For centuries, literature was the domain of the yangban (aristocratic class) and was primarily written in Classical Chinese characters ( Hanja ).
In 1443, King Sejong the Great created Hangul to increase literacy among commoners. This eventually allowed for the "New Fiction" of the late Joseon era, including the famous social satire The Tale of Hong Gildong . 2. Modern Literature (Early 20th Century – 1945) A history of Korean literature
The earliest forms were Hyangga ("native songs") from the Silla period, which were Buddhist or warrior-based and often eulogistic. For centuries, literature was the domain of the
Modern Korean literature is widely considered to have begun around 1908. Post-war literature is defined by the trauma of
Post-war literature is defined by the trauma of the Korean War and the peninsula's division. The History of Korean Modern Literature: Classical Lit |
Under Japanese occupation (1910–1945), writers like Yi Kwang-su (author of the first modern novel, The Heartless ) and the modernist poet Yi Sang used literature as a tool for self-discovery and national resistance.
Many works were written in code or focused on the "suffering of intellectuals" to bypass strict Japanese censorship. 3. Contemporary Literature (1945 – Present)