The concubine of the wife
I’ve been translating a short story at the request of a friend of mine. The friend is Young-Key Kim-Renaud, a retired professor of linguistics at George Washington University. But more importantly, she is the daughter of Han Moo-sook, a famous short story writer. Kim-Renaud is compiling an anthology of her mother’s short stories in English translation. Some of the stories have already been…
The story, titled "Yi Sajong's Wife," delves into a well-known Korean folklore centered around Hwang Jini, the most celebrated gisaeng of Korea. Gisaengs were highly skilled female entertainers who provided music, singing, and dancing for their patrons. The narrative is based on a true incident, although its veracity remains uncertain.
The story revolves around Hwang Jini's love for a renowned singer who spent his days in the mountains, serenading the world with his exceptional voice. One day, Hwang Jini, captivated by his melodious tunes, made her presence known to him. She was immediately drawn to his enchanting singing and felt an irresistible pull towards him.
The tale unfolds as Hwang Jini, presented herself to the great singer, marking the beginning of their passionate love story.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- The concubine of the wife koreatimes.co.kr
