Talk:Korean mythology

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[edit] 2003-2004 discussion

Zestauferov, do you believe Hwandangogi? --Nanshu 01:15, 24 Nov 2003 (UTC)

  • This sentence was removed by 86.128.125.158 (talk · contribs) at 2006-11-03T20:53:21 without permission, so is restored.
한국어 아라요? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Zestauferov (talk • contribs) 2003-11-24T09:45:30 (UTC)

I don't speak Korean.
This article contains new "mythology" but I don't know enough to separate it from actual mythology. I'm curious where you taken the information. --Nanshu 23:10, 25 Nov 2003 (UTC)

Actually there is nothing "new" about any of the info on the page. Korean mythology is disintegrating rapidly to the level of folklore because of lack of interest or perhaps rather embarrassment. The modern Korean is most often lapsed buddhist a member of some kind of protestant church or atheist (disenchanted through the corrupt and chauvenistic form of Confusionism which has developed since the late Chosun period where a strict hierachy exists with despotic eldest son-grandfathers heading the families) and influenced mainly by American trends. Shamanism has been almost stamped out and remains mainly as a means of making money amongst charlatans and new-age young-grannies. The Shamanic mythology is shunned or sneered at as a matter of shame. The only acceptable form for the appearance of any of the old mythological figures is in the form of a children's fairytale.—Preceding unsigned comment added by Zestauferov (talk • contribs) 2003-11-26T10:26:35 (UTC)

Quote from the article:

7 Hwanins ruled a country in succession from 7193-3898 BCE their country spreading 50,000-li north to south and 20,000-li east to west comprising of twelve Dongyi nations. Bak-dal Nara, the first Dongyi state of Greater Mongolia stretching from the Stanovoy mountains in the Lake Baykal vicinity from the North to the Yangzi river in the south (including present Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Anhui) and the Russian Maritime Provinces in the East to Dunhuang in the west is established in 3898 BCE ruled by the first of 18 Hwanungs. Tangun the son of the last Huanung recorded in Korean memory Kuh-bul-dan established Korea in 2333BC.

This is NOT traditional mythology. Such an absurd story has been cooked up since the end of the 19th century. --Nanshu 00:56, 30 Nov 2003 (UTC)

Are you sure? The Koreans I meet and talk to are convinced that this is the case, and they always say that Japanese people hate this fact because it undermines their claim to Kendo (I do not understand the exact nature of this claim). It seems like it is a pretty well known story in certain circles. Out of interest, what is your basis for suggesting the book was only written in the 19thC withut earlier precedence? By the way do you live in Japan? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Zestauferov (talk • contribs) 2003-11-30T06:29:19 (UTC)

You seem to live too long in Korea. Unfortunately, Koreans tend to receive other Koreans' stories on faith without checking whether they are really true. So, we often have to trace back to the ultimate sources, which require knowledge of Classical Chinese, as for history.
My basis for suggesting the book was only written in the 19thC? It's a rather long story. I think Choe Inseong provindes nice analysis of Hwandangogi and other books.
And, yes, I am an engineering student living in Japan. --Nanshu 23:12, 2 Dec 2003 (UTC)

This is certainly interesting discussion of Korean mythology. Out of curiosity, how familiar are you with Korean mythology? Are you guys an expert or people interested in mythology in general? Although I would appreciate it if animosity between Japan and Korea politically or otherwise does not result in disrespecting each other's culture full of tradition...—Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.55.245.150 (talk) 2004-01-11T17:34:34 (UTC)

My $0.02: I have to agree with Nanshu that as it stands this is not a fair presentation of traditional mythology. Mythology, yes, but there is a lot of contamination from unreliable 19th-century sources such as Hwandangogi (yes, it was only written in the 19th century), and it is difficult to separate what the genuine traditional myths are from these, owing to the loss of a large body of traditional manuscripts. I can't really edit the article at this point because I am not a student of Korean mythology, but I have read fairly extensive scholarly works based on Shamanic narratives and folklore, and it would be nice to have the results of such studies summarised here rather than the Bakdalnara cycle. I am Korean, by the way, should anyone jump to conclusions. --Iceager 23:51, 27 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Hello I am a Korean myself, and I have heard this mythology since childhood, so I do believe there is nothing wrong about the content of this article and it is a well known story.I DO agree that the dates in the quote shown by Nanshu is highly likely forged (except for the founging of the Joseon), as it is quite impossible to get exact dates of things that happened thousands of years ago, but Korea's history is VERY long. And for the fact that we are embarrased at our ancestor's beliefs, I think that no matter how farfetched the stories are they are still our history and culture. Also, most of Japan's culture originated from Korea itself. JustShin 11:13, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

Hello. I am a Korean. But, I have never heard this mythology. Please show us the first historical materials of this mythology. These discussions are not academic controversies.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 219.111.79.98 (talk) 2007-06-12T08:28:23 (UTC)

Another Korean pitching in. I also have not heard of the Koreah mythology extending beyond 2333 B.C. until last year. Though, since then I've been researching the topic myself since I have a severe interest in mythologies and folk beliefs. I found out that the old old myths are considered credible enough the Korean academia spends a fair amount of time and effort researching and debating it. If this is the case, I think it's safe enough to mention it in this article without labeling it a chauvinistic forgery... Though I'm not naive enough to say that the dates and years mentioned are to be trusted 100%.--24.27.128.220 (talk) 04:08, 8 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Embarrassment?

"Korean mythology is disintegrating rapidly to the level of folklore because of lack of interest or perhaps rather embarrassment."

"It is contended by some that after the Korean War Koreans became embarrassed about their own mythology and though many figures are still alive in the consciousness of the general population, much of the oral tradition about the relationship between the mythological figures has been lost."

As a Korean who grew up in Korea, I must note that I am unaware of any collective embarrassment regarding Korean mythology. Retellings, in books or cartoons, are popular, and myths remain a familiar part of the Korean storytelling tradition. I would also like to see the sources for this article, if any, as it does not strike me as being very accurate. Any article stating "It is contended by some" does not inspire much faith. --Noctua 22:12, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

[edit] What About Adding Some Stories?

The page only mentions certain things like the creation of the world and things like that. Only a couple of actual folklore is in it (i.e. Hungbu nolbu, Sun and Moon). BUt what about the story of Kyonu and Chingnyo, the two lovers who meet only once a year. Another would be the story of the lumberjack who got a golden axe from a spirit, or something like that. There are many more that can be mentioned too. --Jettd42291 15:32, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Removed Cosmology

I removed the "Cosmology" section as it was unsourced and does not bear much resemblance to Korean mythology as the term is generally understood. I have a notion that the content of this section was largely taken from the Hwandan Gogi, possibly with an admixture of the Gyuwon Sahwa, and it might find a home in those articles -- but only if properly sourced. -- Visviva 23:55, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

They are the content of neither Hwandangogi nor Gyuwon Sahwa. The content is from the famous mythical books by Park Jesang Budoji부도지. It is better restore again. This is the text of budoji and its interpretation. [1] --Drpepper000 15:01, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Needed to clean up

The article looks quite mess.....--Appletrees (talk) 01:40, 3 April 2008 (UTC)