[March Recommended Books by Korea Publication Culture Industry Promotion Agency] ① ‘Horangi Saengilnalireotda’

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] The Book Sharing Committee of the Korea Publication Culture Industry Promotion Agency announced seven titles, including Horangi Saengildal Iryeotda (Urihakgyo), as the “Recommended Books of March 2022.”

The Book Sharing Committee is composed of experts from various fields. To expand publishing demand and promote reading culture, it introduces books in seven categories?literature, humanities and arts, social sciences, natural sciences, practical/general, picture books and fairy tales, and youth?each month along with recommendations.

The “Recommended Books of March” include seven titles: Horangi Saengildal Iryeotda (Urihakgyo), Adolescent Philosophy Journey (Chorokseojae), #Gender_Novels: Hashtag Literary Selection (Munhakgwa Jiseongsa), The Humanities of Poop (Yeoksabipyungsa), Women Should Also Serve in the Military (Dongnyeok), When Light Becomes Fascination (Influential), and Game Treatment Manual for Everyone (Hankyoreh Publishing).

The Book Sharing Committee members include Chairperson Jung Subok (sociologist), Kwon Bokgyu (professor at Ewha Womans University Medical School), Ryu Daesung (writer), Jo Gyeongran (novelist), Jin Taewon (professor at Sungkonghoe University), Choi Hyunmi (reporter at Munhwa Ilbo), and Pyo Jeonghun (critic).

Detailed information on the recommended books and recommendations by the Book Sharing Committee can be found on the Publication Promotion Agency’s website or the Doksein website.

Horangi Saengildal Iryeotda | Written by Kang Hyesook | Urihakgyo | 40 pages | 15,000 KRW

2022 is the Year of the Black Tiger (Im In Year). In the year of the tiger, it is a year for tiger picture books. The tiger is an animal symbolic of Korea. Like the word ‘hohwan’ (tiger calamity), it is a figure of fear, but overall it symbolizes bravery and wisdom and serves as a guardian deity that wards off evil spirits. Appearing in folk paintings and old tales, the tiger often comes across as a friendly figure who, despite its fierce appearance, is surprisingly gullible.

Kang Hyesook’s Horangi Saengildal Iryeotda gathers familiar tiger stories in one place.

“Long ago, in the days when tigers smoked tobacco, among many days there was a good day, the birthday of the mountain hero tiger.”

The opening evokes the feeling of a pansori performance. Then, nine tigers born on the same day and hour appear one by one at the birthday party. However, the eldest brother did not come. Due to the loving siblings’ scheme, he fell into a millet field and passed away. This is a well-known story: the tiger who said “If you give me one rice cake, I won’t eat you,” followed the rice cake-selling mother, swallowed her, and chased the siblings. It is the story of “The Siblings Who Became the Moon.” There is a tiger harshly tricked by dried persimmons, a tiger fooled by a rabbit’s cunning, and a tiger severely beaten by a puppy who does not fear tigers. These nine tigers all appear in traditional Korean folktales, legends, and folk paintings. They appear in turn and recite their life stories. It is like nine pansori acts. The text has a rhythmic feel. The illustrations use yellow, pink, green, and fluorescent colors, making them vivid. The tigers are drawn in a folk painting style, humorous and warm. Each of the nine tigers looks different, offering the joy of seeing how the same tiger is depicted in various ways.

At the very end, the old tiger stories that inspired the nine tiger tales are gathered and organized in one place, allowing readers to see which story became which tale. It is also interesting to see how long stories were compressed into one or two sentences. Some stories will be familiar to young readers, while others will be new. Sharing and reading these stories together will be an enjoyable time.

- Choi Hyunmi, Culture Department Head, Munhwa Ilbo

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.