KOREAN LITERATURE CORNER - April 2026

By Josh Kim

Gyeonu and jiknyeo - 견우와 직녀

This short myth is a sad one of love.

Once upon a time, there was a princess who lived in heaven. Her name was Jiknyeo. She was beautiful.

Looking down on earth, she saw a farmer boy who was pretty and kind. His name was Gyeonu, and the farmer boy and heavenly princess fell in love. 

However, the king of heaven did not like this. He was mad and separated them, sending Gyeonu to the east and Jiknyeo to the west so they could not see each other. The lovers wept for each other every day, hoping to one day again see each other.

This pure love transformed something in the king. He grew remorseful but still could not let them be fully together. So, he allowed them to meet once per year, and once per year, crows and magpies would build a bridge that allowed the lovers to embrace. 

Gyeonu and Jiknyeo cried on this bridge year after year. Their tears became rain. 

These lovers meet every 7th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar, a day called Chilseok (칠석). If it happens to rain on Chilseok, it’s thought that the rain is the tears of the lovers, so happy to see one another.

Read the full story in Korean and English, and listen to audio story book in Korean here.