[Report] 'Segye Yusan Chukjeon Andong'... A Day of 'Gwageo Exam' at Dosan Seowon

'Reenactment of the "Gwageo Exam" Held at Dosan Seowon
Various Events Across Andong Until the 26th'

Dosan Seowon (Historic Site No. 170), inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2019 as one of the "Korean Seowon"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Dosan Seowon (Historic Site No. 170), the cradle of Korean spiritual culture, is located at the foot of Dosan in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

The place name 'Dosan' is said to have originated either from the overlapping mountains behind it, which transformed the name into Dosan, or from the fact that the current location was once a kiln site for earthenware, hence the name 'Dosan.'

On a clear autumn day during the Chuseok holiday, a Joseon Dynasty civil service examination experience is in full swing in the quiet courtyard of the Seowon. Sitting on mats, each participant earnestly writes with a brush, their expressions serious to the point of solemnity.

All who have become scholars are diligently writing their thoughts according to the exam topics. As they grind ink and write on white paper, they gradually immerse themselves in the feeling of being a seonbi (Confucian scholar).

Experience Event of the Joseon Dynasty 'Gwageo Exam'
Photo by Ra Youngcheol

Kim Seo-jin (elementary student, Gwacheon, Gyeonggi), who participated in the experience, said, "It was fun because it felt like a civil service exam, and I was a little nervous because of the time," adding, "Looking at the photos, it seems like I am doing exactly what people did during the civil service exam, which is amazing."

Students deeply contemplating the exam topics, and parents watching nearby, earnestly hope for their children to achieve top honors.

The youngest child holding a brush with mom and dad is also admirable. Adults feel as if they have returned to the old days when they studied Chinese characters.

The civil service exam experience reenacts the exam held in 1792 by King Jeongjo in the pine forest in front of the Seowon to commemorate Toegye Yi Hwang (1501?1570).

The civil service exam, which selected talented individuals for the country, continued from the Goryeo period through the Joseon Dynasty and is similar to today's bar exams or civil service exams.

Experience Event of the Joseon Dynasty 'Gwageo Exam'
Photo by Ra Youngcheol

Visitors to the Seowon immerse themselves in the calm atmosphere, reflecting on the life of Joseon Dynasty scholars.

Visitor Byun Dong-il (Donghae City, Gangwon) said, "I stopped by briefly on the way to my hometown during the Chuseok holiday for educational purposes for my children, and I am enjoying this wonderful event."

One of the highlights is 'A Day at Dosan Seowon,' a play that interacts with the audience while conveying the meaning of the Seowon as the venue changes.

Especially notable is that Dosan Seowon was the only Seowon where the civil service exam was held during King Jeongjo's reign, and a walking path where scholars once strolled contemplating Confucian ideals has been created around the area.

Dosan Seowon is considered one of Korea's representative Seowons and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019.

Play 'A Day at Dosan Seowon' [Photo by Ra Young-cheol]

Lee Dong-shin (15th generation descendant of Toegye Yi Hwang), the Dosan Seowon curator, said, "The coexistence of the Seowon and Seodang (Confucian school) is a characteristic of Dosan Seowon. The 'Seodang' was the space where Toegye taught his disciples for ten years while he was alive, and the 'Seowon' is the school established by his disciples after his passing."

He continued, "Dosan Seowon was founded with the educational ideal of realizing Toegye's dream of 'Seoninda (善人多),' meaning 'May there be many good people.'"

During the Chuseok holiday, the concert 'Dosan 12 Songs' will be held at Dosan Seowon, and the live-action musical 'Lotus Love,' which tells the birth legend of the Hahoe mask, will be performed on the Buyongdae stage.

In addition, the 'World Heritage Festival Andong,' featuring various events held day and night, will take place until the 26th at Dosan Seowon, Hahoe Village, and various locations throughout Andong, Gyeongbuk.