ScholarWorks@중앙대학교

초록

This study examines how sijo, a traditional Korean poetic form, recognizes and interprets heterogeneous beings and phenomena through the expressions “i (異)” and “different (다르다).” Focusing on the linguistic variations of these terms, the paper aims to analyze how sijo articulates ways of thinking about the world and human existence. The Sino-Korean character i (異) appears in sijo primarily as part of compound expressions such as giyi (奇異), goeyi (怪異), and idan (異端), which denote strange phenomena, deviant ideas, or abnormal conditions. Goeyi often describes incomprehensible or negative events, giyi expresses awe at the beauty of natural landscapes, and idan is used to criticize ideologies outside the Neo-Confucian mainstream. The frequent use of idan in the works of Cho Hwang, a late Joseon rural Confucian scholar, notably reflects his strong ideological stance. In contrast, the native Korean word dareuda (“to be different”) frequently appears not to emphasize difference, but—through rhetorical questioning—as a way to underscore sameness, as in the idiomatic phrase “Would you and I be any different?” This usage suggests a tendency in sijo to emphasize essential human commonality. Furthermore, elements such as the daepung (giant mythical bird), hwangok (jade talisman), and ghosts (gwi) are not mere fantastical motifs but serve as symbolic devices that offer insight and critique of human reality. Ultimately, sijo reveals “sameness” through “difference” and sheds light on reality through the presence of the unreal. This illustrates that sijo was not only a medium of emotional expression but also a space for humanistic reflection on existence and the world.

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