Glorification of Sin Saimdang: The Image of Artist of Jeoson Era

This study raises the issue of the image of the Joseon-era artist, Shin Saimdang, shaped in the collective consciousness of South Korean society. Specifically, it examines the situation of the artist’s portrait on the 50,000 won banknote. The purpose of this study is to find out which image of Shin Saimdang in Korean society has influenced this decision of the government. The paper examines three different reasons: 1) the portrait of Shin Saimdang is depicted because she is an exemplary Confucian wife and mother; 2) Shin Saimdang is an image of a strong woman who, despite the strict rules of Confucian society, could do what she liked; 3) Shin Saimdang is only indirectly related to the issue of gender roles in Korean society.