What is Janghwa-hongryeon?

Janghwa-hongryeon (薔花紅蓮) is a representative classical novel handed down from the Joseon Dynasty and a representative traditional Korean tale.

 

The story's core is the conflict and tragedy between a stepmother and her children from her previous marriage, and the resulting resentment and revenge.

 

Plot Summary

 

• Bae Mu-ryong (or Bae Jwa-su), who lived in Cheolsan, Pyeongan Province, had two daughters, Janghwa and Hongryeon, from his previous marriage.

• When his previous wife died, Bae Mu-ryong remarried Heo, and Heo severely abused Janghwa and Hongryeon after giving birth to their sons.

 

• Heo falsely accused Janghwa and drowned her in a pond, and Hongryeon also died following her older sister.

• After the two sisters died unjustly, they became vengeful spirits and appealed to the local government (busa).

• The newly appointed vice-minister reveals the truth of the incident, punishes the stepmother and her son, and restores the honor of the sisters.

 

Meaning and characteristics

• This story deals with ethical issues within the family, such as the conflict between the stepmother and her ex-wife's children, the irresponsibility of the head of the household (father), and the contradiction of the second wife system.

 

• The structure of the conflict between good and evil is clear, and in the end, good triumphs.

• There is also a theory that it is based on an incident that actually occurred in Cheolsan, Pyeongan Province in the 10th year of King Hyojong's reign in Joseon.

 

Modern reinterpretation

• This story was also reinterpreted in the film <Janghwa, Hongryeon> (2003), presenting a new interpretation that included modern themes such as psychological fear, guilt within the family, and the oppression of women.

 

Summary

Janghwa, Hongryeon is a classic novel and traditional fairy tale that depicts the resentment and revenge of two sisters who died unjustly due to abuse and false accusations by their stepmother, and is a representative work of Korean family narratives.