史實에서 괴리된 근간의 ‘李舜臣’ 실명소설

On the Recent ‘Yi Sun-Sin’ Novels with Severe Historical Distortions

본 논고는 근래에 출판된 李舜臣 實名소설 세 편에 대해 史實과 다르거나 또는 허위날조된 내용들을 검토, 정리한 것이다. 우선 2001년에 동인문학상을 수상한 김훈의 『칼의 노래』(2001년)와 김탁환의 『불멸』(1998년)에 대해 살펴보았다. 이 두 소설은 한국방송공사(KBS)의 역사드라마 ‘불멸의 이순신’(2004년 9월 4일 첫 방송)의 원작으로 선정되기도 하였다. 또 일본의 대중소설인 아라야마 토오루의 『조선비첩』 (原題 : 高麗秘帖, 1999년)에 대해서도 간략하게 검토하였다. 『칼의 노래』는 대통령과 K장관이 격찬한 책이라 하여 한동안 화젯거리가 되기도 하였으며, 지금까지 국어학자 이익섭과 소설가 송우혜의 비판과 함께 간략한 서평도 있었다. 본 논고에서는 소설의 내용 중에서 주로 이순신의 친필일기 또는 여타의 기록 사료와 현저한 차이가 있는 부분에 대해서만 간추려 보았다. 『불멸』에 대해서는 송우혜의 면밀한 검토가 있었으므로, 여기서는 몇몇 사항만을 추가 지적하였다. 『조선비첩』의 작가는 한국어판 저자 서문에서, 『조선비첩』은 정통 역사소설이 아니라 時代傳奇小說이며, 난중일기 등의 사료를 바탕으로 뼈대를 세우고 거기에 허구를 입힌 것이라고 솔직하게 언급하고 있다. 그러나 허구의 범위를 제외한 내용 중에서도 史實과 다른 부분이 허다하므로, 그러한 사항들을 간략하게 살펴보았다.

In recent years, following three pseudo-historical novels using the real names of Admiral Yi Sun-Sin and others for the characters have been published: □ Song of Sword(Saenggakŭi namu ed., 2001) by Kim Hoon(김훈), □ Immortal(Miraejiseong ed., 1998) by Kim Tak-Hwan(김탁환), □ Korai Hicho(高麗秘帖, title of Korean version : Chosŏnbichŏp, Shodensha Inc., Japan, 1999) by Arayama Toru(荒山 徹). This review reveals the distortions as well as malicious fabrications that appear in these novels concerning the life history of Admiral Yi Sun-Sin. The authenticity of the historical contents of the three novels has been carefully examined by comparing with those recorded in Yi Sun-Sin’s War Diary and other relevant sources. The examination has identified and confirmed numerous historical descriptions in the novels to be false. Such items are specified and annotated with critical comments in the main text of this review. Kim Hoon, the author of the novel Song of Sword, depicts Yŏjin(女眞) who appears in Yi Sun-Sin’s War Diary, as a woman. He then describes numerous bizarre sexual scenes of Yi Sun-Sin and Yŏjin in his novel. Despite there being no evidence to assume Yŏjin to be a name of woman from the Yi Sun-Sin’s War Diary, the writer appears to take a lecherous pleasure in presenting perverted affairs between Yi Sun-Sin and Yŏjin. Such a fictional setup is utterly unacceptable, as it describes one of Yi Sun-Sin’s most unhappy times. At the time, not only was Yi Sun-Sin in mourning for the unexpected death of his mother, but also he had been dismissed from his office of Supreme Commander of Naval Forces(水軍統制使). In the War Diary, it is recorded that Yi Sun-Sin mourned and mourned over the mother’s death and over the misfortune of himself. In the Kim Tak-Hwan’s Immortal, historical distortions are too numerous to relate. This review will thus focus just on the 4th volume of the novel which is sufficient for surmising the outline of the novel and the intent of the author. It is evident that the author attempts to depict Yi Sun-Sin’s respect for Wŏn Kyun throughout the novel. However, the Yi Sun-Sin’s evaluation of Wŏn Kyun reflected in his memorials sent to the Court and in his War Diary, suggests such depiction is unfounded. The novel also includes other preposterous scenes such as the one in which Yi Sun-Sin plots a coup d’état with his staff officers, which is a pure fabrication. In reviewing the Japanese writer Arayama Toru’s Korai Hicho, it should be pointed out that the novel has many descriptions severely distorted from the historical facts. Additionally, the novel includes several scenes depicting the obscene sexuality as well as the brutality which are perhaps more befitting of typical Japanese popular novels. The author also seems to revel in concocting some ridiculous plots in the novel such as one in which a Japanese commander dispatches assassins to infiltrate the Yi Sun-Sin’s fleet to kill Yi Sun-Sin only to be defeated by another Japanese commander who tries to save Yi Sun-Sin. In conclusion, it is clear that the character Yi Sun-Sin in these novels does not depict the historical Admiral ‘Yi Sun-Sin’ who achieved the most distinguished victories during the Japanese invasion(1592～1598). Also, it is evident that the main aims of the three authors are not in presenting a story based on historical facts, but in writing popular novels and profiteering from using the name of ‘Yi Sun-Sin’ as a commercial brand to hoard popularity. Finally, it is emphasized that biography is the only true history and precise biography realizes a true historical novel.