Tracing our ancestral roots

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Opinion

Sun, December 3, 2023 | 06:30

Thoughts of the Times

Tracing our ancestral roots

Posted : 2023-09-10 16:30

Updated : 2023-09-10 16:30

By Choe Chong-dae

I recently had the pleasure of meeting the Choi family, descendants of Korean-American heritage. This encounter occurred during an introductory event, organized by professor David A. Mason. Douglas Choi, a representative of Sons of Rigor Films in Boston, attended the event with his two sons. The elder son is a junior majoring in computer engineering and an ROTC cadet at Harvard University, while the younger son is currently in high school. Professor Mason is renowned for his decades-long dedication to the study and research of Choe Chi-won.

During our conversation, we discovered that we share membership in the Gyeongju Choe family clan. This revelation prompted me to arrange a visit for them to the Gyeongju Choe Clan Association office in Seoul. There, they received a warm welcome from Choe Byeong-ju, the former chairman of the association, and Choe Cheon-gyu, the deputy chairman.

During their visit, they learned about Choe Chi-won, the founding figure of the Gyeongju Choe clan, known as Goeun, which translates to "Lonesome Cloud," due to his remarkable literary contributions. As a native of Gyeongju, I take great pride in my affiliation with the Choe family, tracing my lineage an impressive 31 generations back to Choe Chi-won. Reflecting on our ancestors and their achievements fills me with profound pride.

When I interact with Chinese scholars and diplomats today, I frequently introduce myself as a member of the Gyeongju Choe family clan, prompting inquiries about my connection to Choe Chi-won. Choe Chi-won (857―?) was a distinguished poet, writer and scholar from the late Unified Silla period. His poetry and essays are known for their profound philosophical insights, elegance and intellectual depth.

In particular, Choe Chi-won is credited with the concept of "pungnyu," which has become a foundational idea in all discussions of Korean distinctive culture, especially those related to the performing arts. This concept finds its roots in the spirit of Hwarang, an elite warrior group of young males from the ancient Silla Dynasty. It embodies an ideology that highlights the profound interconnectedness of humanity, society and nature, serving as the foundation for the study of Korean cultural communication, with a focus on the symbolic aspects of human behavior.

Choe described it as Korea's characteristic integration of the 'Three Doctrines' of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, based on a distinctive spiritual culture. This integration is known as Pungnyu, which centers on the central concept of the Way, known as 'Do.' This philosophical framework perceives Heaven, Earth and humanity, emphasizing unity over discrimination and conflict. It offers valuable insights into social communication, delving into human nature, societal dynamics and institutional structures. Notably, some believe that the present hallyu, the Korean wave, and the phenomenon of K-pop culture find their roots in Choe Chi-won's profound Pungnyu concept.

Choe Chi-won played a significant role as a cultural envoy between the Korean kingdom of Silla and various Chinese states during the late Tang Dynasty. In China, Choe's literary works were translated and appreciated for their artistic value, gaining recognition in Chinese literary circles. His time spent in China, where he honed his literary skills and engaged with Chinese scholars, likely contributed to his fame there.

The Choe Chi-won Memorial Hall, established in 2007, stands as the first foreigner's memorial in Yangzhou, dedicated to honoring his cultural contributions to Korea-China ties.

The inspiration behind the pursuit of the family clan's history lies in the belief that understanding our past helps us better appreciate our present and guides us toward a more meaningful future. Similar to the Douglas Choi family's example, numerous diasporas around the world should reconnect with their ancestral heritage as a means of promoting Korean culture while embracing their Korean identity.

Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and director of the Korean-Swedish Association.