Tale of ChunHyang

Summary

The Tale of ChunHyang is a very well- known legendary story in Korea

between the two young lovers who remained faithful and braved all
the odds just to fight for their love.

During the Joseon Kingdom era in Namwon village North Cholla province,
there lived a young, beautiful girl named ChunHyang, daughter of a retired
courtesan. In the same village, there lived a young , handsome man named Yi Mong
Yong, he had much literary talent and a magistrates son or son of local governor.

The two meet at a festival marking the fifth day of lunar month. Yi Mong
Yong, while strolling, saw ChunHyang, a very beautiful girl on a swing. The guy fell
in love with her at first sight. At that night, he can no longer take out of his mind the
moment he saw ChunHyang. He told his servant to figure out where the woman was
living. Later, the man visited Chunhyangs house , the ChunHyangs mother at first
was reluctant due to their differences in status in life however, later on, the mother
acknowledged the relationship of her daughter and Yi Mong Yong.

Unfortunately, Yi Mong Yong had to move to Seoul, as his father was

promoted but before leaving gave a promise to ChunHyang that he be back and will
marry her at the time he will pass the States exam to become a government
official. He asked ChunHyang to wait. During that time, the young girl began living a
lonely life.

Now, a new governor came into the village , surnamed Byeon. Such man is
very wicked, greedy man and fond of women. The said wicked governor saw
ChunHyang, was captivated by her and asked her to be his mistress. Expectedly,
ChunHyang refused and said he is already committed to a certain man. The
governor got mad and threatened her and put the young girl in prison.

Luckily, Yi Mong Yong passed the exam and became a secret royal inspector,
so excited to see his beloved fiance however, when he returned he heard about
the news that the new governor wanted ChunHyang to be his mistress.
 In the middle of a party, the governor again asked ChunHyang to be his
mistress, the young girl was still unmoved, the governor got mad again and ordered
that the young girl be killed, fortunately, Yi Mong Yong made a surprise appearance,
ChunHyang recognized him and shed tears of joy. Yi Mong Wong punished the
governor and married ChunHyang who remained faithful to him.

The characters attitudes and values revealed in the story:

ChunHyang- she is an epitome of an impeccable Confucianist daughter and

wife, who remained faithful and loyal to her loved one. A woman worthy of praise.

Yi Mong Wong- he is a very talented and brilliant man, a courageous man who
is willing to brave out all the odds just to save his loved one.

Byeon- a wicked, greedy governor.

The practices shown in the story are as follows:

First, In the Tale of ChunHyang, it is evident that there was a practice called
status system, wherein a person who belong to a high class family cannot
marry another who belong to a low class of family.

Second, the story also tells us about the aristocracy and tyranny. Where
leaders in a society tend to oppress and dictate the governed people against
their wills.

Third, the story likewise tells us about the human freedom wherein the
governed people learned to resist the tyrants to fight for their freedom, the
loyalty, faithfulness and the praised love between the two lovers.