Episode 41: Examining the Fantastic Story of Hong Gildong with Minsoo Kang

Into the Greenwood

As of the recording of this episode, there are well over a dozen Robin Hood adaptations that have been examined as part of our Splitting Arrows series, a similar task could easily be undertaken for adaptations of the Story of Hong Gildong, the immensely popular bandit figure from Korea. Thanks to the translation of that story available now through Penguin Classics, the exploits of Hong Gildong are now more accessible to English-speaking audiences than ever before.
In this episode, I sit down with historian Dr. Minsoo Kang from the University of Missouri to discuss his translation of the Story of Hong Gildong, the universality of the noble outlaw, and what makes Hong Gildong a distinctly Korean figure.
The translated text with introduction and notes by Minsoo Kang:
The Story of Hong Gildong

Additional writing and study on Hong Gildong by Minsoo Kang:
Invincible and Righteous Outlaw: The Korean Hero Hong Gildong in Literature, History, and Culture

Minsoo Kang's new work of speculative fiction and storytelling:
The Melancholy of Untold History: A Novel
Into the Greenwood is produced by Thaddeus Papke
Theme music is by Plastic3

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