POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Maragondon Annex – Alfonso Campus

Mangas II, Alfonso, Cavite

Korean
Literature

Prepared by:
Binauhan, Ariel
Gaynilo, Lyza
Pel, Ma. Charlota
Valencia, Rose Lyn

Submitted to:
Prof. Jeral-Gie Castañas
 Korea is a historical country in East Asia; since
1945, it has been divided into two distinct sovereign states:
North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean
Peninsula, Korea is bordered by China to the northwest and
Russia to the northeast.
Area: 84,616 mi²
Currencies: South Korean won, North Korean won
Population: 76.5 million (2015)
Capital: Seoul (South Korea)
Pyongyang (North Korea)

The flag of South Korea, also known as the Taegukgi (also

spelled as Taegeukgi, literally "supreme ultimate flag"), It has
three parts:
 white background which represents peace and purity.
 red and blue Taeguk, which is a red and blue Taiji yin-
and yang- symbol in the center, represents the balance
of the universe
 and four black trigrams which represents the heaven
☰(kun), earth ☷(kon), water ☵(kam), fire ☲(yi)

The flag of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,

also known as the Ramhongsaek Konghwagukgi (literally
"red-colored flag of the republic") It has four parts:
 two blue stripes signify sovereignty, peace and
friendship
 the white stripes signify purity,
 red represents the Communist revolution
 And the red star is the recognized symbol of
Communism.
 History of Korea
Three Kingdoms Period of Korea (hangul: 삼국시대)
Featured the three rival kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean
Peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium C.E.. The Three Kingdoms
period in Korea is the largest of the three kingdoms and extends from the first century B.C.E.
(specifically 57 B.C.E.) until Silla's triumph over Goguryeo in 668, marking the beginning of the
North and South States period ( 남북 국시 대 ) of Unified Silla in the South and Balhae in the
North. The earlier part of that period, before the three states developed into full-fledged
kingdoms, sometimes has the name Proto-Three Kingdoms of Korea. The Three Kingdoms of
Korea marked the foundation of the unified Korean Peninsula that emerged later during the
Goryeo and Joseon dynasties.
Goguryeo emerged on the north and south banks of the Yalu (Amrok) River, in the wake
of Gojoseon's fall. The first mention of Goguryeo in Chinese records dates from 75 B.C.E. in
reference to a commandery established by the Chinese Han dynasty, although even earlier
mentions of "Guri" may be of the same state. Evidence indicates Goguryeo, the most advanced,
likely established first among the three kingdoms.
Baekje numbered among the kingdoms of the Mahan confederacy. Two sons of
Goguryeo's founder, recorded as having fled a succession conflict, established Baekje in the
proximity of the western Korean peninsula. Baekje absorbed or conquered other Mahan
chiefdoms and, at its peak in the fourth century, controlled most of the western Korean
peninsula. Under attack from Goguryeo, the capital moved south to Ungjin (present-day Gongju)
and later further south to Sabi (present-day Buyeo).
According to Korean records, in 57 B.C.E., Seorabeol (or Saro, later Silla) in the
southeast of the peninsula unified and expanded the confederation of city-states known as Jinhan.
Although Samguk-sagi records Silla as the earliest-founded of the three kingdoms, other written
and archaeological records indicate that Silla emerged as the last of the three to establish a
centralized government.

Korea’s Split
Korea was an empire till 1910. Japan invaded it & ultimately Korea became imperial
Japan until Japan was defeated in august 1945. USA and USSR agreed to divide Korea into two
zones. North zone (USSR) and South (USA) to jointly organize Japanese surrender. UN wanted
an election for whole country. But it did not happen. Soon, unification of Korea became the part
of. Cold War. In 1948, elections were held in south zone & South Korea immerged. Following
month, under Russian influence communist government formed North Korea.
 The Korean Literature

Korean literature is the body of literature produced in Korea or by Korean writers. It is

commonly divided into classical and modern periods, although this distinction is sometimes
unclear. Korean Civilization dates in legend more than 4,000 years back to Tangun, mythical
founder of Korea. It is one the of the oldest literature in the world.

History of Korean Literature

Korean Literature was written both in classical Chinese and in Korean

1. Classical Literature - has its roots in traditional folk beliefs and folk tales of the Korean
peninsula.
2. Oral Literature - includes all texts that were orally transmitted from generation to
generation until the invention of Hangul
3. Modern Literature - gradually developed under the influence of Western cultural
contacts based on trade and economic development

Types of Classical Literature

1. Classical Poetry - originally was meant to be sung, and its forms and styles reflect its
melodic origins.
Four major traditional poetic forms:
 Hyangga – these are native songs. It refers to vernacular Korean poetry which
transcribed Korean sounds using Hanja.

Ode to Eternal Life

Oh Moon!
As you go to the west this night,
I pray thee, go before the eternal Buddha,
And tell him that there is one here
Who adores Him of the deep oaths,
And chants daily with hands together, saying
Oh grant me eternal life,
Oh grant me eternal life.
But alas, can any of the 48 vows be kept
While still trapped in this mortal frame?

Some had a Confucian tone like this poem describing the unflinching and noble
spirit of the hwarang.

 Pyolgok- these are love songs. It transmitted orally and some of them were written
down using Hangul.
 Samo kok
Though a hoe too is an edged blade
It does not cut like a scythe.
Though father too is a parent,
Wi tongdo-tungshong
Nobody loves like a mother.
Please understand, my Lord,
Nobody loves like a mother.

The themes of these poems deal with simple life close to nature but they focus
mainly on the theme of love which can be ordinary love, the parting of someone or
special forms of love like the mother's love.

 Sijo - these are current melodies. Themes were often Confucian in nature and
focused on the theme of loyalty.
Were I to die a hundred times,
Then die and die again,
With all my bones no more than dust,
My soul gone far from men.
Yet still my red blood, shed for you,
Shall witness that my heart was true

 Kasa - these are verses. Some of its themes were mixed, including traditional themes
like nature, gentlemanly virtues, and romantic love. It also often included moral
advice and specific themes including sadness and weariness.
The Spirit of Korean
There is between heaven and earth
many a man who’s worth as I.
Why don’t they know the great Joy
Of living in the wooded mountains?
With a grass hut of a few bays|
built to face a clear blue stream,
In the lush wood of pine and bamboo
I am the master of wind and moon.

2. Prose - can be divided into narratives, fiction, and literary miscellany

3. Fiction - are generally didactic, emphasizing correct moral conduct, and almost always
have happy endings.
Pansori-based fiction was a particularly popular form of fiction; appearing in the late 17th and
early 18th century
Parable-like stories were published during mid-Joseon period
The Characteristics of Korean Literature
1. Korean literature extends over a broad territory: literature recorded in Chinese; and
literature written in Han-gul.
2. Modern literature of Korea developed out of its contact with Western culture, following
the course of modernization.
3. Linguistic expression and manner of transmission are issues of utmost importance in the
overall understanding of Korean Literature

Korean Poets

1. Kim So-wol
(September 7, 1902 - December 24, 1934)
He is most famous for his contributions to early modern
Korean poetry. Throughout his life, he wrote his beautifully
poignant poetry in a style reminiscent of traditional Korean folk
songs and consequently became known as a “Folk Song Poet”. The
most prized example of his style was “Azaleas”, the title poem of
his sole collection of poetry.
Literary Works:
 Azaleas: A Book of Poems
 Fugitive Dreams: Poems (Selected and translated by Jaihun Kim)
 Mom and Sis
 Unable to Forget

2. Seo Jeong-ju
(May 18, 1915 -December 24, 2000)
He was born in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do. He is considered the
founding father of modern Korean poetry. Under the pen name
“Midang”, he published at least 15 collections of poetry. He taught
Korean literature at Chosun University. He was also nominated five
times for the Nobel Price in literature. His grandmother's stories and
his interest in Buddhism had a strong influence upon his writing.
His works have been translated into a number of languages
including English, French, Spanish, and German.
Literary Works:
 Hwasajip (Flower Snake)- 1941
  The Early Lyrics 1941- 1960
 Seo Jeongju Poems (1956)
 Unforgettable Things: Poems (1986)
 Poems of a Wanderer (1995)

3. Moon Tae-jun
(1970)
One of the most popular poets of the younger generation.
Moon uses deceptively simple poetic language with profound
lyricism, commenting on the struggle of daily life. Grounded in
Buddhist philosophy, his poems speak with reverence for all
forms of life and emphasize the necessity of emptying oneself.
Literary Works:
 4 Collections of Poetry: Chattering Backyard (2000)
Bare Foot (2004)
Flat fish (2006)
Shadow’s Development (2008}
 The snowy Night

4. Yun Dong-ju
(December 30, 1917 - February 16, 1945)
Known for his lyric poetry as well as resistance poetry, he
was born in Longjing, Jilin, China. As a child, he was called
“Haehwan”.
Literary Works:
 Sky, Wind, Star and Poem
 Prologue
 Counting the Stars at Night
 Spring

5. Kim Hye-soon
(1955)
 She was born in Uljin Gyeongsangbuk-do. She began as a poet in 1979 with the
publication of Poet Smoking a Cigarette and four other poems in Literature and intellect. Kim is
an important contemporary poet in South Korea, and she lives in Seoul and teaches creative
writing at the Seoul Institute of the Arts.
Kim's poetry collections include:
 From another star (1981)
 Father's Scarecrow (1984)
 The Hell of a Certain Star (1987)

Korea – Divided by Boundaries, United by Culture

Korean Beliefs and Practices

1. Bowing - is equivalent to the handshake in Korean culture. Bowing means showing

gratitude and respect to the person you are meeting with. The younger generations have
blended the western culture with their native culture by shaking hands after bowing to
each other.
2. Gifts - have remained an integral part of their culture; however, gifts are always given
according to the capacity and affordability of the other person because Koreans firmly
believe in reciprocating.
3. Korean food and drinks - add flavor to their traditional lifestyle and rice malt served
with kimchi is their specialty. Cold noodles, bibimbap, bulgogi and dakgalbi are some of
the world famous Korean dishes.
4. Buddhism - is the main religion in Korea and its teachings reflect in Korean lifestyle,
culture and arts.
5. Pottery and ceramics - Pottery is Korea's cultural emblem and it started thousands of
years ago. Today, celadon, a Korean blue-glazed pottery, is famous all over the world.
This pottery style was passed on to the Japanese by the Koreans.
6. Korean marriage - does not mean the union of two individuals only, but also the
unification of two families and two different lifestyles.

FACTS ABOUT KOREA

1. South Korean men are literally obsessed with cosmetics. They spend a ton of money on
cosmetics products (particularly make-up) in order to improve their appearance.
2. Talking about appearance and beauty, South Korea also has the highest rate of plastic surgery
per capita in the world. The United States, for example, comes fourth after Brazil and Thailand.
3. A misconception known as the fan death is common in South Korea. Many South Koreans
believe that leaving an electric fan on overnight may kill the person sleeping below it. The
genesis of the misconception is unclear but fears about electric fans date almost to their
introduction to Korea in the 1920's.
4. Although South Korea has very high living standards, suicide is a serious and widespread
problem. In fact, South Korea has the second-highest suicide rate in the world according to the
World Health Organization.
5. Despite being located right next to North Korea, an infamous aggressor, South Korea is one of
the safest and most peaceful countries in the world. It has an extremely low crime rate and very
strict gun policy.
6. Taxis in South Korea are color coded according to the level of service offered. An orange or
silver taxi is a basic car, while the black cabs are luxury cars.
7. Many South Koreans suffer from tetraphobia – fear of the number 4. The floor number 4 is
almost always skipped in hospitals and public buildings. In other buildings, the fourth floor is
sometimes labeled "F" instead of "4" in elevators. Apartment numbers containing multiple
occurrences of the number 4 (such as 404) are also likely to be avoided.
8. Many South Koreans believe your blood type reflects your personality. They take this thing
very seriously, similarly to people in Western countries who believe in horoscopes.
9. The name “Korea” comes from Goryeo, which was the name given to the dynasty established
by General Wang Geon in AD 918. Goryeo means “high and clear.” Some poetic interpretations
of the name Korea are “Land of High Mountains and Sparkling Streams” and “Land of the
Morning Calm.”
10. South Korean wedding garments are usually red, which is a symbol of good fortune.