Author: Various Writers
Publisher: Munhakdongne
10-vol. set | 224*153mm
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About This Book
Rediscovering Korean literary classics
Munhakdongne, one of the nation’s largest publishers, has brought out 10
volumes of the Korean Classic Literature Series after five years of
collaboration with prominent scholars as part of a long-term project.
"Jeonuchi," an ancient Korean tale, had remained little known to the
public until it was made into the local superhero film "Woochi" directed
by Choi Dong-hoon. Reborn with its modern twist and reinterpretation,
the tale has come under spotlight from the dark and dusty shelves of the
olden days.
Other less-known ancient classics are also waiting for a new touch from
modern society.
Munhakdongne, one of the nation’s largest publishers, has released 10
volumes of the Korean Classic Literature Series after five years of
collaboration with prominent scholars as part of a long-term project.
The publisher will continue to translate some 100 volumes of ancient
classics ? some written in Chinese characters and others in old Korean
script ? in modern Korean.
Sim Kyung-ho, a professor and scholar of ancient Korean literature, said
that the aim of the project was a "re-creation" of the classics.
"I think the classics can be defined differently in accordance with the
needs of the time. We should discover hidden works and find new meaning.
Also, the concept of the classics should be extended to wider genres to
reflect the current need and discourse, as they are a source of
unlimited imagination and creation," he said at a press conference in
Seoul.
For the project, Sim translated "Seopo-manpil," a critical essay by Kim
Man-jung on the 17th century of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). "‘Seopo-manpil’
is a difficult philosophical work. We have long put more emphasis on
only fictional work. I think other genres such as philosophy and prose
should be actively rediscovered," he said.
"Seopo-manpil" deals with the extraordinary spirit of cynicism and
reflection, which were hard to find in the 17th century, in an effort to
understand the human psyche. The book criticizes the blind faith in
Confucianism and relentless opposition to Buddhism, and rejects fixed
ideas while analyzing various social issues of the time through ideology
and literature. Kim Man-jung, the author, believed that self-reflection
and self-cynicism were the only way to seek truth.
Not only "Seopo-manpil" but also another series ? "Hanjungnok" (The
Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong), "Sukhyangjeon/Sukyeongnangjajeon," "Honggildongjeon/Jeonuchijeon"
and "Heungbojeon/Heungboga/Onggojipjeon," "A Collection of Humor about
Sexual Tales in the Late Joseon Kingdom," and "Changseon-Gamuirok" (A
Story on Goodness and Justice) ? have been translated into modern
Korean, along with ample footnotes.
"It was such a big thing for the local publishing history. We scholars
have long wished such a task could be done, but couldn’t even start
because it required a lot of time and effort. So no one tried before.
But Munhakdongne has begun and I hope the project will go on for a long
time," Jung Byung-sul, the translator of "Hanjungnok," said.
"Hanjungnok" written by Lady Hyegyeong recounts her life as the wife of
the ill-fated Crown Prince Sado, who was put to death by his own father
King Yeongjo, and also the mother of King Jeongjo. The memoir carries
myriad information on the reign of King Yeongjo and other episodes in
the royal court in the eyes of women.
The book has historical and literary value that captures her internal
struggle and reconstitutes the history of the time in her own words.
The new version includes multiple footnotes that help readers better
understand the cultural and historical background of the past, such as
the price of wild ginseng King Yeongjo ate to cure his illnesses and
other trivial matters in the daily lives of court ladies.
In ancient times, similar attempts to compile the literary classics ?
such as "Doinginjimun" (Anthology of Poems by Notable Korean Poets), a
series of books compiled by Choe Hae (1288-1340) and "Dongmunseon"
(Selected Writings of the Eastern Kingdom) by Seo Geo-jeong and other
scholars ? show the cream of the crop of the then historical classics.
"Except for the two major collections, there has been no such
comprehensive work encompassing the vast array of classics so far. Our
project will be a landmark work," said Jung.
Yi Ji-young, translator of "Changseon-Gamuirok," said that the working
process was a pleasant job for her, as it was a re-creation and
reinterpretation of classic stories about morals and ethics for modern
tastes.
"Many people think ‘Changseon-Gamuirok’ is a kind of ethical textbook
for ancient times. But it is a fictional novel that thoroughly
elaborates the agonies of the intelligentsia at that time. So I tried to
reveal the hidden values through a correct translation and footnotes,"
said Yi.
"Changseon-Gamuirok" written by unknown author covers filial piety and
brotherhood, and also the power struggles and internal conflicts between
family members under the patriarchal and polygamy family system. The
book also deals with love between men and women that was hardly used as
a theme in the Joseon era.
She also said that the book should be widely read as a novel of
interest, as it deals with intriguing incidents and various viewpoints
using a dynamic writing style.
"The Collection of Humor about Sexual Tales in the Late Joseon Kingdom"
is an unusual inclusion in the classics as the topic was rarely spoken
of in the Confucian state. It consists of 234 short stories of
provocative subjects that can provide a peep into the erotic culture of
the past.
"Extending classic literary works to wider genres is our ultimate goal,
hoping that it can pave the way for a new academic achievement," said
Sim.
The publisher will hold a lecture series to help readers understand the
ancient classics at Jeongdok Library in central Seoul.
The lectures on "Hanjungnok" will take place on Oct. 5, with "The
Collection of Humor about Sexual Tales in the Late Joseon Kingdom" on
Oct. 12, "Changseon-Gamuirok" on Oct. 19 and "Honggildongjeon/Jeonuchi"
on Oct. 26.
To attend the lectures, apply on the homepage of the library, or at
Yes24, the online bookstore, from Sept. 1 to 30.
By Chung Ah-young
Availability: Usually ships in 5~10 business days.
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