[Korea Route] Ancient State Myths, Gangwon's 'Changhai History, Maekguk, and Taegi King' Legends

Changhae History, Popular Heroic Tales of Gangneung Figures
Mykguk and Taegiwang Legends, Mykguk's Fall and Place Name Connections

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Youngcheol] Among the folktales related to natural objects passed down in Gangwon-do, there are some that contain mythological reflections.

In the history (史) of Gangwon-do, the 'Changhae Yeoksa (滄海力士)' folktale of Gangneung is recorded as having the character of a kind of popular heroic tale.

While most hero myths end with the protagonist's victory, it is uncertain whether Changhae Yeoksa became a victor. According to the storyline, it is rather said that he likely became a tragic loser rather than a winner.

In the areas of Chuncheon, Hoengseong, and Pyeongchang, the 'Maekguk (貊國) folktale' and the 'Taegi King (泰岐王) folktale' related to the ancient state Maekguk, which existed in the Chuncheon region, are passed down.

The Maekguk folktale and Taegi King folktale mainly focus on the fall of Maekguk and are mainly transmitted in connection with place names. [Editor's note]

■ Popular Heroic Tale 'Changhae Yeoksa' Folktale

Changhae Historical Site Monument (Next to the Women's Center, Okcheon-dong, Gangneung City) [Provided by Gangneung City]

In Gangneung, the ancient state myth 'Changhae Yeoksa (滄海力士)' folktale has been passed down.

Records about Changhae Yeoksa are included in Sima Qian's (司馬遷) Records of the Grand Historian 'Biography of Zhang Liang (張良列傳)', Hong Jikpil's (洪直弼) Changhae Yeoksa Relic Record, and Hong Manjong's (洪萬宗) Sun-oji (旬五志), among others.

'Changhae Yeoksa' is a figure born in Gangneung, passed down as a form of mysterious birth myth and strongman tale.

Although the 'Changhae Yeoksa' folktale varies slightly in each version, the common content across the tales is as follows.

"An old woman found an egg (or gourd) at the laundry site from which he was born (or he came out of a dipper floating in the water). His face was black, and his surname was said to be Yeo (黎). As he grew, he became a strongman with a height of nine cheok (about 2.7 meters)."

"There was a tiger harming people in the country, which he defeated (or he moved a heavy bell weighing a thousand jin) and became the king's close guest. Zhang Liang of China heard the rumor and took him to kill the tyrant Qin Shi Huang. He struck Qin Shi Huang's chariot procession with a iron mace but mistakenly hit another chariot and became a fugitive."

The Dosa explains that the reason the protagonist is collectively called 'Changhae Yeoksa' is because the Gangneung area was once referred to as 'Changhae-gun'.

Although now demolished due to road construction, there was said to be a place for the Changhae Yeoksa memorial rites (Yukseong Hwangdang (肉城隍堂)) in Daechang-ri, Gangneung (currently Okcheon-dong).

In the folktales passed down in Gangneung city, Changhae Yeoksa's name is sometimes given as Gangjung (剛中), and after death, he became the Yukseong Hwangsin, a general deity among Gangneung's tutelary gods who is offered meat.

The Changhae Yeoksa folktale is classified as a 'mythical legend,' but the basis for considering it a myth is that Changhae Yeoksa was born from an egg (or gourd), similar to myths like Jumong and Kim Alji.

Also, it resembles the general structure of hero myths: 'extraordinary birth, possession of exceptional abilities, encountering danger, overcoming crisis, and victory.'

This is interpreted as because Changhae Yeoksa was of commoner status, not aristocratic.

The character 'Yeo' means both 'black' and 'people.' His name appears variously in the folktales as 'Yeo Yongsa,' 'Yeo Gangjung,' or 'Changhae Yeoksa.'

Like the 'baby general' folktale, he is recognized as a hero of the people but is ultimately portrayed as a frustrated figure.

In other words, the storyline that Changhae Yeoksa was a hero who achieved merit as a people's hero but became a fugitive while opposing the tyrant Qin Shi Huang shows both his extraordinariness and defeat as he challenged the powers of the world.

Daewangam at the summit of Unjesan, Pohang City [Provided by Pohang City]

Changhae Yeoksa also appears in the legend of the formation of Yeongil Bay in Gyeongbuk.

Long ago, a strong Yeoksa (strongman) who had subdued all the generals throughout Japan traveled from Wa-guk (Japan) to Joseon.

He traveled everywhere in Joseon where strong men were found and competed in strength, defeating them all as well.

One day, he climbed Daegakbong Peak of Unje Mountain in Yeongil and gazed at the East Sea, lost in thoughts of his parents and siblings in his homeland Japan beyond the horizon.

At that moment, startled by a presence behind him, he turned around to see a Yeoksa whose height seemed to pierce the sky, whose body was like Mount Taesan, with comet-like eyes and limbs encased in iron.

This Yeoksa thundered, "Are you the Yeoksa who came from Japan?" "Yes, who are you?" "I heard there is a Japanese who has been showing off strength all over this country recently, and that must be you. I am Changhae Yeoksa of Joseon. I searched for you for dozens of days and finally met you here today."

Unje Mountain shook to its roots, and the wind and dust covered the heavens and earth as the two fought fiercely, flying in the sky, striking the ground, throwing and hitting each other.

Eventually, the 'Japanese Yeoksa' fell, and the place where he put his hand sank deeply, allowing seawater to flood in and form a lake, which is now Yeongil Bay.

At the summit of Unje Mountain, there is Daewangam (Great King Rock), which holds the legend of 'Changhae Yeoksa.' People who pray at this rock for childbirth are said to receive blessings, so many visit.

■ Ancient State 'Maekguk' Folktale and 'Taegi King' Folktale

The former Maekguk Fortress and site of the royal palace in Chuncheon photographed in 1919 [Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture]

In the areas of Chuncheon, Hoengseong, and Pyeongchang, the Maekguk folktale and Taegi King folktale related to the ancient state Maekguk, which existed in the Chuncheon region, are passed down.

The Chuncheon Maekguk folktale and Hoengseong Taegi King folktale mainly focus on the fall of Maekguk and are mainly linked to place names.

Maekguk moved its palace to Samaksan Mountain after being invaded by enemies, and the rugged terrain made the enemies pretend they had no intention to attack.

Reassured, Maekguk was then ambushed by the enemies who broke through the north gate, and the Maekguk soldiers were unable to resist and suffered a great defeat.

The Samaksan Fortress in the mountain center was the last place where Maekguk resisted attacks from enemy states (Silla and Ye).

The area around Deungseon Waterfall was called 'Sigungchi' because soldiers washed rice there, and the village below was called 'Uiam (Clothes Rock)' because soldiers dried their clothes there.

In the Maekguk folktale passed down in Chuncheon city, there is no mention of what happened to the Maekguk king, generals, and people after the defeat.

Then, in the Taegi King folktale, it is said that the 'last king of Maekguk,' called 'Taegi King,' took refuge on Taegisan Mountain, which spans Hoengseong and Pyeongchang counties, and sought to recover.

This is the part where the Maekguk folktale leads into the Taegi King folktale of Hoengseong and Pyeongchang.

Taegisan Mountain, located on the border between Gapcheon-myeon, Hoengseong County, and Bongpyeong-eup, Pyeongchang County, was where Taegi King of Maekguk (in some versions, the last king of Jinhan of the Samhan period) took refuge.

(Photo left) Chuncheon Samaksan Fortress and Hoengseong-gun Taegisan Mountain [Provided by Chuncheon City, Hoengseong-gun]

Taegi King's soldiers took off their armor and washed it in Gapcheon, then advanced further north to reach Deokgosan Mountain. Taegi King built a fortress here, practiced slash-and-burn farming, and trained soldiers to prepare for the future.

Taegi King expected soldiers of Park Hyeokgeose to invade from the south and only guarded the south, but the Silla army sent spies, discovered the northern vulnerability, and launched a simultaneous attack toward Saenggok-ri, Seoseok-myeon, Hongcheon County.

Taegi King fought a fierce battle with the Silla soldiers but was ultimately defeated and led the remaining soldiers out of the west gate, crossing Jireumejae Pass to flee to Yulmusanseong Fortress in nearby Soksil-ri.

Taegi King's fate afterward is unknown, but the folktale says he met a tragic end in Myeolun-ri, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang County.

It is said that the defeated soldiers at that time could not return home and settled in a newly founded village called 'Sindaeri.'

Thus, the Maekguk folktale and Taegi King folktale, linked to place names, focus on the fall of Maekguk.

The Maekguk-related parts are still at the stage of historical verification, so it is difficult to consider them as legends based on concrete historical experience.

Therefore, it is seen as a transition from a mythical or historically imaginative world to the world of legend.