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Shin Don

1322 – 1371

Goryeo monk, historian

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About Shin Don

Lived 1322 – 1371 (aged 48–49). Shin Don was a Korean autobiographer.

Sin Ton (; 21 January 1322 – 21 August 1371) was a Korean Buddhist monk and scholar during the Goryeo period. His Dharma name was P'yŏnjo and he became a teacher and advisor of King Gongmin.

Biography He was a Buddhist monk with the full confidence of King Gongmin, and who tried to reform the society of Goryeo. The king judged Sin Ton cleverness; in 1365, he gave him the art name Cheonghan Geosa and the noble title of Marquis Jinpyeong .

Sin Ton appointed a group of new high-level officials from the Sinjin faction of the scholar-officials and drove out some people who had acquired too much power. He also promoted the setting up of the Jeonmin Byeonjeong Dogam , a government office to reform the land in 1366; thus, he was met with the opposition of the powerful old aristocratic families. While surrounded by flatterers, he didn't have any supporters. Finally, King Gongmin executed Sin Ton in 1371.

Criticism King Gongmin's attempt to regain the leadership of the state through the introduction of Sin Ton had achieved some success. However, for this purpose, King Gongmin had almost entrusted Sin Ton with full authority, and had to face criticism for allowing Sin Ton to be an equal to the monarch.

In popular culture Portrayed by Son Chang-min in the 2005–2006 MBC TV series Shin Don. Portrayed by Yoo Ha-joon in the 2012–2013 SBS TV series The Great Seer.

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Important facts

Born
1322, South Gyeongsang
Birth century
Died
1371
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Shin Ton, Sin Ton, Sin Don

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Shin Don's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Shin Don?

Goryeo monk, historian (1323–1371)

When was Shin Don born?

Shin Don was born in 1322 in South Gyeongsang.

When did Shin Don die?

Shin Don died in 1371.

What was Shin Don's occupation?

Shin Don was an autobiographer.

What nationality was Shin Don?

Shin Don was Korean.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Shin Don

· Wikidata: Q110010

· DBpedia: Sin Ton

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Shin Don. https://biography.guide/shin-don/

MLA: "Shin Don." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/shin-don/.

Chicago: "Shin Don." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/shin-don/.

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