The Monkey King

Abstract

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version is well coordinated but diverges surprisingly from the traditional story. A dancing contest will provide the new king. Duck only wiggles his bottom. Turtle only rocks back and forth to slow music. Bear and rabbit are much better, but monkey dances to techno music and wins. He immediately starts bossing people around. Fox does not bring him to a trap set by a hunter, as traditionally, but rather works with the other animals to create a once-for-all trap. He brings monkey to a cave, and everyone lets loose boulders that seal it up. Monkey is locked inside. Monkey repents but bear tells him that it is too late. This version has the brutality and clarity of traditional fables. If you act haughty because of your position, no one will like you.