Pigoorok, written by Sojae Nohsoosin, is a compilation of 47 poems under 44 titles which were included in his 4th book's collection of works. The contents span from a poem titled 'Going to Jiryeok Mt, use Ganjae's rhyme for composing' through a poem titled 'Writing on the pole named Beokpajeong'. All the poems and records introduced here relate to Sojae Nohsoosin's 67 days whereabouts of life and his thoughts. The Pigoorok compilation was written between May 13, 1555 and July 19, 1555, concurrent with the onset of the Eulmyo Japanese Invasion.
Conflict and circumstance entrap Sojae into a situation of having to flee the island of Jindo, just 11 days after the Eulmyo Japanese Invasion. After efforts to repel the Japanese advancement fail, Sojae determines that the preservation of his life is the ultimate act of fidelity he can show towards his King. Effectively banished, he finally leaves the island of Jindo.
His journey of sheltering and concealment from the Japanese raiders continued throughout various regions including Jindo, Haenam, Mokpo, Muan, Hampyeong, Naju, Gwangju, Soochang, Okgwa, Gwangju, Yeongam, Seokgyowon, Haenam to Jindo. During his travels, he associated with various group of people. It is considered that his relationships with Lee Yun Gyung and Lee Jun Gyung, relatives of his wife, were especially helpful to him because of their actual influence in Jellado. Additionally, Sojae reaped the benefits of kind treatment by many bureaucrats named Hyengam, or Goonsoo. Throughout Pigoorok, the reader receives a clear depiction of Sojae's life at this time and his extended stay within a Buddhist temple. His associations include respected Confucianists, friendships with Cheongryeon and Gojook and great writers from the Jeolla province, whose style is peppered with that of 'Old China's' Tang Dynasty.
From analysis of Sojae's works, we can suppose that he wanted to be a loyal retainer and confidant just like Ch'u Yuan (a Chinese politician and writer), after realizing the horrors of the Japanese invasion, bureaucratic corruption and the suffering agony of people from poverty and drought. Sojae's inner struggle, between his desire to regain an esteemed governmental position and the conflict it poses with personal goals, depicts for the reader his sense of both helplessness and loss.