춘향뎐 (Chunhyang)
Chunhyang is one of the classical stories told through Pansori, traditional Korean singing. I believe that today there are only something like six songs that exist in Pansori that are true originals, please correct me if I’m wrong. Each one teaches a certain traditional value, like being a good son or daughter. Chunhyang teaches it’s listeners to be true to one’s love despite the hardships that may have to be faced. It also teaches about corrupt government and shows using whit to overcome it. This is a great movie to watch if you’re interested in Pansori (the whole movie is narrated in it) or in traditional Korean stories.
Categories: Korean Movies
I saw this on DVD a while back, and it’s a very beautiful film to look at. Very scenic. However–and bearing in mind the cultural value of this story– I can’t stand it. It reflects a time when rather barbaric notions of piety and romantic devotion encouraged almost limitless self-sacrifice…even if your lover was the one making you suffer. Sure, I’m looking at this through 20th-century lenses, but WTF? Why would you treat your wife like that?
@Andrew
That kind of story definitely would not fly here in the states. It goes to show some of the very different social values placed on things. This story is definitely swimming on the patriarchal Confucianism that blanketed Korea.