A Communicative Father's Classic Poetry Story Wins Grand Prize in Manuscript Contest
Unfamiliar and difficult classical poetry, gently explained at a level suitable for teenagers.

It is not easy to look at literary works created a long time ago.
Our classical poetry includes poems translated from the era before Hangul existed, songs written in hyangchal, and songs written after Hangul was created but whose meaning is difficult to understand due to different vocabulary and grammar.
So, it is natural that young people find classical poetry the most unfamiliar and difficult to understand.
Without any interest or understanding of the meaning, I just mechanically skim through the original poem, translation, background explanation, and commentary.
I believe that is how you can prepare for the CSAT.
It's difficult to learn without context.


In 『Spicy and Sweet Delicious Our Classical Poetry』, the author quietly recite representative works of classical poetry, from 'Gujiga' to Hyangga, Goryeo Gayo, and Sijo.
In doing so, it shows an interesting insight into human nature, preventing classical poetry from being scattered with fragmentary information.
It unfolds myths and anthropological stories about initiation ceremonies, prohibitions, and taboos, and it also provides a perspective on understanding history, and it also reflects on life by reminiscing about childhood experiences.
Furthermore, it does not stop at our country, but also contrasts Jumong's story with Moses' exodus from Egypt.
In this way, literature and humanities come together to lead to a proper understanding of classical poetry.
It's not difficult.
It approaches you with a savory charm like an old story, making you listen intently.

The literary stories my father is about to tell me will probably be similar to climbing a mountain.
The climb is difficult and painful, but the joy you experience at the top is incomparable to anything else.
Besides, I don't know how many things you can enjoy while climbing.
So, even if it is a bit difficult and challenging, I hope you will listen to Dad's story slowly and enjoy it.
Okay, are you ready? --- p.5

As you may have already noticed, the turtle in this song is not a real animal turtle.
If the turtle is a literal turtle, then there's something wrong with this song, right? If it were a literal turtle, its head would pop out, but it doesn't.
--- p.21

My father watched many pharmacist shows, and although each of them had a different show, almost all of them said the same thing at the end.
“Kids go, kids go.”
If they heard that, would all the kids go? Would you have gone? With a truck about to pass over the old man's boat, would any kid say, "I'll obey 100 percent," and then get up and go home without a word? Apparently, no one obeyed.
Of course, Dad didn't go either.
Instead, he opened his eyes even wider and sat down next to the onlookers.
The words, “Kids, go away,” actually had the power to attract more onlookers.
Why would that be? Why do people feel more drawn to something when they're told to go? --- p.44

Many people (especially some religious people) say that myths are absolutely false, but they often don't know the exact content.
People often have a bad habit of easily judging something based on their existing thoughts and judgments about it, but we shouldn't do that.
To evaluate something, you need to know the subject well.
You shouldn't so easily judge something you don't even know, right? Dad, I remember reading an article criticizing the Dangun myth from people opposing the erection of a statue of Dangun. I was so embarrassed.
Those people are criticizing the Dangun myth as an absurd myth, but in fact, they have not even properly interpreted the content of the Dangun myth.
--- p.70

When Yuri returned home, she fell down in front of her mother and cried loudly.
“Where on earth is my father?”
It was only then that Yuri's mother told her the riddle Jumong had left behind.
From then on, Yuri began to wander the mountains in search of the evidence her father had left behind.
But there can't be a rock with seven corners in the world.
And a pine tree on top of a rock like that? What a ridiculous riddle.
This story of a man wandering the world in search of his father is said to be a common theme not only in our country but also in stories scattered all over the world.
In mythology, ‘finding the father’ appears as a very important subject.
--- p.106

The emperor is of course talking about the cuckoo, which is an important subject in this song.
You could say that this is a song that expresses one's feelings through the cuckoo.
Looking at the rich sensibility of King Yuri, who expressed his loneliness by comparing it to the cuckoo, Goguryeo must have been a very attractive country.
If a country's leader does not hesitate to express his feelings through poetry, it can be said that he has conducted politics with a lot of emotion and compassion.
But anyway, to my father, as an individual, King Yuri is remembered as an infinitely pitiful man.
--- p.112

The man in the "Seo-gyeong-byeolgok" we read earlier seemed to love and break up very easily, which broke our hearts.
However, the speaker of "Jeongseokga" makes a firm promise to never, ever be separated from the person he loves.
Some people interpret that the person singing in "Jeongseokga" is a subject, and the person to whom this person is confessing his love is the king.
It is a song in which a loyal subject promises his king that his loyalty will never change.
But Dad, I just want to believe that it's a song between two people who love each other.
Love, be eternal… … .
Well, I hope that Dad still has some of this romance left.
--- p.197

Poetry, novels, essays, and all other writings that feature mothers always have the power to shake people's hearts.
This may be because mothers are the driving force of our lives, the lifeline, the beginning of our breathing, and the foundation for our growth.
So, if someone asks you the absurd question, 'Do you like your mom or dad?', answer without hesitation.
They say there is no one better in this world than a mother.

--- p.233