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Original Works

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Printed/Published Work Korean(한국어)

유수암

About the Original Works

Original Title
유수암
Title Romanization
Yusuam
English Title(Printed)
The running water hermitage
Classification

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

Author
Hahn Moo-Sook
Co-Author
-
Published Year
-
Publisher
-
ISBN
-
Main Characters
Jin-gyeong, Hong-hwa, San-wol, Cheong-hyang, Yu-heung (Ui-dong Auntie), Chan-ho
Subject/Theme
Beauty of disappearing things, fateful love, futility of aging

About the Author

  • Hahn Moo-Sook
  • Birth : 1918 ~ 1993
  • Occupation : Novelist
  • First Name : Moo-Sook
  • Family Name : Han
  • Korean Name : 한무숙
  • ISNI : 0000000114552672
  • Works : 25
Plot

Jin-gyeong, the owner of the house of courtesans named Yusuam, gives birth to a child, fathered by a lover in her youth. After entrusting the child to her older sister, she lives, waiting for her lover to return someday. The child grows up and comes to find Jin-gyeong, but he does not call her “mother.” All the old courtesans of Yusuam live together, each with stories of their own sad past, just like Jin-gyeong.

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

Published in 1964, “Yusuam (The Hermitage of Flowing Water)” beautifully describes the love, desires, and regrets of women through the life of an old courtesan (gisaeng). It brings attention to the Buddhist theory of fatalism, sadness about the finitude of time, and the beauty of things that are disappearing in a waning life.

1963년에 발표된 <유수암>은 늙은 기생의 일생을 통해 여성의 사랑, 욕망, 회한 등을 아름답게 묘사하고 있다. 불교적 숙명론,  유한한 시간에 대한 안타까움과 소멸하는 삶 속에서 사라져가는 것들의 아름다움을 드러낸다고 평가받는다.

Translated Books2

  • English(English) Book Available
    The Hermitage of Flowing Water and Nine Others
    Hahn Moo-Sook et al / Han Musuk / 1983 / KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story
  • English(English) Book
    The running water hermitage
    Hahn Moo-Sook / Hahn Moo-Sook / 1967 / KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story
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