Jin Chae-seon

Jin Chae-seon
Background information
Native name	진채선
Born	1842 or 1847 Gochang County, Jeolla, Joseon
Died	unknown
Genres	pansori
Occupation(s)	singer

Jin Chae-seon
Hangul	진채선
Hanja	陳彩仙
Revised Romanization	Jin Chae-seon
McCune–Reischauer	Chin Ch'aesŏn

Jin Chae-seon (born 1842 or 1847) was a Korean pansori singer, widely regarded as the first female master of a male dominated genre, although she was probably not the first woman to perform pansori, as gisaeng courtesans might have performed it before her. She was a master of performing Chunhyangga and Simcheongga.

Jin was born in what is today Gochang County in North Jeolla province, as the daughter of a female shaman. She had a talent for singing since her childhood. She was discovered by pansori patron Shin Jae-hyo at the age of 17 and learnt pansori singing and performance at his school. He took her in as his student despite the social stigma that did not allow women to perform pansori at the time. At age 22, she was sent by Shin to the palace to perform at a celebratory dinner, disguised as a man. There she caught the attention of Heungseon Daewongun (the father of Gojong of Korea). The Daewongun appreciated Jin's singing talent and kept her at the palace as a court singer. According to the Doosan Encyclopedia, Jin became the Daewongun's concubine, as well.

Shin became devastated at the loss of his student, for whom he had romantic feelings. He dedicated a pansori to her, titled The song of the Peach Blossom (도리화가). When the Daewongun fell out of power, Jin returned to her already ill mentor and stayed by his side until his death. After Shin's passing, she disappeared without a trace and neither the date nor the place of her death is known.

Jin Chae-seon's life story was adapted into a feature film in 2015, titled The Sound of a Flower, starring Bae Suzy as Jin.

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