Greenroom

The Tale of Chunhyang

Anonymous, 1754 · Original title: 춘향전

On the spring festival of Dano in Namwon, the magistrate's son Yi Mongnyong catches sight of Chunhyang on a swing and cannot forget her. Chunhyang, the daughter of a retired gisaeng entertainer, is proud, quick-witted and determined to be treated with respect. Their meeting begins a story of promises, separation and courage that Koreans have retold for centuries.

Love that holds firm across social rankResisting the abuse of powerSatire of corrupt officialsThe longing to overcome status barriers

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Public domain: an anonymous classic from around 1754. Everything written here is our own; no modern edition is copied.

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Characters

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  • 성춘향 Seong Chunhyang Wolmae's sixteen-year-old daughter, clever, proud and gifted with words. Main character Appears in part 1
  • 이몽룡 Yi Mongnyong The magistrate's sixteen-year-old son, who would rather see the spring than study. Main character Appears in part 1
  • 변학도 Byeon Hakdo Main character First appears in part 3. Read up to part 2 to meet them without spoilers.
  • 월매 Wolmae Chunhyang's talkative mother, a retired gisaeng who knows how the world works. Appears in part 1
  • 방자 Bangja Mongnyong's quick-witted, sharp-tongued servant. Appears in part 1
  • 향단 Hyangdan Chunhyang's loyal maid, quiet but warm-hearted. Appears in part 1
  • 운봉 영장 The Commander of Unbong First appears in part 5. Read up to part 4 to meet them without spoilers.

Part by part

Part 1

처음 ~ 두 사람이 백년가약을 맺기까지

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Part 2

부사가 서울로 오르게 되어 ~ 몽룡이 떠나기까지

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Part 3

변학도가 남원에 부임하여 ~ 춘향이 옥에 갇히기까지

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Part 4

몽룡이 장원 급제하여 ~ 옥에서 춘향을 만나기까지

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Part 5

변학도의 생일잔치 ~ 끝

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