English through Mythology – Simcheong (심청 / 心情)

Simcheong: Vocabulary

Basic facts:

Simcheong lives with her father, Mr. Sim. Her father is blind (눈먼). Simcheong jumps into Indang Water to restore her father’s eyesight. She is saved by the dragon king (용왕). She returns to land in a big lotus flower (연꽃). An emperor marries her, and she becomes the empress or queen. The emperor invites blind people (맹인들) to a banquet (연회), and Simcheong is reunited with her father. At the end of the Song of Simcheong (심청가 / 心情歌), Mr. Sim’s vision is restored.

Name: Simcheong (심청 / 心情)Hometown: Gokseong, Jeolla-doWhy is she famous? She is good to her father. She

demonstrates filial piety (효심). She sacrifices herself for her father.

Key concepts: - filial piety (효심)- Confucianism (유교)- Buddhism (불교)

Where can we read her story? Please listen to the Song of Simcheong (심청가 / 心情歌).

Useful vocabulary ( 유용한 어휘 ):

filial piety = 효심 Confucianism = 유교

Buddhism = 불교 monk = 스님

lotus flower = 연꽃 blind = 눈먼 / 맹인

sailor = 선원 dragon king = 용왕

banquet = 연회 feast = 향연

reunite = 재결합하다 emperor = 황제 empress = 황후