About Song Si-yŏl
Lived 1607 – 1689 (aged 81–82). Song Si-yŏl was a Korean philosopher, autobiographer, politician, poet and civil servant.
Song Si-yŏl (; 1607–1689), also known by his art names Uam and Ujae or by the honorific Master Song , was a Korean philosopher and politician. Born in Okcheon, North Chungcheong Province, he was known for his concern with the problems of the common people. He served in governmental service for more than fifty years, and his name features over 3,000 times in the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, the greatest frequency that any individual is mentioned. He was executed by the royal court for writing an inflammatory letter to the king. There is a monument to him in his hometown. He is also known as the calligrapher who inscribed an epitaph (Chungyeolmyobi Takboncheop) in dedication of Admiral Yi Sunsin, which is preserved at the Chungnyeolsa Shrine (historical site No. 236). He was from the Eunjin Song clan and was close friends with one of his distant relatives, Song Chun-gil.
Works Uam chip Uam sŏnsang hujip Uam yugo Chuja taejŏn Songsŏ sŭbyu Songsŏ sok sŭbyu Chuja taejŏn ch'aŭi Jeongseobullyu Juja ŏryusobun Nonmaeng munuit'onggo Simgyŏng sŏgŭi Sambang ch'waryo Songja taejŏn Changnŭngjimun Yŏngnŭngjimun Sagyesŏnsaenghaengjang
Family Father Song Kap-cho (; 10 December 1574 – 1 April 1628) Mother Lady Kwak of the Seonsan Kwak clan (; 14 February 1578 – 9 March 1655) Wife and children Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan (; 29 October 1606 – 19 March 1677); daughter of Yi Deok-sa (이덕사; 李德泗; 1581–?) Daughter - Lady Song of the Eunjin Song clan (; 1626–1678) Adoptive son - Song Ki-t'ae (; 1629–1711); son of Song Si-hyŏng Daughter - Lady Song of the Eunjin Song clan (; 1631–1685) Son - Song Sun ; died prematurely Son - Song Hoe ; died prematurely Son - Song Sŏk (송석; 宋惜) died prematurely
In popular culture He was portrayed by Ahn Hyung-shik in the 1981 KBS1 TV Series Daemyeong.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Song Si-yŏl's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Song Si-yŏl?
Korean philosopher (1607-1689)
When was Song Si-yŏl born?
Song Si-yŏl was born in 1607 in Okcheon County.
When did Song Si-yŏl die?
Song Si-yŏl died in 1689.
What was Song Si-yŏl's occupation?
Song Si-yŏl was a philosopher, autobiographer, politician, poet and civil servant.
What nationality was Song Si-yŏl?
Song Si-yŏl was Korean.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Song Si-yŏl. https://biography.guide/song-si-yol/
MLA: "Song Si-yŏl." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/song-si-yol/.
Chicago: "Song Si-yŏl." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/song-si-yol/.
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