Kim Sowol
Encyclopedia
Kim Sowol is most famous for his contributions to early modern Korea
n poetry
. Throughout his life he wrote his beautifully poignant poetry in a style reminiscent of traditional Korean folk songs. "Azaleas" (진달래꽃) is one of his most famous poems. Its melancholy themes of departure and loss reminds one of the folk song "Arirang." Because he used the music and tone of folk songs he became known as a “Folk Song Poet.”
Kim Sowol was born in 1902 in Kwaksan
, North Pyongan Province. Shortly after he was born his father became insane. This fact although tragic must have affected the poet's early life and eventually led to his own premature death. His grandfather taught him classical Chinese and entered him in the famed Osan Middle School at the age of fifteen. He became a pupil of Kim Eok (김억;金憶), pen-named Anso, who remained for the rest of his life not only his mentor but one who truly understood the growth and abrupt termination of his poetic genius. Kim Sowol’s real name was Kim Jeong-sik (김정식;金廷湜).
He wrote most of the poems contained in The Azaleas, his first and only collection of poetry published in his lifetime. It was written in 1925 while he was still a teenager. After graduating from Paejae High School, he taught for a while in his home town and then he went to Japan to study at a college of commerce. While studying he published several poems in Kaebyok and other literary journals. He continued to publish his poems after his return in such journals as Yongdae till his sudden death. He died in 1934 of what appears to be suicide. His teacher Anso published a volume of selected poems of Sowol in 1935.
These included his memoir and a critical essay, in which he points out that the poet's true genius lay in composing lines in the rhythm of Korean folk song, thereby making his poems come directly to the hearts of Koreans. The magical charm of Sowol's lines cannot be fully recaptured in translation, simply because the true spirit of his poetry can only be revealed through the sound of Korean folk tunes.
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 poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
. Throughout his life he wrote his beautifully poignant poetry in a style reminiscent of traditional Korean folk songs. "Azaleas" (진달래꽃) is one of his most famous poems. Its melancholy themes of departure and loss reminds one of the folk song "Arirang." Because he used the music and tone of folk songs he became known as a “Folk Song Poet.”
Kim Sowol was born in 1902 in Kwaksan
Kwaksan
Kwaksan is a kun, or county, in coastal southern North Pyongan province, North Korea. It faces the Yellow Sea to the south. By land, it is bordered by Kusong in the north, Chongju in the east, and Sonchon in the west....
, North Pyongan Province. Shortly after he was born his father became insane. This fact although tragic must have affected the poet's early life and eventually led to his own premature death. His grandfather taught him classical Chinese and entered him in the famed Osan Middle School at the age of fifteen. He became a pupil of Kim Eok (김억;金憶), pen-named Anso, who remained for the rest of his life not only his mentor but one who truly understood the growth and abrupt termination of his poetic genius. Kim Sowol’s real name was Kim Jeong-sik (김정식;金廷湜).
He wrote most of the poems contained in The Azaleas, his first and only collection of poetry published in his lifetime. It was written in 1925 while he was still a teenager. After graduating from Paejae High School, he taught for a while in his home town and then he went to Japan to study at a college of commerce. While studying he published several poems in Kaebyok and other literary journals. He continued to publish his poems after his return in such journals as Yongdae till his sudden death. He died in 1934 of what appears to be suicide. His teacher Anso published a volume of selected poems of Sowol in 1935.
These included his memoir and a critical essay, in which he points out that the poet's true genius lay in composing lines in the rhythm of Korean folk song, thereby making his poems come directly to the hearts of Koreans. The magical charm of Sowol's lines cannot be fully recaptured in translation, simply because the true spirit of his poetry can only be revealed through the sound of Korean folk tunes.
His most famous poem, "Azaleas(진달래꽃)"
나 보기가 역겨워
가실 때에는
말없이 고이 보내 드리오리다.
When you’d leave in distaste of my show,
Without a word let me resign myself
Dearly to your departure.
영변(寧邊)에 약산(藥山)
진달래꽃
아름 따다 가실 길에 뿌리오리다.
Azalea flowers from Yaksan at Yong-Byun!
I will pluck them armful and bring,
To spread on your way to leave.
가시는 걸음 걸음
놓인 그 꽃을
사뿐히 즈려 밟고 가시옵소서.
Step after step on your departure,
Be pleased to tread softly and gently
On those strewn flowers.
나 보기가 역겨워
가실 때에는
죽어도 아니 눈물 흘리오리다.
When you’d depart in distaste of my show,
Let me never, ever shed tears
Even to my black death.
Publication
- Kim, J., 1975 Lost Love: 99 Poems by Sowol Kim Pan-Korea Book Corporation: Seoul.