Cover of Dongsangjip (Collected Works of Heo Jin-dong)This is the cover of the Dongsangjip or the Collected Works of Heo Jin-dong, who was a civil servant and a scholar of the mid-Joseon period. Heo Jin-dong wrote the Ubansipgyeong (The Ten Sights of Uban), and Park Sun (pen-name: Sa-am) composed a poem about it.
Inner Page 1 of Dongsangjip (Collected Works of Heo Jin-dong)This page contains information of Sajingabak, Jukseoeodeung, and Geommomogak among the Ubansipgyeong (The Ten Sights of Uban) in the Dongsangjip or the Collected Works of Heo Jin-dong (a civil servant and scholar of the mid-Joseon period).
Inner Page 2 of Dongsangjip (Collected Works of Heo Jin-dong)This page contains information of Suraksinjong, Seongyecheongpok, and Yihyeonjangsong among the Ubansipgyeong (The Ten Sights of Uban) in the Dongsangjip or the Collected Works of Heo Jin-dong (a civil servant and scholar of the mid-Joseon period).
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LocationManhwadong-gil Boan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryTour/ Natural Environment
- Korean우반 십경
- Chinese愚磻十景
- FieldGeography / Human Geography
- Contents TypeConceptual Terminology / Conceptual Terminology (General)
- Definition
- Best scenic points in the former area of Ubandong at Udong-ri, Boan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do.
- Summary
- Park Sun (penname: Saam/1523-1589) composed poems about Uban Sipgyeong (The ten leading scenic points in Uban) introduced in a collection of literary works created by Heo Jin-dong (1525-1610), a civilian official and scholar in the mid-Joseon Period. It made the natural beauty of the area known across the country.
- Ubandong Portrayed in Literature
- There are other literary works about the natural beauty of Ubandong as those dating back to the Joseon Period. Kwon Geuk-jung (penname: Cheongha/1585-1659) wrote, “There is a village named Uban in the south of Byeonsan. The beautiful port blends in with the natural surroundings and creates a wonderful scenic spot.” Heo Gyun (penname: Gyosan/1569-1618), the author of the Story of Hong Gil-dong, described the beautiful scenery of Ubandong in his Journal of Repaid of Jeongsaam Pavilion. Dongguk Yeojiji (Book of Geography of Korea) compiled in the late Joseon Period describes the place as follows: “Ubandong in the southeast of Byeonsan is a flatland surrounded with mountains. Pines and spindle trees fill all the mountains, and peach blossoms are in full bloom every spring.”
- The Ten Sights of Uban
- Natural surroundings in Ubandong [present-day Udong-ri, Boan-myeon, Buan-gun] close to Julpoman Bay were so beautiful that celebrities chose stay here. During the Joseon Period, many men of letters described what they saw and felt here in literary works. Heo Jindong, for one, wrote compositions about the natural beauty of the area, and Park Sun composed poems based on what Heo wrote. Uban Sipgyeong refers to the ten leading scenic points in Ubandong including the areas of Sapo, Geomopo, Jukdo, and Iheon (Pear Hill).
Uban Sipgyeong (The ten leading scenic points in Uban) refers to: trading boats on the sea off Sapo (present-day Hupo, Heungdeok-myeon, Gochang-gun), scene made by lamp lights of fishing boats, sound of whistles made by naval troops at sunset in Geommopojin, daybreak sound of bell at Surak (guessed to be a temple), clear sound made by Seongye Falls, sight made by an old pine tree measuring more than both arms’ span in Iyeon (presumably, in the area nearby Udong-ri) harmonized by clouds in the sky, olden-day structure in Hwangam, fairly land-like scene of Changgulam Hermitage (located in the south to Silsangsa Temple in Saja-dong) and old monk, deer wandering leisurely at Simwon, and scene made by a wooden fishing fence in the water in Gomsoman Bay.
- Ubandong and Heo Gyun
- Ubandong is a village whose three sides at the back are surrounded by mountains. Its front side is open to the sea, so you can see the ebb and flow of the sea. As a streamlet flows in the middle of the village, it is considered a propitious site. Heo Gyun, author of the well-known Story of Hong Gil-dong, was fired as the town administrator of Gongju but chose to stay in Ubandong. Some people say that he wrote The Story of Hong Gil-dong at Jeongsaam Pavilion near Seongye Falls. Gulbawi (Rock Cave) is still there near Ubandong, which is thought to have been a main stage of Hwalbindang (righteous band) and a den of local bandits in Byeonsan. Heo was a revolutionary who criticized the hierarchical society of Joseon, valued the grassroots people, and insisted on the need to give opportunities to talented people regardless of their social status. He was executed on charges of treason.
- Ubandong, the Land of Innovation
- Yu Hyeong-won (penname: Bangye/1622-1673]), a great Silhak philosopher, entered Ubandong followed by Heo Gyun, stayed in Ubandong for 20-plus years from the age of 32, while he built his philosophy here. His family kept the land presented by the King in Ubandong. There, he came up with innovative policy ideas related to landownership and social status, envisioning wealthy grassroots people/country. Bangye Surok authored by him about innovative ideas came to be recognized only 100-plus years after his death by King Yeongjo, providing the basis for Silhak philosophy.
Sitting at toetmanu (a narrow strip of wood floor attached to the house) of Bangye Seodang in Udong-ri, Boan-myeon, Buan-gun, you can relish the sweet taste of breeze and enjoy an uninterrupted view of nature. Here, you can feel spirit of Yu Hyeong-won who strived to fight the social absurdities, rather than secluded himself from society. This place gives an impression of inspiring us to remember our ancestors’ noble spirit who endeavored to set the country right and make people prosperous.
- Present-Day Ubandong
- Now, 500-plus years have passed since the period of Heo Gyun or Yu Hyeong-won. Of course, it could said that Ten Sights of Uban has not just landscape, but also life in the past. Although the site keeps its splendor of the landscape, which has been appreciated by many ancient sages, unfortunately, it seems that the real charm of the Ten Sights of Uban has been lost. Go Gil-seop, a cultural critic, points to reckless development of the area in the course of modernization (newly erected power poles, newly built Udong Reservoir, and Beodjae Road) that have spoiled the Ten leading scenic points in Uban.
It is hoped that the place will be reborn as an eco-friendly village through efforts made to restore historic/cultural resources and natural surroundings.