Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 337

Episode 337: Fashion Revolution (5)

“Ha… I’m so pissed…”

Hyang grumbled in her room as her attempts at not only the topknot but also the gacha were repeatedly thwarted.

Everyone recognized the name and power of the incense, but the wall of tradition could not be broken down by the name and power of the incense.

“I muttered it as a joke at the time, but it might have been more comfortable in the era of the imperialist powers.”

Hyang sat with his arms crossed and glared at the blank paper.

* * *

The era of imperialism in the 19th century. Getting rid of platitudes was a symbol of modernization.

“Let’s break away from the long period of crouching and move forward like sheep!”

“Look at the culture and clothing of those sheep! Look at the skyscrapers where those sheep live! “Shouldn’t we live like that too?”

“If we want to live like them, we must break away from the old habits and evil practices of the past! There is no time!”

For those who called for such rapid and active openness and modernization, the topknot was a symbol of old customs that needed to be broken down.

Therefore, after announcing the short hair order for ‘hygiene’ reasons, they chose enforcement instead of enlightenment.

The problem was that the people’s dissatisfaction grew as they chose coercion instead of enlightenment. There, the Japanese, who were swallowing up Joseon one by one, all had short hair and were wearing suits.

Thanks to this, the people of Joseon regarded it as ‘short hair = pro-Japanese’ and encountered strong resistance.

However, through the reconstruction period that followed independence, the concept that took root among Koreans was ‘topknot = uncivilized & conservative’.

* * *

“The problem is that the West is actually lagging behind in the current situation. “Even if you try your best, you’re still two or three steps behind.”

Hyang tapped the desk with his fingers and muttered.

As Hyang said, Europe at this time was far behind in all aspects compared to Joseon China.

“In this situation, I can’t say that I should follow the example of Seoyi, even if my mouth is crooked. And that damn hairstyle…”

Based on the information obtained through Pietro Raphael Mansour and the information provided by alchemists and mathematicians, Europe was at the end of the Middle Ages and just before the beginning of the Renaissance.

* * *

France, the most powerful country in Europe, was fighting the 100 Years’ War with England. Even though it was said that the battle was mainly for negotiation, the war was a war.

Because I remembered the hairstyle from a 21st century movie, I was saying that the scent was a damn hairstyle.

Most of the men’s hairstyles in movies about Joan of Arc, the icon of the 100 Years’ War, were either ho-seop hair (Note 1) or bobbed hair with the front part cut straight. (Note 2) As a fragrance,

it was dead. It was a hairstyle that could not be said to be cool. In particular, for Ho-seop, who cuts his hair in a two-block style, this hairstyle requires as much maintenance as a topknot to look stylish.

Hyang shook her head to shake off the memory and continued to grumble.

“The next period is also a problem.”

The popular hairstyle for European men during the Renaissance was shoulder-length long hair. Most of the time, the long hair that was grown that way was worn loose or the ends were rounded inwards. If the Joseon people saw it, it was the ‘Bongdu Rampant’ style that would make a fool of himself.

The subsequent hairstyle of the 17th and 18th centuries consisted of gathering the hair grown in that way and braiding it. Those in public office and nobles wore white wigs or powdered their hair to make it white. As expected, if Koreans had seen this, they would have said, ‘You’d better put on a topknot!’ And he was the type to click his tongue and say, ‘Why is that guy spraying powder on his head?’

* * *

After thinking for a while, Hyang scratched his head nervously and muttered.

“Shit! Should I commit it first like in the old days of Wudu? Now, even if I just commit it, I don’t think there will be anyone who will stumble…”

As the event progressed, Hyang predicted the possibility, recalling the government ministers who had become accustomed to change.

“If the noblemen of the past or the Confucian Taliban I knew had seen the mindset of the current government ministers, they would have said, ‘You bastards! Stay right there! Take my poison and go!’ There is a possibility because it is in a condition to do it… but it is still uneasy….”

Before the Hyang intervened, when the short hair order was announced in history, the words shouted by those who opposed it were ‘Hyojisiya, the issuance of a body and the insensitivity of Suji’s parents. It was ‘Brother, father, mother, 不敢毁傷, 孝之始也)’. Therefore, while creating the basis for the short hair order, the Hyang prepared counterarguments to be used in case this statement was made – pear coaching, nail trimming, etc. However, the ministers only insisted that there was a tradition and an alternative.

So, even though Hyang predicted the possibility, I felt uneasy. The topknot was a tradition handed down from the Gojoseon period. Even if the scent was wrong, it could lead to fatal political controversy and, in the worst case, could result in the person being dethroned.

Hyang continued to scratch his head and mutter.

“It’s a bit weird to go with a Western style all the time… But considering hygiene issues, it’s necessary…” After thinking

for a while, Hyang quenched his appetite.

“As expected, I guess I’ll have to go two-track. “As time goes by, I have no choice but to get used to short hair and expand my options.”

After deciding on the direction, the scent soon selected an appropriate target.

“As expected of a soldier….”

* * *

The biggest reason why King Sejong and his ministers opposed it was, ‘If hair hygiene is a problem, you can wash it often.’

“But the problem is that the military, especially the cavalry that is stationed in the north and patrols long distances, and the navy that goes on long-distance voyages, often cannot catch up. If you claim a single shot based on non-combat losses due to disease, the chances are high. And, if it is used in place of a keepsake (an item used by the deceased during his or her lifetime), it can also be symbolic. Phew~.”

Hyang sighed and came to a conclusion.

“It will be okay if we leave like this.”

* * *

I tried to find a way to proceed with two tracks, but the scent felt like something was lacking.

“I advised you to wash your hair often, but you probably won’t get much response. “It’s not easy for someone to take off a topknot and then put it back on again.”

Hyang, who was scratching his head while talking about the problem, spat out an expletive in frustration.

“Ah! Why is my head itchy like this? It’s only been two days since I took a bath or washed my hair! Bath….”

The scent that was about to call the eunuch stopped for a moment.

After thinking for a moment, Hyang immediately snapped his fingers.

“This is it!”

* * *

The next day, at the summons of the township, the vice ministers of the Ministry of Finance and Economy headed to the East Palace.

“Lowering! “The vice ministers of the Ministry of Finance and Economy heard this.”

“Please stop by.”

“yes. in.”

The vice ministers who entered inside under the guidance of the eunuch politely bowed to the incense.

“Welcome. nice to meet you huh?”

Hyang, who was giving his thanks to the vice ministers, smiled happily when he saw the familiar face.

“No, this! Isn’t this Saengwon Lim? long time no see! By the way, did you ride as deputy minister? congratulations!”

Lim Sun-wook, who entered government service by force under the guise of a special appointment from King Sejong, had already risen to prominence as a vice minister.

Lim Soon-wook, seeing Hyang’s face full of joy, responded with a humble face.

“Thanks to His Majesty the Lord’s great grace, this ugly person has suddenly become successful.”

“ha ha ha! Abama is always fair in that regard, so I understand the capabilities of Lim Saeng-won, or Vice Minister Lim. By the way, where are you in charge?”

“I am currently serving as the 3rd Vice Minister of Finance and Economy.”

Hyang’s face brightened even more at Lim Sun-wook’s answer.

The first vice minister of finance was in charge of national finance, the second vice minister was in charge of overseas trade, and the third vice minister was in charge of domestic prices and market trends.

‘Captain Kim nailed it properly! This will make things so much easier! ‘Good start!’

“Why did you call the gods?”

In response to the First Vice Minister’s question, Hyang slowly began to tell the story.

“Do you know that not long ago, I suggested to Abama that she should cut her hair short?”

“yes.”

“Do you know why you insisted on short hair?”

“Yes, I heard that it is for preventing diseases. But I heard that Your Majesty rejected it.”

Hyang nodded in response to the First Vice Minister’s answer.

“Yes, the reason was that I had to wash it often. But yes. To be honest, isn’t it easy for the average person to wash their hair often?”

The vice ministers nodded at Hyang’s point. As the scent emphasized public hygiene and was actually effective, people took baths more often than in the past. Even if you couldn’t take a bath for one reason or another, it was common to wash your face every day.

But my head wasn’t like that. It was quite a hassle to take off the topknot and then open it again. More than that, it was a real hassle to untangle and wash my hair, which was so messy and tangled.

After checking the reactions of the vice ministers, Hyang got to the point.

“So, I have a job that I thought of.”

“You mean work?”

“yes. “It improves the people’s hair hygiene and creates new jobs, which are helpful to their daily lives.”

After finishing speaking, Hyang picked up the paper on the desk and showed it to the vice ministers.

The vice ministers who saw the words written on the paper cocked their heads.

“Sebalbang (洗髮房)?”

Hyang explained about Sebalbang to the vice ministers.

“You can wash your hair while taking a bath, but it is not easy. So, we are creating a business that specializes in hair washing. You unwrap the topknot, wrap it up, and then twist the topknot again. “A basic haircut costs 1 won. In addition to a hair wash to remove lice and fleas, it costs 2 won. If you add trimming, such as a tummy tuck, how about 3 won?”

The idea of the incense was based on experiences of the 21st century. Washing one’s hair at a hair salon or hair salon was a basic service. However, it gave me a much more refreshing feeling than washing my hair myself at home, and some salons or hair salons even offer hair washing and drying as separate products.

From what I remember of the scent, it was quite an addictive product.

* * *

After listening to Hyang’s explanation, the vice ministers began the analysis with serious faces.

When I first heard the word “sebalbang,” it seemed like something out of the blue. However, after hearing the detailed explanation, all the vice ministers came to the same thought.

‘There is a possibility!’

While he was pondering this, the first person to speak up was Lim Soon-wook.

“Among the reports coming to God, there were several similar reports…”

Lim Sun-wook paused for a moment and searched for memories. After briefly remembering, Soonwook Lim answered more accurately.

“There were three cases in total. “I heard that they offer hair washing at several bathhouses in Suwon, Kaesong, and Pyongyang.”

Hyang asked with interest in Lim Soon-wook’s answer.

“What do you think the reaction will be?”

“I heard it’s pretty good. “There are many people who don’t understand paying money to wash their hair, but those who experience it once become regular customers.”

“That’s it! So, let’s implement this nationwide. It can be installed in a bathroom or in a separate room. No, since I’m just washing my hair, it would be better to create a separate store!”

In this way, the township and vice ministers had a serious discussion about Sebalbang.

Three days later, an official document was created and it was immediately sent to King Sejong.

“Will the people pay money?”

Hyang immediately answered King Sejong’s question.

“I’m going to reel it in!”

‘It’s not just cats that love grooming!’

In response to Hyang’s response, Sejong looked at the plan once again. Sejong came to a conclusion when he saw that the names of the three vice ministers of the Ministry of Finance and Economy were listed in addition to Hyang.

“Seeing that not only the Crown Prince but all three Vice Ministers of Finance and Economy are involved, it seems likely. “Permission is granted.”

In this way, ‘Sebalbang’, one of Joseon’s famous products, was born.

* * *

At first, it was a hair salon that everyone looked at, but soon there was a steady stream of customers. The refreshing feeling felt from the hair washed by those who were accustomed to washing their hair was because it was highly addictive.

Of course, sometimes something happened where I couldn’t laugh or cry.

“I don’t have much hair, so shouldn’t I shave it off?”

“Don’t you think about the expense of getting a fancy top bun with that little hair?”

* * *

Note 1) http://blog.naver.com/PostView.nhn?blogId=altnrdl1&logNo=221273522170

https://brunch.co.kr/@peopletoday/3

Note 2) https://news.joins. com/article/8161619

Please look at the hairstyle of the man standing behind Joan of Arc.