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Heo Gyun

1569 – 1618

Korean writer

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About Heo Gyun

Lived 1569 – 1618 (aged 48). Heo Gyun was a Korean poet, autobiographer, writer, politician and philosopher.

Hŏ Kyun (; 3 November 1569 – 12 October 1618) was a Korean novelist, poet, and politician during the Joseon period. He was also known by his art names, Kyosan and Sŏngso .

Biography Hŏ Kyun was born into the Yangcheon Heo clan in the city of Gangneung to Hŏ Yŏp and his second wife, Lady Kim of the Gangneung Kim clan.

Hŏ Kyun's older sister Heo Nanseolheon was a poet. Hŏ's family was of the noble (yangban) class (his father had been mayor of Gangneung) and as such Hŏ Kyun was afforded a solid education and in 1594 passed the nation's highest civil service exam.

Under the strong influence of his tutor, Yi Tal , Hŏ Kyun became a progressive and liberal thinker who dreamed of establishing a more progressive society by eliminating Confucian elements in the social, literary, and political realms. Hŏ went on to serve the government of Joseon in such positions as Minister of the Board of Punishment and State Councillor. In the course of his political career he was exiled several times for involvement in political feuds and was ultimately executed on charges of treason during the reign of Prince Gwanghae.

Family Father Hŏ Yŏp (; 19 December 1517 – 4 February 1580) Mother Lady Kim of the Gangneung Kim clan (; 1523–?), married in 1548 Siblings Older half-sister - Hŏ Muksŏk , Lady Hŏ of the Yangcheon Hŏ clan (; 1523–?) Older half-brother - Hŏ Sŏng (; 1548–1612) Older brother - Hŏ Pong (; 1551–1588) Older half-sister - Hŏ Taejŏng , Lady Hŏ of the Yangcheon Hŏ clan (; 1553–?) Older sister - Hŏ Ch'ohŭi, Heo Nanseolheon (; 1563 – 19 March 1589) Wives and their children Lady Kim of the Andong Kim clan (; 1571 – 16 August 1592) Father-in-law - Kim Taesŏp (; 1544–?) Mother-in-law - Lady Sim of the Cheongseong Sim clan (; 1548–?) Unnamed son (?–1618) Daughter - Lady Hŏ of the Yangcheon Hŏ clan (; 1590–?) Son-in-law - Yi Sasŏng of the Gwangju Yi clan (1590–?) Grandson - Yi P'ilchin (; 1610–1671) Daughter - Lady Hŏ of the Yangcheon Hŏ clan (; 1591–?) Unnamed son (1592–1592); died prematurely Lady Kim of the Seonsan Kim clan (; 1575–?) Father-in-law - Kim Hyowŏn (; 1542–1590) Mother-in-law - Lady Chŏng of the Chogye Chŏng clan (; 1542–?) Son - Hŏ Koeng (; 1595–?) Grandson - Hŏ Kŭm (; 1620–?) Daughter - Royal Consort Sohun of the Yangcheon Hŏ clan (; 1603–?) Son-in-law - Yi Ji, Deposed Crown Prince (; 31 December 1598 – 22 July 1623) Concubine(s) and their issue Ongmae (; 1575–?) Yi Maech'ang (; 1575–?) Song Sŏngok of the Yeosan Song clan (1582–?); daughter of Song Ch'widae (송취대, 宋就大; 1566–?), of Yangmin origin Lady Kim (; 1573–?) Ch'usŏm Hyŏn Ŭngmin

Works

Honggildongjeon (attributed) Dongguk myeongsandong cheonjuhaegi (동국명산동천주해기 東國名山洞天註解記) Domundaejak (도문대작 屠門大嚼) Namgungdujeon (남궁두전 南宮斗傳) Yujaeron (유재론 遺才論) Seongsobu bugo (성소부부고 惺所覆?藁) Haksan chodam (학산초담 鶴山樵談) Gukjo sisan (국조시산 國朝詩刪) Hanjeongnok (한정록 閑情錄) Gyosansihwa (교산시화 蛟山詩話) Gosiseon (고시선 古詩選) Sachesungdang (사체성당 四體盛唐) Dangsiseon (당시선 唐詩選) Songohghasicho (송오가시초 宋五家詩抄) Myungsagashiseon (명사가시선 明四家詩選) Eomcheosajeon Songoksaninjeon Jangsaninjeon Jangsaengjeon Namgung seonsaengjeon

Gallery

In popular culture Portrayed by Kim Joo-young in the 1986 MBC TV series The Hoechun Gate. Portrayed by Lee Dong-shin in the 1988 MBC TV series Queen Inhyeon. Portrayed by Kim Dong-hyun in the 1993 MBC TV series Iljimae. Portrayed by Kim Jong-kyul in the 1995 KBS TV series West Palace. Portrayed by Choi Jae-sung in the 2000 KBS TV series Roll of Thunder. Portrayed by Ryu Seung-ryong in the 2012 film Masquerade and in the 2014 SBS TV series My Love from the Star. Portrayed by Im Ji-Kyu in the 2014 KBS TV series The King's Face. Portrayed by Ahn Nae-sang in the 2015 MBC TV series Splendid Politics. Portrayed by Xiumin in the 2025 Netflix series Heo's Diner.

Site web Hŏ Kyun Hŏ Kyun:Navercast Hŏ Kyun

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Xu Yun

People in Heo Gyun's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Heo Gyun's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Heo Gyun?

Korean writer (1569-1618)

When was Heo Gyun born?

Heo Gyun was born on 3 November 1569 in Gangneung.

When did Heo Gyun die?

Heo Gyun died on 24 August 1618.

What was Heo Gyun's occupation?

Heo Gyun was a poet, autobiographer, writer, politician and philosopher.

What nationality was Heo Gyun?

Heo Gyun was Korean.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Heo Gyun

· Wikidata: Q469450

· DBpedia: Hŏ Kyun

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Heo Gyun. https://biography.guide/heo-gyun/

MLA: "Heo Gyun." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/heo-gyun/.

Chicago: "Heo Gyun." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/heo-gyun/.

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