The identity of the author is unknown, and the period in which this novel was created is also unknown. Since there is mention of a
jeongisu (professional storyteller) reading
Sim Cheong-jeon in
Chujaejip (秋齋集 Collected Writings of Chujae Jo Susam), written by Jo Susam (趙秀三, 1762–1847), scholars have concluded that
Sim Cheong-jeon must have existed as a complete work in the 18th century.
Pansori novel There exist examples of the novel that closely resemble the p'ansori version, which are generically called "pansori novels". Hence it has been argued that Sim Cheong novel all derive from p'ansori, however, the converse has been argued as well, some believing that the novel version came before the
pansori. As mentioned earlier, Wanpan versions of the novels in particular are considered "p'ansori novels", and though called the novel, are practically the same as a p'ansori libretto or a script for a play. There are handwritten versions that are examples of "pansori novels" as well.
Folktale hypothesis While some commentators consider the novel to be a
folktale, detractors have noted that it is not a folktale as such. The folktale hypothesis stipulates that there must have existed a folk narrative () about Sim Cheong early on. This later became the ''p'ansori
, Sim Cheong-ga
, thence adapted as pansori-based novels, represented by the Wanpan edition group. Meanwhile, the folk narratives may have first developed into novel style, later printed in Seoul woodblock editions, then adapted to (modern) p'ansori'', or so it has been explained by one commentator.
Composite of different narratives Another school of thought is that the
Sim Cheong-jeon as is presently known did not anciently exist as a folk narrative, but was invented as a piece of fiction, cobbling together various plotlines and motifs from narratives recorded in old literature. Thus the
Sim Cheong narrative or novel may have been fictionally invented using source material found in the medieval Korean historical tracts,
Samguk sagi and
Samguk yusa. Specifically,
Hyonyeo Jieun seolhwa (, "Story of Jieun, a Filial Daughter") found in the former and
Gwaneumsa yeongi seolhwa (, "Story about the Origin of ") and (居陀知) narratives found in the latter are the candidate source materials, according to the hypothesis by .
Hyonyeo Jieun seolhwa tells the story of a girl named Jieun who took care of her mother by selling her body.
Gwaneumsa yeongi seolhwa is about Won Hongjang who made an offering to the Buddha for her father and later became an empress. After becoming an empress, she sent a statue of Gwaneum to Korea, and Gwaneum Temple was built in Gokseong to house the statue. The
Geotaji narrative (
Samguk yusa, Book 2) contains closely similar motifs, such as the sacrifice being thrown into a pond, and the dragon transforming into a flower. According to one analysis (Jung Ha-young 鄭夏英), at the base are three types of narrative or tale-types: tales about regaining eyesight, tales of virgin sacrifice, and heroic tales, with some 17 additional folklore motifs added, such as birth origins and downfall of a blind man. == Cultural references ==