Throughout history, literature from all cultures has praised love. Forbidden love or lovers from different social classes, in particular, has always been a popular and poignant theme. “The Tale of Chunhyang” is a classic love story between two young lovers who cross the class divide of the Joseon Dynasty characterized by a strict hierarchical social structure.

During the Joseon Kingdom era in Namwon village, North Jeolla Province, there lived a young girl named Chunhyang. She was the daughter of a retired courtesan. In the same village, there also lived a man named Mongryong, the son of the local governor. The two were destined to meet at the Dano Festival marking the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. While strolling around in the village that day, Mongryong saw a beautiful girl on a swing. He fell in love with her at first sight. He asked his servant about the girl, and he learned her name was Chunhyang. He returned home and tried to concentrate on studying, but he just couldn’t get the girl on the swing out of his head. He told his servant to figure out where the woman was living.

When night fell, Mongryong went to Chunhyang’s house. There, he told Chunhyang and her mother that he wanted to marry her. Her mother, Wolmae, didn’t take it seriously at first because her daughter was of humble origin and the young man was a member of the noble, elite group. From then on, Mongryong visited Chunhyang’s house almost every day, and the two came to love each other intensely. Finally, the mother acknowledged their relationship.

Unfortunately, Mongryong had to move to Seoul, as his father was promoted to a position in the central government. Before leaving, he promised Chunhyang to come back and marry her. To do so, he said he would have to pass the state exam first and become a government official. He asked Chunhyang to wait for him until that day. After a tearful farewell, Chunhyang began living a lonely life, looking forward to hearing good news from her lover who was far away.

Now, a new governor surnamed Byeon came to the village. He was a wicked and greedy man. Plus, he was fond of women. As expected, the moment he saw Chunhyang, he was captivated by her beauty. He ordered her to become his mistress. Chunhyang politely refused, explaining that she had already been engaged to another man. But the new governor had no intention of giving up on her. He threatened and coaxed her in order to make her his concubine. Whatever he did, however, Chunhyang remained unmoved. He was so furious that he threw her in prison.

Meanwhile in Seoul, Mongryong passed the state exam. He came back to the village as a secret royal inspector. He was happy at the thought of reuniting with his fiancée whom he had missed so much. But upon his return, he heard village people complaining about the tyranny of their new governor. To his surprise, he also heard that Chunhyang was imprisoned and would be forced to serve the greedy governor at his party.

A few days later, in the middle of the party, the governor dragged Chunhyang out of prison and ordered her once again to become his mistress. Chunhyang said she would rather die than serve him. The angry governor was about to order his officials to kill her when Mongryong made a surprise appearance as a secret inspector. At first, Chunhyang didn’t recognize who the inspector was. When he revealed his true identity to Chunhyang, she shed tears of joy. In no time, the inspector punished the corrupt governor and married Chunhyang who remained faithful to her loved one to the end.

The Tale of Chunhyang is undoubtedly the most beloved among Korean classics. The famous love story has been adapted into a variety of genres, such as movies, dramas, operas, musicals, and ballets as well as the traditional Korean narrative music of pansori. In May every year, the Chunhyang festival is held in Namwon, the background of the folk story.