Hŏ Kyun
Korean writer and politician (1569–1618) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Korean writer and politician (1569–1618) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hŏ Kyun (Korean: 허균; Hanja: 許筠; 3 November 1569 – 12 October 1618) was a Korean novelist, poet, and politician during the Joseon period. He was also known by his art names, Kyosan (교산) and Sŏngso (성소).
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| Hŏ Kyun | |
 | |
| Korean name | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 허균 |
| Hanja | 許筠 |
| Revised Romanization | Heo Gyun |
| McCune–Reischauer | Hŏ Kyun |
| Art name | |
| Hangul | 교산 / 성소 / 백월거사 |
| Hanja | 蛟山 / 惺所 / 白月居士 |
| Revised Romanization | Gyosan / Seongso / Baegwolgeosa |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kyosan / Sŏngso / Paegwŏlgŏsa |
Hŏ Kyun was born into the Yangcheon Heo clan in the city of Gangneung to Hŏ Yŏp and his second wife, Lady Kim of the Gangneung Kim clan.
Hŏ Kyun's older sister Heo Nanseolheon was a poet. Hŏ's family was of the noble (yangban) class (his father had been mayor of Gangneung) and as such Hŏ Kyun was afforded a solid education and in 1594 passed the nation's highest civil service exam.
Under the strong influence of his tutor, Yi Tal (이달; 李達), Hŏ Kyun became a progressive and liberal thinker who dreamed of establishing a more progressive society by eliminating Confucian elements in the social, literary, and political realms.[1] Hŏ went on to serve the government of Joseon in such positions as Minister of the Board of Punishment and State Councillor. In the course of his political career he was exiled several times for involvement in political feuds and was ultimately executed on charges of treason during the reign of Prince Gwanghae.[1]
Hŏ is often credited as the author of the famous Korean story Tale of Hong Gildong, which in many ways reflects his progressive thinking, although his authorship has been disputed.[2][3][4]
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