Sangnoksu (, translated into English as '' Evergreen Tree'' or just ''An Evergreen'') is a 1936 novel by Korean writer Sim Hun on the Korean rural education movement. It is considered his most famous work, and has been described as "one of the most important Korean rural enlightenment novels."

Plot

Ansan June 2014 Choi Yongshin Memorial 39

The novel takes place in a rural Korean village, and follows two Korean university students who are working to promote

literacy Literacy in its broadest sense describes "particular ways of thinking about and doing reading and writing" with the purpose of understanding or expressing thoughts or ideas in written form in some specific context of use. In other words, hum ...

and modern agriculture in the Korean countryside. Sangnosku's main female protagonist, Chae Yeongsin, was modeled after

Choi Yongshin Choi may refer to: * Choi (Korean surname), a Korean surname * Choi, Macau Cantonese transliteration of the Chinese surname Cui (崔) and Xu (徐) * Choi, Cantonese romanisation of Cai (surname) (蔡), a Chinese surname * CHOI-FM, a radio statio ...

(1909–1935), a Korean teacher and activist. Another main character, Park Dong-hyeok, is based on Sim Hun's nephew Shim Jae-yeong, also an educator and activist. The plot of the novel concerns their attempts to balance romance and love with dedication to their educational mission. They agree to spend three years in the countryside before getting married, but Yongshin dies from overwork; Dong-hyeok swears to continue his efforts to promote literacy on her grave.

Development and significance

Sim Hun wrote ''Sangoksu'' in 1935 while living in Pilgyeongsa house in

Dangjin Dangjin () is a city in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. It stands on the south shore of the Bay of Asan. Dangjin borders Incheon, Pyeongtaek, and Hwaseong by sea, and Seosan, Yesan, and Asan by land. Its name means " Tang ferry, ...

, Chungcheongnam-do. It was originally serialized in 127 installments published from 10 September 1935 to 15 February 1936 in ''

The Dong-a Ilbo The ''Dong-A Ilbo'' (, literally ''East Asia Daily'') is a newspaper of record in Korea since 1920 with a daily circulation of more than 1.2 million and opinion leaders as its main readers. ''The Dong-A Ilbo'' is the parent company of Dong-A ...

'' newspaper. Sim Hun wrote the novel as part of an effort to promote education in the Korean countryside during the

Japanese occupation of Korea Between 1910 and 1945, Korea was ruled as a part of the Empire of Japan. Joseon Korea had come into the Japanese sphere of influence with the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876; a complex coalition of the Meiji government, military, and business offic ...

. The practice of helping rural communities in Korea is known as ', and ''Sangoksu''s female protagonist has been called "a quintessential portrait of such colonial period enlightenment activity". The novel was influenced by

Yi Kwang-su Yi Gwangsu (; 1892–1950) was a Korean writer and poet, and a notable Korean independence and nationalist activist until his later turn towards collaboration with the Japanese. His pen names were Chunwon and Goju. Yi is best known for his nove ...

, a Korean writer and independence and nationalist activist, who also wrote the book's introduction. Sim Hun won the Dong-A Ilbo 15th Anniversary Full-Length Novel Contest, and used much of the prize money ( KRW100, which was a significant sum at the time) to help establish Sangnok Elementary School. Sim Hun had plans to make the novel into a movie, but he died shortly after completing the novel. His plans, however, were eventually realized by others, resulting in two movies based on the novel. The novel has been made into a 1961 movie, ', by

Shin Sang-ok Shin Sang-ok ( ko, 신상옥; born Shin Tae-seo; October 11, 1926 – April 11, 2006) was a South Korean filmmaker with more than 100 producer and 70 director credits to his name. His best-known films were made in the 1950s and 60s, many of them ...

. Another version of '' The Evergreen Tree'' movie was made by

Im Kwon-taek Im Kwon-taek (born December 8, 1934) is one of South Korea's most renowned film directors. In an active and prolific career, his films have won many domestic and international film festival awards as well as considerable box-office success, and h ...

in 1978. The novel is considered Sim Hun's most famous work. It has also been described as "one of the most important Korean rural enlightenment novels". The neighborhood of

Sangnok-gu Sangnok-gu (상록구) is a district of the city of Ansan in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The name "Sangnok" is came from the name of famous Korean novel '' Sangnoksu'' (meaning "evergreens"), written by Sim Hoon in 1936. Administrative divisions S ...

Ansan Ansan (Hangeul: , ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It lies southwest of Seoul and is part of the Seoul National Capital Area. It is connected to Seoul by rail via Seoul Subway Line 4. It is situated on the Yellow Sea coast and so ...

(served by the Sangnoksu Station of

Seoul Subway Line 4 Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 4 (dubbed ''The Blue Line'') of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway is a long line crossing from the southwest to the northeast across the Seoul National Capital Area. The central section in Seoul City is operated by ...

) is named after the novel. A Choi Yongshin Memorial Hall () is located in Sangnok-gu.

Plot

Development and significance

References

Further reading