The Story of Hong Gildong

Content note: This section of the guide refers to rape and rape culture, which appear in the source text.

The Story of Hong Gildong is a cautionary tale about the dangers of enforcing Joseon’s rigid class system. Gildong’s extraordinary abilities are at odds with his lowborn status, and the authorities’ attempts to keep him down cost Joseon an amazing hero. Gildong’s actions throughout the novel are his attempts to fulfill his destiny by becoming a great leader despite his circumstances. This illustrates the theme of The Ability to Fulfill or Avoid One’s Destiny. Gildong voluntarily leaves Joseon after executing corrupt authorities in the eight provinces, but he could just as easily have stayed in Joseon and continued to cause upheaval—perhaps even the downfall of the King of Joseon. Instead, Gildong fulfills his destiny and achieves the greatness he desires by conquering another country and becoming king in his own right.

Gildong operates according to his own moral code. He leads the Taesobaek Mountain bandits to rob a Buddhist monastery (presumably because its wealth was ill-gained, though the author never specifies this). With his powers of sorcery, he could have continued stealing for personal gain, but instead he decides to fight political corruption. Gildong is sometimes interpreted as a revolutionary, but he does not want to destroy the system: He wants to lead it. Gildong wants to be able to call his father “father” and his brother “brother,” which he cannot rightfully do within Joseon’s strict class divides. He wants full rights under the existing system to become a king or general, regardless of his status at birth: “The ancients have said, ‘Kings, lords, generals, and ministers are not made from a special blood’” (4). This desire connects to his concern about Being a True Man, a theme that recurs throughout the text.

Gildong understands that what he seeks is impossible in Joseon. He is appointed minister of war after bargaining with the King of Joseon for his freedom, but when the king confers the title, Gildong rejects it, saying that he will face discrimination from other ministers because of his lowborn status. However, Gildong refers to himself repeatedly as “the former minister of war” when addressing the king (52, 70), suggesting that he likes reminding the king of his folly (and that he likes holding titles). Gildong is very conscious of rank: When he becomes king of Annam, he elevates his family to royalty, as is customary for the first person in a new royal line.

Each of the main characters in the novel presents a particular lens through which to analyze the story’s events. Minister Hong represents tradition. He values serving his country, upholding class boundaries, and maintaining his family’s reputation. When Gildong displays high ambitions, Minister Hong must choose between these values and his son. For the sake of the former, he decides to have Gildong killed, but he cannot act on the decision because he loves his son. Minister Hong’s dilemma introduces the theme of Killing for a Greater Cause. Instead of killing his son, he keeps him locked up, which leads to Gildong’s escape.

The King of Joseon represents the intersection of filial and sovereign loyalty, and he acts as Gildong’s extended family. Minister Hong’s family is close to the king: Both he and his legitimate son, Inhyeon, have received commendations for their government service. The minister understands that Gildong could become a direct threat to the monarchy he has sworn to uphold, which is why he considers having him killed. When the king discovers that Gildong is Minister Hong’s son, he imprisons Minister Hong and sends Inhyeon to arrest his brother. The king understands that Gildong, even as an outlaw, will not want to damage his father’s reputation. His plan works, and Gildong surrenders himself to Inhyeon. The King of Joseon knows that Gildong has a sense of filial piety and uses his family to guilt him into surrendering.

Chunseom’s experience shows the prevalence of rape culture in Joseon. The author praises her character for submitting to Minister Hong: “When the minister approached her so suddenly with an authoritative air and made apparent his ardent desire for her, she dared not resist his advance and allowed him the use of her body” (3). Slaves were expected to comply with the advances of their masters, and it was perfectly acceptable for a man of Minister Hong’s status to rape and impregnate his servants. He rewards Chunseom by making her an official concubine, which slightly raises her social status. When Gildong has his own family, he treats his three sons equally even though the eldest is born to his wife and the younger two are born to his concubines. Each gains a title and a specific jurisdiction. As the King of Annam, Gildong did likely own slaves, or at least have servants. However, he does not take advantage of them the way his father took advantage of his mother, and he is portrayed as a fair and benevolent ruler, even willingly abdicating later in life. Gildong’s kingdom may not be a utopia and still reflects many of the social norms of its era, but it proves that, at least in theory, a monarchy can exist without greed and rigid class divides.