Book Talk: 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴: 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘴ŏ𝘯 𝘒𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘢 (1392–1910)

Asia Center Author Book Talk Series

Author: Jungwon Kim, King Sejong Associate Professor of Korean Studies, Columbia University 

Moderator: Sun Joo Kim, Harvard-Yenching Professor of Korean History, Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University

About the book: Virtue That Matters is a groundbreaking exploration of the intricate dynamics of chastity culture in Chosŏn Korea from 1392 to 1910, shedding light on its political, legal, social, and cultural significance. In this book, Jungwon Kim demonstrates how an emphasis on female chastity came to pervade society as it intertwined with state ideology and elite interests. By analyzing a copious range of sources including governmental publications, legal records, and women’s own writings, Kim unveils the rich tapestry of Chosŏn society’s attitudes toward female chastity and argues that extreme chastity culture was not merely a product of Confucianization but was also shaped by diverse social forces and individual agency. Furthermore, Kim reframes the discourse on chastity by focusing on women’s experiences and perspectives, challenging the traditional portrayal of women as marginal to Chosŏn history.

Virtue That Matters illustrates the complex interplay between state-led indoctrination, socio-legal changes, and gender relations in Chosŏn Korea. Kim also shows how the discourse on women’s chastity evolved over time and continued to influence social dynamics well into the twentieth century. By highlighting the enduring legacy of chastity culture in modern Korean society, Virtue That Matters provides valuable insights into contemporary debates on gender and sexuality.