1. home
  2. Books
  3. Original Works

Original Works

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

Printed/Published Work Korean(한국어)

장마

장마
Original Title
장마
Title Romanization
Jangma
English Title(Printed)
The rainy spell
Classification

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

Author
Yun Heunggil
Co-Author
-
Published Year
-
Publisher
-
ISBN
-
Main Characters
Dongman, Dongman’s maternal grandmother, Dongman’s paternal grandmother
Subject/Theme
Korean War; ideological conflict
Yun Heunggil
  • Yun Heunggil
  • Birth : 1942 ~ Unknown
  • Occupation : Novelist
  • First Name : Heunggil
  • Family Name : Yun
  • Korean Name : 윤흥길
  • ISNI : 000000007832986X
  • Works : 27
Plot

One rainy day during the monsoon season, news arrives at Dongman’s house that his maternal uncle, a lieutenant in the ROK Army, has died. His maternal grandmother, who has fled to his home for safety, is shocked by the news and places a curse on the partisans fighting against the South Korean military. Meanwhile, Dongman’s paternal grandmother is told by a fortune-teller that her son, a partisan hiding in the mountains, will soon return home. To welcome him, she cooks and prepares food, but he does not arrive. Instead, a large serpent enters the house, and the woman faints, thinking the serpent is her dead son. At this, Dongman’s maternal grandmother pleads with the serpent with her whole heart, and it leaves. After regaining consciousness, the paternal grandmother reconciles with the maternal grandmother.

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

1973년 <문학과지성>에 발표된 윤흥길의 단편소설이다. 이 작품은 어린 소년인 정만을 1인칭 서술자로 내세우며 전쟁으로 인한 일상과 죽음의 문제를 다루고 있다. 죽은 삼촌의 현신으로 여겨지는 구렁이의 출현으로 인해 두 할머니의 이념적 갈등이 해소된다. 이는 재래적 무속신앙을 통해 공동체 감각을 회복하여 이념 갈등과 분단의 현실의 극복을 시도하는 것이라 평가된다.

Yun Heung-gil’s The Rainy Spell was first published in Literature and Intelligence in 1973. Written from young Dongman’s point of view, the short story deals with the problems of everyday life and death in the context of the Korean War. The appearance of the serpent, which is believed to be the embodiment of Dongman’s dead uncle, resolves the ideological rift between the two grandmothers. The novel is regarded by critics as an attempt to show how ideological conflict and the reality of division might be overcome by restoring a sense of community through traditional shamanic beliefs.

Translated Books2

  • The rainy spell
    English(English) Funded by LTI Korea Available
    The rainy spell
    Yun Heunggil et al / Yun Heung-gil / 2002 / KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story
  • 長雨
    Japanese(日本語) Available
    長雨
    Yun Heunggil et al / 尹興吉 / 1979 / KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story

Related Resources4 See More

Return to list