Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk
Korean intellectual (1330–?)
About Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk
Lived 1330 – 1402 (aged 71–72). Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk was a Korean civilian official.
Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk (, 1330-?), also known by his art name Ungok, was a hermit during the late Goryeo to early Joseon periods.
He is known for being the writer of Hŏhoga, a song of reminiscence of the past (i.e. Goryeo Dynasty) in the , a collective edition of Korean traditional poems collected by Kim Ch'ŏngt'aek.
He was born in Kaegyŏng in 1330. He was a member of the Wonju Wŏn clan, and the son of Wŏn Yunjŏk . He was a bright child and excelled in school. He passed Jinsasi, a civil service exam in Goryeo when he was 27. However he was deterred from entering into government by the chaotic political circumstances in the late Goryeo. He once taught Yi Pangwŏn, who became King Taejong of Joseon Dynasty later. He was summoned several times and even paid a visit by Taejong himself when he took over the throne but Ungok refused to join the Cabinet. He lived in seclusion and remained as a man of integrity for all his life. In his later life, he became interested in Taoism as well as Buddhism even though he was a Confucian himself. He suggested the trinity of the three ideas called Sam-gyo-Il-Chi-ron. He wrote Ungok sisa, and edited Hwahaesajeon. Ungoksisa, reflected the society then and his philosophy as well. In the book, he argued the necessity to improve the system rather than replacing the dynasty and went on preaching that local officials should practice panel administration with mercy. Hŏ Mok, also known by his pen name Misu, once commented on Ungok's life "An honorable man never takes off his interest in the world even though he is hiding from the world".
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Important facts
People in Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk?
Korean intellectual (1330–?)
When was Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk born?
Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk was born in 1330.
When did Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk die?
Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk died in 1402.
What was Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk's occupation?
Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk was a civilian official.
What nationality was Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk?
Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk was Korean.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk. https://biography.guide/won-ch-onsok/
MLA: "Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/won-ch-onsok/.
Chicago: "Wŏn Ch'ŏnsŏk." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/won-ch-onsok/.
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