@article{ART003343281},
author={Kim, Dongwook},
title={Study on the Figures of Iin (Extraordinary Persons) and the Narrative Identity of Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) in Korean Classical Novels},
journal={Journal of Korean Literature},
issn={1598-2076},
year={2026},
number={53},
pages={179-212}
TY - JOUR
AU - Kim, Dongwook
TI - Study on the Figures of Iin (Extraordinary Persons) and the Narrative Identity of Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) in Korean Classical Novels
JO - Journal of Korean Literature
PY - 2026
VL - null
IS - 53
PB - The Society Of Korean Literature
SP - 179
EP - 212
SN - 1598-2076
AB - This study aims to re-examine the concept of Ilsa-soseol (Tales of Recluse Scholars) systematized by Cho Dong-il and proposes the term Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) for its superior academic versatility and intuitive clarity. The term Iin refers to individuals or groups who possess extraordinary abilities, such as dosul (magic) or bangsul (thaumaturgy), and maintain a critical distance from the dominant ideology of their time.
The origins of Iin legends are found in works such as Juktong minyeo (The Beauty in the Bamboo Tube) and Noong hwagu (An Old Man Transforming into a Dog) within Sui-jeon. These narratives secured historical continuity through the Taoist lineage (domaek) documented in Cheonghak-jip, Haedong jeondorok, and Haedong ijeok. Heo Gyun’s Jangsaeng-jeon and Namgung-seonsaeng-jeon serve as early examples of these legendary traditions being shaped into a novelistic grammar, characterized by an enumeration of extraordinary deeds and the narrative structure of buji sojong (an unknown end/disappearance).
Unlike folk legends that merely report miraculous events, Iin-soseol emphasizes the narrative significance of the protagonist’s withdrawal from secular life to transcendental utopias, such as remote mountains or islands, thereby reflecting the conflict between the self and the world. A distinctive feature of Iin-soseol is that protagonists build their capabilities through spontaneous motivation or self-study rather than traditional master-disciple relationships, using dosul to relativize or subvert the authority of the established order.
This paper re-examines Choe Go-un jeon, Hong Gil-dong jeon, and Jeon U-chi jeon—previously classified as heroic novels—within the context of Iin-soseol. Through this analysis, the study demonstrates that a narrative structure encompassing abnormal birth, extraordinary deeds, and transcendental seclusion constitutes the core identity of Iin-soseol, thereby establishing its status as a distinct genre in the history of Korean classical prose.
KW - Iin(Extraordinary Person);Iin-soseol;Ilsa-soseol;Taoist Magic;Choe Goun jeon;Hong Gil-dong jeon;Jeon U-chi jeon
DO -
UR -
ER -
Kim, Dongwook. (2026). Study on the Figures of Iin (Extraordinary Persons) and the Narrative Identity of Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) in Korean Classical Novels. Journal of Korean Literature, 53, 179-212.
Kim, Dongwook. 2026, "Study on the Figures of Iin (Extraordinary Persons) and the Narrative Identity of Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) in Korean Classical Novels", Journal of Korean Literature, no.53, pp.179-212.
Kim, Dongwook "Study on the Figures of Iin (Extraordinary Persons) and the Narrative Identity of Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) in Korean Classical Novels" Journal of Korean Literature 53 pp.179-212 (2026) : 179.
Kim, Dongwook. Study on the Figures of Iin (Extraordinary Persons) and the Narrative Identity of Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) in Korean Classical Novels. 2026; 53 : 179-212.
Kim, Dongwook. "Study on the Figures of Iin (Extraordinary Persons) and the Narrative Identity of Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) in Korean Classical Novels" Journal of Korean Literature no.53(2026) : 179-212.
Kim, Dongwook. Study on the Figures of Iin (Extraordinary Persons) and the Narrative Identity of Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) in Korean Classical Novels. Journal of Korean Literature, 53, 179-212.
Kim, Dongwook. Study on the Figures of Iin (Extraordinary Persons) and the Narrative Identity of Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) in Korean Classical Novels. Journal of Korean Literature. 2026; 53 179-212.
Kim, Dongwook. Study on the Figures of Iin (Extraordinary Persons) and the Narrative Identity of Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) in Korean Classical Novels. 2026; 53 : 179-212.
Kim, Dongwook. "Study on the Figures of Iin (Extraordinary Persons) and the Narrative Identity of Iin-soseol (Tales of Extraordinary Persons) in Korean Classical Novels" Journal of Korean Literature no.53(2026) : 179-212.
