Ho Ran Sol Hon is a well-known poetess who was active in the period of the feudal Joson dynasty, the last feudal state of Korea.
She lived between 1563 and 1589.
She was born as a daughter of Ho Yop, a famous scholar at that time, and learned writing from a talented poet Ri Tal.
Researcher Cha Kwang Hyok at the History Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences says:
"According to some documents including the collection of works titled 'Works of Ran Sol Hon', Ho Ran Sol Hon was good at writing poems and painting from her childhood. She wrote a lot of poems but burned them before her death. Now only a few of them are left.
On the basis of her life experiences restricted by the feudal idea of male supremacy, Ho Ran Sol Hon wrote many poems sympathizing with the miserable lot of the contemporary women who were subjected to double and treble maltreatment and contempt."
Typical of them are the poems "The Girl of a Poor Family" and "Grieving for the Dead Children".
The poem "The Girl of a Poor Family" sings with deep sympathy of the miserable life of a girl who has to weave cloth and make dresses ceaselessly for the rich, blowing warm breath on her fingers at cold night without being married as she was "born into a poor family" though she is pretty and extremely good at needlework and hand-weaving.
The poems of Ho Ran Sol Hon showed the injustice of the then society to some extent on the basis of her life experiences, but failed to criticize it strongly and took on a sad note in general. But she became one of the typical poetesses who were active in the 16th century for her excellent poems reflecting the sufferings and experiences of the women at that time, making a contribution to the development of the women's literature of poetry.
The "Works of Ran Sol Hon", a collection of her remaining poems, serves as an important material showing the development of the women's literature of poetry in Korea at that time.
More From Voice of Korea (EN)
A number of universities are making scientific researches for actively contributing to implementing the "Regional Development
July 03, 2025
A number of universities are making scientific researches for actively contributing to implementing the "Regional Development
Long-distance agricultural consultation system is active in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It is an information
July 03, 2025
Long-distance agricultural consultation system is active in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It is an information
New documentaries have been produced, which add the breath of animation to all people vigorously advancing toward a peak of fresh
July 03, 2025
New documentaries have been produced, which add the breath of animation to all people vigorously advancing toward a peak of fresh
Meetings were held at different units in South Hamgyong Province to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong
July 03, 2025
Meetings were held at different units in South Hamgyong Province to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong
The Pyongyang General Hospital, a first-class hospital which can be the pivot and hub of the public health sector, was wonderfully
July 03, 2025
The Pyongyang General Hospital, a first-class hospital which can be the pivot and hub of the public health sector, was wonderfully
Another success was made in the irrigation of agriculture. More than 1,300 pumping stations have been built or repaired, over
July 02, 2025
Another success was made in the irrigation of agriculture. More than 1,300 pumping stations have been built or repaired, over
10 Best Teachers in 2024 Pae Un Hui
July 02, 2025
10 Best Teachers in 2024 Pae Un Hui
Services started on July 1 at the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a tourist attraction of national value on the east coast
July 02, 2025
Services started on July 1 at the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a tourist attraction of national value on the east coast
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by Minister Olga Lyubimova returned home on July 1
July 02, 2025
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by Minister Olga Lyubimova returned home on July 1
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a floral basket to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
July 02, 2025
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a floral basket to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
Regional-industry factories built in 20 cities and counties are working hard to put business activities on a scientific and IT
July 02, 2025
Regional-industry factories built in 20 cities and counties are working hard to put business activities on a scientific and IT
In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, people respect those who devote themselves, regarding any hardship as pleasure, if
July 02, 2025
In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, people respect those who devote themselves, regarding any hardship as pleasure, if
Timely measures are taken in different parts of the country to minimize the damage by the rainy season and increase the grain
July 02, 2025
Timely measures are taken in different parts of the country to minimize the damage by the rainy season and increase the grain
A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the Military Academy of the General Staff of
July 01, 2025
A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the Military Academy of the General Staff of
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a kind spread to Kim Im Hyok living in Saengjang Workers' District, Unhung County of
July 01, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a kind spread to Kim Im Hyok living in Saengjang Workers' District, Unhung County of
The land and environment protection sector is directing efforts to improving the environment management. The Ministry of Land and
July 01, 2025
The land and environment protection sector is directing efforts to improving the environment management. The Ministry of Land and
New posters were created to powerfully arouse all the people across the country to attaining the grand goals of 2025 set by the
July 01, 2025
New posters were created to powerfully arouse all the people across the country to attaining the grand goals of 2025 set by the
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation led by Minister Olga Lyubimova visited the Juche-Oriented
July 01, 2025
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation led by Minister Olga Lyubimova visited the Juche-Oriented
Personages of Romanian and Mexican political parties gave statements to media on June 25 on the occasion of the June 25--July 27
July 01, 2025
Personages of Romanian and Mexican political parties gave statements to media on June 25 on the occasion of the June 25--July 27
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
June 30, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
More Articles