Korea in Joseon era (1392-1897) was not so liberal for women. Joseon society strictly followed Confucianism as the state ideology. It heavily influenced gender roles and societal structure.
Confucianism prescribed strict gender roles for women. They were primarily seen as caregivers. Women were responsible for maintaining the household, raising children, and supporting their husbands. Education for women was limited in that era. They were expected to focus mostly on domestic skills rather than scholarly or professional pursuits.
Despite these restrictions, some Joseon women did manage to work in professional capacities. However, the life of professional women in the Joseon era in Korea was significantly different from what we understand as professional life today.
Although formal education for women was limited, some women from noble families (yangban) had access to education. They were often taught by private tutors at home and could study literature, poetry, and Confucian texts. There were notable female scholars and writers, such as Hwang Jini, a famous Kisaeng poet, and Heo Nanseolheon, a renowned female poet from a noble family.
The legal rights of the women were significantly restricted. For instance, inheritance laws favored male heirs, and women’s participation in legal matters was limited. Marriages were arranged, and women were expected to obey their fathers before marriage and their husbands after marriage.
However, within these constraints, some women found ways to get engaged in professional activities.
In today’s time K-Dramas played a vital role in honouring the effort and struggle, the women of Joseon went through to have equal status in society. These dramas, without belittling the strive, for the identity of women of the era, weave the story interestingly and entertainingly. Sometimes, fictional characters take up a profession that is against the social norm to take the story further. Here are some notable professions that Joseon women pursued in K-Dramas:
Kisaeng :
Kim Yoo-jung as Wol Shim in “My Demon”
Kisaeng were female entertainers who were trained in music, poetry, and dance. Their duty was similar to that of the Japanese geisha. Kisaeng were well-educated and could engage in intellectual discussions.
They were associated with entertainment and companionship with the noble women.
Mudang/ Shamans:
Jeon Mi-seon as Jang Nok-young, the head shaman in “Moon Embracing the Sun”
Shamanism remained an important part of Korean culture. It’s a religious practice that involves directing the spiritual energies to work out certain tasks in the physical world. Mudang (shamans) used shaman tools such as shaman bells and drums to conduct the ritual. Shamans were often women, believed to have the ability to communicate with spirits. They had significant roles in both rural and urban communities.
Fashion Designer:
Kim Tae-hee as Jang Ok-jung in “Jang Ok-jung, Living by Love”
Jang Ok Jung, is a naturally gifted dressmaker. Her garment showcase is sabotaged when it is discovered that she is the daughter of a lowly slave.
Royal Physician:
Lee Young-ae as Seo Jang-geum in “Jewel in the Palace”
Strong-willed, Jang-geum strives to become a physician, regardless of the obstacles she is facing.
With her extraordinary medical skills, knowledge, integrity and high ethics to use her knowledge to heal and cure, she becomes the first female physician to the king, and is given the name Dae which means “the Great”. Jang-geum becomes the third-ranked official, for a woman during the Joseon era this was something unheard of.
Seamstress:
Kim Hye-yoon as Kim Joy in “Secret Royal Inspector & Joy”
Kim Joy is a realist woman who is full of desires and passion. She has a progressive mind-set for Joseon times. She believes that divorce can happen to anyone. After her divorce, she manages to earn her living by becoming the much-in-demand seamstress.
Painter:
Kim Yoo Jung as Hong Chun Gi, in “Lovers of the Red Sky”
Hong Chun Gi, is the first female painter of extraordinary talent, at the Dohwaseo Academy. Despite societal views on pursuit like this, she is accepted at the art school. She leads a promising life towards a bright future until she meets Ha Ram.
Historian/Novelist:
Shin Se-Kyung as Goo Hae-Ryung in “Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung”
Goo Hae-ryung is not by any chance the quintessential woman of the Joseon era. She is free-spirited and begins her new life as a scholar in the Joseon royal court after hearing about a post for women historians in the palace.
In the early 19th century female historians were generally looked down upon because of their gender.
Inn Keeper:
Shin Ye-eun as Yoon Dan-oh in “The Secret Romantic Guesthouse”
Yoon Dan-oh the owner of a guesthouse called Ihwawon Inn, the livelihood-mistress of the Joseon Dynasty. She is a lovely and confident character.
Matchmaker:
Cho Yi-hyun as Jung Soon-deok in “The Matchmaker”
Jung Soon-Deok is the best matchmaker and a peddler of women’s items like cosmetics and accessories. With Sim Jeong-woo, Jung Soon-Deok secretly works as a matchmaker and tries to get older single men and women to marry.
The drama reveals the hidden and unapologetic confrontation of societal norms during the Joseon era, particularly the discrimination against women.
Despite enduring prejudices and discrimination, the women are portrayed in K-Dramas as powerful figures managing households, showcased their strength and resilience.
These dramas make the viewers reflect on historical injustices inflicted on women and also appreciate the role of women in shaping their families and society.
The professional life of women in the Joseon era as entertainers, authors, designers and so on, was limited because of the social setup but their contribution, though often overlooked, was integral to the cultural and economic fabric of Joseon society.
