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Hong Nai-pom, a MythSource painting
Korean

Hong Nai-pom

01Identity

Hong Nai-pom in Korean tradition

Hong Nai-pom was believed dead after a ten-day fever in 1594, but his body revived and he reported a dreamlike journey through a Buddhist-framed underworld. A golden-faced Buddha identified a mistaken summons and ordered his return. The story later said that Hong reached the predicted age and rank; he remained distinct from the other Hong of Chon-ju named in the account.

SourceKorean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 2)· Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 3)· Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 4)· Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 5)· Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 6)· Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 7)· Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 8)· Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 9)· Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 10)· Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 11)· Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 12)· Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies (Im Bang / James S. Gale, 1913): Hong’s Experiences In Hades (EPUB text block 13)

Top questions

The quick answers

02The myths

The myths of Hong Nai-pom

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Hong Nai-pom Returns from the Underworld

In 1594, Hong Nai-pom suffered ten days of fever and was believed to have died. His family prepared him for burial and placed him in a coffin. After they left, his wife remained beside the body. It turned and fell, frightening her; when the family gathered, Hong's body resumed its functions and he lived. He then described what he had experienced while apparently dead.

In his dreamlike account, guards brought him before an underworld scribe. The scribe accused him of conduct that, within the story's Buddhist frame, deserved punishment. Hong protested that he had been condemned by mistake. A golden-faced Buddha arrived and confirmed that officials had meant to summon another Hong, from Chon-ju. The Buddha said that Hong's life should continue until he reached eighty-three and attained a particular examination rank. Since he had arrived in the underworld, the Buddha asked him to look around and report what he had seen.

His guides took him through places where the tale linked punishment to stirring strife, lying, and deceiving the public while holding office. They also showed him the Home of the Blessed, where people who had kept their faith were shown as having escaped those trials. The Buddha asked Hong what he thought of the vision; Hong bowed and thanked him. The scribe then ordered the guards to escort him away.

On the way, Hong awoke and found that four days had passed. He later boasted of the experience. In later life he reached the predicted age of eighty-three and attained the named rank.

Hong Nai-pom Returns from the Underworld, a MythSource painting of the scene