2019 Korean History and Cultural Seminar for Educators - Handbook 2019 NKS Handbook-0617 | Page 65

WEDNESDAY
pronounced SHEE-jo
The sijo is a traditional three-line
Korean poetic form
}  Typically exploring cosmological,
metaphysical, or pastoral themes.
}  Organized both technically and
thematically by line and syllable count.
} 
} 
Dr. Lucy Park
University of Illinois
Sejong Academy
} 
First line
} 
◦  Introduces or states theme
} 
◦  First line
◦  Second line
Second line
◦  Expands or develops theme in equal length and
power
} 
The basic standard:
} 
Third line
◦  Twist or surprise at the beginning of the last line
acts as a counter-theme before the rest of the line
completes the poem
3
3
◦  Third line 3
◦  First line
◦  Second line 2-5
1-5
4
4 4 (or 3)
4 (or 3) 4
4
5 4 3
3-6
3-6 2-5
2-5 4-6
4-6
5-9 4-5 3-4
Variants which occur:
◦  Third line
3
From “Bamboo Grove“ by Richard Rutt
Though this body die and die,
it may die a hundred times,
my white bones become but dust,
what’s called soul exist or
not:
for my lord, no part of this red heart
would ever change. How could it?
Cosmological or metaphysical themes
Description of nature
}  Love songs
}  Humor
}  Political statements
}  Instructional
} 
} 
이 몸이 죽고 죽어 일 백 번 고쳐 죽어
백골이 진토되어 넋이라도 있고 없고
임 향한 일편단심이야 가실 줄이 있으랴
I momi chuk-go chugô ilpaekbôn kochyô chugô 3 4 3 4
Paekgori chint’o toeyô nôksirado ittgo ôpko 3 4 4 4
Im hyanghan ilp’yôn tanshim iya kashil churi issûrya 3 6 4 3

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