〈설공찬전〉이 실화에서 유래한 소설일 가능성

This paper aims to prove the possibility that Sulgongchan-jun resulted from a true story. The studies that have been done so far conjectured that the novel would be a pure fiction. However, on some evidences found, it is very likely that Sulgongchan-jun is from a real-life story. The main evidences are as follows:<BR> First, what was mentioned about Sulgongchan-jun in Chosunwangjosillok constitutes a good evidence. As early as 1511, in the royal meeting that was summoned for the clarification of this work and the author, one of the courtiers said that Sulgongchan-jun was written to a true event and no one objected. That Chaesu the author was a relative to the main character Sulgongchan was also mentioned. The analysis of Sul family`s pedigree confirms that Sulchungnan the main character`s father was a nephew of Chaesu.<BR> Second, it is confirmed that the name of Sulgongchim is also listed in such pedigrees as Munwharyussisebo (1562) and Ssijokwonryu (c. 17th century). The researcher was also able to locate the name of Gongyang which is presumed to be Sulgongchan`s another name.<BR> Third, the final statement of Sulgongchan-jun that was quoted in Eosukkwon`s Paegwanjopki (c. 16th century) also tells us that Sulgongchan-jun was not meant to be a fictional story but a true story where the visit to Hades was to be recorded by the ghost of Sulgongchan which was allowed to abide on earth for three months.<BR> The claim that this paper carries has the following two implications for the historical development of Old Korean Novel.<BR> To begin with, this work should be reexamined since it must have started as a writing that was intended to record a true story of main characters, i.e., Sulgongchan and Sulgongchim.<BR> Next, the researcher believes that, by means of this study, enough evidences have been found to add to the formative paths of early Korean novels the schema of 〈true story → novel〉.