The Goryeo Dynasty and the Samguk Yusa | Dr. Remco Breuker #134

Dr. Remco Breuker, one of the world's leading scholars of pre-modern Korea, joins us to explore the Samguk Yusa, a treasure trove of Korean myth, history, and folklore. We dive into the kingdom of Goryeo, its ruling elites, the position of women, the reality of slavery in old Korea, and why this period remains so misunderstood today. From women tigers to creation myths, from royal power struggles to the everyday lives of commoners, and court poets who drink too much, there should be something in here for everyone.

Find Remco and his work online

Vestiges of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea: A Translation of the Samguk yusa : https://uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/vestiges-of-the-three-kingdoms-of-ancient-korea-a-translation-of-the-samguk-yusa/

Yi Kyubo: https://uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/not-everything-unfolds-as-anticipated-selections-from-yi-kyubos-tongguk-yi-sangguk-chip/

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/institute-for-area-studies/korean-studies

Discussion Outline

0:00 The Samguk Yusa

5:20 The Monk Iryeon

2:20 The Language of Goryeo

18:18 Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism

31:34 The Ruling Family of Goryeo

38:30 The Position of Women

42:10 Slavery in Old Korea

46:50 Translating the Samguk Yusa

1:01:52 The Stories of Samguk Yusa

1:10:45 Yi Gyu-bo

1:15:10 Recommendations

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David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr.

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