Original Works

We provide information on Korean literature titles (classical, modern and contemporary) in multiple languages.

Printed/Published Work Korean(한국어)

지하촌

About the Original Works

Original Title
지하촌
Title Romanization
Jihachon
English Title(Printed)
The Underground Village
Classification

KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story

Author
Kang Kyung-ae
Co-Author
-
Published Year
1936
Publisher
-
ISBN
-
Main Characters
Chils-eong, mother, Chil-un, Yeong-ae, Keunnyeon
Subject/Theme
Tragic life of the lower class in colonial Korea, wretched reality of people with disabilities

About the Author

  • Kang Kyung-ae
  • Birth : 1906 ~ 1943
  • Occupation : Novelist
  • First Name : Kyung-ae
  • Family Name : Kang
  • Korean Name : 강경애
  • ISNI : 0000000083968420
  • Works : 23
Plot

Due to his disability, Chil-seong ekes out a living by begging in order to take care of his two younger siblings and his mother. He is in love with a blind neighbor girl. One day, when he learns that she will be married off as a concubine to some man, he tries to stop the marriage all to no avail. As he watches his younger siblings dying of illnesses, Chil-seong runs out of his house, unable to withstand his situation anymore.

Descriptions(Languages 2)
  • English(English)
  • Korean(한국어)

This is a short story, serialized in The Chosun Ilbo from March 12 to April 3, 1936. It paints an objective portrait of a man with disabilities and his family, living in the slums. It is considered as a representative piece of literature that uses naturalistic techniques to depict Korea in the 1930s.

Translated Books3

E-Books & Audiobooks1