ChomNye

CH’OE CHONG HUI

Reporters:

Gallor, Margie
Geli, Marianie
Hernandez, Eveth Loraine
 KOREAN LITERATURE

MODERN LITERATURE
 Many novels of the 1920s centered on
themes of the suffering of intellectuals. The
lives of farmers were often depicted as
pathetic. As the Japanese government
strengthened ideological coercion during the
1930s, Korean literature was directly
affected. Many novels of the time
experimented with new literary styles and
techniques.
KOREAN LITERATURE

 After 1945, Korea soon found itself divided into North and South. The
Korean War led to the development of literature centered on the wounds and
chaos of war and tragedy.
KOREAN LITERATURE

 Much of the post-war literature in South Korea deals

with the daily lives of ordinary people, and their
struggles with national pain. The collapse of the
traditional Korean value system is another common
theme of the time. In the post-war period, a
traditionalist movement emerged: going back to the
roots of traditional rhythms and folk sentiments.
Other poets are linked to an experimentalist
movement, attempting to bring new experiences to
Korean poetry.
ChomNye
CH’OE CHONG HUI

About the Author

ABOUT CH’OE CHONG HUI

 December 3, 1912 – December 21, 1990

 She was born in Tanch'ŏn, South Hamgyong Province
and was educated in Seoul.
A South Korean writer and thought to be one of the
most successful early women writers.
 Her stories often portray the ordinary Korean woman’s
difficult role in a male dominated society.
ABOUT CH’OE CHONG HUI

 She worked at a kindergarten in Tokyo and as a journalist

in Seoul before starting her writing career in 1931.
 She worked for the magazine Samch'olli and the
newspaper The Chosun Ilbo.
 She was associated with the Korea Artista Proletara
Federatio and was jailed in 1934.
 Her daughters Kim Chae-won and Kim Chi-won are also
successful writers.
ChomNye
CH’OE CHONG HUI

Vocabulary Words
 CHOMNYE

VOCABULARY WORDS
 KAN
Measurement used to indicate the size of a room
or a house. 1 kan = 36 sq. ft.
 KUT
An exorcist rite performed by a shaman
 WON
Unit of Korean money
CHOMNYE

VOCABULARY WORDS
 CH’IMA
Long skirt, is a wrap-around with a high waist, worn with a chogori
as part of the traditional Korean woman’s dress
 CHOGORI
Short-waisted top with long sleeves and worn with the ch’ima.
 POSON
White cotton-filled foot covering worn with the Korean dress and
inside of rubber shoes.
 CHOMNYE

VOCABULARY WORDS
 IBUL
Part of bedding which is used as a blanket and
originally made of layers and layers of cotton
encased infright brocades.
 P’YONG
Measurement used in measuring areas of land,
size of house. Pyong = almost 4 sq. ft.
ChomNye
CH’OE CHONG HUI

Characters
CHOM NYE

POK
Chomnye’s fiancé
He worked in the
kitchen of a wine
shop.
CHOM NYE

SUNHAENG
Ho Sung Gu’s
daughter
She’s living a
luxurious life.
CHOMNYE

HO SUNG GU
 He was well known throughout the
area for his great wealth.
 Atsometime he was good at being
cold and heartless
 Hewas the primary suspect for
Chomnye’s death.
 CHOMNYE

CHOMNYE
She was not yet fourteen, but
was arranged to marry with a
man named, Pok.
Later died when she was been
hit on her head
CHOMNYE

MUDANG
A Shaman who has performed
the kut for Chomnye’s death
together with her young
nephew.
She is foolish.
ChomNye
CH’OE CHONG HUI

Guide Questions
CHOMNYE

 In your view, what are

some of the essential
features of a family class
system / family status
symbol?
CHOMNYE

 How did the author view

Mr. Ho? Why was Mr. Ho
important in the life of the
people?
CHOMNYE

 Do you believe in ghost?

Why do a lot of people
have a belief in ghost?
CHOMNYE

 Do you believe in horoscope?

Why is the month of June
always associated with
wedding celebration?
CHOMNYE

 According to the author, why did the family of

Chom Nye believe that the ritual (of Chom
Nye’s death) was absolutely necessary
following the burial of her body? What
happened to the family at the end of the story?
What is the attitude and tone of the story
towards the end?
CHOMNYE

 Do you agree that the

“usury” system is
immoral? Why?
CHOMNYE

 Describe the difference between democracy

and communism.
ChomNye
CH’OE CHONG HUI

Summary
CHOMNYE

 CHOMNYE shows how politics affects the

Korean people’s lives. Choe Chong Hui
reflected it through the comparison of the
brief and unfortunate life of its main character
to the luxurious life of the daughter of a local
ex-landlord.
CHOMNYE

 It also gives the pattern of never ending power.

That even though the Landlord might be
replaced, nothing much has changed, in fact
they actually act like a God which headed
villagers’ lives miserable.
CHOMNYE

“No one knew when this had all started. Generation

after generation watched and learned, the grandfather
and then the father followed and the son learned from
his father and so on down the line.”

- A line from Chomnye

ChomNye
CH’OE CHONG HUI

Activity
CHOMNYE

 The author have used a comparison and contrast mode

of writing in the story. What similarities and
differences did you find in the story, regarding Korean
and Philippine custom and tradition?
ChomNye
CH’OE CHONG HUI

THANK YOU!
 ABOUT CHOE CHONG HUI

 The Cry of the Harp

 Chimaek (Earthly ties}, novella
 Immaek (Ties of people),
novella
 Ch'ŏnmaek (Heavenly ties),
novella
ABOUT CHOE CHONG HUI

 is one of the major newspapers in South Korea.