This Girl REALLY Wanted to Avoid Marriage

허난설헌, 1563 - 1589

From child prodigy to poetic legend: 허난설헌 (Heo Nanseolheon), the gifted woman who transcended Joseon's gender barriers

허난설헌

Heo Nanseolheon was a renowned female poet who lived in 16th century Joseon Korea, from 1563 to 1589. Despite the strict Confucian society that limited women's roles, she became famous for her literary talent, producing works that gained acclaim not only in Korea but also in China and Japan after her death.

난설헌집 (Nanseolheon-jip) - collection of poems by Heo Nanseolheon, compiled and published posthumously by her brother Heo Gyun, which gained widespread recognition in Korea, China, and Japan for its artistic brilliance and emotional depth.

During this period, Joseon Korea was a patriarchal society where women had little freedom or opportunity for education. However, Heo came from a family of scholars who recognized and nurtured her talents from a young age, allowing her to develop her skills in poetry and literature in a way that was highly unusual for women of her time.

Despite her family's support of her intellectual pursuits, Heo was not exempt from societal expectations, and at the age of 15, she was forced into an arranged marriage that would prove to be unhappy and stifling to her creative spirit.

Now, I welcome you to the story of 허난설헌 - a young girl who defied social norms to catch a glimpse of her future husband.

Let the story begin…