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A Study on Sŏ Yu-yŏng’s (徐有英) Journey Poems - Focusing on the Poems of Imhanjŏng (臨漢亭), Mount Kŭmgang (金剛山), and Songdo (松都)

  • The Research of the Korean Classic
  • 2025, (68), pp.243~279
  • Publisher : The Research Of The Korean Classic
  • Research Area : Humanities > Korean Language and Literature > Korean Literature > Korean classic prose
  • Received : December 31, 2024
  • Accepted : February 11, 2025
  • Published : February 28, 2025

MinHui Jin 1

1성균관대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The literary contributions of Sŏ Yu-yŏng (徐有英, 1801–1876?) hold an undisputedly prominent position in the history of 19th-century Korean literature, demonstrating remarkable breadth and sophistication. Furthermore, his life and social interactions provide valuable insights into the intellectual networks of his time. However, compared to studies on his novel Yukmidanggi (六美堂記) and his vernacular Kŭmkye P’ilt’am (錦溪筆談), research focusing on his poetic works remains notably underdeveloped. This paper investigates one aspect of Sŏ’s poetic work by analyzing his journey poems, particularly those found in Unko Sicho (雲皐詩抄). These poems exhibit three key characteristics. First, many belong to the Akpu (樂府) poetic tradition, including subcategories such as Haedong Akpu (海東樂府), Chukji sa (竹枝詞), and Chap’yŏng (雜詠). Second, from the perspective of travel literature, they can be categorized into observational travel accounts (kwanyu kihaeng, 觀遊紀行) and exile journeys (yup’ae kihaeng, 流配紀行). Third, these poems were often composed during poetry gatherings and involve fellow members of literary societies. The analysis examines a series of journey poems depicting Sŏ’s experiences visiting Imhanjŏng (臨漢亭), Mount Kŭmgang (金剛山), and Songdo (松都), representing his engagement with literary societies, observational travel, and exile journey. The Imhanjŏng poems reflect Sŏ’s participation in the Nam-Sa (南社) and his desire for “one who truly understands him” (chiaja, 知我者), both conveyed through specific locales. The poems from Mount Kŭmgang, composed during three journeys, reveal a literary worldview deeply influenced by Taoist influences from Silla (新羅) and Buddhist ideologies. Meanwhile, the poems from Songdo, written during his exile, emphasize regional identity and historical narratives over the scenic beauty of the landmarks, drawing a connection to Yu Tŭk-kong’s (柳得恭) Isib’il-to Hoegosi (二十一都懷古詩). This study fills a critical gap in scholarship by bringing attention to Sŏ Yu-yŏng’s poetic works, which have been largely overlooked. Furthermore, it contributes to reconstructing the literary and cultural activities of 19th-century Kyŏnghwa sejok (京華世族), particularly their participation in poetic societies such as the Nam-Sa. For the first time, Sŏ’s travel poetry is examined in detail, offering fresh insights into the places imbued with his profound thought and emotional depth. This paper also seeks to support further research on Sŏ’s attachment to and reflections on specific locations, enriching the broader understanding of 19th-century Korean literary culture.

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