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Korean literary folklore (historical collection)Korea

Charan

Source-backedlegendRomance and perseveranceseparationjourneyloyaltyrestoration

A story translated from Im Bang follows Charan and Keydong through separation, hardship, disguise, study, and eventual restoration at court.

The narrative begins in Pyong-an with a celebrated dancing woman and a governor's gifted son. Separation pushes Keydong into a difficult journey, while Charan later becomes central to rebuilding their future.

The 1913 English translation frames the story through its own period assumptions. Loreveil retains the named setting and literary attribution while avoiding the translator's broader generalizations about Korean society.

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Connected lore

Curated relationships invite comparison without implying that distinct traditions are the same.

Sources & citations

Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies ↗

Im Bang and Yi Ryuk. Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies. Translated by James Scarth Gale. London: J. M. Dent & Sons, 1913.

Im Bang and Yi Ryuk; translated by James Scarth Gale · J. M. Dent & Sons; digital edition by Project Gutenberg · 1913

public domain