Exploring the Literary Legacy of Sim Hoon in Dangjin
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- blog.naver.com
The rural enlightenment novel "Evergreen"
The birthplace of the scribe and Sim Hoon Memorial Hall
The mornings and evenings are now pleasantly cool,
while the afternoons can be a bit warm, making it a great time for travel.
As autumn approaches, the beautiful scenery
evokes a sense of emotion, making it perfect for reading poetry or novels.
On a sunny autumn day, I visited the Scribe and Sim Hoon Memorial Hall in Songak-eup, Dangjin City.
I parked my car in the spacious parking lot across from the memorial hall and explored the scribe's residence.
Designated as a cultural heritage site by Chungcheongnam-do,
the Scribe's House was built by Sim Hoon himself in 1934 after he moved to Bugok-ri, Dangjin, for his literary work.
This is where "Evergreen," a representative work of Korean rural novels, was written in 1935.
The name "Scribe" signifies "to cultivate the land with a brush,"
derived from Sim Hoon's literary collection, "Scribe's Anthology."
The Scribe's House is open and charming, without a gate,
and the thatched cottage is truly beautiful.
It is a standalone building, reminiscent of the traditional thatched houses seen in folk villages.
Especially, the house built with yellow clay feels warm and cozy,
and the walls are pleasing to the eye.
The layout features five rooms in the front and two on the side,
maintaining a traditional thatched house appearance,
but it is designed for convenience in the style of 1930s urban homes.
The house showcases Sim Hoon's delicate touch with a small veranda outside the main rooms.
To the left of the house is Sim Hoon's grave, relocated from Anseong, Gyeonggi-do,
and behind the house, a bamboo grove harmonizes beautifully with the thatched cottage.
In this area, four types of evergreens mentioned in "Evergreen" are planted:
Norway spruce, yew, incense cedar, and pine.
In the yard, there are installations depicting the characters from "Evergreen,"
with metal chairs and sculptures shaped like evergreens,
making it clear to anyone that it represents Sim Hoon's evergreen.
Sim Hoon is both a novelist and a poet.
In one corner of the Scribe's yard, there are stone tablets of his poems, "Night of Snow" and "When That Day Comes,"
erected by the Chungnam branch of the Korean Writers' Association, which is worth reading.
"When That Day Comes" is located in front of the experience hall, with additional tablets in the yard and on the roof of the memorial hall.
Reading "Night of Snow" evokes thoughts of the snow falling silently,
layering the yard inch by inch,
leading to deep reflections.
Like the scattered snowflakes,
I wish to write letters and spread them across the world.
Sim Hoon's "Evergreen" is a lengthy novel that introduces a new, progressive way of life for farmers,
who have lived by farming, and it won a contest for rural enlightenment themes.
It was serialized in the Dong-A Ilbo from September 10, 1935, to February 15 of the following year.
I climbed to the roof of the Sim Hoon Memorial Hall next to the Scribe's House.
This garden area features a stone tablet of Sim Hoon's poem "When That Day Comes,"
with a sculpture of him reading a book nearby,
creating a cozy atmosphere.
Descending the stairs leads to the Sim Hoon Memorial Hall,
where you can explore his literary world.
Inside, you can embark on a journey through Sim Hoon's literary and artistic realms.
A large pen symbolizes significant meaning.
The manuscript of "When That Day Comes" remains as a censored copy by the Japanese colonial government,
holding memories of its struggles.
You can also see the corrected version of the novel "Evergreen" and a tribute to Sim Hoon.
On the left, there is a recreated prison,
allowing you to reflect on Sim Hoon's thoughts during that time.
Sim Hoon was also interested in film,
and the displayed postcards are presumed to be related to his film endeavors.
There is a sitting desk and books he read on display.
You can view his collection of works and the Dong-A Ilbo where "Evergreen" was serialized.
You can also encounter a sculpture of him writing at a desk,
which makes for a great photo opportunity.
He passed away at the young age of 35 due to typhoid fever,
but he is remembered as an "eternal literary youth."
Sim Hoon, a writer from Dangjin, is known as a resistance poet and rural enlightenment novelist,
and he was also a successful film director.
The site offers an "Evergreen" experience classroom.
Participants receive activity materials and become the 'Sim Hoon Detective Squad' to find missing clues and complete tasks.
Upon completion, they receive souvenirs, making it a delightful experience.
From October to November, they are running programs for the national heritage application project,
"Knowledge is Power, Learning is Life," and "Simple and Local Flavors of Dangjin: Evergreen Social Dining."
The site operates from 9 AM to 6 PM during the summer (March-October)
and from 9 AM to 5 PM during the winter (November-February).
Admission is free, and it is closed on Mondays, Lunar New Year, Chuseok, and the day after public holidays.
Images:
Source :https://blog.naver.com/dangjin2030/224408296559
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