Favourite Stories from Korean Tradition

I read a few Korean stories as a child, and the one that I love best is the story of the Pyeonggang Princess and Ondal the Fool from Kim Busik's history, Samguk Sagi (12th century CE).

This story has ideals and human failings, compromises and ambition, compassion and dedication ... such a rich story! While it endorses the supremacy of the king and father, it's the story of a woman's rebellion and a husband's literally undying gratitude to his wife.

When I first read it, it flowed so smoothly that I didn't even realize when it transitioned from her story into his story.

What are your favourite stories from Korean tradition?

Originally posted by: BrhannadaArmour

I read a few Korean stories as a child, and the one that I love best is the story of the Pyonggang Princess and Ondal the Fool from Kim Pu-Sik's history, Samguk Sagi (12th century CE).

This story has ideals and human failings, compromises and ambition, compassion and dedication ... such a rich story! While it endorses the supremacy of the king and father, it's the story of a woman's rebellion and a husband's literally undying gratitude to his wife.

When I first read it, it flowed so smoothly that I didn't even realize when it transitioned from her story into his story.

What are your favourite stories from Korean tradition?

The story of Babo/Fool Ondal (바보 온달) and the Pyeonggang Gongju/Princess (평강공주) takes place in the 6th century CE, in Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms.

King Pyeongwon was annoyed by the constant crying of his little daughter Pyeonggang. So, he pointed out through the window at an ugly, dirty boy who was begging instead of going to school. "Stop crying, or I will get you married to Ondal the Fool!" the King jokingly threatened his daughter.

This only upset the little girl more, and she went on crying. The joke became a habit for the King, while Pyeonggang gradually outgrew her habit of crying and matured into a gracious teenaged lady. The King chose a nobleman to marry Pyeonggang, and informed her of his intention, but she replied, "This is not right, Your Majesty. You have already ordered that I must marry Ondal as my punishment. If the King's order is not carried out, his authority will no longer be respected."

The King laughed and assured his daughter that he had only been joking, but she was adamant that she must marry Ondal and no one else. Infuriated, the King ordered Pyeonggang to leave the palace, and she did so, taking her silk dresses and jewelry with her. She asked for directions until she reached the hut where Ondal's blind mother lived.

Ondal's mother smelled Pyeonggang's perfume and touched her soft skin, and understood that her visitor was a princess as she claimed to be. Ondal's mother explained that her son had gone into the forest to collect wood, which he would carry to market on his back. They were desperately poor, and it was unthinkable for a princess to marry Ondal. Pyeonggang replied that she would find Ondal and tell him about the King's order.

When Pyeonggang found Ondal in the forest, chopping wood, he was terrified at the sight of a beautiful girl in a richly embroidered dress. "You're one of the foxes, changing your shape to trick me!" he shouted, and ran from her. She stumbled back through the forest, and it was already dark when she found her way back to the door of the hut. She pleaded with Ondal and his mother to let her in, she told her story and promised to relieve their poverty, but Ondal would not open the door.

Ondal was used to being beaten up and pranked and taunted. He had every reason not to trust the temptress at his door. The princess crouched there all night long. In the morning, when Ondal opened the door and found her, he understood that she was not a magical fox as he had suspected. His mother also reassured him, and Pyeonggang was able to convince them that the King had ordered her to marry Ondal.

Just by selling one piece of her jewelry, the princess was able to buy a proper house for her new family, and some land and animals too. As Ondal became healthier and stronger, Pyeonggang sold other pieces and had books printed so that he could learn to read and write. One day, she told him to buy a colt that the royal court was discarding, and she raised a fine horse for her husband. She paid for instructors to teach Ondal horseback riding and other martial arts.

King Pyeongwon held a hunting tournament, and there he noticed a mystery horseman who excelled at archery. "What is your name?" he asked the young man.

"I am Ondal, Your Majesty, I am your son-in-law."

The King was mightily pleased and brought his daughter back to the palace with due honour, proud to acknowledge Ondal as his son-in-law.

Twenty years went by. Ondal had distinguished himself as a general of the Goguryeo army, fighting back the Chinese invasion from the north and inspiring his soldiers with his own bravery. The new King Yeongyang respected his brother-in-law, General Ondal. When General Ondal asked the King's permission to lead an expedition to reclaim the lands occupied by the kingdom of Silla in the south, the King granted his wish.

General Ondal was killed by an arrow near Mount Acha. His wife heard about his heroic death, and that his body was to be brought back to the capital for a state funeral, but the coffin could not be lifted off the ground. She got into her litter, and men carried her all the way to the battlefield, where she got out and knelt by the coffin, moving her hands gently over it.

"The matter of life and death has been settled," she said quietly. "Now, will you come home with me?"

When she had spoken these words, they were able to move his coffin.

what a beautiful story . thanks for sharing

Sadly, I havent been exposed to korean literature much . Just only dramas or movies.

Do share more such stuff !!

Originally posted by: BrhannadaArmour

The story of Babo/Fool Ondal (바보 온달) and the Pyeonggang Gongju/Princess (평강공주) takes place in the 6th century CE, in Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms.

King Pyeongwon was annoyed by the constant crying of his little daughter Pyeonggang. So, he pointed out through the window at an ugly, dirty boy who was begging instead of going to school. "Stop crying, or I will get you married to Ondal the Fool!" the King jokingly threatened his daughter.

This only upset the little girl more, and she went on crying. The joke became a habit for the King, while Pyeonggang gradually outgrew her habit of crying and matured into a gracious teenaged lady. The King chose a nobleman to marry Pyeonggang, and informed her of his intention, but she replied, "This is not right, Your Majesty. You have already ordered that I must marry Ondal as my punishment. If the King's order is not carried out, his authority will no longer be respected."

The King laughed and assured his daughter that he had only been joking, but she was adamant that she must marry Ondal and no one else. Infuriated, the King ordered Pyeonggang to leave the palace, and she did so, taking her silk dresses and jewelry with her. She asked for directions until she reached the hut where Ondal's blind mother lived.

Ondal's mother smelled Pyeonggang's perfume and touched her soft skin, and understood that her visitor was a princess as she claimed to be. Ondal's mother explained that her son had gone into the forest to collect wood, which he would carry to market on his back. They were desperately poor, and it was unthinkable for a princess to marry Ondal. Pyeonggang replied that she would find Ondal and tell him about the King's order.

When Pyeonggang found Ondal in the forest, chopping wood, he was terrified at the sight of a beautiful girl in a richly embroidered dress. "You're one of the foxes, changing your shape to trick me!" he shouted, and ran from her. She stumbled back through the forest, and it was already dark when she found her way back to the door of the hut. She pleaded with Ondal and his mother to let her in, she told her story and promised to relieve their poverty, but Ondal would not open the door.

Ondal was used to being beaten up and pranked and taunted. He had every reason not to trust the temptress at his door. The princess crouched there all night long. In the morning, when Ondal opened the door and found her, he understood that she was not a magical fox as he had suspected. His mother also reassured him, and Pyeonggang was able to convince them that the King had ordered her to marry Ondal.

Just by selling one piece of her jewelry, the princess was able to buy a proper house for her new family, and some land and animals too. As Ondal became healthier and stronger, Pyeonggang sold other pieces and had books printed so that he could learn to read and write. One day, she told him to buy a colt that the royal court was discarding, and she raised a fine horse for her husband. She paid for instructors to teach Ondal horseback riding and other martial arts.

King Pyeongwon held a hunting tournament, and there he noticed a mystery horseman who excelled at archery. "What is your name?" he asked the young man.

"I am Ondal, Your Majesty, I am your son-in-law."

The King was mightily pleased and brought his daughter back to the palace with due honour, proud to acknowledge Ondal as his son-in-law.

Twenty years went by. Ondal had distinguished himself as a general of the Goguryeo army, fighting back the Chinese invasion from the north and inspiring his soldiers with his own bravery. The new King Yeongyang respected his brother-in-law, General Ondal. When General Ondal asked the King's permission to lead an expedition to reclaim the lands occupied by the kingdom of Silla in the south, the King granted his wish.

General Ondal was killed by an arrow near Mount Acha. His wife heard about his heroic death, and that his body was to be brought back to the capital for a state funeral, but the coffin could not be lifted off the ground. She got into her litter, and men carried her all the way to the battlefield, where she got out and knelt by the coffin, moving her hands gently over it.

"The matter of life and death has been settled," she said quietly. "Now, will you come home with me?"

When she had spoken these words, they were able to move his coffin.

The story was really beautiful. Do you read Korean novels too?

Thanks! No, I haven't read any Korean novels.