Sung Kan. (1427—1456 A.D.)
Korean poets set Wang So-Koon beside the Lady Yang in the tragic and romantic quality of their histories. She is described as “beautiful as the dawn and graceful as a willow.” During the reign of the Emperor Wunje (48—32. B.C.) the Turk Hyoong-no demanded the gift of a beautiful woman in exchange for promises of peace. His ravages had already been so terrible that the Emperor capitulated and ordered that portraits of court ladies should be painted so that he might make a selection. A Minister, Mo Yun-soo, seized the opportunity to extort money from the women, who gave him rich rewards to have their faces painted beautiful. Wang So-Koon refused to pay and, in revenge, Mo had her painted with defects and irregularities of feature. The Emperor therefore picked her as the one to be sent to the Turk. When he saw how beautiful she was he realised the cruel trick which had been played and was beside himself with rage and grief, but could not break his word. So-Koon had to mount her camel and ride away across the desert with the Turk. She did not go far, however, for when they reached the River of the Black Dragon she plunged into the water and ended her sorrow. A high mound on the bank marks her grave. It is known as the “Verdant Tomb.”
Riding towards the north,
Watched through the darkness by the desert stars,
I think of her who, desolate, alone,
Halted her camel here.
Like flowers below the moon
The beauty of all other maidens seemed
To one who looked a moment on her face.
Yet under these cold stars she came to die
Here, where I draw my rein, remembering her.