• Sijohaknonchong
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• v.42
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• pp.213-238
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• 2015

Jeongun(丁芸) Lee, Young-do (李永道), who is deemed a representative female poet of Korea, began her literary career in May, 1946 when she published in a publication called "Bamboo Sprout, (죽순)". Her Korean identity, which was formed through her Confucius upbringing as well as traditional value system of her family, had a strong presence in her work, and she remained a quintessential figure in Korea's female sijo poet circle for 30 years until her passing in 1976. Despite the highly acclaimed talent and her noble aspirations, it is undeniable that her works did not receive fair assessment due to her private life. Against this backdrop, it is necessary to deeply inquire the literary values and beauty of Young-do Lee's sijo. As mentioned, Young-do Lee is a solidly established figure in Korea's modern poetry. The following illustrates the spirit and the world of her poetry. First, Young-do Lee lived through turbulent times and it was her country that served as the source of her sijo work. Assessing the multitude of dramatic historical events such as Japanese colonization, 8.15 Liberation of Korea, division of the nation, 6.25 Korean war, 4.19 Revolution, 5.16 military coup, it is natural that patriotism was strongly present in her work who was one of the intellectuals at the time. Second, Young-do Lee is a poet who had experienced more pain than others in terms of the turbulence of the time. Her Korean identity, which was formed through her Confucius upbringing as well as traditional value system of her family, had a strong presence in her work. Third, Jeongun Lee, Young-do is a poet of longing. The abundance and richness of her emotions were fortified through the relationship with another poet, Chihwan Yu. Fourth, Young-do Lee is a poet opened up new horizons for the modennization. The transparency of image reflected in her work and the elaborate nature of her language are outstanding. In summary, Young-do Lee was a true artist, who has a strong presence in Korea's modern poetry society, and who was a poet of patriotism, poet who suffered the turbulence of the times, and a poet of longing.