Honorary Reporter Eftychia Dovletoglou from Greece

Image = Eftychia Dovletoglou

Different forms of love such as those of couples, family members and a king and his subjects are shown in the five surviving works of pansori (lyrical opera). 

 
Chunhyangga 

Chunhyang, the daughter of a gisaeng (traditional entertainer), and Mongryong, the son of a magistrate fall in love and are secretly married. After he leaves for Seoul on a trip, a corrupt official attempts to force Chunhyang to be his concubine. She risks death by refusing but is rescued at the last minute by Mongryong, who returns as a secret royal inspector.

Simcheongga 

This tale of filial piety features Simcheong, a devoted daughter caring for her blind father, who makes a wager he cannot pay. She eventually becomes queen of a sea palace and is reunited with her father, who regains his sight.

Heungbuga

Heungbu, a poor but good man with many children, cares for a swallow's broken leg, and the bird brings him pumpkin seeds. He plants the seeds and the ensuing fruit contain a treasure. When his older brother, the ugly and greedy Nolbu, learns of this, he tries the same by breaking a swallow's leg but with different results.

Jeokbyeokga 

This story is a retelling of the Chinese legend of the Battle of the Red Cliffs according to the 14th-century Chinese novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms."

Sugungga 

This takes place in an imaginary sea kingdom ruled by a dragon king, who suffers from a rare disease. He orders his servants to go to the surface to get a rabbit's liver, which is supposed to provide a cure. A terrapin volunteers to do this.

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.