The Laughing Bear, and Other Stories

In a regal Korean court where childhood is swiftly replaced by duty, a bright‑eyed princess named Chonwa faces an arranged betrothal at the tender age of eight. One afternoon, a ruthless intruder attacks the royal garden, stabbing the queen and snatching the frightened girl. Just as the kidnapper prepares to flee, a massive, grinning bear—known as the Laughing Bear—intervenes, driving the assailant away and briefly rescuing Chonwa before the palace guards intervene.

Years later, the princess is thrust into a new nightmare: a harsh governess, a veil that hides her face, and a forced marriage to an elderly, pig‑like noble. As the wedding ceremony looms, Chonwa clings to the memory of her shaggy savior, hoping for a miracle. When the priest begins the rites, a deep, resonant growl erupts from the palace entrance, halting the proceedings and hinting that the Laughing Bear may yet return.