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A Study of Special Examinations of King Jeongjo based on 「Eogobang」

  • The Studies in Korean Poetry and Culture
  • Abbr : Korean Poetry and Culture
  • 2021, (47), pp.99-129
  • Publisher : The Society of Korean Poetry and Culture
  • Research Area : Humanities > Korean Language and Literature
  • Received : January 16, 2021
  • Accepted : February 15, 2021
  • Published : February 28, 2021

HeeTae Kim 1

1전라남도 도청

Accredited

ABSTRACT

「Eogobang」 in the collections of Gwangju History and Folk Museum is the list of candidates who passed the special examination that took place in Gwangju-mok in Jeolla-do in 1798 (22nd year of King Jeongjo) and includes the stamp of ‘Eogo (king's decision)’ as it was bestowed by King Jeongjo himself. The title of the poem that was tested in Gwangju-mok was ‘Hayeomyeonangjeong’ related to the 60th anniversary ceremony (1579) of Song, Soon (1493∼1582, pen name: Myeonangjeong) as a government official. By interpreting the poem, ‘Hayeomyeonangjeong,’ it was stressed that Song, Soon passed the examination when he was 20 with the greatest excellence in composition skills at that time, followed the righteous way and was always dedicated to his post while serving four generations of kings, and served his hometown in Myeonangjeong while educating the Confucian scholars. He was particularly recognized for his loyalty to the kings and fairness to the post for 60 years. To celebrate his life, his literary pupils and the governors of neighboring towns gathered together to praise him and carry the bamboo carriage. The poem was written to cherish his spirit as a scholar of Honam. King Jeongjo scheduled a special examination to select gifted minds in the local region, so the scholars came from all over Jeolla Province to attend three out of five tests at Gwangsangwan, a pavilion for guests. 「Eogobang」, the list of candidates who passed the examination, is a record of an examination taken by 69 scholars in Honam and an invaluable resource of the systems and rural societies of that time. Among the 69 students listed in 「Eogobang」, 53 passed the examination. Two of them with the highest scores (Goh, Jeong Bong and Yim, Heung Won) were qualified for the final examination and received 14 puns as rewards. The students with the next highest scores (Bak, Jong Min and Jeong, Joo Hwan) were assigned to the Chambong (9th class) position of Gyeonggijeon and Jogyeongmyo and received 12 puns as rewards. The 16 students with lower scores were bestowed books such as 『Sagiyeongseon』, 『Juseobaekseon』, and 『Oryunhaengsil』 along with brushes and ink bars. The positions of 69 scholars listed in 「Eogobang」 were 49 [34] in Yuhak, seven in Saengwon, 12 in Jinsa, and one in Tongdeongnang. Tongdeongnang is a 5th-class literary position. Considering the family names, there were four from the Bak Family of Bannam, four from the Jeong Family of Hadong, three from the Bak Family of Suncheon, three from the Yi Family of Jeonju, three from the Yi Family of Hampyeong, three from the Jeong Family of Yeongil, three from the Shin Family of Goryeong, three from the Gim Family of Gwangju, two from the Yang Family of Namwon, two from the Yoon Family of Namwon, two from the Yi Family of Yeonan, two from the Noh Family of Pungcheon, two from the Gim Family of Ulsan, two from the Nam Family of Euiryeong, two from the Goh Family of Jangtaek, and two from the Gi Family of Haengju. Considering the place of residence, 23 students were from Gwangju, 12 from Sunchang, six from Naju, six from Changpyeong, four from Namwon, two from Boseong, two from Yeonggwang, two from Jangseong, and two from Jangheung. 「Eogobang」 was first bestowed to Goh, Jeongbong and it was separated from the original letter until it was collected by Gwangju History and Folk Museum. The old document of Goh, Jeong Bong (Pen Name: Suchon) has been confirmed through research and a special exhibition was held on the government examination of Gwangju. An interpretation of the old document has been published and the document has been donated. The authenticity of Gim, Jae Bak's ‘Hayeomyeonangjeong’ and 『Sagiyeongseon』, the government document bestowed to Gim, Chi Bok, has been surveyed. Gi, Hak Gyeong's ‘Hayeomyeonangjeong’ was found in a collection. Recently, the document of 'Eojechaekmun' stating the test questions has also been found. It is hoped that more studies and researches would take place to explore the ways to share the findings.

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