Jump to content

Arang (Korean folklore)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by BD2412 (talk | contribs) at 21:33, 31 December 2015 (dab fix). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Arang
Hangul
아랑
Hanja
阿娘
Revised RomanizationArang
McCune–ReischauerArang

Arang is a figure in the folklore of the Miryang area of Korea. According to the legend, she was the daughter of a magistrate (busa) of Miryang during the Joseon Dynasty. Her wicked nanny conspired to have the servant Baekga seize her at night and rape her; however, she resisted and Baekga stabbed her to death. Her father, thinking she had eloped with a stranger, resigned his position in shame. Thereafter, whenever a new magistrate was appointed Arang's corpse would appear; soon no-one would take the position. At last a bold man named Yi Sang-sa was appointed to the post, and he promised Arang's ghost that he would avenge her. He had Baekga seized and executed. Thereafter, her spirit ceased to trouble the town.

The Aranggak shrine, where Arang's spirit is venerated, still stands in Miryang, on the Yeongnamnu bluff overlooking the Miryang River.

Fictional portrayals

References

  1. ^ Mudge, James (7 September 2006). "Arang (2006) Movie Review". Beyond Hollywood.
  2. ^ Oh, Jean (12 August 2012). "Shin Min-a returns to supernatural in 'Tale of Arang'". The Korea Herald.