"Korea's version of 'Robin Hood.'"

This is what the Washington Post, a U.S. daily, has called a new English translation of the Korean literary classic "The Story of Hong Gildong," published in the U.S. in March this year.

The Penguin Classics, a series of world literature, recently published the Korean tale "The Story of Hong Gildong" in English. Hong Gildong's story is the first Korean classic to be included in the series, whose books include such world classics as "The Odyssey" by Homer, the "Divine Comedy" by Dante and poems from the Warring States period by Qu Yuan.

"The Story of Hong Gildong" is known to be the first Korean novel written in Hangeul, not traditional Chinese characters. It was penned by politician and writer Heo Gyun (1569-1618) during the reign of the Gwanghaegun (r. 1608-1623). Set in Joseon society with its strict hierarchy, the story is about Hong Gildong, the illegitimate son to a nobleman. Though he's intelligent and superb at fighting and at martial arts, he's not allowed to pursue his ambitions due to his birth, given his low-born mother. He faces discriminations as he grows up, not only in terms of career choices but also in terms of his own family. He's not treated as the son of his father. In the end, he leaves home and becomes a leader of a band of outlaws, taking from the rich and corrupt officials. The plot, of course, reminds a Western reader of the stories surrounding Robin Hood.

Reviews and responses to this Korean classic are generally positive.

Critique Michael Dirda said in the Washington Post that the story is a "marvel-filled swashbuckler," also saying that the story has been rewritten and remade numerous times into movies, TV shows and even cartoons.

On the radio show "All Things Considered" on NPR, a U.S. radio station, the host made comparisons between Hong Gildong and Jay Gatsby and Superman.

"Sometimes, a single character can help define a country's sense of self," said the host in an episode aired on March 14. "Here in the U.S., you might think of Jay Gatsby in 'The Great Gatsby' or Superman. In North and South Korea, it's Hong Gildong."

By Chang Iou-chung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photo: Literature Translation Institute of Korea
icchang@korea.kr