This study is to correct the misrepresented author of 「Imja Yeonhangbyeolgok(壬子燕行別曲)」 to Seokbeom SEO, Yeom Soon(徐念淳, 1800-?) in 19th century, introducing specific literal characteristics and contents those caused mis-judging the author as Dogok LEE, Eui Hyeon(李宜顯, 1699-1745) in 18th century, by re-considering Yeonhangbyeolgok’s year of written.
When 「Imja Yeonhangbyeolgok」 in 『Gasasori』 was introduced first in an academy, Dogok LEE, Eui Hyeon had been judged as its author and it had great value as a reference under the circumstance that Yeonhang Gasa had not yet been revealed. However, the results had caused by inaccurate understanding on its different versions. 「Imja Yeonhangbyeolgok」 is the same with 「Yeonhangbyeolgok」 written by CHOI, Woo Hyeong (1805-1878) which was introduced through 「Yeonhangrokhaeje」 in 2003 and it was attached to 『Jukhajib(竹下集)』, his collection. In this study, 「Imja Yeonhangbyeolgok」 in 『Jukhajib』 and 「Imja Yeonhangbyeolgok」 in 『Gasasori(가사소리)』 were compared each other and analyzed in detail to verity exact author and the year of the book that was written.
At the end of the analysis, in the book it was revealed that 1852 was the Imja(壬子). Through three evidences; first point that CHOI, Woo Hyeong went to Saeunsa as Seojanggwan, second, “Do Seonsaeng” meant governor, not Dogok LEE, Eui Hyeon and third, it described HONG, Gyeong Rae’s war in 1811 in the book, it was figured out that the author was not Dogok, LEE, Eui Hyeon. In addition, the author of 「Imja Yeonhangbyeolgok」 seemed to be determined as CHOI, Woo Hyeong because this was attached to 『Jukhajib』 written by CHOI, Woo Hyeong, indicated on CHOI, Woo Hyeong’s profile and preface of 『Jukhajib』. However, one possibility came up that it would be written by Jeongsa SEO, Yeom Soon who was dispatched with CHOI, Woo Hyeong as an ambassador because there was a signature called “Sheogwan Sheo, Ryeom Syun” on the left bottom of the title, 「Imja Yeonhangbyeolgok」 in 『Gasasori』.
By comparison with profiles for 2 persons based on “contribution for 4 kings(歷事四朝)” and “promotion to higher position such as Panseo(致位八座)”, it was confirmed that SEO, Yeom Soon was the person who fit to contents and profiles in the book. After a careful review of their position at the time they were dispatched. SEO, Yeom Soon was a governor of Hwanghae-do in 1842. It was 10 years before she was sent as an ambassador in 1852. With this proof, it was possible to understand the paragraph “Do seonsaeng 10 years ago”.
Through the study above, it was cleared that 「Imja Yeonhangbyeolgok」 was written by SEO, Yeom Soon. For this reason, previous study judging that this book was written by Dogok LEE, Eui Hyeon, bibliographic introduction that introduced CHOI, Woo Hyeong as the author, and other various biographic intelligences should be corrected.
When the author of 「Imja Yeonhangbyeolgok」 is corrected, the expected main change would be the time book was written. So far, there are only 7 Yeonhang Gasas in the late of Joseon Dynasty. As 「Imja Yeonhangbyeolgok」 having characteristics in 17th century and 19th century was ascertained as the work made in 19th century, the possibilities that a variety forms of Yeonhang Gasa in the late of Joseon Dynasty would be written were figured out. In other words, 「Imja Yeonhangbyeolgok」 plainly provides an opportunity to re-discuss about uniformly judged Yeonhang Gasa’s characteristics appeared in 17th and 19th century.
As a result, those works such as detailed analysis, characteristics and outlook shall be re-evaluated based on the study above illustrating 「Imja Yeonahngbyeolgok」 was written by SEO, Yeom Soon in 19th century. Meanwhile, there shall be needs of keeping responsibilities that Yeonhang Gasa’s aspect in 19th century including tendency in 17th century constantly identified, and prospect for the study shall be extended.