ABSTRACT
The Tale of Aide Pae was initially one of twelve p’ansori stories transmitted until the midto late-19 th century, but after the transmission of the p’ansori-style version was cut off, the story remained in its novelised form. It tells the tale of Aide Pae, a middle-ranking military official who is dispatched to Jeju Island, and instantly offends all his colleagues by telling them off for playing with kisaeng at his welcome party, instead of showing proper behaviour suitable for Confucian gentlemen. Pae’s servant, Pangja, makes a bet with him that he will be seduced into losing his composure over a woman, and with the help of Jeju’s most beautiful kisaeng, Aerang, this is exactly what happens. In the end, Pae is caught having snuck into Aerang’s chambers, and mocked by everyone for his pretentiousness. This story provides a pointedly satirical view of the reality behind the façade of perfect Confucian behaviour, as well as a humorous opportunity for the lower class (servants and kisaeng) to humiliate the upper class and put it back in its place.
