Early Korean literature was heavily influenced by Shamanism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. It began as an oral tradition and emphasized moral values like loyalty, filial piety, and respect. The first Korean writings were poems called hyangga during the Shilla Kingdom. Literature continued to develop over the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties, with the creation of hangul allowing for a broader range of works and audiences. Major genres included shijo poetry, p'ansori oral epics, and fiction written in both Chinese and hangul that increasingly featured common people.

1. KOREANKOREAN
LITERATURELITERATURE

2. Early Korean LiteratureEarly Korean Literature
 Early Korean literature was heavily influenced
by Shamanism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
 Began as an oral tradition
 Good was rewarded and evil was punished and
values like loyalty to the King, filial piety,
respect for one's elders, true friendship and
chastity were emphasized.
 Korean writings were poems called hyangga.

3. Goryeo Dynasty or KoryŏGoryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ
 Korean dynasty established in 918 by
Emperor Taejo.
 The name "Goryeo" is derived from "Goguryeo",
one of the ancient Three Kingdoms of Korea,
which changed its name to "Goryeo" during the
reign of King Jangsu of Goguryeo (in the 5th
century).
 The English name "Korea" derives from
"Goryeo."

4.  Religion; Confucianism and Buddhism.
 During Koryo period, hanshi, poems in Chinese
characters, developed to maturity, and toward
the end of the dynasty, a new form of poetry
called shijo gained wide acceptance.
 Korean literature of the upper class, mostly
written in classical Chinese was characterized by
an emphasis on philosophic expositions on the
Chinese classics, an art that was essential for
government service, the only respectable
avenue to success outside of teaching.

5.  Also Chosŏn, Choson, Chosun, Cho-sen, was a Korean
state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for
approximately five centuries.
 It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the
Goryeo Dynasty at what is today the city of Kaesong.
 The Choson period also saw a great outpouring of
literature written in Han-gul which often centered on
the concept that all men are equal and attacked social
inequality, spurred by the introduction of Sirhak
(Practical Learning) in the 17th century.
Choson DynastyChoson Dynasty

6.  The shijo, a short three-line poem written in
Han-gul (the Korean alphabet), remained
popular throughout the Choson Dynasty.
 The Joseon period has left a substantial legacy to
modern Korea; much of modern Korean
etiquette, cultural norms, societal attitudes
towards current issues, and the modern Korean
language and its dialects derive from the culture
and traditions of Joseon.

7. Let’s talk about Religions inLet’s talk about Religions in
Korea…Korea…

8. What is ShamanismWhat is Shamanism??
Shamanism is a practice that involves a
practitioner reaching
altered states of consciousness in order to
encounter and interact with the Spirit world.
A shaman is a person regarded as having access
to, and influence in the world of
benevolent and malevolent spirits, who typically
enters into a trance state during a ritual, and
practices divination and healing.

9. What isWhat is BuddhismBuddhism??
Buddhism is a religion indigenous to the
Indian subcontinent that encompasses a
variety of traditions, beliefs, and practices
largely based on teachings attributed to
Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly
known as the Buddha (meaning "the
awakened one" in Sanskrit and Pāli).

10. What is KoreanWhat is Korean BuddhismBuddhism??
Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other
forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what
it sees as inconsistencies in Mahayana Buddhism.
When Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the
4th century CE, the Korean peninsula was
politically subdivided into three kingdoms:
Goguryeo in the north, Baekje in the southwest,
and Silla in the southeast. There is concrete
evidence of an earlier introduction of Buddhism
than traditionally believed.

11. GoguryeoGoguryeo
In 372, the monk Sundo ( 道順 , or Shundao in
Chinese) was sent by Fu Jiān ( 苻堅 ) of Former Qin
to the court of the King Sosurim of Goguryeo. He
brought texts and statues with him and the
Goguryeo royalty and their subjects quickly
accepted his teachings. Buddhism in China was in a
rudimentary form, consisting of the law of
cause and effect and the search for happiness.

12. BaekjeBaekje
In 384, the Indian monk Marananta arrived in Baekje and
the royal family received the similar strain of Buddhism he
brought. King Asin proclaimed, "people should believe in
Buddhism and seek happiness." In 526, the Baekje monk
Gyeomik went directly to Central India and came back with
a collection of Vinaya texts, accompanied by the Indian
monk Paedalta. After returning to Baekje he translated the
Buddhist scriptures in Sanskrit into seventy-two volumes.
The Vinaya School in Baekje was established by Gyeomik,
about a century earlier than that of in China. As a result of
the work, he is regarded as the father of Vinaya studies in
Korea.

13. SillaSilla
Buddhism did not enter the kingdom of Silla until
the 5th century. The common people were first
attracted to Buddhism here, but there was
resistance among the aristocrats. In 527, however,
a prominent court official named Ichadon
presented himself to King Pophung and announced
he had become Buddhist. The king had him
beheaded, but when the executioner cut off his
head, it is said that milk poured out instead of
blood. Paintings of this are in the temple at Haein-
sa and a stone monument honoring his martyrdom
is in the National Museum of Kyongju.

14. During the reign of the next king, King Chinhung, the
growth of Buddhism was encouraged—eventually being
recognized as the national religion of Silla.
The monk Jajang ( 慈藏 ) is credited with having been a
major force in the adoption of Buddhism as a national
religion. Jajang is also known for his participation in the
founding of the Korean sangha, a type of monastic
community.
Another great scholar to emerge from the Silla Period was
Won-hyo.
Buddhism was so successful during this period that many
kings converted and cities/places were even renamed after
famous places during the time of Buddha.

15. What is Confucianism?What is Confucianism?
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system
developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher
Confucius ( 孔夫子 K ng Fūz , or K'ung-fu-tzu, lit. "Masterǒ ǐ
Kong", 551–479 BC). Confucianism originated as an
"ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the
Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed
metaphysical and cosmological elements in the
Han Dynasty.[1]
Following the abandonment of Legalism in
China after the Qin Dynasty, Confucianism became the
official state ideology of China, until it was replaced by the
"Three Principles of the People" ideology with the
establishment of the Republic of China, and then
Maoist Communism after the ROC was replaced by the
People's Republic of China in Mainland China.

16. What is Korean Confucianism?What is Korean Confucianism?
Korean Confucianism is the form of Confucianism
developed in Korea. One of the most substantial influences
in Korean intellectual history was the introduction of
Confucian thought as part of the cultural influence from
China. Today the legacy of Confucianism remains a
fundamental part of Korean society, shaping the moral
system, the way of life, social relations between old and
young, high culture, and is the basis for much of the legal
system. Confucianism in Korea is sometimes considered a
pragmatic way of holding a nation together without the
civil wars and internal dissent that was inherited from the
Goryeo dynasty, and before.

18. Traditional:Traditional:
Korean literature shows a significant difference before
and after Western influences. In the pre-Western period,
literature was influenced by Shamanism, Buddhism and
Confucianism. Under these influences, individuals
accepted the status quo and had a fatalistic view of life.
Early literature depicted a love of nature and man and
held that nature and man are one. Another special aspect
of the early period of Korean literature was that it began
as an oral tradition. Therefore, many literary works, also
tales and legends sung or spoken by the ancestors of
various Korean tribes, were presented at tribal rites,
religious festivals, sacrifices and political gatherings.

19. Influenced by social norms, morals and
customs, in Korean literature good is
rewarded and evil is punished. Early
literature stresses behaviour patterns like
loyalty to the king, filial piety, respect for
seniors, true friendship and chastity of
women.

20. Modern:Modern:
After western influences, modern Korean
literature has shown dissent both political
and moral, and has deviated from
traditionally restricted subject matters to
encompass varied themes. The first Korean
writing was produced in the Shilla Kingdom
in the 8th century.

21. The Character of Korean LiteratureThe Character of Korean Literature
Korean literature is usually divided
chronologically into a classical and a modern
period. But the basis for such a division is still being
questioned. Great reforms swept Korea after the
mid-19th century as its society actively absorbed
Western things.
Korea's classical literature developed against the
backdrop of traditional folk beliefs of the Korean
people; it was also influenced by Taoism,
Confucianism, and Buddhism.

22. Modern literature of Korea, developed out of its
contact with Western culture, following the course
of modernization.
"New Education" and the "National Language”
and “Literature Movement" developed.
Han-gul - Korean script
Korean literature extends over a broad territory:
literature recorded in Chinese; and literature
written in Han-gul.
Shinsosol- "new novel"
Ch'anggok- Music and classical poetry, formerly
fused together in a kind of a song

23. Linguistic expression and manner of transmission
are issues of utmost importance in the overall
understanding of Korean literature.
Korean literature in Chinese was created when
Chinese characters were brought to Korea.
In the Koryo and Choson cultures, Chinese letters
were central to Koreans' daily lives.
The use of the Korean script began during the
Choson period with the creation of the Korean
alphabet (Hunmin Chong-um).

24. The creation of the Korean alphabet in the 15th
century was a crucial turning point in Korea's
literary history.
Korean script made possible the broadening of
the literary field to include women and
commoners.
The Korean script (Han-gul) assumed its place of
leading importance in Korean literature only
during the latter half of the 19th century.
As soon as the linguistic duality of "Chinese" and
"Native" within Korean life was overcome,
literature in the Korean script became the
foundation upon which the national literature
developed.

25. Korea's Classical LiteratureKorea's Classical Literature
Hyangga from the Shilla periodHyangga from the Shilla period
 The Hyangga poetry of the Shilla period signaled
the beginning of a unique poetic form in Korean
literature.
 The Hyangga were recorded in the hyangch'al
script, in which the Korean language was written
using "sound" (um) and "meaning" (hun) of
Chinese characters.
 Fourteen poems in the Hyangga style from the
Shilla period have been preserved in the Samguk
yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms).

26. This poetic form was passed down to the Koryo
Dynasty, and 11 poems from that period are
preserved in the Kyunyojon (Tales of Kyunyo).
4-line, 8-line, and 10-line poems.
It is difficult to make general determinations
about the personalities of the Hyangga poets.
But it is thought that the 4-line poems with their
ballad-like attributes may indicate that the poets
came from a broad range of backgrounds.

27. The Koryo Kayo (Koryo Songs)The Koryo Kayo (Koryo Songs)
The literature of the Koryo period is marked by
an increased use of Chinese letters, the
disappearance of Hyangga, and the emergence
of Koryo kayo (Koryo songs) which continued to
be transmitted as oral literature until the Choson
period.
The new poetic form introduced by writers of
the Koryo period was the Koryo kayo called
pyolgok.
The identities of most of the Koryo kayo authors
are unknown.

28. The songs were orally transmitted; only later in
the Choson period were they recorded using the
Korean script (Han-gul).
The Koryo Kayo are characterized by increased
length and a free and undisciplined form.
The bold, direct nature of the songs make them
distinctive.
They deal with the real world of humankind. But
because the songs were transmitted orally over
a long period and recorded only after the
beginning of the Choson period, there is a strong
possibility that they have been partially altered.

29. Shijo and KasaShijo and Kasa
 The creation of the Korean alphabet in the early
Choson period was one of the turning points in
the history of Korean literature.
 .In the process of creating the Korean alphabet
(Han-gul) and investigating its practicality,
akchang (musical scores) were written in the
Korean script, such as Yongbioch'bon-ga (Songs
of Flying Dragons Through the Heavens) which
celebrates the foundation of the Choson
Dynasty(1392-1910), and which is complete with
musical notation and instrumentation.

30. The shijo ("current tune") is representative of
Choson period poetry. Its poetic form was
established in the late Koryo period, but it
flourished to a greater extent under the Choson
period's new leading ideology, Song Neo-
Confucianism. The fact that a majority of the shijo
poets were well versed in Confucianism, and that
these poems of the late Koryo and early Choson
periods for the most part dealt with the theme of
loyalty, helps us to understand the historical
function of the shijo.

32. ProseProse
 Korean prose literature can be divided into narratives,
fiction, and literary miscellany.
 Narratives include myths, legends, and folktales found in
the written records.
 The most important myths are those concerning the Sun
and the Moon, the founding of Korea by Tangun, and the
lives of the ancient kings.
 The legends touch on place and personal names and
natural phenomena.
 The folktales include stories about animals; ogres,
goblins, and other supernatural beings; kindness
rewarded and evil punished; and cleverness and
stupidity.

33. FictionFiction
Korean fiction can be classified in various ways.
1. There is fiction written in Chinese and that
written in Korean.
2. There are the short works of one volume,
"medium" works of about 10 volumes, and long
works of more than 10 volumes.
3. There are works of yangban writers and those of
common writers.

34. • From the 17th century onwards, fiction became
increasingly popular and more readily available through
book rental schemes.
 Geumo SinhwaGeumo Sinhwa (New stories from Mount Geumo) by
Kim Si-seup)
- The first known classical work of Korean fiction
- It was written in Chinese characters.
•In the mid-Joseon period, parable-like stories were
published.
•By the end of the Joseon period, many writers had started
to deviate from the orthodox conventions of classical
Chinese literature, and literature about common people
such as merchants, thieves, or gisaeng were commonplace.

35. Oral literatureOral literature
Oral literature includes all texts that were orally
transmitted from generation to generation until
the invention of Hangul (han'gul)--ballads,
legends, mask plays, puppet-show texts, and
p'ansori ("story singing") texts.
Orally transmitted texts are categorized as
ballads and are classified according to singer
(male or female), subject matter (prayer, labour,
leisure), and regional singing style (capital area,
western, and southern).

36. The songs of many living performers, some of
whom have been designated as "intangible
national treasures" by the South Korean
government, are still being recorded.
Legends include all those folk stories handed
down orally and not recorded in any of the
written records.
The final type of folk literature is found in the
texts of p'ansori of the Yi dynasty.
The texts evolved gradually from the legends,
which provided their sources and were altered
and expanded as they were passed from one
performer to another.

37. The early Joseon periodThe early Joseon period
Yongbi eocheonga (hangul: 용비어천가 , hanja:
龍飛御天歌) literally means "Songs of the
Dragons Flying to Heaven".
It was compiled during the reign of
Sejong the Great as an official recognition of the
Joseon dynasty and its ancestral heritage as the
forerunners of Joseon, the Golden Age of Korea.
 This compilation was the first piece of Korean
text to depart from a long history reliant on
Chinese characters and be recorded in Hangul,
the first and official alphabet of Korea.

38. Themes in addition to the establishment of the
Joseon Dynasty:
linear events that took place in China
the apotheosis of virtuous Kings proceeding the
fall of the Goryeo Dynasty
Confucian political and philosophical ideologies
of the era in rejection to Buddhism
Each of the poems included in the work convey
deep-seated feelings of nationalism and a proud
proclamation of cultural independence from the
Mongol empire.

39. The late Joseon periodThe late Joseon period
 Modern Korean literature developed against the
background of the Joseon Dynasty's fall.
 This first period of modern Korean literature is
often called "enlightenment".
 This period was to a large extent influenced by
the 1894 Gabo Reforms which introduced
Western-style schools and newspapers emerged.
 Many biographical works were published in the
late Joseon period where the main character
was often depicted as a hero.
 Jayusi - formation of modern free verse poetry.

40. Modern literatureModern literature
 Modern Korean literature gradually developed
under the influence of Western cultural contacts
based on trade and economic development.
 The first printed work of fiction in Korean was
John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress (in Korean: 천
로역정 Cheonno-yeokjeong), translated by
James Scarth Gale (1893).
 Christian religion found its way into Korea,
culminating in the first complete edition of the
Bible in Korean published in 1910.

41.  Mostly Western aesthetic schools that
influenced Korean literature.
 Music and classical poetry, formerly considered
one as part of changgok, were increasingly
perceived as old-fashioned and out of date.
 Modern literature is often linked with the
development of hangul, which helped increase
working class literacy rates.
 Hangul reached its peak of popularityin the
second half of the 19th century, resulting in a
major renaissance. Sinsoseol, for instance, are
novels written in hangul.

42. Colonial PeriodColonial Period
 During Colonial Korea (1910–1945), free speech and the
press were restricted, thus influencing the literature of the
time.
 Many expressions of the late Joseon period, with their
focus on self-reliance and independence, were no longer
possible.
 With the Samil Movement in 1919 came a new form of
Korean literature.
 Many writers exhibited a more positive attitude, trying to
cope with the national situation at the time.
 Literature focused on self-discovery, and increasingly on
concrete reality.
 Many novels of the time experimented with new literary
styles and techniques.

43.  In 1919 Kim Tong-in and Kim Hyok founded a literary
magazine, Changjo ( 창조 Creation) marking the starting
point of contemporary Korean literature.
 The literary magazines which appeared during the 1920s
and 1930s laid the basis for the future development of
modern Korean literature.
 Almost all of these magazines were ordered to
discontinue publication in the 1940s as the Japanese
tightened their grip with the spread of their aggressive
war to the Pacific and all of Southeast Asia.
 Many novels of the 1920s centered around 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.

44. Thank You!Thank You!
God BlessGod Bless 