The famous musician (and also: scientist, public figure, official, astronomer) Pak Yon lived in Korea at the end of the 14th - beginning of the 15th century. He lived for a long time for those times; but he also did a lot in his lifetime (1378-1458) - it is not for nothing that he, along with the Goguryeo Wangsan and Uruk from Silla/Gaya, is considered one of the three most "important" musicians in the entire history of Korea. He served as a mentor to King Sejong himself.

In Joseon, one of the main virtues was considered filial piety - hyo. Three years of mourning was required for deceased parents. It so happened that Pak Yon's father died when he was 15, and his mother - when he was 18. Thus, the young man practically did not come out of mourning for six years. King Sejong's father, Taejong (reigned 1400-1418), honored Pak Yong with a stele praising his filial piety.

Pak Yong's pen name, a given to any self-respecting member of the upper crust of Confucian society, means "Orchid Stream" or, if you prefer, "Orchid by the Stream".

Every autumn, Yeongdong County in North Chungcheong Province, in the heart of South Korea, hosts the Pak Yong (Nangye) Festival of Korean traditional music and wine. Our trip includes a visit to this festival!

Yeongdong Nangye (Famous Korean Musisian) Festival