Written by

Sumaiya Chauhan

M.A. Korean Language, Literature and Culture

Jamia Millia Islamia

sumaiyachauhan7500@gmail.com 

Korean Literature plays a vital role through folktales and myths in preserving the nation’s cultural heritage. The Tale of the Moon Rabbit embodies self-sacrifice and kindness, whereas The Myth of Dangun symbolises Korea’s divine origins of national identity. In times of foreign influence, like Japanese colonisation, these stories became symbols of Korean pride and persistence, acting as symbols of national pride. This article highlights the distinctive and universal elements of South Korean identity that are woven throughout these stories by analysing them within the framework of global folklore. These tales highlight the timeless value of oral literature in defining Korea's collective memory and tying its rich cultural heritage to contemporary identity, as they are still honoured in contemporary cultural practices.

Keywords: Cultural Identity; Folktale; Nation’s Pride; Myths; Heritage; Korean Literature

Introduction

Korean myths and folktales, representing values, spirituality, and tenacity across generations are essential symbols of the nation's cultural identity. In addition to telling stories, they uphold moral values like community harmony, humility, and selflessness, which are central to South Korean culture. These stories have played a crucial role in maintaining Korea's distinct cultural identity despite historical adversity, such as Japanese colonisation (Grayson, 2012). The contribution of folklore to national identity and "folk consciousness," which offers a moral framework that has influenced South Korean society, is discussed in works like The Role of Folk Consciousness in the Modern State (Brown, 2009). By contrasting tales such as The Tale of the Moon Rabbit and The Myth of Dangun with identical stories from other cultures, they reflect the unique characteristics of South Korean folk culture and Korea's position within international folklore traditions (McCabe & Kim, 2022; Lee, 2003).

The Role of Folktales in Shaping South Korean Identity

Brown (2010) highlights that folklore functions as a sense of ethics, especially in times of hardship, and that myths and legends are critical for promoting national pride and unity. Moral ideals in folklore can inspire collective identity and perseverance, as demonstrated by the Tale of the Moon Rabbit's themes of selflessness and sacrifice, which provide South Koreans with a narrative of resilience and communal values. This is further supported by Brown's analysis of “folk consciousness”, which shows how storytelling strengthens cultural resilience and shared values in the face of adversity in times of hardships. South Korean folklore, for instance, became crucial for maintaining moral principles and national identity against enforced cultural erasure during Japanese colonisation (1910–1945). These stories served as a way to remind South Koreans of their unique history and values while fostering pride, resiliency, and a sense of shared heritage. They were frequently told secretly or modified into subtle storytelling forms (Brown, 2010).

The Confucian principles of loyalty and humility, ingrained in South Korean identity, are demonstrated by the values found in The Tale of the Moon Rabbit, especially selflessness. The sacrifice central to South Korean morality and spirituality exemplifies the rabbit's readiness to offer itself to the Emperor as food. Perspectives on East and Southeast Asian Folktales (2022) notes that similar sacrificial symbols are used in many Asian cultures, each modified to uphold particular cultural values; this tale is consistent with the common themes of humility and resiliency.

Additionally, like many other South Korean folktales, The Tale of the Moon Rabbit functions as a cultural archive, passing down fundamental values to future generations through oral literature. The rabbit continues to be a symbol of national pride and a link between traditional morals and modern South Korean identity, and the story's meaning has found resonance in contemporary South Korean media and festivals. Furthermore, Perspectives on East and Southeast Asian Folktales claims that South Korean folktales emphasise sacrifice in particular, which is consistent with the Confucian cultural framework (McCabe & Kim, 2022).

Myth and Identity: The Myth of Dangun Wanggeom  (단군왕검)

Unlike folktales, myths often explain the origins of an entire nation, that is, ethnogenesis. The Myth of Dangun Wanggeom is essential to South Korean ethnogenesis because it provides a story of "divine ancestry" that inspires and fosters pride in the country and its resilience (Grayson, 2012). Folk Consciousness highlights the significance of origin myths in creating a common cultural identity, where the origins of the country are attributed to divine intervention, creating a lineage that binds the populace together under a shared spiritual and cultural heritage. By portraying Dangun as Korea's divine ancestor, this myth creates a sense of ethnogenesis and validates Korea's distinct national identity and culture from its neighbours (Brown, 2010).

According to Dangun Wanggeom's origin story, Hwanung (환웅), the son of the heavenly deity Hwanin (환인), descends from heaven to lead humanity. Dangun is born after Hwanung's marriage to Ungnyeo (웅녀), a bear who transforms into a woman. Dangun founded Korea's first nation, "Gojoseon," in 2333 BCE, signifying the country's divine beginnings and unifying essence. This myth is celebrated annually on 3rd October as Gaecheonjeol (개천절) (National Foundation Day), emphasizing its continuing significance in the national consciousness as a historical and spiritual pillar of South Korean identity (Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Literature, 2014). In addition to giving South Korea a divine beginning, this tale teaches tenacity, harmony with nature, and unity values that have long been cherished in Korea. (Grayson, 2012).

From around the world, similar myths, such as Rome's Romulus and Remus, Milesians of Ireland, or Japan's Emperor Jimmu, provide their nations divine ancestry. However, Mount Taebaek and other natural symbols are uniquely incorporated into Dangun's myth, demonstrating Korea's emphasis on resilience and harmony with the natural world. This story gives South Koreans a sense of shared cultural and divine heritage, which is still ingrained in the country's consciousness as a source of pride (Reuters & Reuters, 2018).

Cultural Preservation and Contemporary Relevance

Through the adaptation of traditional folktales in modern media, Korea's modernisation and cultural preservation are closely intertwined. These folktales have not only been kept alive but have also been reimagined in new ways as South Korean society has changed, guaranteeing their ongoing significance and impact. From children's animated series to massive festivals, South Korea has effectively incorporated these stories into contemporary cultural practices and media, highlighting their importance for all ages. These forms frequently feature stories like The Myth of Dangun Wanggeom and The Tale of the Moon Rabbit, preserving cultural continuity while catering to contemporary sensibilities (Korea, 2014).

It explores the ways that, even in contemporary times, folklore can act as a unifying factor and moral compass. The adaptability of folklore in modern media is an example of its enduring effectiveness, enabling the themes of fortitude, selflessness, and solidarity to strike a chord with younger audiences. These ancient stories are incorporated into K-dramas like The Arthdal ​​Chronicles, and even in well-known K-pop songs like BTS's Moon, illustrating how the lessons of folklore can be reimagined through contemporary artistic mediums (Brown, 2010).

Furthermore, another illustration of how these folktales are incorporated into modern cultural customs is the yearly celebration of Chuseok in Korea. For example, the Moon Rabbit is a key character during this harvest celebration, representing sacrifice and family unity, in addition to being a mainstay in traditional tales. Through food, music, and folklore-based activities, South Koreans commemorate their ancestors and celebrate their common heritage during Chuseok, a contemporary cultural event (Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Norway, n.d.).

As a result, South Korean folklore has managed to successfully balance tradition and modernity, staying incredibly relevant despite the swift advancements in both culture and technology. South Korea makes sure that these tales live on, influencing the cultural consciousness of future generations while conserving their rich cultural heritage, whether through the reworking of myths in popular media or their continuous inclusion in yearly celebrations (Grayson, 2012).

Conclusion

Korean myths and folktales are strong instruments of perseverance, identity, and conceptual frameworks of pride rather than merely being as well as pleasure. Deeply ingrained in South Korean history, these stories have shaped the country's collective consciousness and served as a moral compass for generations. Korea's ideals of selflessness, solidarity, and tenacity are reflected in stories like The Tale of the Moon Rabbit and the legend Dangun Wanggeom, which have historical and modern significance. Serving as a moral compass and a collective cultural identity, bolstering national cohesion, particularly during difficult times.

To preserve their timeless lessons in films, K-dramas, and even K-pop songs, these myths have changed and adapted to contemporary media, guaranteeing that Korea's ancient heritage will always be a part of its contemporary identity. The incorporation of these tales into contemporary customs like festivals and children's media demonstrates how they cut across generations and bridge the gap between the past and present.

In this sense, South Korean myths and folktales offer more than just an insight into the country's rich cultural past; they are essential manifestations of pride and solidarity, highlighting the significance of shared values and collective memory in forming the nation's identity.

References

Brown, J. (2010). The role of folk consciousness in the modern state: its efficacy, use and abuse. Storytelling Self Society, 6(1), 39–57. https://doi.org/10.1080/15505340903393278

Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Norway. (n.d.). Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Norway. Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Norway. https://nor.mofa.go.kr/no-en/brd/m_21237/view.do?seq=94

Grayson, J. H. (2012). Myths and Legends from Korea: An Annotated Compendium of Ancient and Modern Materials. Routledge.

Korea, N. F. M. O. (2014). Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Literature: Encyclopedia of Korean Folklore and Traditional Culture Vol. III. 길잡이미디어.

Lee, P. H. (2003). A history of Korean literature. Cambridge University Press.

Lombardi, E. (2019, July 1). The meaning of myths, folklore, legends, and fairy tales. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/defining-terms-myth-folklore-legend-735039#:~:text=Folklore%20and%20Folktale,of%20folklore%20is%20called%20folkloristics

McCabe, A., & Kim, M. (2022). Perspectives on East and Southeast Asian folktales. Rowman & Littlefield.

Perspectives on East and Southeast Asian folktales. (2022). In Lexington Books. https://doi.org/10.5771/9781666912890

Two stories about the rabbit in the moon - by Gracia Tenorio Pearl : Korea.net : The official website of the Republic of Korea. (n.d.). https://www.korea.net/Events/Overseas/view?articleId=17771