 17th and the 19th centuries that many of them were published, circulated, and enjoyed popularity. The topics that yadam frequently dealt with often had to do with the accumulation of
7 Foreword
wealth, romance between a man and a woman, and agreement and conflict of interests in the world. Some of the varieties of portrayals include conflicts arising from the collapse of the old class structure; problems between master and slave; conduct of thieves, hoodlums, and swindlers; and the lives of ordinary people. Satire and humorous renditions of matters of popular interest and situations born out of entangled greed are often found as well. “Wolchul Island” (“Wolchuldo”) is a story in which the leader of bandits is portrayed as a kind of popular hero. After the 17th century, in the Joseon Dynasty, the phenomenon of class differentiation in rural communities led to the emergence of groups of landless farmers that became nomads without any means of making a living, and eventually formed groups of bandits. Although they were outlaws preying on travelers and stealing from them, some folktales sympathized with them, as they had turned to banditry because of cruel exploitation by the bureaucratic system. Also at times, as in “Wolchul Island,” they were portrayed as heroic outlaws that possessed a deep understanding
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of society and acted according to strict principles and discipline. The bandits of “Wolchul Island� are of a large scale. Their strategy is extraordinary, and they strictly adhere to their idea of ethics. Their heroic aspect is first seen in how they choose the victim of their extortion and how they handle him. Their target is a greedy rich man who wants to multiply his already large wealth by making connections with powerful political figures in the capital. In plundering, they do not immediately resort to violence; rather, they strategically utilize the greed and vanity of the countryside rich man and reveal their true identity only at the critical moment in order to successfully accomplish their massive extortion. What adds a particular amusement and impression is the episode at the end of the story in which a blue donkey is returned with a letter and the decapitated head of one of the bandits. This action abides by the promise to leave one thing of the rich man’s choosing, and at the same time, a clear demonstration of the rules of the heroic outlaws: that one who goes against the order of the leader and takes things for himself will be punished
9 Foreword
severely. What this story suggests may be that when authority loses its legitimacy, the people instead seek to see righteous and human actions in the world of outlaws. “The Tale of Jang Bok-seon” contains a much simpler storyline and cannot be compared directly to the aforementioned work. Nevertheless, this work presents an interesting anecdote surrounding the clash of public ethics and personal righteousness. Jang’s act, spending 2,000 silver coins of government money that were his responsibility to safeguard, is clearly erroneous. The question becomes a matter of if and how to punish him for embezzling the money for charitable reasons—to help people in dire need—rather than for his own personal gain. In the conclusion, where the people of Pyongyang sympathize with and try to save Jang from punishment, what stands out is the conflict between poetic justice and legal justice surrounding the case. “Hunjomak” is a work that deals with the question of the life and poverty of the scholar class. This is a remarkable example of the genre of short narrative literature. The scholar class was the ruling class of the Joseon Dynasty. In the midst of socioeconomic changes
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since the 17th century, some among them fell into dire impoverishment that no longer allowed them to maintain their dignity in society. The central question of “Hunjomak” is the conflict of the pride and humiliation experienced by the scholar class family of Saengwon Hong.* After being humiliated by laborers of a lower class, the path chosen by Saengwon Hong was to starve to death together with his two young daughters. Traditionally, one of the virtues the scholar class upheld was honor over material wealth or even life. In reality, many of the scholar class could not do so when faced with the question of life or death. Saengwon Hong in this story chose to follow the path of his belief. After days of starvation, on the verge of death, what he says to his two daughters when a laborer brings them some gruel tragically shows the anguish of his decision. Perhaps what moves readers more is the action of his elder daughter. This 13-year-old girl, though young, understands her father’s wishes and decides to accept his * Saengwon is one of the lowest scholarly ranks given to those who passed the civil service examination.
11 Foreword
tragic decision. Therefore, when her five-year-old sister tries to get up, smelling the gruel, she soothes her, “let’s sleep, let’s sleep,” and the three choose to die together. Depending on the position of the reader, one may have issues with the realistic likelihood of the young girl’s action. Also, some may criticize the inhumanity of the extreme choice the father imposed on a young child, even after accepting it for the sake of argument. According to data from social history, in similar real situations, the more probable scenario is that the father sells off his daughter rather than the whole family dying together. In spite of the foreseeable controversies, “Hunjomak” depicts an agonizing decision that a human being may make when his dignity is threatened. In the Joseon Dynasty, even one who belonged to the scholar class had to pass the civil service examination to hold government positions and succeed in life. The study of literature was thought of as the study of the lessons of ancient sages or the refinement of literary talent. The phenomenon of considering study as a means of worldly success was present from the beginning, but grew worse as time went on, until the academic aspect was almost
12 All Walks of Life
overshadowed and nominal. “The Man from Andong” (“Andongrang”) is a subtle satire on such a tendency, interestingly interwoven with an anecdote passed down as an account of the life of Kim An-guk (14781543), from his childhood to the beginning of his young adulthood. It is very unlikely that the story contains only real events; rather it quite apparently contains much exaggeration and embellishment. “Old Servant Makdong” (“Gubok Makdong”) starts from the point where Makdong, a servant* in a fallen house of the scholar class, has run away, accumulated much wealth by hiding his identity, obtained the identity of a scholar class member, and served in high government positions. On the other hand, the house of his old master has fallen and the heir Song Saeng sets out to ask for help from a faraway friend. By coincidence, he is taken in for the night by Seungji Choe,** who really is Makdong. The interesting point here is that Makdong, the former servant, reveals his identity to the son of his * The servants belonged to the lowest class in society and were like slaves in that they were considered property. ** One of the six advisers to the king of the Joseon Dynasty.
13 Foreword
former master, asks for forgiveness, and repays his debts with a large sum of money. Makdong acknowledges and acts according to the rules governing the relationship between master and servant with all his sincerity. At the same time, however, he keeps the status and social position he has earned. In this respect, this work captures the great change in the class-based social order and the people dealing within it. At the same time, when the scoundrel cousin of Song Saeng learns the truth and comes to punish the false scholar, Seungji Choe, Makdong subdues him with a firm resolution and meticulous stratagem. What he will not give up under any circumstance is the social status that he has earned in spite of all the difficulties and the bondage of his humble origin. “Honest Yeom Hui-do” (“Yeom Hui-do”) sheds light on the story of intertwining lives and the ebb and flow of power, focusing on a person who was wise and extraordinarily honest. The main plot is that Yeom Huido returns a large sum of money he finds by accident to its proper owner, and that this good deed is repaid with happy later years. While plots of poetic justice
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are common, this particular work adds an interesting dimension by including the story of Heo Jeok, a wellknown historical figure, and political incidents.
15 Foreword
Part I
The Man from Andong
Kim An-guk was the son of Kim Suk, a government minister and daejehak.* From his third and fourth ancestors on, all descendants were talented, famous scholars, and many served as daejehak. He had graceful features and was handsome from birth, and the minister cherished him. “He truly is a son of this family.� Just as An-guk learned to speak, he was taught to read Chinese characters, but could not even grasp the first two * Daejehak was a high position in the government of the Joseon Dynasty, tasked with producing records and researching past literature for the purpose of advising the king. The appointees were usually considered great scholars.
19 The Man from Andong
characters, “sky” and “earth,” after three months.* This was a strange occurrence. How can that child be so handsome and have graceful features, yet be so dull and lack talent? Could it be that he is too young for his talent to start blooming? I will try again after a few years have passed. After some years, the minister attempted to teach Anguk how to read again. However, the boy could not learn, just like before. His heart grew quite worried. If this child continues like this, then not only will it be disastrous for him, it will also tarnish our family’s reputation. Hence, lessons were held day and night, and the boy was reproached from time to time. Every possible method of teaching was employed. In the end, however, An-guk could not even learn the two characters “sky” and “earth.” A month passed by, then another; a year passed by, then another; An-guk turned 14 years of age. The minister * These are the first two characters of the Thousand Character Classic, which was used as a primer for learning Chinese characters.
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sighed and lamented. I thought he was that way because he was still too young, but at 14, he is still the same way. How can this be? Where in the world has this sorry thing come from? The distinguished reputation of my ancestors will fall at this thing’s generation. Having no child and not being able to observe ancestral rites would be better than having one who would bring disgrace to my ancestors. On top of all this, every time he is around, I become angry and start getting a headache. With the way things are going, there is no way I can keep him in this house. So, the minister tried to find a way to make An-guk disappear. He could not possibly bring himself to arrange his death. The minister wanted to banish his son, but then because of the fear of being found out, he just forbade the son from showing his face. An-se, An-guk’s younger brother, was five years of age. He was not as handsome as An-guk, but insofar as talent was concerned, he was a little smarter. Although the minister wanted An-se to carry on the family line, this
21 The Man from Andong
would be improper conduct. He was constantly on the watch for a chance to exile An-guk to a faraway, unknown place, but had not found one. Just then, Kim Cheong, a younger cousin of the minister, was about to be deployed to Andong as a regional official. Andong is a region far away from Seoul with many rich families. On the way to Andong, after the rite to thank the king for the appointment, he stopped by the minister’s house. The minister asked him to take Anguk. “To tell you the truth, that one is in such and such condition. I get the urge to kill him three times a day, but as I couldn’t bring myself to do it, I long ago made up my mind to banish him. However, I haven’t found a suitable place to send him. Now that you’re going away to Andong, I’d like you to take him with you and make him a local there so that the world won’t know about him.” Cheong opposed and tried to console him. “Elder cousin, what are you saying? From the old days until now, would there not have been far more than
22 All Walks of Life
a couple of illiterate sons from the families of literary renown? However, I’ve never heard of a case where such a son was expelled from the family. Could you do such a thing? An-guk possesses extraordinary character. Even if he ends up never learning to read, he’ll easily be able to carry on the family line and properly uphold the ancestral rites. An-se does have some talent. However, he is of little potential and also the second son; how would it be possible to abandon An-guk and put An-se in his place? What you’re planning to do is not ethically proper.” Cheong said this and was about to stand up when the minister grabbed his hands and begged, “If you don’t grant my request, I no longer wish to be alive here.” After refusing many times, Cheong had no choice but to yield. The minister summoned An-guk and said his last parting words. “From now on I won’t consider you my child. You also shouldn’t consider me your father. You must never come back to Seoul. If you do, I’ll kill you.” Cheong went down to Andong, bringing An-guk along, and took his office. He thought to himself, Seeing how
23 The Man from Andong
extraordinary An-guk’s appearance is, there is no reason he cannot be taught. Certainly, I will try to teach him. When he had spare time from his government job, he took the time to teach An-guk. However, after three months, Anguk could not grasp even the first two characters “sky” and “earth.” Good heavens! After all, I see why. He deserves to be abandoned by the elder cousin minister. Cheong called An-guk and asked, “An-guk, why are you like this?” “Dear uncle, from the past, when I hear a story, my mind becomes clear and I can remember all of it vividly, be it 1,000 or 10,000 words. However, when facing written characters, I don’t understand why, but I just cannot understand them. As soon as I hear of written characters, I grow faint and start having headaches. If you order me to die, I will. But when it comes to reading, I’m at a loss as well.” Cheong realized that nothing could be done. He sent An-guk to his chamber and never again tried to teach
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CREDITS Translator: Ally Hwang Publisher: Kim Hyung-geun Editors: Lee Jin-hyuk, Kim Hansol Copy Editors: D. Peter Kim, Daisy Larios Proofreader: Paul Kerry Designer: Jung Hyun-young