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Throughout the long history of Korea, Choe Chi-won (857-915 A.D.) stood as the most eminent scholar of the Unified Silla period.
He is well-known to us as the father of Korean literature and the progenitor of the Gyeongju Choe clan with the pen name "Goun," meaning Lonesome Cloud.
I myself am a native Gyeongju, a member of the Choe family and am a 32nd generation descendent of Choe Chi-won. Consequently, I always feel sentimental and full of nostalgia when I reflect on our ancestors and all that they accomplished.
Born in Gyeongju, from an early age Choe demonstrated exceptional intelligence and a unique literary talent in poetry and prose.
Hoping to undertake higher studies, Choe journeyed to Tang, China at the age of 12 and immersed himself in studies there, Choe passed the Chinese state examination and served as a government official in Yangzhou city. Later, he was appointed as an aid to the commander of the military forces during Huang Chao's invasion of Changan, the Tang capital in 880. Subsequently, he wrote "Gyeokhwang-soseo, (a Manifesto Chastising Huang Chao), criticizing the rebellion.
Huang Chao was so taken aback by the letter that he fainted and fell from his chair upon reading it. The letter played a pivotal role in the suppression of the rebellion, proving once again the accuracy of the proverb "the pen is mightier than the sword".
In recognition of Choe's brilliant strategic thinking, Emperor Xizong rewarded him with a promotion to the War Ministry, and then as Magistrate of Lishui .
During his 17 years in China, Choe achieved great literary fame for his erudite writings which included an anthology of the 100 greatest Chinese writers and many other historical textbooks.
When President Park Geun-hye visited China in June last year, Chinese President Xi Jingping emphasized the close ties between Korea and China by quoting Choe's poem "Ship floating on the sea".
Choe returned home in 884 and attempted to revive the Silla Kingdom through social reforms based on his formative experiences in China and the depth of his learning and scholarship. However, afraid of social reform and adverse to change, the aristocrats in the central government rejected his ideas.
After becoming discouraged by the limitations imposed on him because of his lack of social standing combined with the impotence of the waning Silla Dynasty, Choe resigned from public service.
He wandered throughout Korea immersing himself in writing. Living as a hermit at Buddhist temples such as Haein-sa, Ssanggye-sa and Bongam-sa in the silent serenity of the mountains, he continued to personify the noblest ideals of theKorean spirit, and combining precepts of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism, he took a unique approach to establishing harmonious relations between these spheres.
His reflection of the loneliness of human existence and the creativity of the mind in the following poem indicates to me how dejected he felt about social rejection in Korea.
On a Rainy Autumn night:
The autumn wind sings its melancholy song.
So few friends have I had all my life in this wide world.
Outside my window rain falls through the song watches of the night.
Sitting by the light of a solitary lamp, my thoughts drift ten thousand miles.
Choe's distinctive writings are collectively titled Kyewon-pilgyeong, or Ploughing with a Writing Brush in a Cassia Garden and include his letters, poetry, official prose, private prose, his celebrated Manifesto and stele inscriptions.
As a reformer he may not have experienced success, but his accomplishments outlasted the events of his time and his fame transcended the petty rivalries and squabbles of his era. On the wall of my house hangs a stone rubbing of the inscription on the monument at SSangge-sa Temple written by Choe Chi-won. The inscription still inspires me to shine forth as Korea's cultural hero even more than an acclaimed writer with the highest academic credentials.
Choe Chong-dae is a guest columnist of The Korea Times and the president of Dae-kwang International Co., as well as a director of the Korean-Swedish Association. He can be reached at dkic98@Chol.com.
