[Namsan Ddalggakbari] Before Adam and Eve, there was a woman named Lilith...

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] The author, who majored in Korean literature, discovered a book titled "The Enchanting Woman in the Mist" in the study of a professor during college days. “It was an essay collection by a professor, a modern literature researcher and critic, who left several masterpieces that will be remembered in literary history.” The author vaguely wished to write a book like that someday, and after a long time, that book has now been published.

The title is "Yeoja Iyagi" (Woman Story). The author states, “This is not a book obsessed with a theme or purpose,” but simply “a woman’s story.” Indeed, the book lists short stories centered on women, mostly drawing from myths or the Bible.

According to Christian thought, humanity began with Adam and Eve. The Bible says God made Adam from dust and then created Eve from his rib. This has long been regarded as the basis for the idea that women exist to assist men. However, the author introduces a figure named Lilith from Jewish scriptures. She is said to be a woman before Eve, in other words, Adam’s first wife. According to the author, the two were not happy. Lilith claimed, “I was made from the same dust as you,” asserting equality with Adam, and opposed the male-dominated sexual relationship. Eventually, Lilith left Adam in protest against ‘fundamental inequality.’ The author, quoting Baek Seongho, a religion specialist at JoongAng Ilbo, explains, “Lilith’s thinking was very progressive, pioneering, and ahead of her time.”

Greek and Roman mythology are also frequently referenced. The author questions why “the winners of gender conflicts are mostly male heroes.” Based on the story of Hippolyta, the Amazon warrior woman who was kidnapped by Theseus and became his wife, the author sharply criticizes: “In the world of mythology, abduction-marriage-childbirth is a typical episode symbolizing male victory and dominance (omitted)... Why must the winners of gender conflicts in myths always be men?”

Besides this, the author challenges conventional wisdom by focusing on gender equality through myths, scriptures, and literature.

The author predicts that he will write three more books of the same length (200 pages) as this one. He says that while now the image is faint as if seen in a mirror, at that time it will be clear as if facing each other directly. Then he advises, “Stop looking and get up. It’s time to go.” As if urging to put knowledge into practice...

Yeoja Iyagi | Written by Heo Jinseok | Geulnurim | 200 pages | 12,000 KRW