How can we distinguish a literature in Goryeo dynasty period? In the traditional era, as the Chinese poem was the mainstream of literature, it was highly needed to consider the change of the poem style based on the division of history. Focusing on the change of the poem style of a scholar, Kim, Jong-Jik, in the early Chosun dynasty, we can refer to the opinion why there was a change in the poem style in Goryeo dynasty. Therefore, it is more convincing that we understand the literature history of Goryeo dynasty by dividing it into three divisions with the time ruled by military officials as a center.
However, in the previous academic world, after the division of Goryeo’s literature history into three time frames(early, middle, and late), it wasn’t clear when the starting point was as we called the late period as “the introduction time of the study of the nature and principle”. In this study, in order to present the late period of Goryeo more specifically, I would like to focus on Ryu,Kyung’s(1211-1289) life and thoughts on scholarship.
As he killed one of the authorities in the political arena, Choi, Eui, and ended the military regime, Ryu, Kyung played a crucial role in reforming the society politically and historically. In the academic and literature field, he actively participated in a literature regarding the White Lotus Community(白蓮結社) with famous writers and scholars such as Lee, Jang-Yong, Kim, Gu, and Chun, Chaek.
In addition, he led a literary world by taking the role of an exam supervisor for four times.
A great highlight in his experience was when he proctors a state examination;he selects a person based on one’s characteristics and insights, not how well he makes a well-structured writing. As a result, many of the candidates became great men of literature. A good example is Ahn, Hyang who introduced the study of the nature and principle in Goryeo. He studied with Back, Yee-Jung and Kwon, Bo.
They became masters of Lee, Jae-Hyun, who was acclaimed to be the best scholar in that era. If we try to observe many of Lee, Jae-Hyun’s successful writings, we can find out that his philosophy and academic context are influenced by Ryu,Kyung.
Let’s trace back their family history. Kwon, Bo is Ryu, Kyung’s grandson-in-law. On the other hand, Lee, Jae-Hyun is Kwon’s son-in-law. This tells us that they built strong ties not only in the academic study but also in personal relationship. Therefore, we can conclude that Ryu, Kyung was in the crucial position when the literature of Goryeo is moving toward the late period.