The Kisaeng: Joseon's Courtesans (Korean History)

#korea #kdrama #koreanculture #joseon #koreanhistory #history #historyofkorea (episode 23)

Today, I will explore the lives of the Kisaeng 기생. Kisaeng were the female entertainers, courtesans of the Yangban 양반, the traditional ruling class during the Joseon 조선 dynasty. Kisaeng were trained in the fine arts, poetry and prose and somewhat respected as educated artists. Their roles also included medical care and needlework. They were similar to the geisha in Japan. Like the nobi, Joseon's slave class, the government kept a registry of Kisaeng. The Kisaeng could be released from their position in society but at a hefty price paid to the government.

Hwang Jini 황진이 (1506-1560) is one of the most popular kisaeng of the Joseon Dynasty. Hwang Jini was quick witted, very intelligent, exceptionally beautiful, independent and assertive. A myth developed around her and she inspired novels, films, musicals and tv series in South Korea.

Kisaeng produced many artwork but were deemed not valuable enough to keep. The kisaeng have played important roles in Joseon popular literature. They often had a leading roles in novels and pansori. They had a unique role in Joseon: they were women would could move somewhat freely in very male dominated society in which women were mostly kept on the margins of history.

If you enjoyed this video 🙏 please like and subscribe. 감사합니다~

👕🎒☕️To support this channel you can buy some cool merch here (Art by Tasha's):

🎬 Recommended viewings:
Hwang Jini, TV Series (2006), KBS, 24 episodes. Starring: Ha Ji-won, Kim Young-ae, Wang Bit-na, Kim Jae-won
.
.
.
* Some figures and topics explored in this video: cheonmin 천민, gwageo 과거, ilpae 일패, haengsu 행수, sampae 삼패, hojang 호장, geommu 검무, pansori 판소리, sijo 시조, Gabo reform 갑오 개혁, Juk-hyang 죽향

[vinnysing]

So kesaeng can move around freely in the country, better than other ladies from the elite class.

[emperialGal]

They're like modern day Artists like actresses, painters, poets and many more form of art.. amazing! They were the predecessors and I think their training was the model for K-pop idols' training

[collager_tin]

This episode shows very interesting insights about the kisaengs. Some historical dramas always include them and shows their great talents and also spying. Some historical dramas I recommend that shows some parts of kisaeng life are 1) Gildong: The Thief who stole the Hearts of the People - where a kisaeng becomes a loyal concubine to the king, it shows her various talents and the amazing music and clothing. 2) My Country New Age - the female lead character I think is from a Kisaeng class, although she is more for leading the group than an entertainer. They also shown here how they save secrets of corrupt officials and use them as leverage or even evidences. 3) Six Flying Dragons - shows some parts of Kisaeng women to be also working as underground spies. If any also may recommend some series related, may also reply in this comment so I can watch as well. Looking forward for more episodes Loonytricky

[Dijeouni]

It's very rare to get a good broad overview like this of gisaeng! Very well done, I enjoyed the video a lot!

[robynrob]

Oh, just finished watching Hwang Jini and this popped up. I was wondering about the different treatment among the women in the troupe. Your video helped me gain some clarity on Joseon's social classes. Thank you!

[incubus]

My addiction to Korean period drama's bought me here

[dgfk_lilly]

This is such a helpful and very informative video! I’ve been reading this manhwa called “Painter of the Night” and Inhave a hard time understanding the class system and Kisaengs of historical Korea. I’m so glad to have stumbled in this video and I’m gonna subscribe as well because I am a history nerd!

[andrehaswhiteramencurls]

thank you so much for explaining so clearly and concisely! I'm rewatching a lot of my childhood korean dramas and I couldn't understand the historic terminology even as an adult. Thank you so much for your work! ☺️

[Scythia]

Modern day K Pop Idols imo. Great video and content.

[KnowThyself_life]

Thanks for the video
I'm learning so much with your channel!
Thanks again

[aceonicing]

Wow…just checked out your channel and videos are really informative. Looking forward for more amazing content~

[ИринаВеселова-яэ]

Спасибо!) Очень интересно. Не знала о таком. Спасибо.

[alejandraparker]

I was just watching HWANG JINI on KBS channel on UTUBE and decided to do some search before I began to watch the series if this was based on true story or not...and I came upon this video. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼. Thanks for uploading.

[kpoplovve]

Thank you for this; I am a fan of the Korean historical dramas, and it is nice to know a bit more focused information on the Kisaeng and other castes

[christianbernardes]

I've always been interested with the Korean Imperial Harem, can you do a video about it? ❤❤

[MooseDuckVlogs]

Silla, Joseon Dynasty, Korean Martial and Kiaseng another Great Vid well Done.

[nayanaadikari]

It is very interesting on learning the Korean history. The most loveable historical story which I watched is Saimdang-Light's diary. I don't know weather it was a true chaotic love story or not, Lady Shin and Prince Iue seong(Lee Gyeom) ever hurting my heart. Very sad on the single love of the most handsome Lee Gyeom 😢

[janezus]

La série sur la vie de Hwang Jiny est remarquable !

[LateMorning]

Great video! May I ask about your sources, especially about the distinct identities of the kisaeng from different regions? Thank you!

[juanjosemedinazarate]

Excellent video 😎👍, it was very interesting 🤩, Greetings from Paraguay 🇵🇾