Remember the fathers from Chosun Dynasty who wrote letters out of love and worry for their children. The gentlemen from Chosun such as Lee Hwang, Yoo Sung-ryong and Park Ji-won - they were "fathers" before they were scholars, officers and writers. Through the letters to their sons, we aim to explore their life style and the value systems, including education methods, studying skills and attitudes towards others. We can also learn the distinctive personalities of the fathers who taught their children according to their personalities, strengths and weaknesses.
Who could possible know a person better than his or her parents? We will read the letters of the great men from Chosun, who were "fathers" before they were scholars, officers and writers. What kind of letter did Lee Hwang (Toegye, 1501-1570), scholar and civil servant from the mid-Chosun era, send to his son who had lost confidence and have given up the state exam? Let's listen to the voice of the father from the letter.
A writer from the mid-Chosun era, Baek Kwang-hun (Okbong, 1537-1582) was relieved to find out his two sons safely entered into the exam station, but still expressed his nervousness in his letters. The father who lived in Seoul alone, working as one low officer to another, worries more and more about his wife at home and the unreliable children.
Yoo Sung-ryong (Seoae, 1542-1607), a civil servant in the mid-Chosun era, writes about his education experience for his children who had lost the time to study due to household problems and wars. He is sorry about the lost time when every second is precious for young people and kindly teaches his children about studying with curiosity and preciseness. Let's listen to the father's voice through his letters.
Park Ji-won (Yonam, 1737-1805), a writer from the lat Chosun period, expresses his joy about his newborn grandson by writing that he can almost hear the baby's cry from the paper. He also talks about how to take care of the sick daughter-in-law afte

1. I am deeply disappointed (Yi Hwang’s letter)
2. I have lost my appetite (Beak Gwang-hoon’s letter)
3. They only take the easy way out (Yu Seong-ryong’s letter)
4. I could almost hear the baby’s cry from your letter, (Park Ji-won’s letter)
5. Living in idleness is poisonous, (An Jung-bok’s letter)
6. You must always be on your guard, (Park Je-ga’s letter)
7. Don’t be a half-hearted student, (Kim Jeong-hui’s letter)
8. Don’t serve wine at my memorial ceremony, (Gang Se-hwang’s letter)
9. The secret to be comfortable of being poor and to improve your mind, (Yi Sik’s letter)
10. How to read history books, (Park Se-dang’s letter)
11. Keep yourself away from bad company. (Yi Hwang’s letter)
12. No one stays young forever, (Beak Gwang-hoon’s letter)
13. Why don’t you let me know? (Park Ji-won’s letter)
14. Everything I say seems to go in one ear and out the other (Yi Sik’s letter)
Author : HRI
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