Son Jong-seop: Affection is like a disease

Son Jong-seop’s *Dajeong is Like a Disease*, the definitive edition of Sijo literature acclaimed for its unrivaled interpretation of classical literature. This book attempts to foster communion across time by presenting commentaries on over 300 ancient melodies by figures of the past such as Yi Jo-nyeon, Jeong Cheol, and Hwang Jin-yi, alongside approximately 130 contemporary songs. Sijo is a cultural heritage of our ancestors, enjoyed by everyone from monarchs and high-ranking officials to scholars, gentlemen, courtesans, and commoners. We encounter our oldest and most endearing melodies that have been handed down to this day. “The pear blossoms are bathed in white moonlight, and the Milky Way shines at the third watch; O cuckoo, would you know the spring heart of a single branch? My deep affection feels like an illness, keeping me sleepless.” The cuckoo is a migratory bird known by various names, including Duu, Jagyu, Chokjo, Chokhon, Sijo, Jeopdongsae, and Sojjeoksae. Its cry is said to sound like “sotjeok sotjeok” or “jeopdong jeopdong,” or even “eojjeom… eojjeom…” Along with these explanations, the author introduces the reasons for singing about the cuckoo, as well as poems by Park Hyo-gwan and King Danjong. Furthermore, the author presents Sijo poems by Hwang Jin-yi and Yi Myeong-han that sing of the earnestness of waiting and longing; Sijo poems by Jeong Mong-ju and Yi Sun-sin that sing of integrity and patriotism; and Sijo poems by Jeong Cheol and Yi Hwang that sing of human morality and ethics. The author of this book, Mr. Son Jong-seop, published *Tracing the Sentiments of Old Poetry* in 1992, which received high praise not only from the classical literature community but also from numerous readers. Since then, through *The Scent Remaining on Fingertips* and *The Pitch and Rhythm of Our Language*, he has further enriched our understanding of the history of Korean literature by revealing the true landscape of classical poetry and the tones of the Korean language, unfolding their vivid breath and inner essence.

Korean title: 다정도 병인 양하여

Korean author: 손종섭

Korean publisher: 김영사

ISBN-13: 9788934934899