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Thesis List and Presentation
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Canny Kim
Hidden Values of Ki-Saeng
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Introduction
A. The study purpose
Existence of Kisaeng itself is a paradox.1 They were worshiped while ignored, were skilled in noblemen’s activities while stayed in the lowest status. This shows that concepts viewing on Kisaeng are quite opposite. It is natural to have totally different opinions on Kisaeng, since they were women who played quite opposite roles. However, funny thing is that most people in present evaluate Kisaeng only as prostitutes. It makes nonsense especially for Koreans whom misunderstood on their ancestors, who actually had values to be proud of, not only be shamed of. Misconceptions about Kisaeng started to clear itself of a false charge with a book. The book was ‘Speaking flower, Kisaeng’ written by a Japanese, Kawamura Minako. However, although many people advocate that this book is historical book on Korean Kisaeng. As I read it, I felt the writer was viewing only side of Kisaeng's life. While he absolutely tried to know reality of Kisaeng since that’s the point why he published the book, he also emphasized dark views on Kisaeng which is prostitution views. As a result, increasing number of experts are studying on Kisaeng in Korea. Nonetheless, I sincerely felt lack of efforts to know Kisaeng. As one of the students studying hard in Korea mainly following government’s guidelines, I could not meet Kisaeng from school or even at home. The only way I could hear about them was from people in the sames ituation as me, never studied even shallow on Kisaeng. Frankly, I was also a member of group who totally had misapprehension concepts on Kisaeng. However, after realizing the truth, and hearing behind stories on them, I felt strong eager to let people around me to know Kisaeng's hidden values. I will keep on doing my best to introduce how valuable they were back in the time, not only by their features but also by their sides of human beings. Also I am hoping to spread undiscovered values of them.
B. Methods of study
Firstly, I would like to start with several background information which are actually objective so that readers can realize what I am talking about. In addition, I wrote several opinions from especially bright side. This is because for misconceptions and stereotypes that we can find easily if we just ask someone around us. But for bright sides, it’s really rare and hard to find. Though someone would say 'it’s too one-sided,' I would not say something. Rather than that, I would like to recommend them for search for ‘Kisaeng’s prostitutions’, or ‘Kisaeng’s dark side’ on the internet.
To add, I will make a comparison to today’s modern prostitutes. Modern prostitutes are those who are remaining factors of Kisaeng. So I thought it would be great to search for some relations between them.
After that, I will write about Kawamura Minako who published a book, 'Speaking Flower, Kisaeng' which I guess has lots of points to discuss.
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