Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 350

“It’s a good idea, but Joseon’s land is wider than you might think. While wrestling and bull fighting can be conducted independently in towns where entertainment venues are established, it’s not the same for entertainers. Even if we register and have all the entertainers in Joseon perform, there will still be many areas with gaps in the schedule. We can’t hold wrestling tournaments and bull fights every time that happens, can we?”

Maeng Sa-seong, who had been quietly listening to Hyang’s words, pointed out a potential problem.

Hyang immediately nodded at Maeng Sa-seong’s observation.

“Of course, that problem exists. That’s why I’m thinking of mobilizing gisaengs as an alternative.”

“Gisaengs, you say?”

“Yes, mainly government gisaengs, but we’ll select those skilled in singing or dancing among them for performances.”

As he explained, Hyang turned the page.

The next page showed a bird’s-eye view of a wooden stage to be installed in the circular arena.

“The floor of the circular arena is covered with sand. Therefore, when entertainment troupes or these gisaengs perform, we install this wooden stage for their performances.”

“It’s certainly a good method, but gisaengs are known for their sky-high pride and strong personalities. Moreover, gisaengs are known to chase profits, as the saying goes, ‘No one leaves credit at a gisaeng house.’ Will they really agree to perform?”

“Of course, it’s not for free. Those who want to see the performance must buy tickets with money. We can then pay the gisaengs an appropriate proportion of the admission fees as compensation. As for the pride issue, we should make them compete.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong’s eyes sparkled.

“Competition? You mean to pit the gisaengs against each other too?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“As I mentioned earlier, the lower limit for establishing these Comprehensive Entertainment Venues is at the county level. We divide the government gisaengs from nearby districts into groups for performances. After some time, a hierarchy will naturally form among the gisaengs. Then, if only for their pride, the gisaengs will hone their skills, and the people won’t miss the opportunity to see increasingly impressive performances. If we officially hold competitions for these skills, even more people will flock to them.”

At Hyang’s explanation, Kim Jeom interjected.

“A national competition… Considering various competitions, it seems the expenditure will be quite significant.”

“Of course, the expenditure will be considerable, but it can be less than expected.”

“How so?”

“We give the gisaeng who wins the national competition the qualification to perform at court and royal events.”

“Ah!”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong and the ministers all exclaimed in admiration.

The royal court and government had many events. While there were many solemn rituals, like those offered to sages at Confucian shrines or ancestral rites at the royal shrine, there were also many events that needed to be lively, like the birthday celebrations for the king and queen. Gisaengs were mobilized to liven up these events.

Generally, gisaengs from Hanseong were mainly selected, but there were often cases where famous gisaengs from other regions were called. Being summoned like this was a matter of pride not only for the gisaeng herself but also for the residents of her region.

“You fools! You don’t have a Maehyang! Who’s Maehyang? She’s such an excellent entertainer that she can dance before the king! You country bumpkins!”

At Hyang’s explanation, the ministers began to nod. Seeing this, Hyang moved to seal the deal.

“If we only mobilize government gisaengs, their number is limited, so we might have to repeat the same performances. If that happens, people might easily get bored and stop visiting the entertainment venues. So I’m thinking of broadening the scope of these competitions and performances.”

“Broadening the scope?”

“Yes, I’m thinking of allowing household gisaengs to participate as well. If we expand further, even private gisaengs could be included, but it’s too difficult to distinguish private gisaengs from prostitutes. I’m considering measures for this.”

“Hmm…”

At Hyang’s explanation, Sejong and the ministers pondered the possibilities.

***

Even to Sejong and the ministers, household gisaengs seemed quite a good option. Household gisaengs were female slaves selected by high-ranking aristocratic families for their beauty and trained in dance and song. They were responsible for livening up family events like banquets. Also, when important guests came from outside, they would entertain at welcoming feasts and even provide sexual services.

Because they were showcased not only within the family but also to outside guests, families that kept household gisaengs put considerable effort into their selection and training.

In the history before Hyang’s intervention, during King Munjong’s reign, Jung Bal had his female slaves learn song and dance, and it was rumored that their skills surpassed those of gisaengs. Even during King Seongjong’s time, Hong Yun-seong and An Bin-se taught their slaves to play the flute and geomungo. (Note 1)

Of course, there was the issue that they weren’t official gisaengs but slaves, but since gisaengs were also of the lower class, it didn’t seem to be a significant problem.

However, Sejong pointed out a different issue.

“The noble families are not to be underestimated when it comes to pride. Will they easily allow their household gisaengs to perform on stage?”

“Would they give up the opportunity to show off their household gisaengs’ skills before you, Father? Moreover, those who place in the top ranks at the national competition will be given the opportunity for a nationwide tour. Everyone across the country will know the family’s name, and the profits gained in the process won’t be small, will they?”

“Hmm…”

“Of course, there’s a very high possibility that issues of exploitation will arise. Therefore, government and household gisaengs who place in the top ranks will sign contracts regarding the distribution of performance profits created by the court, and all profits will be transacted only through the battlefield treasury.”

“Hmm…”

At Hyang’s explanation, Sejong thought it plausible, but he still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was lacking.

“But even with nationwide tours, would that really generate significant profits?”

To Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately replied.

“There’s a saying in the marketplace, ‘Row when the tide comes in.’ Of course, we should create additional revenue.”

“Additional revenue?”

“We’ll make and sell portraits and dolls of the most famous gisaengs and household gisaengs during their performances. We’ll gather artists from the Royal Academy of Painting and famous private painters to create portraits and dolls for sale. Of course, we shouldn’t forget to sell high-priced limited editions or original versions directly painted by the artists, not mass-produced through printing.”

“Would portraits or dolls really make money?”

At Sejong’s question, Yi Jik, who had been listening silently, spoke up.

“It seems they would. According to rumors in the marketplace, there are many men who want to obtain portraits of famous gisaengs out of admiration and keep them.”

“They should just get married instead…”

At Sejong’s words that came out unconsciously, Yi Jik replied with a bitter smile.

“If one lacks wealth, it’s difficult even to form marital ties, Your Majesty.”

Even in this period, marriage was an expensive affair. Of course, it was common to start a household with just a bowl of cold water, but if one wanted to follow proper etiquette, it cost a considerable amount of money.

Clicking his tongue at Yi Jik’s explanation, Sejong asked Hyang again.

“But you mentioned selling limited editions. Would limited editions really make money?”

To Sejong’s question, Hyang nodded firmly.

“They will! For example, have you forgotten the case of the Tripitaka Koreana sold to Japanese lords?”

“Ah!”

‘Based on my experience of being devoted to fandom for a while, it definitely works!’

***

“If their name becomes known throughout Joseon, there will be families willing to participate.”

“Wouldn’t there be more families that object, saying it lowers their status?”

“If they’re so concerned about status, they shouldn’t raise household gisaengs in the first place!”

As Sejong and the ministers pondered the possibilities while listening to Hyang’s explanation, their opinions were gradually converging towards accepting Hyang’s proposal.

Watching this from the side, Hyang muttered inwardly.

‘Isn’t this how entertainment agencies are created? Wow… Are we creating entertainment agencies with over 500 years of history?’

As expected of a disciple of Master Samcheonpo, Hyang’s imagination was wandering off course.

***

Hundreds of years later, one day.

A pretty-faced girl excitedly sought out her mother.

“Mom! Mom! I got a scouting offer!”

At her daughter’s words, the girl’s mother, who was in the kitchen, immediately approached her. Her face was full of expectation.

“Really? From where?”

“HH Enter!”

“HH Enter? Where’s that?”

“Hanseong Hong Entertainment! They say it has over 150 years of history!”

At the girl’s words, her mother muttered in a disappointed voice.

“Only 150 years? With our daughter’s beauty, she should go to an agency like PY (Papyeong Yun) Agency or KC (Gyeongju Choi) Agency with about 300 or 400 years of history…”

“Mom! Do you know how fierce the competition is at those places? And 150 years is no small history! Do you know how many agencies are out there with only about 50 years of history?”

***

“Crown Prince?”

“Yes, Father!”

Hyang, who had been lost in his Samcheonpo-like imagination, startled back to reality when Sejong called him.

“Where did your mind wander off to suddenly?”

“I apologize. I stayed up all night working on this plan, so I’m a bit tired…”

“Don’t be overconfident about your health just because you’re young. Take care. I’ll call the royal physician for you.”

“I’m overwhelmed by your grace.”

After this brief exchange, Sejong posed a more serious question.

“What’s the purpose of the pavilion in the Comprehensive Entertainment Venue we saw earlier?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately answered.

“That pavilion is a place to attract those addicted to gambling.”

Hyang turned the page.

After turning a few pages, a bird’s-eye view of the pavilion and a page with brief explanations appeared.

“As you can see…”

According to Hyang’s explanation, the structure and purpose of the pavilion were as follows:

– The pavilion is built with a minimum of 3 floors.

– The ground floor, which is the first floor, is used for performances by entertainers and gisaengs during rainy days or winter.

– The second floor is a general gambling hall, a place for playing dominos and dice games. The entire second floor is divided into about 10 spaces, each for playing dice or domino gambling.

– Access to the second floor is limited to adult men and women.

– As men and women are segregated, a certain area of the second floor is designated for women.

– Only dominoes, dice, and game boards provided by the gambling hall can be used for gambling. If anyone is found using unauthorized dice or dominoes, their identity is immediately recorded and they are expelled. If this is repeated 4 times, they are immediately reported to the authorities and charged with illegal gambling.

– Only colored wooden coins that can only be used in the gambling hall are allowed for betting in the gambling games.

– Those who want to participate in gambling must exchange their money at the exchange booth created at the entrance of the gambling hall.

– The amount that can be exchanged varies according to social status. Commoners can exchange up to 50 copper coins at a time and can exchange three times a day. Nobles can exchange up to 10 nyang of silver at a time and can exchange five times a day.

– When exchanging real money for colored wooden coins, a fee of 5 pun is deducted, and when exchanging colored wooden coins back to real money, 5 pun is deducted. However, no fee is charged for amounts of 5 copper coins or less.

“The purpose of charging this fee and limiting the number of exchanges is not only to generate revenue through exchanges but also to prevent excessive immersion and squandering of wealth.”

“That’s good. Then what about the third floor?”

“It’s for those who play baduk and janggi.”

“Oh?”

Sejong and the ministers’ eyes sparkled at the idea of creating a separate space, and the highest one at that, for playing baduk and janggi.

Although it had degenerated into gambling, baduk was a game that all educated people were expected to master.

***

Note 1) The Reality of Gisaeng Roles in the Joseon Dynasty. Jung Yeon-sik (Professor of History at Seoul Women’s University). Collection of Papers from the National Institute of Korean History, Vol. 107. National Institute of Korean History. August 10, 2005.