Original Works

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Printed/Published Work Korean(한국어)

무명

About the Original Works

무명
Original Title
무명
Title Romanization
Mumyeong
English Title (Printed)
-
Classification

KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 21st century

Author
Yi Kwang-Su
Co-Author
-
Published Year
2010
Publisher
-
ISBN
9787560150130
Main Characters
Narrator, Min, Yun, Jeong, Kang
Subject/Theme
Japanese colonial period, prison life, human destiny, individual greed, nihilism

About the Author

Writer default image
  • Yi Kwang-Su
  • Birth : 1892 ~ 1950
  • Occupation : Novelist
  • First Name : Kwang-Su
  • Family Name : Yi
  • Korean Name : 이광수
  • ISNI : 0000000110594496
  • Works : 43
Plot

In prison, the narrator becomes acquainted with three people: Yun, who is doing time for seal forgery; Min, for arson; and Jeong, for fraud. Although they are suffering from diseases, they fight constantly, unable to give up on small privileges. Later, new conflicts arise when Kang, who is in prison for blackmailing, is assigned to their cell. After being released from prison, the narrator feels as though life is vain, when he hears the news of Min, Yun, and Jeong.

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

This is a short story by Yi Kwang-Su, published in the inaugural issue of Munjang in January 1939. Based on the Buddhist perception that “life is pain,” this story reveals a nihilistic resignation about human destiny.

1939년 1월 <문장> 창간호에 발표된 이광수의 단편소설이다. 이 작품은 '인생은 고통'이라는 불교적 인식을 밑바탕으로 하여 인간의 운명에 대한 허무주의적 체념을 드러내었다.

Translated Books2

  • 无明
    Chinese(简体) Book Available
    无明
    Yi Kwang-Su et al / 李光洙 / 2010 / KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 21st century
  • The Unenlightened and Other Korean Short Stories
    English(English) Book Available
    The Unenlightened and Other Korean Short Stories
    Yi Kwang-Su et al / Lee Gwangsu / 1983 / KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 21st century