Yangban chŏn

work by Pak Chi-Wŏn

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July 19, 2026

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"Yangban ch\u014fn" is a work by Pak Chi-W\u014fn that critiques the yangban, the highest social class in Korea's Chos\u014fn dynasty (1392\u20131910). The yangban were comprised of civilian (munban) and military (muban) officials who held significant privileges, including land and stipends, and were exempt from military duty and labor.1

Pak Chi-W\u014fn, a proponent of the sirhak (practical learning) school, used literature to examine contemporary realities and criticize societal issues. His "Yangban ch\u014fn" specifically targets the yangban class, highlighting their societal role and the need for reform. The yangban system was eventually abolished in 1894 during a period of modernization.21

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Korean literature
Later Chosŏn: 1598–1894
Pak Chi-Wŏn’s “Yangban chŏn” (“Tale of a Yangban”) and “Hŏ Saeng chŏn” (“Tale of Mr. Hŏ”), each a short narrative in Chinese with a carefully arranged structure and distinct themes, give voice to social criticism. Both take as their focus members of the yangban, the highest social…
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Pak Chi-Wŏn’s “Yangban chŏn” (“Tale of a Yangban”) and “Hŏ Saeng chŏn” (“Tale of Mr. Hŏ”), each a short narrative in Chinese with a carefully arranged structure and distinct themes, give voice to social criticism. Both take as their focus members of the yangban, the highest social…
Read More