Joseon’s middle class key to development of literature, culture

By Chung Ah-young

They lived mainly around Mt. Inwang, Seoul, forming a unique cultural community in ancient Seoul. They are the “jungin” or middle-class people of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) who lived in neighborhoods stretching from Cheongwun-dong to Pilun-dong near the mountain, engaging in diverse cultural activities, while dreaming of a utopian world under the rigid social hierarchy of the Joseon era.

Titled “Passion for Culture: Middle-Class Community at the Foot of Mt. Inwang,” the Seoul Museum of History is holding a special exhibition to showcase diverse historical relics that represent Joseon’s middle class and shed light on their culture through Sept. 18.

The term “jungin” was used around the 17th century, referring broadly to the social strata ranging from translators, doctors, lawyers, accountants, astronomers and painters to librarians, who are now deemed as high-paid professionals. The class also included offspring born of “yangban” (noble class) and their concubines and low-level employees of government offices in Seoul. Mainly it comprised of people in miscellaneous classes barred from obtaining top positions of the mainstream elite.

Yet in a narrow sense, “jungin” referred to technicians living in Seoul. They were small in number, but had a great deal of knowledge in art and literature, used refined languages and had economic capability. They grew into a major class to represent the culture of the late Joseon period.

However, the middle class who were discriminated against from the mainstream elite waged a campaign against the rigid social system to upgrade their social status through the “Tongcheong Movement.” They urged the government to open key positions to them and raised funds from 1,670 people and tried to improve their social environment by appealing directly to the king with a letter. Their activism contributed to the process of modernization of the Neo-Confucian state in the late Joseon period.

According to the museum, “jungin” created poetry clubs while living in the western parts of Gyeongbok Palace at the foot of Mt. Inwang, which was called “seochon” or “utdae.”

The cultural capacity and potential of the middle class were revealed through their literary activities. Named “okgyesisa,” a poetry club, which was formed in 1786 by low-class officials of Gyujanggak (Royal Archives), it was central to illustrating their knowledge in literature.

The poetry club continued for more than 30 years, affecting the overall middle-class culture of the Joseon Kingdom. Their activities are seen through ancient books such as “Okgyeiseungcheop” and “Okgyecheongyucheop.” Their lives are vividly portrayed through the paintings in the historical documents.

“Sodaepungyo” is their first collection of poetry which was published in 1737. After the first publication of the poetry collection, they made it a rule to publish their poems every 60 years. “Pungyosokseon” (1797) and “Pungyosamseon” (1857) kept their legacy, contributing to the development of middle-class literature.

The first part of the exhibition shows general information about the location of utdae and its original image. The second section features utdae’s poetry clubs, their activities from night outings at Okgyesisa and their poems that chant Seoul’s scenery and satirize the reality and limits of social class.

The third part focuses on the scope and origins of the middle class and the period of when the term “jungin” was coined and their efforts to overcome the limits of social class through the Tongcheong Movement. In the fourth section, the geographical portrayals are from utdae to Cheonggye Stream while the fifth section sheds light on Hanyang’s typical citizens as seen by jungin living in the region.

For more information, call (02) 724-0254 or visit www.museum.seoul.kr. Admission is free.