gisaeng

Gisaeng were women in Korea's Joseon Dynasty who were trained in arts, literature, music, and social graces, and were often employed as entertainers and companions for male elites. They were not prostitutes in the modern sense, though some may have engaged in sexual relationships. Their primary role was to provide entertainment, conversation, and often intellectual companionship.

Gisaeng were educated and skilled. They learned classical music, dance, poetry, calligraphy, and conversation. Their training typically began at a young age and was rigorous. They lived in designated gisaeng houses or sometimes within royal palaces. While their lives were structured and often confined, they held a unique social position, bridging the gap between the aristocratic class and the commoners.

Socially, gisaeng occupied a complex and often ambiguous status. They were not considered respectable women like noble ladies, nor were they laborers. Their profession required a high degree of refinement and artistry, which distinguished them from other female entertainers. Their existence was deeply embedded in the social and cultural fabric of Joseon society, contributing to the arts and entertainment of the era.