New books shed light on 'Jingbirok'
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Kim Sang-joong plays Joseon Prime Minister Yu Seong-ryong in the new KBS drama “Jingbirok.” / Courtesy of KBS
Cover of Lee Burn-young’s three-volume novel “Jingbirok
Cover of “Jingbirok” for teenagers
By Kim Jae-heun
KBS’ new epic drama series “Jingbirok,” based on a war memoir from the 16th century, starts airing Saturday. Jumping on the bandwagon, a number of publications focusing on the Imjin War (1592-1598) have hit bookstores.
“Jingbirok” is written by Yu Seong-ryong (1542-1607), then-prime minister of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), and describes the Japanese Invasion of Korea, also known as the Imjin War. Yu documented the devastating seven-year war with a hope that such a cruel confrontation never happens again.
Amid a slump in the publishing market last year, books related to hit period dramas such as “Jeong Do-jeon” made successful sales, setting a trend of history-based publications, and “Jingbirok” follows in the footsteps.
Lee Burn-young’s three-volume fiction “Novel Jingbirok” by Nanam Publishing House is a revision of the 1,400-page novel “Waeran” (Japanese Invasion) originally published in 2012. Lee’s book takes a close look into various facets of society during wartime in the Joseon era.
Lee compared the unexpected invasion by Japan to a phrase “cicada did not recognize mantis approaching to hunt cicada because it was so immersed into singing.”
Historical fiction writer Lee Soo-kwang followed Yu’s troublesome lifetime from his birth. According to Lee Soo-kwang’s novel, Yu was a close friend of Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598) from an early age. The author explores how Yu grew up as a scholar and politician and managed politics during Japan’s invasion. Blue Bicycle Publishing Company also introduced “Jingbirok” for teenagers. This book contains pictures and an easy-to-read explanation of the historical record by Yu for better understanding.
Historical drama and movies are immensely popular in Korea and many books related to the popular subject are published soon after.
“Jewel in the Palace,” also known as “Daejanggeum,” was the very first drama that sparked the Korean wave, or “hallyu,” in 2003. There is a novel version of the tale of the Joseon’s king's first female physician, as well as cartoon versions of “Daejanggeum” for younger readers.
KBS TV series “Jeong Do-jeon,” aired from January to June 2014, was based on a real-life historical figure Jeong Do-jeon, who served one of the most powerful aides to King Taejo of Joseon Kingdom. Over 10 books related to Jeong were published during the broadcasting period.
Last year’s top-grossing film, “The Admiral: Roaring Currents,” about Admiral Yi also boosted sales of the books related to the nation’s legendary naval hero.