Rewriting Family Narratives in Classic Epics Through the Webtoon Princess Bari : Focusing on the Kongjwi Patjwi, Janghwahonglyun, the Sun and the Moon

The webtoon Princess Bari is a work that adapts and reconstructs traditional narratives. This paper aims to explore how Princess Bari restructured the traditional family narrative to reflect contemporary meanings. In the webtoon, the stepmother, who is typically portrayed as a villain in traditional narratives, is depicted as a character who genuinely loves her stepchildren. Conversely, the idealized image of motherhood is challenged. The mothers in Kongjwi Patjwi and The Sun and the Moon are sometimes portrayed as being wounded, struggling, and even resenting or mistreating their own children, depending on the circumstances. The webtoon also centers on conflicts that are frequently addressed in contemporary society, such as conflict with in-laws, sibling rivalry, conflict with extended family, and domestic violence, ultimately leading to the disintegration of problematic families. The trauma resulting from these conflicts often persists and is passed down through generations, but Princess Bari offers hope for overcoming these traumas and moving toward a new future. Unlike the original narrative where family conflicts are resolved and the family is restored, Princess Bari diverges by presenting a new path after family dissolution. Traditional narratives, as foundational sources for cultural content, have been garnering increasing attention across various fields. Princess Bari stands out for modernizing traditional stories, offering fresh interpretations that resonate with contemporary readers. Further exploration of how traditional stories are reimagined in modern popular culture is essential for future research.