What materials do you use most while studying Korean? Most foreign learners rely primarily on TOPIC test materials to study Korean. However, although these test materials are very helpful in passing the TOPIC test, I don't think they will be very helpful in understanding Korean culture more deeply.

Is there a way to gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture while studying Korean? The answer can be found right in the novel. Among Korean novels, we must inevitably mention one of the most famous works, 'Sonagi'. What story does ‘Sonagi’ contain, and why is it considered a famous novel in Korea? This time, I would like to introduce ‘Sonagi’ to you.

Introduction to showers

'Shower' is Hwang Soon-won's representative short story, published in 'New Literature' in 1952. The original title was ‘Girl’, but it is said that it was changed to ‘Shower’ at the request of the publisher.

Source: [Shin Dong-rip's Note] Hwang Soon-won's 'Shower' was originally a 'girl'? (newsis.com)

This novel uses poetic and lyrical language to depict the clear and pure love between a boy and a girl. The boy meets a girl at a stream, the great-granddaughter of Chosin Yoon, who came down to the countryside from Seoul, and they become close friends as they climb mountains and rice fields together. However, due to a sudden shower and the farmer's warning, the two are forced to separate.

This novel emphasizes that the love between a boy and a girl is beautiful and pure, but also implies that their fate is tragic and sad. A shower symbolizes the love between two people, but it is also an obstacle to their happiness. This novel is the most widely known of Hwang Soon-won's works, and has been made into films several times and even included in Korean language textbooks.

historical significance

The novel Shower is Hwang Soon-won's representative work published in 1952, and depicts the pure and beautiful love between a boy and a girl using poetic and lyrical language. This work gave hope and comfort to people living in the chaos and pain after the Korean War, and suggested a new direction for Korean literature.

Source: Commentary on Hwang Sun-won’s novel Showers: Naver Blog (naver.com)

The novel Sonagi delicately describes rural nature and autumn scenery while using techniques to indirectly reveal the emotions and psychology of the characters. Through this, the author beautifully and sadly expressed the love between a boy and a girl that ended as briefly as a shower. This work was highly regarded for its lyricism and naturalness in Korean literature, and was made into films several times and included in textbooks.

The novel Shower is also a work that reflects the times in which author Hwang Soon-won lived and his life. Hwang Soon-won experienced the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War, and lived in poverty and hardship. He explored Korean identity and culture by incorporating his experiences and emotions into his works. The novel Shower is a work that captures the essence of Hwang Sun-won's world of work and left a deep mark on the history of Korean literature.

Influence on Korean Literature

Shower is Hwang Soon-won's representative work, published in Shinmunhak in 1952. This novel depicts the clear and pure love between a boy and a girl using poetic and lyrical language. This work gave hope and comfort to people living in the chaos and pain after the Korean War, and suggested a new direction for Korean literature.

Source: Third story, “Showers again” | Reading, walking and feeling in Gwanghwamun (kyobostory.co.kr)

Showers is also a work that reflects the times in which artist Hwang Soon-won lived and his life. Hwang Soon-won experienced the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War, and lived in poverty and hardship. He explored Korean identity and culture by incorporating his experiences and emotions into his works. Shower is a work that captures the essence of Hwang Soon-won's world of works, and has left a deep mark on the history of Korean literature.