Sangnoksu (, translated into English as '' Evergreen Tree'' or just ''An Evergreen'') is a 1936 novel by Korean writer

Sim Hun Shim Daeseop (12 September 1901 – 16 September 1936), more commonly known by his pen name Shim Hun (also spelled Sim Hun or Sim Hoonhttp://www.iansan.net/english/tourGuide/trace/ChoiYongsin.jsp?menuId=01014016), was a Korean novelist, poet, p ...

on the Korean rural education movement. It is considered his most famous work, and has been described as "one of the most important Korean rural enlightenment novels."

Plot

Ansan June 2014 Choi Yongshin Memorial 39

The novel takes place in a rural Korean village, and follows two Korean university students who are working to promote literacy and modern agriculture in the Korean countryside. Sangnosku's main female protagonist, Chae Yeongsin, was modeled after Choi Yongshin (1909–1935), a Korean teacher and activist. Another main character, Park Dong-hyeok, is based on Sim Hun's nephew Shim Jae-yeong, also an educator and activist. The plot of the novel concerns their attempts to balance romance and love with dedication to their educational mission. They agree to spend three years in the countryside before getting married, but Yongshin dies from overwork; Dong-hyeok swears to continue his efforts to promote literacy on her grave.

Development and significance

Sim Hun wrote ''Sangoksu'' in 1935 while living in Pilgyeongsa house in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do. It was originally serialized in 127 installments published from 10 September 1935 to 15 February 1936 in '' The Dong-a Ilbo'' newspaper. Sim Hun wrote the novel as part of an effort to promote education in the Korean countryside during the

Japanese occupation of Korea Between 1910 and 1945, Korea was ruled as a part of the Empire of Japan. Joseon, Joseon Korea had come into the Japanese sphere of influence with the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876; a complex coalition of the Meiji period, Meiji government, military ...

. The practice of helping rural communities in Korea is known as ', and ''Sangoksu''s female protagonist has been called "a quintessential portrait of such colonial period enlightenment activity". The novel was influenced by

Yi Kwang-su Yi Gwangsu (; 1892–1950) was a Korean writer and poet, and a notable Korean independence and nationalist activist until his later turn towards collaboration with the Japanese. His pen names were Chunwon and Goju. Yi is best known for his nove ...

, a Korean writer and independence and nationalist activist, who also wrote the book's introduction. Sim Hun won the Dong-A Ilbo 15th Anniversary Full-Length Novel Contest, and used much of the prize money ( KRW100, which was a significant sum at the time) to help establish Sangnok Elementary School. Sim Hun had plans to make the novel into a movie, but he died shortly after completing the novel. His plans, however, were eventually realized by others, resulting in two movies based on the novel. The novel has been made into a 1961 movie, ', by Shin Sang-ok. Another version of '' The Evergreen Tree'' movie was made by Im Kwon-taek in 1978. The novel is considered Sim Hun's most famous work. It has also been described as "one of the most important Korean rural enlightenment novels". The neighborhood of

Sangnok-gu Sangnok-gu (상록구) is a district of the city of Ansan in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The name "Sangnok" is came from the name of famous Korean novel ''Sangnoksu'' (meaning "evergreens"), written by Sim Hoon in 1936. Administrative divisions S ...

Ansan Ansan (Hangeul: , ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It lies southwest of Seoul and is part of the Seoul National Capital Area. It is connected to Seoul by rail via Seoul Subway Line 4. It is situated on the Yellow Sea coast and so ...

(served by the Sangnoksu Station of Seoul Subway Line 4) is named after the novel. A Choi Yongshin Memorial Hall () is located in Sangnok-gu.

Plot

Development and significance

References

Further reading