Yi Saek

He studied Neo-Confucianism in Yuan Dynasty China and opened an academy after his return to Goryeo, and from his academy the founders of Joseon Dynasty were educated. Yi was one of the most significant cultural figures in the country. Aiming to solve the social problems facing Goryeo, Yi fulfilled his responsibilities as a scholar, educator and politician based on his experience studying at Guozijian, a national Chinese university. While leading Sungkyunkwan academy, Yi developed a curriculum that reformed the academy's evaluation methods, which was innovative even by today's standards. Saek played a very important role in introducing Neo-Confucianism to Goryeo, which was the theoretical background for the founding of Joseon. Patronized by kings during the Koryo period (918–1392). He promoted education based on Confucian texts. Also responsible for establishing the Confucian tradition of public mourning. He favored Confucianism in public affairs. Towards the end of his life, Yi Saek was the respected head of the Confucian National Academy. He is remembered as one of the "Three Hermit Scholars" devoted to Confucian principles. Many of his disciples, such as Chŏng To-jŏn and Kwŏn Kŭn, used Neo-Confucianism as the ideological basis for overthrowing the Buddhist kingdom of Goryeo and establishing Confucian Joseon. However, Yi Saek himself remained loyal to the Goryeo Dynasty and didn't believe the wiping out of Buddhism, as Chŏng To-jŏn insisted, would be of any benefit. Saek believed in the co-existence of the "Three Disciplines": Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Saek resigned from all political positions after the founding of the Joseon Dynasty. Saek left various poetry, essays and letters compiled in The Collected Works of Mogŭn.

• Name — Yi Saek • Born — 17 June 1328 • Died — 17 June 1396 • Occupation — Scholar-official

• Father • Yi Kok (25 August 1298 – 28 January 1351) • Mother • Lady Kim of the Hamchang Kim clan • Sibling(s) • Older sister – Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan • Younger sister – Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan • Younger sister – Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan • Younger sister – Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan • Wife and children • Lady Kwŏn of the Andong Kwŏn clan; daughter of Kwŏn Chung-dal • Son – Yi Chong-dŏk • Son – Yi Chong-hak (1361 – 10 September 1392) • Son – Yi Chong-sŏn

• Portrayed by Lee Dae-ro in the 1983 MBC TV series The King of Chudong Palace. • Portrayed by Jeon In-taek in the 2005–2006 MBC TV series Shin Don. • Portrayed by Park Ji-il in the 2014 KBS1 TV series Jeong Do-jeon. • Portrayed by Kim Jong-soo in the 2015–2016 SBS TV series Six Flying Dragons.