Remember the fathers from Chosun Dynasty who wrote letters out of love and worry for their children. The gentlemen from Chosun such as Lee Hwang, Yoo Sung-ryong and Park Ji-won - they were "fathers" before they were scholars, officers and writers. Through the letters to their sons, we aim to explore their life style and the value systems, including education methods, studying skills and attitudes towards others. We can also learn the distinctive personalities of the fathers who taught their children according to their personalities, strengths and weaknesses.
Who could possible know a person better than his or her parents? We will read the letters of the great men from Chosun, who were "fathers" before they were scholars, officers and writers. What kind of letter did Lee Hwang (Toegye, 1501-1570), scholar and civil servant from the mid-Chosun era, send to his son who had lost confidence and have given up the state exam? Let's listen to the voice of the father from the letter.
A writer from the mid-Chosun era, Baek Kwang-hun (Okbong, 1537-1582) was relieved to find out his two sons safely entered into the exam station, but still expressed his nervousness in his letters. The father who lived in Seoul alone, working as one low officer to another, worries more and more about his wife at home and the unreliable children.
Yoo Sung-ryong (Seoae, 1542-1607), a civil servant in the mid-Chosun era, writes about his education experience for his children who had lost the time to study due to household problems and wars. He is sorry about the lost time when every second is precious for young people and kindly teaches his children about studying with curiosity and preciseness. Let's listen to the father's voice through his letters.
Park Ji-won (Yonam, 1737-1805), a writer from the lat Chosun period, expresses his joy about his newborn grandson by writing that he can almost hear the baby's cry from the paper. He also talks about how to take care of the sick daughter-in-law after childbirth.
Ahn Jung-bok (Sunam, 1712-1805), a scholar in the late Chosun period, writes a letter to his 10-year-old young son who is on his way to the bride's house ty marry, worrying that he might make mistakes.
Park Je-ga (Chojung, 1750-1805), a civil servant during the late Chosun period, sends letters to his son about every detail of his exile life. Even within the complicated situation, the love and longing for his family can be easily traced in the letters. The letter he first sent to his three sons as soon as he arrived at the exile place, starts with "Don't worry".
Kim Jung-hee (Chusa, 1786-1856), a scholar and artist from the late Chosun era, does not lose his interest in objects such as how to write and draw and telling the story of making his own stuffs even in letters to his son. He delivers the heart and advice, as a father proud of a son who asks for advice on writing.
Kang Se-hwang (Pyoam, 1713-1791), a civil servant and artist of the late Chosun period, writes a letter to his son about the conversations he had shared with his companions and sons and advice bout his memorial service after death.
Lee Sik (Taekdang, 1584-1647), a civil servant from the mid-Chosun era, acknowledges the worries of his son regarding the health of the father and soothes him to stop worrying and take care of himself instead. Also, he sends his love by sharing the secrets to accept poverty and to grow minds in an attempt to calm him and guide him to dream big.
As a scholar and civil servant during the late Chosun era, Park Se-dang (Seogye, 1629-1703) is proud that his son is trying to read a history book and further writes a letter to teach him how to read history books. Let's listen to the father's voice, reminding his son that reading is "to move the letters on the pile of papers directly into the heart".
Lee Hwang leaves a message to his nearly 30-year-old son who is taking off to take the state exam, about how to study and how to behave around friends. He expresses his feelings of not wanting his son to be left out from others because of lacking any sense by just being older than his colleagues.
The father who lived in silence far away writes a letter before the son's wedding, imagining the whole family getting together at home. Also, the father who didn't hid his proudness when his son was praised by many teachers including Zhuangzi, reminds the son that no one stays young forever to emphasize doing one's best at everything.
The father who excitingly welcomed a grandchild at the age of 60 scolds the son for not letting him know how the baby looks like, through his letter. He also shows that he is slightly hurt of not hearing from the son even after sending the meat and food prepared by himself.
The father who was trapped inside Namhansansung during the Manchu war of 1636 communicated with his brothers and children through letters. As his wife grew sick due to worrying and his son became extremely sensitive at any kind of rumors related to the father, he writes about his worries and requests in his letters.
HRI is established by Chung Ju-yung，the first CEO，founder and honorary chairman of Hyundai Group in 1986. HRI is a leading Korean research think tank committed to studying and analyzing the economic and industrial environment as well as reunification economy of Korea. HRI，further，has it’s own businesses such as business consulting， education and training service，and knowledge-content business.
현대경제연구원은 현대그룹의 싱크탱크이자 국내 최고의 민간 연구기관이다. 디지털시대의 흐름에 맞추어 온-오프 혼합으로 연구, 교육, 신사업을 추진하고 있는 국내 유일의 종합지식 연구조직이다. 현대경제연구원은 한국 경제의 경쟁력 제ㅗ라는 국가적 과업이 성취되도록, 시대적 비전을 제시하고 실현 가능한 정책 안을 강구하는데 최대한의 노력을 경주하고 있다.
편집인 이원형은 현대경제연구원에서 연구위원으로 활동하였다. 현재는 맨트립, 전자출판, 경제 인문 사회 분야의 전자책을 제작하고 있다. 일반인들을 위한 경제학 콘텐츠를 제작하고 있다.