The Evolution of the Image of Wu Zixu(伍子胥) in Korean Peninsula Civil Society: Centered on Three Versions of "The Tale of Wu Zixu"

The figure and story of Wu Zixu(伍子胥) were introduced to the Korean Peninsula through Chinese classical texts, becoming a focal point for discussion among Korean scholars. However, constrained by the complex classical Chinese language, Wu Zixu's tale remained largely inaccessible to the general populace until the appearance of the Korean-language novel The Tale of Wu Zixu in the late 19th century. This development broadened access to his story beyond a scholarly audience. Currently, three versions of The Tale of Wu Zixu exist: two handwritten manuscripts and one printed edition, housed respectively at the Korean National Hangeul Museum(from 1897), the Kyujanggak(奎章閣) Institute for Korean Studies at Seoul National University(from 1901), and the Korean National Library(1918, 1921). These Korean novels essentially reinterpret Records of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, yet the transcription process led to a gradual shift away from the original portrayal of Wu Zixu. Korean civil society’s acceptance of his image transitioned from selective interpretation to creative adaptation of the storyline, leading to a transformation in the character’s portrayal.