Adventure Tale in Korean Literature

Songlai IM

doi:10.18856/jpn.2010..23.001

Adventure tale is one of the oldest literary genres in Korean Literature. There are some works, for example, shamanistic song <Ogupuli>, <Tale of the conquest of Great Enemy in Underworld>, and <Tale of Choi-chi-won>. Some works of this genre later are transformed into the narrative form of novel in Chosun-Dynasty. In these adventures tales, their heroes led their adventures to both the exploration of other world and the confrontation of the Great Enemy. The ending of the adventure tale describes the joy and consolation of the closed - and often happy resolution of every successful adventure. For Example, "Baridegi" turns to Shamanic God, "Mr.Park" to King of Underworld, "Mr.Han" to a hermit into the mountain, abandoning both the rich and the glory. "Kim-won" to Lord of Hyungju, marrying Princess and "daughter of Dragon," living happily and flying into heaven on his death. The different characteristics before and after the popularization of adventure narrative depends upon how the genre of adventure tale is capable of satisfying the reader's desire.

KJC Korea
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