Homer B. Hulbert and James S. Gale, two of the most famous North American missionaries to come to Korea in the 1880s, were very fond of ghost stories, but for years the Korean scholars they met swore that no such stories existed in Korea. Eventually, they discovered that Korea, too, had a plentiful supply of ghosts and spirits, celebrated in many eerie tales. However, because the stories had seemed too frivolous or were connected with shamanism and Buddhism, the scholars had been ashamed to talk about them. A main source of these stories were collections of yadam. These were a form of short tale, especially popular in the Joseon period. Whereas Confucian classics were the gateway to officialdom, yadam offered an escape valve, dealing with things much closer to daily life. The stories told there were about individuals who were not always admirable paragons of Confucian virtue; rather, they were often artful dodgers who managed to escape from tricky situations; survive traps; deal with ghosts, spirits, and nine-tailed foxes; and even get rich in the process. As we celebrate the one hundred-fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Hulbert and Gale, the present selection of Korean ghost stories—nostalgic for their echoes of the lost world of old Korea and its many ghosts—is offered for the pleasure of readers in the twenty-first century, one hundred years after their original publication.

Fiction. Northeast Asia Studies. Homer B. Hulbert and James S. Gale, two of the most famous North American missionaries to come to Korea in the 1880s, were very fond of ghost stories, but for years the Korean scholars they met swore that no such stories existed in Korea. Eventually, they discovered that Korea, too, had a plentiful supply of ghosts and spirits, celebrated in many eerie tales. However, because the stories had seemed too frivolous or were connected with shamanism and Buddhism, the scholars had been ashamed to talk about them. A main source of these stories were collections of yadam. These were a form of short tale, especially popular in the Joseon period. Whereas Confucian classics were the gateway to officialdom, yadam offered an escape valve, dealing with things much closer to daily life. The stories told there were about individuals who were not always admirable paragons of Confucian virtue; rather, they were often artful dodgers who managed to escape from tricky situations; survive traps; deal with ghosts, spirits, and nine-tailed foxes; and even get rich in the process. As we celebrate the one hundred-fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Hulbert and Gale, the present selection of Korean ghost stories--nostalgic for their echoes of the lost world of old Korea and its many ghosts--is offered for the pleasure of readers in the twenty-first century, one hundred years after their original publication.

Korea’s most widely loved romantic tales : Chunhyang and Sim Cheong There are not many old Korean love tales, but everyone knows the story of Chunhyang. In 1892, the first Korean to visit Paris, Hong Jong-u, helped publish a French version of the story of Chunhyang. Titled “Fragrant Springtime” (the meaning of “Chunhyang”), it is the first Korean story ever published in a western language. A couple of years later, a second, more developed novel set in Korea was published, “ A Dead Tree Blossoms.” It includes parts of the story of Sim Cheong and her blind father, but is very different in many unexpected ways. In 1919 an English translation of it was published in the US, but nobody noticed it. In this new book, the French version of “Chunhyang” has been translated into English and is published with the 1919 English text of “A Dead Tree Blossoms” and a couple of other Korean love tales translated a hundred or more years ago. Interestingly, the two main stories both express sharp criticism of corrupt officials and a strong concern for social justice.

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South Korea (Republic of Korea) is the more successful of the two Koreas in both economic and political terms. Even the Asian economic crisis of 1997–1998, which hit badly, was weathered successfully, and when the next crisis came along in 2007, South Korea coped better than many other countries. This economic strength, taken with the steady progress of democratization since 1987, indicates that when the peninsula is eventually reunified, as one day it probably will be, a new unified Korea will follow the South Korea model rather than that of North Korea. This fourth edition of Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Korea contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 700 cross-referenced entries on important personalities as well as aspects of the country’s politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Republic of Korea.

A fascinating introduction to the world of Korean myth and legend. The myths of Korea may seem a complex and intriguing mix of ghosts, spirits, and superstition, but they form the bedrock of one of the most vibrant global cultures today. In the past few decades, South Korea has experienced a rapid rise to prominence on the world stage as the Hallyu, the "Korean wave" of popular culture, drives newfound interest in the country. This swift transformation has also generated paradoxes within contemporary South Korea, where cutting-edge technology now coexists with centuries-old shamanistic legends and Buddhist rituals. Korean myths are a living and evolving part of society, in both the North and South. With the export of Korean film across the globe, K-pop, fashion, K-dramas, literature, and comics there is a growing desire to understand the folklore and mythical underpinnings of contemporary Korean culture. Authors Heinz Insu Fenkl and Bella Dalton-Fenkl bring together a wealth of knowledge of both the new and the old, the traditional and the modern, to guide readers through this fascinating history and help them understand the culture and traditions of the Korean people. From the Changsega ("Song of Creation") sung by shamans to the gods, goddesses, and monsters who inhabit the cosmos—including the god Mireuk, creator of the world, and the giant Grandma Mago, who was able to create mountains from the mud on her skirt—these myths have been disseminated for centuries and continue to resonate in popular culture today.

One of the most important and celebrated works of premodern Korean prose fiction, Kŭmo sinhwa (New Tales of the Golden Turtle) is a collection of five tales of the strange artfully written in literary Chinese by Kim Sisŭp (1435–1493). Kim was a major intellectual and poet of the early Chosŏn dynasty (1392–1897), and this book is widely recognized as marking the beginning of classical fiction in Korea. The present volume features an extensive study of Kim and the Kŭmo sinhwa, followed by a copiously annotated, complete English translation of the tales from the oldest extant edition. The translation captures the vivaciousness of the original, while the annotations reveal the work’s complexity, unraveling the deep and diverse intertextual connections between the Kŭmo sinhwa and preceding works of Chinese and Korean literature and philosophy. The Kŭmo sinhwa can thus be read and appreciated as a hybrid work that is both distinctly Korean and Sino-centric East Asian. A translator’s introduction discusses this hybridity in detail, as well as the unusual life and tumultuous times of Kim Sisŭp; the Kŭmo sinhwa’s creation and its translation and transformation in early modern Japan and twentieth-century (especially North) Korea and beyond; and its characteristics as a work of dissent. Tales of the Strange by a Korean Confucian Monk will be welcomed by Korean and East Asian studies scholars and students, yet the body of the work—stories of strange affairs, fantastic realms, seductive ghosts, and majestic but eerie beings from the netherworld—will be enjoyed by academics and non-specialist readers alike.

Pumpkins' Glow: 200+ Eerie Tales for Halloween offers a variegated mosaic of chills and thrills, drawn from a sweeping array of literary styles that span the gamut from gothic horror to supernatural mystery, featuring an illustrious lineup of authors whose works have captivated readers for generations. This anthology encapsulates the essence of Halloween through its exploration of themes such as the duality of human nature, the supernatural realm, and the thin veil between the living and the dead. Standout pieces in this collection delve into haunted landscapes, ghostly apparitions, and eerie legends, each story a testament to the power of the genre to both entertain and unsettle its audience. The diversity within this volume not only showcases the rich literary context of these tales but also highlights their perennial significance across cultures and epochs. The contributing authors and editors to Pumpkins' Glow: 200+ Eerie Tales for Halloween are a veritable who's who of literary giants, ranging from the masterful gothic horror of Mary Shelley to the macabre mysteries of Edgar Allan Poe, and the hauntingly philosophical tales of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Together, these voices represent a broad spectrum of historical, cultural, and literary movements, from the dark romanticism of the 19th century to the psychological horror and speculative fiction of the early 20th century. The anthology aligns these varied voices in a collective exploration of the darker aspects of human nature and the inexplicable elements of the supernatural world, enriching the readers understanding of Halloween's thematic landscape through a multifaceted lens. Pumpkins' Glow: 200+ Eerie Tales for Halloween is a must-read for aficionados of the horror and supernatural genre, offering an unparalleled opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich tapestry of Halloween storytelling. This collection serves not only as an educational journey through the evolution of horror literature but also as a source of endless fascination and insight, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the nuances of fear and the supernatural. Readers are invited to explore this comprehensive anthology, which promises to enlighten and entertain through its celebration of one of literatures most enduring genres.

The 'TRICK OR TREAT Boxed Set: 200+ Eerie Tales from the Greatest Storytellers' represents an unparalleled assembly of haunting narratives that traverse multiple eras, celebrating the richness and diversity of literary craft. This anthology weaves together an intricate tapestry of themes, including the macabre, the supernatural, and the psychological, presented through a variety of literary forms. From the ghostly pages of traditional gothic to the unsettling realms of psychological horror, the collection stands as a testament to the genre's evolution, showcasing seminal works that have shaped the landscape of dark fiction. Noteworthy are the pieces that challenge the boundaries of horror, merging with science fiction, fantasy, and mystery, broadening the readers horizon of fear and fascination. The contributing authors to this grand volume, including luminaries such as Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, and H. P. Lovecraft, among others, bring with them a rich diversity of historical, cultural, and literary backgrounds. Their collected works represent various movements, from Romanticism to Realism to Modernism, underscoring how the themes of fear, the paranormal, and the uncanny have been explored across different cultures and epochs. This amalgamation of perspectives not only showcases the individual genius of the authors but also how they collectively contribute to the horror genres enduring legacy and its capability to probe the human psyche. For aficionados of the eerie, the 'TRICK OR TREAT Boxed Set' offers an invaluable gateway into the expanse of the horror and supernatural genres, presenting an exceptional opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of ghostly tales. Encouraging a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind each terrifying story, this collection serves both as an educational tool and a source of entertainment. Readers are invited to immerse themselves in this meticulously curated anthology, to explore the nuances of fear, and to engage in the ongoing dialogue between these master storytellers and the dark corners of the imagination.

Trick or Treat! Get a worm cup of tea, curl by the fire, and enjoy the cold chills of this meticulously edited horror collection, jam-packed with the darkest mysteries, supernatural thrillers and gothic romances: James Malcolm Rymer & Thomas Peckett Prest: Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Edgar Allan Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart The Fall of the House of Usher The Cask of Amontillado The Masque of the Red Death The Murders in the Rue Morgue Mary Shelley: Frankenstein The Mortal Immortal The Evil Eye John William Polidori: The Vampyre Bram Stoker: Dracula Théophile Gautier: Clarimonde The Mummy's Foot Washington Irving: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow The Spectre Bridegroom Henry James: The Turn of the Screw The Ghostly Rental H. P. Lovecraft: The Dunwich Horror From Beyond M. R. James: Canon Alberic's Scrap-Book Lost Hearts Wilkie Collins: The Haunted Hotel The Dead Secret E. F. Benson: The Room in the Tower The Terror by Night Nathaniel Hawthorne: Rappaccini's Daughter Ambrose Bierce: The Death of Halpin Frayser One Summer Night Arthur Machen: The Great God Pan The Three Impostors William Hope Hodgson: The House on the Borderland The Night Land Carnacki, the Ghost-Finder M. P. Shiel: Shapes in the Fire Arthur Conan Doyle: The Leather Funnel The Beetle Hunter Ralph Adams Cram: Black Spirits and White Grant Allen: The Reverend John Creedy Dr. Greatrex's Engagement Richard Marsh: The Beetle Thomas Hardy: What the Shepherd Saw The Grave by the Handpost Charles Dickens: The Signal-Man The Hanged Man's Bride Guy de Maupassant: The Horla The Flayed Hand Pedro De Alarçon: The Nail Walter Hubbell: The Great Amherst Mystery Francis Marion Crawford: The Dead Smile The Screaming Skull Man Overboard! For The Blood is the Life The Upper Berth By The Water of Paradise The Doll's Ghost John Buchan: No-Man's-Land The Watcher by the Threshold The Monkey's Paw The Severed Hand The Ghost in the Cap'n Brown House The Apparition of Mrs. Veal (Daniel Defoe) When the World Was Young (Jack London)…