The Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon has been reborn as a picture book. On the 11th, author Lee Young-ju announced that he had published ‘Hunminjeongeum Haerye through pictures’, which explains the contents of the Hunminjeongeum Haerye book through pictures. This book was published by Edunet and is evaluated as a unique attempt to express the narrative content of Haeryebon through pictures.
Kim Seul-ong, director of the Sejong Korean Language and Culture Center, used the expression ‘picture epic’ for this book and evaluated it as a good visual expression of the magnificent narrative emotion of the Haerye version.
Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon is a book written by King Sejong to persuade noblemen when he created and distributed Hangul, and most of the content is written in Chinese characters. For this reason, it is difficult for the general public to access, and it is difficult to provide education easily even in Korean language departments.
In this situation, author Lee Young-ju created a picture book using visual elements as much as possible to convey the contents of Haeryebon more easily.
Author Lee Young-ju’s picture book is based on the translation of the Haerye version and expresses the content in the following order: Jeongeum-pyeon (main text), Jeongeum-haerye-pyeon (Haerye), and Jeong In-ji’s preface. Each piece of content is structured in a way that follows the flow, giving the feeling of reading an epic poem through pictures.
As a visual design expert, the author maximized the visual effect of the illustrations in order to easily convey the difficult contents of Haeryebon. By applying computer graphics techniques, it shows dynamic and diverse visual expressions that go beyond figuration and abstraction. In addition, the author’s love for the Korean alphabet is fully reflected in the picture book, which is expected to arouse pride and affection for the Korean alphabet in readers.
It is expected that interest in Haeryebon will further expand through the publication of this picture book, and it will be an opportunity to newly experience the value of Hangul. Artist Lee Young-ju’s attempt to interpret the contents of Haeryebon through pictures is meaningful in that it sheds new light on the meaning of the creation and distribution of Hangul and aims to publicize the beauty of Hangul through an artistic approach.
Kim Sang-jun, Donga.com reporter [email protected]
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Kim Seul-ong, Director of the Sejong Korean Language and Culture Center
Editor: Welcome, Mr. Kim. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the fascinating new picture book “Hunminjeongeum Haerye through Pictures” by author Lee Young-ju. What was your first reaction when you saw this book?
Kim Seul-ong: Thank you for having me! My initial reaction was one of excitement. The concept of transforming the “Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon” into a picture book is groundbreaking. I refer to it as a ‘picture epic’ because it brilliantly encapsulates the grandeur of the Haerye’s narrative in a visually engaging manner.
Editor: That’s a compelling description. Can you tell us more about the historical significance of the “Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon”?
Kim Seul-ong: Certainly! The “Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon” was written by King Sejong to promote Hangul, the Korean script. It served as both a guide and a persuasive text aimed at the noble class. However, its heavy reliance on classical Chinese characters made it quite inaccessible to the average person. This is one reason why Lee Young-ju’s picture book is so important; it acts as a bridge to connect modern readers with this historical document.
Editor: So, the accessibility of the ‘Haeryebon’ has been a significant barrier. How does this picture book aim to overcome that challenge?
Kim Seul-ong: The book employs stunning visual elements to narrate the content of the Haerye. Each piece is thoughtfully structured to guide readers through the material in an intuitive way, mimicking the experience of reading an epic poem. Lee Young-ju’s expertise in visual design shines through, as he uses computer graphics to create dynamic illustrations that not only depict but also emotionally convey the essence of the content.
Editor: That’s a fascinating approach! What impact do you foresee this book having on readers, especially younger audiences?
Kim Seul-ong: I believe this book has the potential to spark a newfound interest in the “Haeryebon” and, more broadly, in Hangul itself. By making it visually accessible, we can foster a sense of pride and affection for the Korean alphabet in the younger generation. It invites them to explore their cultural heritage in a way that feels relevant to their lives today.
Editor: It sounds like a delightful way to educate. There’s also a commentary woven into this project about the emotional aspects of the “Haeryebon.” Could you elaborate on that?
Kim Seul-ong: Absolutely! The emotional narrative within the “Haeryebon” reflects King Sejong’s deep commitment to empowering his people through literacy. This picture book captures that spirit through its illustrations, presenting the story not just as a historical artifact but as a heartfelt message about the importance of language and education.
Editor: It’s incredible to think of the historical context while engaging with the material in such a modern format. What do you hope readers take away from this experience?
Kim Seul-ong: I hope readers, especially those unfamiliar with Hangul’s history, gain a richer understanding and appreciation of our cultural heritage. More than just a book, I want it to be a starting point for conversations about identity and language that resonate with both the past and present.
Editor: Thank you, Mr. Kim, for sharing your insights with us today. The work done on this picture book seems poised to make a significant impact.
Kim Seul-ong: Thank you for having me! I truly believe that through projects like this, we can keep the conversation about our language and culture alive and thriving.