Korean Classics in Graphic Novels

Korea has a long tradition of stories that every child there grows up knowing — tales of clever heroes, loyal lovers, and officials who get what they deserve. Two of the best loved are Hong Gil-dong and Chunhyangjeon, and both are full of the kind of action and emotion that comes alive in panels.

Hong Gil-dong

The Tale of Hong Gil-dong is traditionally attributed to the Joseon-era scholar Heo Gyun (1569–1618), and it is often described as one of the earliest works of fiction written in Hangul, the Korean alphabet. Its hero is the son of a nobleman and a servant who is barred from the life his talents deserve — so he makes his own, leading a band of outlaws against corrupt officials.

Chunhyangjeon

Chunhyangjeon (The Tale of Chunhyang) grew out of pansori, Korea's tradition of sung storytelling; Chunhyangga is one of the five pansori works still performed today. It tells of Chunhyang and Yi Mongryong, who marry in secret in the town of Namwon, and of Chunhyang's refusal to give in to a cruel magistrate while her husband is away.

Why these stories work as graphic novels

Both tales were shaped by performance and retelling, so they move in vivid scenes: a swing on a spring day, a hero vanishing in a cloud, a trial in a magistrate's court. Illustrated editions let readers who are new to Korean history see the clothes, buildings, and landscapes of the Joseon era while following a story that has been loved for centuries.