A Comparative Study of Confucian Values in the Novels of Yi Mun-gu and Ka Pyung-yo : Focusing on the Concepts of Benevolence and Trustworthiness

This study aims to compare the Confucian values reflected in the novels of Lee Moon-gu and Jia Ping-wa. Both authors’ works show a strong inclination towards Confucian values. They both focus on the spirit of ‘benevolence’ and ‘trustworthiness’, and share a common point in exploring the modern value of Confucian tradition and showing the modern response. The difference is that Lee Moon-gu presents the value of ‘benevolence’ as the spiritual foundation of the community, while Jia Ping-wa pays more attention to the value of ‘benevolence’ as a commoner virtue. Lee Moon-gu’s works show the true meaning of a sincere person who acts and practices according to his beliefs, in contrast to the selfish characters who only advocate morality verbally. On the other hand, Jia Ping-wa highlights the proactive social practice of ordinary people with integrity as the main characters of history.<br/> Lee Moon-gu and Jia Ping-wa each show the change of traditional values in the process of industrialization and modernization, reinterpreting and implementing the spirit of Confucianism as modern values. Through comparative research on the Confucian value recognition shared by Korea and China, it can enhance the cultural empathy of the two countries, and present a new perspective in the cultural context pursuing harmony between tradition and modernity. It is expected to deeply reconfirm the characteristics of East Asian literature, provide a new research perspective and field for Sino-Korean comparative literature research, and promote in-depth understanding at the intersection of culture and literature.