기생 (hanja: 妓生). Spelled gisaeng or kisaeng
Gisaeng are sort of like the geisha of Japan. They were women trained to perform as entertainers of the Korean royal court, and could write poetry and do needlework.
The most famous gisaeng is Hwang Jin-i who lived in the 16th century during the Joseon dynasty. She was also known by the name Myeongwol (“bright moon”).
In the 17th century, gisaeng were made slaves of the government and a few were forced to serve as concubines. They were legally freed in 1895.
