The main subject of research is the literary work Nanjung ilgi (War journal), the medieval work written by Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545–1598). It was created during the war with Japan (the imjin war) that lasted from 1592 to 1598. It is widely recognized as one of the most important works of Korean classical documentary literature, as well as the best Korean literary representation of a war diary. In his diary, Yi Sun-sin described the warfare and everyday life in the military camp. The historical value of these records is unquestionable. It elevates Nanjung ilgi to the rank of a cultural archive and one of the most important source of history. On the other hand, in his journal Yi Sun-sin included many records of personal content describing his own feelings, dilemmas and illness. Therefore, Nanjung ilgi seems to go beyond the status of an official description of a historical event and contains elements attributed to personal journals. To prove this assumption is the main subject of this article.
Since the beginning of the 1990s in Korea, the category and definition of new generation literature have become the topic of heated debate. One may understand this tendency as ‘generation severance’, ‘alienation between social classes’, or the ‘consumption-oriented culture of the masses’. Here, we call the literary youth born in approximately 1960 ‘the new generation’. In literature, the new generation refers to the appearance of a new culture and way of thinking. This generation passed their childhood in the 1970s and faced no such great difficulties as their parents combating poverty. However, they grew up under the indirect influence of a dark political outlook and suppression. Generally, they have a great affection for the culture produced by mass media. If we compare their development process with the literary stream in Korea, the 1960s could be defined as the era of literature for independence and strong self-awareness, the 1970s as the era for people, the 1980s as the era for the rights or emancipation of labour, and the 1990s as the era of new generation literature. Meanwhile, the appearance of the ‘Korean Wave’, or so-called ‘Hallyu’, has become one of the most beloved popular cultural phenomena both in Asia and in other countries since the late 1990s.
Different aspect of travel in Korean literature Korean travel literature both formely and today focuses on different aspects. They are not only travels as themselves, but also philosophical travels and travels which allow to find own way in life. The Middle Ages in Korea is a time of travels by monks and Confucian philosophers. Then, the Joseon period changes literature into even more philosophical travels at the beginning of the reign of dynasty. Different historical periods have substantial influent on the Korean literature. Japanese occupation, exiles Korean to China or Japan, lead writers towards travel journals. They spill tears on the paper, describe observations in a foreign country, regrettable on their fortune. The Korean war and division Korea on north and south formed some now kind of travel literature. In the literature appear a phenomenon of travels to the “other side of Korea” for finding family members. Divided nation cannot deal with longing for relatives in the “second Korea”. Then we come to a time of economic boom in South Korea, which staring hard at the West, opens to the world and started to become interested in other cultures. Again, in the Korean literature, especially for children and teenagers, appears travel aspect. This time they travel to other countries, describing remote places, customs and cultures. Today, Korea is a vibrant, high developed country with the latest technology. It makes people get lost and in the travel literature again appears philosophical motive and travels to self-awareness.
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