Bonghwa’s Legacy of Loyalty: Exploring the Historical Sites Inspired by Korea’s “The Man Who Lived with the King”

With the recent release of the movie “The Man Who Lived with the King,” set in the turbulent times of the early Joseon Dynasty, interest is growing in the historical events surrounding King Danjong and King Sejo, and the characters who maintained loyalty and fidelity within them. In this trend, the ‘history of loyalty and fidelity’ handed down in Bonghwa-gun is also receiving renewed attention.

The Loyalty of Bulsaigun, Dogon Lee Su-hyeong, and Dogye Seowon

Dogye Seowon is a seowon (a type of traditional Korean private academy) built to commemorate the academic virtue and fidelity of Dogon Lee Su-hyeong (1435-1528), who remained loyal to King Danjong throughout his life.

Lee Su-hyeong, a peacetime governor during the Gyeyujeongan Rebellion – when King Sejo dethroned his young nephew Danjong and ascended the throne – resigned his official position without hesitation and retired to Bonghwa Dochon to live in seclusion, maintaining his loyalty to Danjong. He subsequently built Gongbukheon, a house facing north toward Yeongwol, where King Danjong was exiled, and lived in remembrance of the deposed king for the rest of his life.

Lee Su-hyeong’s life is considered a representative example of a scholar who practiced what he learned. Local Sarim (a faction of Confucian scholars) founded Dogye Seowon to commemorate his academic virtue. Later, Jeong Min-gong Lee Yu, Chungjang-gong Lee Bo-heum, and Chwisa Lee Yeo-bin were also enshrined in the seowon, establishing it as a symbolic space of loyalty in the Bonghwa region.

Dogye Seowon comprises Gyeonilsa Temple, a space for ancestral rites; Gonggeukru, a lecture space; and Gongbukheon, where Lee Su-hyeong lived in seclusion. Gyeonilsa signifies loyalty to only one king, Danjong, while ‘Gonggeuk’ and ‘Gongbuk’ symbolize respect for the North Star and Confucian moral order.

Gongbukheon: A Testament to Unwavering Devotion

Gongbukheon is particularly notable for its unique structure. Unlike other buildings, it has a closed structure with only one window facing north, within a narrow, single-room space. This austere design symbolically represents Lee Su-hyeong’s unwavering loyalty, as he spent his life in seclusion, gazing only towards Yeongwol, where King Danjong was exiled. It is currently designated as a cultural heritage material of Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Yaongjeon-eungbang and Yaongjeong: Fidelity Preserved Through Generations

Bonghwa’s legacy of loyalty and fidelity extends beyond individual lives, passed down through descendants. Yaongjeong is a pavilion built by Yaong Jeon Eung-bang (1491-1554), the grandson of Hyugye Jeon Hee-cheol (1425-1521), to honor his grandfather’s teachings.

Jeon Hee-cheol served as a military officer under King Sejong, rising to the rank of vice minister and byeolje. After the Gyeyujeong Rebellion, he resigned his post and returned to his hometown. He instructed his descendants not to seek public office but to annually visit King Danjong’s tomb in Yeongwol.

Yaong Eung-bang followed this directive, living in seclusion in Gucheon-ri, Sangun-myeon, where he built Yaongjeong. Although he passed the Sikhnyeon Saengwonsi examination during King Jungjong’s reign, he did not pursue a government position, dedicating his life to scholarly pursuits and mentoring others. He is also said to have visited Jangneung, King Danjong’s tomb in Yeongwol, every year, collecting soil from the tomb and offering prayers.

Yaongjeong is a pavilion with a gable roof, measuring three rooms across and two rooms deep. The plaque is believed to have been written by Toegye Yi Hwang. It is located within Yaongjongtaek and is currently designated as a Gyeongsangbuk-do folk cultural heritage site.

Experiencing Bonghwa’s Pavilion Culture at the Cheongnyangsan Museum

Bonghwa’s history of loyalty and fidelity is preserved not only in its buildings and stories but also through related records. The Cheongnyangsan Museum researches, exhibits, and preserves the history of the Bonghwa region and the cultural heritage of Cheongnyangsan Mountain, offering insights into the region’s traditional culture and scholarly spirit.

The museum has published “Gukyak Bonghwa’s Nujeonggi” and “Bonghwa’s Traditional Architecture,” and is publishing a research series on records and cultural heritage related to pavilions in the Bonghwa area, including studies on Gongbukheon and Yaongjeong, making these resources accessible to the public.

These resources deepen our understanding of the historical significance of Dogye Seowon’s Gongbukheon and Yaongjeong, allowing visitors to connect with the lives and values of the local community.

Bonghwa: A Region Reclaiming its History

Stories of scholars who remained loyal to the king are deeply rooted in Bonghwa. Dogye Seowon symbolizes the ‘study of loyalty,’ honoring academic virtues and Confucian traditions, while Yaongjeong represents the ‘inheritance of loyalty,’ upholding ancestral wills and practicing fidelity across generations.

The movie “The Man Who Lived with the King” reinterprets historical tales of loyalty and fidelity as universal human values, prompting reflection on contemporary values. Dogye Seowon and Yaongjeong in Bonghwa offer tangible historical sites that embody the lives and spirit of local scholars who upheld their beliefs throughout history.

An official from Bonghwa-gun stated, “Bonghwa has been known as a city of loyalty and fidelity since ancient times. We hope that the increased interest in the history of the early Joseon Dynasty, sparked by the movie, will provide an opportunity to revisit the cultural heritage of loyalty and related records preserved in the region.”

By combining a cinematic experience with a cultural tour of historical sites and museums, Bonghwa is poised to attract greater attention as a destination for exploring Korean history and reflecting on the enduring values of loyalty and scholarly spirit.