The Encounter of Tradition and Modernity in Haedongyeomsa

This study aims to describe how tradition and modernity intersect in Haedongyeomsa. By examining the text of Haedongyeomsa and the preceding and contemporary documents it appears to reference, this research explores how premodern narratives and Chasangchan's modern writing converge to reconstruct the lives of women in the past. Firstly, Haedongyeomsa comprehensively embraces premodern women's narratives, effectively compiling and positioning them as “history.” While composing the manuscript that forms the basis of Haedongyeomsa, Chasangchan extensively utilized contemporary texts (notably Joseon Hae-eohwasa and Joseon Yosokgo), earlier texts (such as collections of unofficial historical tales), as well as oral traditions and field investigations. Despite this, the detailed sentences of Haedongyeomsa reveal characteristics of modern writing—emphasizing women's capabilities and appearances, frequently depicting men and women in love, and expanding on emotions like longing and joy. Consequently, Haedongyeomsa transforms the relationship between men and women, and between spouses, from one grounded in ethics to one rooted in emotions and sentiments. Ultimately, Haedongyeomsa, which sought to encompass the lives of women through a traditional archival approach, secures the diversity of its characters in terms of era, social status, abilities, qualities, and appearances. Yet, their inner lives and actions, described through romantic and emotional language, are portrayed less diversely and more as extensions of modern individuals. Haedongyeomsa represents a new history of women created through the intersection of traditional archivalism and modern romantic rhetoric.