The other day, I watched "The Tale of Lady Ok," a story that depicts the harsh realities of the slave system during the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty. The lives of the slaves, known as "nobi," were filled with suffering and degradation. One of the most striking aspects of this tale is how these individuals were treated. They were often given names that were derogatory, such as "Gu-deok-i," which references a type of worm found in traditional latrines. This name alone highlights the disdain and lack of humanity that society had toward them.

In Joseon, roughly 40 percent of the population consisted of nobi. This is a staggering number, indicating that a significant portion of the society was born into a system of servitude. Slaves were seen as property, owned by the aristocrats, and were subjected to harsh working conditions and discrimination. They........

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