all : 144
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Arang Shrine
아랑각 ( 阿娘阁 , Aranggak )
The legend of Aranggak narrates the story of Arang Shrine, located in the bamboo grove near the pavilion Yeongnamnu in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, and the haunted spirit of Maiden Arang. The narrative was transmitted orally in the verse form of gwachesi (state examination verse) among the literati of the Yeongnam region in late 19th century, in various different versions. A version of the poem is included in Dongyahwijip (Collection of Tales from the Eastern Plains) and the tale is also
Korean Folk Literature -
Auraji
아우라지 ( 阿乌拉吉 , Auraji )
The legend of Auraji narrates a love story that takes place against the backdrop of Auraji, a conflux where two rivers meet, and a wharf located in the village of Yeoryang in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province. At Auraji, two streams, one female and one male, come together: Goljicheon, with its slow and gentle waters originating from Mt. Taebaek and flowing through Imgye to Yeoryang, is the female stream; Songcheon, originating from Mt. Balwang and flowing through Mt. Nochu and Gujeolli to Yeoryang, is
Korean Folk Literature -
Baengma River
백마강 ( 白马江 , Baengmagang )
The legend of Baengmagang (White Horse River) narrates the story of the ancient kingdom Baekje’s fall, brought upon by a general from Tang China, who killed Baekje’s king, who had transformed into a dragon. When the Silla-Tang allied troops launched an attack on Baekje, they were stopped by Baekje’s king, who had turned into a dragon to guard Sabi River. General Su Dingfang of Tang, upon learning that the dragon’s favorite food is white horse meat, hooked a white horse onto a fishing pole and ca
Korean Folk Literature -
Bak Mun-su
박문수 ( 朴文秀 , Bak Mun-su )
This legend narrates the story of Bak Mun-su (1691-1756), who served as secret inspector (amhaengeosa) in Joseon and had a reputation as a man of justice. A significant number of folk tales about Bak Mun-su are documented in written form, but the number is incomparable to oral narratives, which outnumber tales about any other figure. The oral tradition includes not only accounts of Bak’s achievements but also traditional narratives that have been combined with Bak’s character. In folk literature
Korean Folk Literature -
Bang Hak-jung
방학중 ( 方学中 , Bang Hak-jung )
This legend narrates the story of Bang Hak-jung, a quick-witted servant of Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province, and his tricks and pranks. Bang Hak-jung is believed to have been a real- life character from late 19th-century Joseon who lived in Yeongdeok, which is said to be the home of his descendents and his tomb, but the only known information about Bang is the stories of the tricks he performed on his master. Bang is a typical sly servant character, who engages in taking food from his master
Korean Folk Literature -
Bangi
방이 ( 旁㐌 , Bangi )
The legend of Bangi portrays the namesake character, who happens to acquire a magic club, and his younger brother who tries to acquire one as well but is punished. The narrative is recorded in the 9th-century Chinese anthology Youyang zazu (Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang) and its follow-up volumes as the tale of a man of Silla. Bangi asked his rich younger brother for silkworms and grain seeds, but the mean younger brother gave him steamed seeds. When one of the silkworms that Bangi took tur
Korean Folk Literature -
Bear Wharf
곰나루 ( 熊津 , Gomnaru )
This legend narrates the origins of Gomnaru, a wharf in Ungjin-dong in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, with a plot involving the marriage between human and animal. A long time ago, on Mt. Yeonmi (Swallow Tail), near what is known today as Gomnaru (Bear Wharf), was a huge cave, inside which lived a huge female bear. One day the bear kidnapped a man who was in the mountain to chop wood, and the two lived together in the cave. The man, unable to escape the bear’s captivity, survived on the food
Korean Folk Literature -
Bedbug Temple Grounds
빈대절터 ( 臭虫寺址 , bindae )
This legend gives an account of a temple that closed down due to bedbugs. In a village at the foot of Mt. Jiphyeon in San- cheong, South Gyeongsang Province, there was a large temple that closed after suffering damage from too many bedbugs. When one of the monks that had left returned to the temple site, there were bedbugs heaped together on a column, which made him leave again. Several years later when another person visited the temple site to cut grass, he was shocked by a huge centipede on a
Korean Folk Literature -
Boyang
보양 ( 宝壤 , Boyang )
The legend of Boyang narrates of the story of a monk from the temple Unmunseonsa during late Silla and early Goryeo, who ordered the serpent Imugi to bring rain and protected the dragon from the wrath of the celestial emperor Cheonje. When the monk Boyang was returning from China, Seohaeyongwang (Dragon King of West Sea) bestowed upon him a golden silk robe and ordered his son Imok (Imugi) to escort Boyang. Upon arrival, Boyang, in accordance with the Dragon King’s orders, built a temple named J
Korean Folk Literature -
Brother Sister Fortress
오뉘힘내기
The legend“ Onwisanseong” narrates the story of a brother sister contest to build a fortress. The origins of this legend lie in the motif of competition in mythologies, including the race between Mireuk and Seokga in the shamanic myth “Changsega (Song of the Creation of the Universe) ”; the battle between Daebyeolwang and Sobyeolwang (Big Star King and Small Star King) and“ Cheonjiwangbonpuri (Origin of the Celestial King Cheonjiwang)”; the race for the throne between Talhae and Suro; and the f
Korean Folk Literature
