Legend of Chun Hyang
Encyclopedia
is a manga
by Clamp
. Its story and characters are loosely based on a well known Korea
n folktale of the same name
.
Shin Shunkaden was first published in 1996 by Hakusensha
in Japan
.
Tokyopop
licensed the manga in English
as The Legend of Chun Hyang but the project was dropped after a few chapters.
, and the kodae sosol Chunhyangjeon
, which the manga Legend of Chun Hyang is based on, is different from the comic. Chun-hyang in Chunhyangga is commonly known as a daughter between Wol-mae and Seong champan (Seong being a surname
and champan being a title of government position in Joseon Dynasty
Korea). Wol-mae is a retired kisaeng
and, therefore, Chun-hyang is considered as a low class being (this becomes an issue when Mong-ryong, a yangban
(the highest class) (and son of Lee Han-rim, satto of Namwon), tells his parents he promised to marry Chun-hyang and his parents get angered by the fact he wishes to marry a woman of lower rank).
After Mong-ryong's departure due to his father's promotion, Byeon Satto (Byeon being a surname and satto being a title of government position, equivalent to "mayor") comes to the town. Byeon becomes unpopular figure largely due to his greediness and corruption. Byeon also orders to bring Chun-hyang out to make him happy. As Chun-hyang still misses Mong-ryong, she refuses his order and get jailed.
Meanwhile, Mong-ryong passes as first place in the government exam and becomes an amhaeng'eosa (a secret detective strictly approved by the King of Korea
), and comes back to Chun-hyang's house. After Wol-mae tells him Chun-hyang is jailed for not listening to Byeon satto and his order, Mong-ryong punishes and abdicates Byeon for being corrupted.
After punishing Byeon, Mong-ryong reunites with Chun-hyang happily after.
There were number of films and TV dramas based on Chunhyangga such as, Chunhyang
and Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang.
, the spirited, beautiful, yet headstrong daughter of a mudang in a Korean village. Her name means, "spring fragrance" (the shun-ka in the original Japanese title; Chinese: Chūn-Xiāng). A master of martial arts, Chun-Hyang rises to the occasion when the Yangban
, a tyrannical warlord, takes control of her village. He tried to kidnap one of her friends despite Chun-Hyang's bold nature and formidable abilities but there is little hope of freeing her village unless the amhaeng'eosa, a secret Korean government agent, arrives and catches the Ryanban in the act of abusing his powers.
When Mong Ryong, a somewhat lecherous but enchantingly handsome traveler appears, and apparently has fallen heads over heels with Chun-Hyang. She reluctantly accepts his help to rescue her mother, who has been captured by the Ryanban.
Unfortunately, they are too late; Chun-Hyang's mother has already killed herself to preserve her honor. Mong Ryong reveals himself the amhaeng'eosa and passes judgment on the Ryanban, though remains rueful that he could not do so before Wall Mae's death. Devastated, Chun-Hyang does not know what else to do with her life, but Mong Ryong asks her to continue traveling with him. She agrees and they continue on, meeting many more people.
. Her counterpart is a young girl whose mother was also a Mu Dang and killed by the Ryanban's sorceress. The Ryanban and his son appear, though they are much different from their respective counterparts in The Legend of Chun Hyang.
Chun'yan appears as a primary character in the country of Koryo and then makes cameo appearances as a contestant in the Dragonfly Race in Piffle World, piloting the Renhi (Lotus Princess) racer. In the anime adaption, she makes an additional cameo as a student in a world where everyone is a chibi
character.
.
The cast are:
There was also a CD single released in Japan and the song was also included in the CLAMPAZAR Limited Edition Soundtrack.
Lyrics by: Nanase Ohkawa
Arrangement and composition: Kazuhiko Tōyama
Song by: Eiko Yamane
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
by Clamp
Clamp (manga artists)
, is an all-female Japanese manga artist group that formed in the mid 1980s. Many of the group's manga series are often adapted into anime after release. It consists of their leader , who provides much of the storyline and screenplay for all their works and adaptations of those works respectively ,...
. Its story and characters are loosely based on a well known Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n folktale of the same name
Chunhyangga
The Chunhyangga is the most famous Pansori in Korea. The Chunhyangga has delighted all Korean for a century. The Chunhyangga is the best Pansori as musically, literary, and a well-made play....
.
Shin Shunkaden was first published in 1996 by Hakusensha
Hakusensha
is a Japanese publishing company. It is headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo.The company mainly publishes manga magazines of various genres and is involved in certain series' productions in their games, original video animation, musical and their animated TV series....
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Tokyopop
Tokyopop
Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...
licensed the manga in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as The Legend of Chun Hyang but the project was dropped after a few chapters.
Derivative of Chunhyangga
The real story of the pansori ChunhyanggaChunhyangga
The Chunhyangga is the most famous Pansori in Korea. The Chunhyangga has delighted all Korean for a century. The Chunhyangga is the best Pansori as musically, literary, and a well-made play....
, and the kodae sosol Chunhyangjeon
Chunhyangjeon
The Chunhyangjeon is one of the best known love stories and folk tales of Korea. It is based on the pansori Chunhyangga.Date of composition and author are unknown, and the present form took shape 1694~1834 from the most famous of the five surviving pansori tales, the Song of Chun Hyang.-Main...
, which the manga Legend of Chun Hyang is based on, is different from the comic. Chun-hyang in Chunhyangga is commonly known as a daughter between Wol-mae and Seong champan (Seong being a surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
and champan being a title of government position in Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
Korea). Wol-mae is a retired kisaeng
Kisaeng
Kisaeng , sometimes called ginyeo , were female Korean official prostitute or entertainers. Kisaeng are artists who work to entertain others, such as the yangbans and kings....
and, therefore, Chun-hyang is considered as a low class being (this becomes an issue when Mong-ryong, a yangban
Yangban
The yangban were part of the traditional ruling class or nobles of dynastic Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The yangban were either landed or unlanded aristocracy who comprised the Korean Confucian idea of a "scholarly official." In reality, they were basically administrators and bureaucrats who...
(the highest class) (and son of Lee Han-rim, satto of Namwon), tells his parents he promised to marry Chun-hyang and his parents get angered by the fact he wishes to marry a woman of lower rank).
After Mong-ryong's departure due to his father's promotion, Byeon Satto (Byeon being a surname and satto being a title of government position, equivalent to "mayor") comes to the town. Byeon becomes unpopular figure largely due to his greediness and corruption. Byeon also orders to bring Chun-hyang out to make him happy. As Chun-hyang still misses Mong-ryong, she refuses his order and get jailed.
Meanwhile, Mong-ryong passes as first place in the government exam and becomes an amhaeng'eosa (a secret detective strictly approved by the King of Korea
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
), and comes back to Chun-hyang's house. After Wol-mae tells him Chun-hyang is jailed for not listening to Byeon satto and his order, Mong-ryong punishes and abdicates Byeon for being corrupted.
After punishing Byeon, Mong-ryong reunites with Chun-hyang happily after.
There were number of films and TV dramas based on Chunhyangga such as, Chunhyang
Chunhyang (2000 film)
Chunhyang is a 2000 Korean film, directed by Im Kwon-taek and starring Lee Hyo-jeong and Jo Seung-woo. It was entered into the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:...
and Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang.
Plot
The story follows Chun-Hyang (춘향)Chunhyangga
The Chunhyangga is the most famous Pansori in Korea. The Chunhyangga has delighted all Korean for a century. The Chunhyangga is the best Pansori as musically, literary, and a well-made play....
, the spirited, beautiful, yet headstrong daughter of a mudang in a Korean village. Her name means, "spring fragrance" (the shun-ka in the original Japanese title; Chinese: Chūn-Xiāng). A master of martial arts, Chun-Hyang rises to the occasion when the Yangban
Yangban
The yangban were part of the traditional ruling class or nobles of dynastic Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The yangban were either landed or unlanded aristocracy who comprised the Korean Confucian idea of a "scholarly official." In reality, they were basically administrators and bureaucrats who...
, a tyrannical warlord, takes control of her village. He tried to kidnap one of her friends despite Chun-Hyang's bold nature and formidable abilities but there is little hope of freeing her village unless the amhaeng'eosa, a secret Korean government agent, arrives and catches the Ryanban in the act of abusing his powers.
When Mong Ryong, a somewhat lecherous but enchantingly handsome traveler appears, and apparently has fallen heads over heels with Chun-Hyang. She reluctantly accepts his help to rescue her mother, who has been captured by the Ryanban.
Unfortunately, they are too late; Chun-Hyang's mother has already killed herself to preserve her honor. Mong Ryong reveals himself the amhaeng'eosa and passes judgment on the Ryanban, though remains rueful that he could not do so before Wall Mae's death. Devastated, Chun-Hyang does not know what else to do with her life, but Mong Ryong asks her to continue traveling with him. She agrees and they continue on, meeting many more people.
Characters
- Chun Hyang
- Chun Hyang is a free-spirited, beautiful yet headstrong daughter of Myonfa. She is 14 years old and she is extremely good in martial arts. She is very protective of her mother and her father has died when she was young.
- Wol Mae
- She is Chun Hyang's mother and respected and renown Mudang (shaman) in the town Chun Hyang lives in.
- Mong Ryong
- A handsome traveler who flirts with women, including Chun Hyang, much to her displeasure.
- The Ryanban of Ryonfi
- A government official of a particular town. The Ryanban of Chun Hyang's town, Ryonfi, is corrupt.
- The Ryanban's son
- The Ryanban's son, an incompetent and lecherous man.
- Hyang Dan
- Hyantan is a girl that Chun Hyang saved from Ryanban's son in the first story.
- Eun Ryoung and Chun Ryoung
- Two beautiful sisters who are Mudang, known as "the sisters smiled upon by God". Since they were children, they have been able to hear the voices of the gods. Yago requests their help to perform a rain dance to bring back the rains to Sue-Ro. The younger sister's name, Chun Ryoung, is written with the same character as Chun Hyang, who feels an immediate bond with her as a result.
- Yago
- An elderly and respected Mudang, who calls upon Eun Ryoung and Chun Ryoung for help to bring rain back to the town of Sue-Ro. Though powerful, her age prevents her from effectively fighting back against An Chon.
- The Ryanban of Sue-Ro
- A beautiful but vain woman who became Ryanban of the town of Sue-Ro. She keeps the water all for herself in order to surround herself with the beautiful water flowers of Sue-Ro, which have valuable medicinal properties, which she will not let anyone else have.
- An Chon
- The Mudang of the Ryanban of Sue-Ro. He erects an altar and performed a dance to anger the gods and prevent any rainfall in Sue-Ro. An Chon remains at the side of the Ryanban of Sue-Ro because he desires status and power.
Crossovers
Chun Hyang or also known as Chun'yan, appears in several episodes on the anime of Tsubasa: Reservoir ChronicleTsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle
is a shōnen manga series written and illustrated by the manga artist group Clamp. It takes place in the same fictional universe as many of Clamp's other manga series, most notably xxxHolic. The plot follows how Sakura, the princess of the Kingdom of Clow, loses her soul and how Syaoran, a young...
. Her counterpart is a young girl whose mother was also a Mu Dang and killed by the Ryanban's sorceress. The Ryanban and his son appear, though they are much different from their respective counterparts in The Legend of Chun Hyang.
Chun'yan appears as a primary character in the country of Koryo and then makes cameo appearances as a contestant in the Dragonfly Race in Piffle World, piloting the Renhi (Lotus Princess) racer. In the anime adaption, she makes an additional cameo as a student in a world where everyone is a chibi
Chibi
is a Japanese slang word meaning "short person" or "small child". The word has gained currency amongst fans of manga and anime. Its meaning is of someone or some animal that is small. It can be translated as "little", but is not used the same way as chiisana [小さな] but rather cute...
character.
Other media
There was a drama CD released in 1994. The script for the drama CD was written by CLAMPClamp (manga artists)
, is an all-female Japanese manga artist group that formed in the mid 1980s. Many of the group's manga series are often adapted into anime after release. It consists of their leader , who provides much of the storyline and screenplay for all their works and adaptations of those works respectively ,...
.
- Release date: November 30, 1994
The cast are:
- Chun Hyang - Yuri ShiratoriYuri Shiratoriis a female seiyū and J-pop singer from Kanagawa Prefecture who has released various solo CD albums. She is employed by 81 Produce.-Profile:*Born on August 20, 1968 in Kanagawa Prefecture*Nickname: Shiratari-san...
- Myonfa - Yūko NagashimaYuko Nagashimais a Japanese voice actress who works for Aoni Production.-Anime:* Ceres, The Celestial Legend - Gladys Smithson* Eden's Bowy - Fennis, young Yorn* Magic Knight Rayearth - Caldina* Martian Successor Nadesico - Erina Won* Naruto - Tsubaki...
- Mong Ryong - Ryōtarō OkiayuRyotaro Okiayuis a Japanese voice actor, who was born in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, and raised in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture. He has been active since 1989, and is currently affiliated with Aoni Production....
- Hyantan - Masako IkedaMasako Ikedais a Japanese voice actress most known for the roles of Reika "Ochoufujin" Ryuuzaki in Ace wo Nerae, Nodoka Saotome in Ranma 1/2, Maetel in Galaxy Express 999 and Michiko in Harmagedon...
- Ryanban - MugihitoMugihito, better known by his stage name of is a Japanese voice and stage actor from Musashino, Tokyo. He is employed by Media Force. Mugihito was formerly credited under his birth name and also...
- Ryanban's son - Nobuo TobitaNobuo Tobitais a Japanese seiyū from Mito. He is represented by Arts Vision.He is most known for the roles of Kamille Bidan , Albert Heinrich/004 , and Sueo Maruo...
There was also a CD single released in Japan and the song was also included in the CLAMPAZAR Limited Edition Soundtrack.
Lyrics by: Nanase Ohkawa
Arrangement and composition: Kazuhiko Tōyama
Song by: Eiko Yamane