Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 350

350. Let’s Make a Playground! (4)

“That’s a good idea, but Joseon is larger than you seem to realize. *Ssireum* [Korean wrestling] or bullfighting can work independently in towns with entertainment, but that isn’t the case for *Jaein* [traveling entertainers]. Even if we register every *Jaein* in Joseon and have them perform, many areas will still have empty schedules. We can’t just hold *Ssireum* competitions and bullfights all the time, can we?”

Meng Sasung, who had been quietly listening to Hyang’s words, pointed out a potential problem.

Hyang nodded immediately.

“Of course, that’s a problem. So, I’m thinking of mobilizing the *Gisaeng* [female entertainers] as an alternative.”

“*Gisaeng*, you say?”

“Yes, mainly *Gwan-gi* [government-owned *Gisaeng*]. We’ll select *Gisaeng* who excel in singing or dancing and have them perform.”

While explaining, Hyang turned the page.

The next page showed a bird’s-eye view of a wooden stage to be installed in the amphitheater.

“The amphitheater floor is covered with sand. So, when the *Jaein* or these *Gisaeng* perform, we install a wooden stage like this.”

Meng Sasung, listening to Hyang’s explanation, pointed out another issue.

“It’s a good method, but the *Gisaeng* are notoriously proud and temperamental. Moreover, there’s a saying, ‘No one extends credit to a *Gisaeng* house.’ They pursue profit. Will they really agree to perform?”

“Of course, it’s not free. People who want to see the performance must pay for a ticket. We can pay the *Gisaeng* a reasonable fee from the ticket revenue. And, the issue of pride must be resolved through competition.”

Sejong’s eyes lit up at Hyang’s words.

“Competition? You mean to make the *Gisaeng* compete?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“As I said before, the smallest administrative unit where this entertainment center can be installed is a *Gun* [county]. Then, we divide the *Gwan-gi* belonging to the nearby *Hyeon* [district] into groups and have them perform. After a while, the best *Gisaeng* will be clear. Then, the *Gisaeng* will hone their skills because of their pride, and people will jump at the chance to see increasingly excellent performances. And, if we officially hold a competition, even more people will flock to it.”

Kim Jeom interjected.

“A national competition… Considering these various competitions, the expenses will be quite high.”

“Of course, the expenses will be high, but maybe less than expected.”

“How?”

“The *Gisaeng* who win the national competition will be qualified to perform at court and royal family events.”

“Ah!”

Sejong and the ministers exclaimed.

There were many events in the royal court and the royal family. There were solemn ceremonies that required solemnity, such as sacrifices offered to the sages at the Munmyo [Confucian shrine] or the Jongmyo [royal ancestral shrine], but there were also events that needed excitement, like the King and Queen’s birthday banquets. And *Gisaeng* were brought in to add that excitement.

Generally, *Gisaeng* from Hanseong [Seoul] were mainly selected, but sometimes, famous *Gisaeng* from other regions were called in. Being called in like this raised not only the pride of the *Gisaeng* themselves but also the pride of the region’s residents.

“You guys! You don’t have Maehyang! Maehyang is such an excellent *Yegi* [skilled entertainer] that she can dance in front of the King! You country bumpkins!”

The ministers began to nod. Seeing that, Hyang began to solidify his position.

“If we only mobilize *Gwan-gi*, the number is limited, so we may have to repeat the same performances. If that happens, people may get tired of it and not visit the entertainment center. So, I’m thinking of opening these competitions and performances wide.”

“Open them wide?”

“Yes, I’m thinking of allowing *Ga-gi* [private *Gisaeng*] to participate. To expand further, even *Sa-gi* [private prostitutes] are possible, but it’s too difficult to distinguish *Sa-gi* from *Chang-gi* [public prostitutes]. I’m thinking about how to deal with this.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong and the ministers considered Hyang’s explanation.

* * *

*Ga-gi* were quite a good option even in the eyes of Sejong and the ministers. *Ga-gi* were beautiful female servants selected from high-ranking noble families and trained in dancing and singing. They added excitement to events such as family parties. Also, when influential figures came from outside, they livened up the banquets welcoming the guests and even provided sexual services.

Because they were shown to people inside and outside the family, the families that owned *Ga-gi* put a lot of effort into selecting and training them.

In the history before Hyang intervened, during Munjong’s reign, Jeong Bal had his female servant learn singing and dancing, and her talent was rumored to be superior to that of the *Gisaeng*. During Seongjong’s reign, Hong Yunseong and An Binse taught their servants the flute and *geomungo* [Korean zither].(Note 1)

Of course, they weren’t formal *Gisaeng* but *Bi* [婢, female servants], but since *Gisaeng* were also commoners, there seemed to be no particular problem.

However, Sejong pointed out another problem.

“The pride of the prestigious noblemen is not to be underestimated. Will they easily put their *Ga-gi* on stage?”

“Would they give up the opportunity to show off their *Ga-gi*’s skills in front of Your Majesty? And, those who win the top prizes in the national competition will get to tour the country. Everyone will know their family name, and the profits they’ll get in the process will be significant, right?”

“Hmm….”

“Of course, exploitation is very likely to arise. Therefore, the top-ranked *Gwan-gi* and *Ga-gi* will sign a contract regarding the distribution of performance profits created by the court, and all proceeds will be traded only through the *Jeonjang* [money exchange].”

“Hmm….”

Sejong thought Hyang’s explanation was plausible, but he still felt something was missing.

“But even if you do a national tour, will that be a big profit?”

Hyang answered immediately.

“There’s a saying, ‘Make hay while the sun shines.’ Of course, we have to create additional revenue.”

“Additional revenue?”

“While performing, we make and sell portraits and dolls of the most famous *Gisaeng* and *Ga-gi*. We gather painters from the *Dohwawon* [Royal Academy of Painting] and famous folk painters to create and sell portraits and dolls. Of course, we must sell a small number of limited editions or original prints drawn directly by the painters at high prices, rather than printing them in large quantities.”

“Will portraits or dolls make money?”

Lee Jik, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“It seems like it will. If you listen to the rumors in the market, many men admire famous *Gisaeng* and want to get their portraits to carry around.”

“They should just get married….”

Lee Jik smiled bitterly and replied to Sejong’s words.

“If you don’t have enough money, it’s hard to get married.”

Even in this period, marriage was expensive. Of course, it was common to start a household by offering a bowl of cold water, but if you wanted to follow the proper formalities, it cost a lot of money.

Sejong, licking his lips, asked Hyang again.

“But you said you were selling limited editions. Will limited editions make money?”

Hyang nodded firmly.

“It will! For example, have you forgotten the example of the Tripitaka Koreana that was sold to the lords of Wa [Japan]?”

“Ah!”

‘According to my experience of being a dedicated fan for a while, they will definitely spend money!’

* * *

“If the name is known throughout Joseon, some families will respond.”

“Wouldn’t more families object, saying it would lower their status?”

“If you’re going to worry about status, you shouldn’t raise *Ga-gi*!”

Sejong and the ministers, considering the possibilities, were slowly agreeing to Hyang’s proposal.

Hyang, watching from the side, muttered inwardly.

‘If we keep doing this, isn’t this going to create an entertainment agency? Wow~. Isn’t this going to create a historically deep entertainment agency with over 500 years of history?’

As expected of a disciple of Teacher Samcheonpo, Hyang’s imagination was running wild.

* * *

One day, hundreds of years later.

A pretty-faced girl excitedly looked for her mother.

“Mom! Mom! I got a scouting offer!”

The girl’s mother, who was in the kitchen, immediately approached her, her face full of anticipation.

“Really? Where is it from?”

“HH Entertainment!”

“HH Entertainment? Where’s that?”

“It’s Hanseong Hong Clan Entertainment! They say it has a history of over 150 years?”

The mother muttered in disappointment.

“Only 150 years? With our daughter’s beauty, you should go to an agency that’s about 300 or 400 years old, like PY (Pyeongsan Yun Clan) Planning or KC (Gyeongju Choi Clan) Planning….”

“Mom! Do you know how fierce the competition is in those places? And 150 years isn’t a short history! Do you know how many agencies have only about 50 years of history?”

* * *

“Crown Prince?”

“Yes, Father!”

Hyang, lost in fantasy, startled and returned to reality when Sejong called him.

“What were you suddenly distracted by?”

“I’m sorry. I was a little tired from staying up all night planning this project….”

“Don’t be too confident in your health just because you’re young, and take care of yourself. I’ll call the royal physician.”

“Thank you for your grace.”

After that brief conversation, Sejong asked a serious question.

“What is the purpose of the pavilion in the comprehensive entertainment center that you showed me earlier?”

Hyang answered immediately.

“That pavilion is a place to attract those addicted to gambling.”

Hyang turned the page.

After a few pages, a paper with a bird’s-eye view of the pavilion and a brief explanation appeared.

“As you can see….”

According to Hyang’s explanation, the structure and purpose of the pavilion were as follows.

-The pavilion should be at least three stories high.

-The first floor is used for performances by *Jaein* and *Gisaeng* during rainy weather or winter.

-The second floor is a general gambling hall where *Gollipae* [Korean dominoes] and *Ssangnyuk* [Korean backgammon] are played. The entire second floor is divided into about 10 spaces, and *Ssangnyuk* or *Gollipae* gambling is conducted in each space.

-Only adult men and women can go up to the second floor.

-Since men and women are separated, a certain space on the second floor is designated for women.

-Only items provided by the gambling house, such as *Gollipae*, dice, and *Ssangnyuk* boards, can be used for gambling. Anyone using unauthorized dice or *Gollipae* will have their identity recorded and be kicked out immediately. If it happens four times, they will be reported to the government office and charged with illegal gambling.

-Only *Saekmokjeon* [colored wooden coins] that can be used in the gambling house can be used to bet money.

-Those who want to gamble must exchange money at the exchange office at the entrance.

-The amount that can be exchanged varies depending on status. Commoners can exchange up to 50 copper coins at a time and can exchange three times a day. The *Sadaebu* [noblemen] can exchange up to 10 silver coins at a time and can exchange five times a day.

-A commission of five *Pun* [Korean currency unit] is charged when exchanging *Siljeon* [real money] for *Saekmokjeon*, and five *Pun* is charged when exchanging *Saekmokjeon* back for *Siljeon*. However, no commission is charged for less than 5 copper coins.

“The purpose of receiving this commission and limiting the number of times is not only to generate revenue but also to prevent excessive gambling and people from squandering their wealth.”

“That’s good. Then what is the third floor?”

“It’s a place for those who play *Baduk* [Go] and *Janggi* [Korean chess].”

“Hoo?”

Sejong and the ministers’ eyes sparkled at the fact that a space for playing *Baduk* and *Janggi* was created in a separate space, even in the highest place.

Although it had degenerated into gambling, *Baduk* was a game that the *Sikja* [識者, those with knowledge and culture] had to learn.

* * *

Note 1) The Reality of Giyuk (妓役) in the Joseon Dynasty. Jeong Yeon-sik (Professor of History at Seoul Women’s University). National History Compilation Committee, National History Review, Vol. 107. 2005.08.10.