Cultural encounters between Kaehwagi Chosŏn and modern France represented in the works of Kim T’akhwan and Sin Kyŏngsuk

Abstract

This paper investigates the diplomatic ties between Chosŏn and France during the Kaehwagi period, an enlightenment era in the Chosŏn Dynasty, through a comparative study of historical novels by Korean writers Kim T’akhwan and Sin Kyŏngsuk. Both authors feature Li Tsin, the first woman of her time to travel to Europe, who undergoes a transformative journey from a conservative Chosŏn lady to a modern, independent figure under the influence of French culture. The paper examines how Li's story reflects the complexities of a society caught between imperial powers and the role of modern Western culture in Korea. By analyzing the perspectives of major contemporary Korean writers on the notion of “the Other,” which represents the West and French modern culture, the study explores the significance of Li Tsin's life experiences and their impact on Korea's perception of the West. The paper aims to uncover the post-Eurocentric perspectives that have persisted from the Kaehwagi period to the present, and how the contemporary culture of France allowed for independent reflection, breaking romantic conventions and enabling an autonomous reception of French culture in Korea.