// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Choi Ji-mong a morning person? He's an egg-cellent choice.
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Choi Ji-mong | |
|---|---|
최지몽 | |
| Director of the Secretariat | |
| In office 982–987 | |
| Appointed by | Taejo of Goryeo |
| Preceded by | unknown |
| Succeeded by | unknown |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 907 Silla, Yeongam County |
| Died | 2 April 987 Goryeo, Gaesong |
| Parent | Father Choi Heun |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Astronomer, Cosmologist, Diviner |
Choi Ji-mong (Korean: 최지몽. 907–987) was an astronomer, diviner, high level civil servant of Goryeo who served from Taejo of Goryeo to Seongjong of Goryeo. He predicted with his astrology that Wang Gun will unify Later Three Kingdoms into one country.
Life
[edit]He was born in Yeongam County in the year of 907 during the Later Three Kingdoms era. He is from the Nangju Choi Clan and his original name was Choi Chung-jin(Korean: 최총진). His father Heun Choi(Korean: 최흔) or Sang-heun Choi(Korean: 최상흔) was a head of local powerful gentry who was based in Nangju, Jeolla Province.[1] He learnt lessons and studies from scholars such as Daekwang Hyeon-il and Hyeongmi Seon-sa.[2] He also researched on Astrology and Cosmology in nearby Wolchulsan.[3] He also studied Confucianism during his youth.
At the age of 18, he was hired by Taejo of Goryeo who thought highly of Choi's astrology and cosmology knowledge. Wang Gun personally brought Ji-mong to Gaesong in order to interpret his dream of ascending to the 9th floor of Hwangnyongsa.[4] Ji-mong interpreted Wang's dream that Wang Gun will unify the Korean peninsula in the future.[5] Taejo give Choi new name Ji-mong, which means diviner in Hanja. His first role was the officer of the bureau of royal decrees. His life was deeply related to the founding Goryeo with Wang Gun.[6] He was a close advisor to Wang Gun throughout many battles and clashes with Later Paekche. After Goryeo unified Later Paekche and Later Silla, Choi was still worked as a political advisor to King of Goryeo.[7][8]
When Hyejong of Goryeo was came to the throne, there was a Rebellion of Prince Gwangjuwon. Wang Kyu, who wanted to become a king of Goryeo, chose assassination to kill Hyejong.[9] However, it was not successful as Choi predicted with his astrologist knowledge, that there would be a rebellion, thus advising Hyeojong to leave the palace. He worked as an advisor to Hyejong and Jeongjong of Goryeo.
His political career was in danger during Gwangjong of Goryeo, when he made unpolite mistakes towards the king during a ceremony held in Gwibeopsa, a Buddhist temple located in the capital of Goryeo, Gaesung.[10][11] He left the office for 11 years of banishment. When Gyeongjong of Goryeo came to the throne in the year of 975, Choi was appointed as Daekwang, a senior officer position.
His astrology and cosmology knowledge once again helped to prevent a rebellion attempt by Wang seung, a collateral prince of Kaesong Wang clan. Seongjong appointed Choi as Director of the Secretariat in the year of 982.[12]
Choi retired at the age of 81, after several retirement request was not accepted by the King of Goryeo. He died on 2nd of April, in the year of 987 at Gaesong. Seongjong posthumously conferred Choi with the title of grand tutor to the Crown Prince.
In post-classical tradition
[edit]Television and film
There are several television series where Choi Ji-mong appeared. Taejo Wang Geon (2000~2002), one of well-known television series in South Korea, played by Gianni Park.[13] Another television series, in The Dawn of the Empire (2002~2003), Jung Dong-hwan Took on the character of Choi Ji-mong.[14] In Empress Cheonchu, a television series which was produced in 2009, Jeon Seong-hwan gave a performance.[15] In 2015, in Shine or Go Crazy, Kim Byeong-ok played the role.[16]
In 2016, Kim Sung-kyun was portrayed as Choi Ji-mong in the series Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.[17][18]
References
[edit]- ↑ 權悳永 (March 2006). "新羅下代 西ㆍ南海域의 海賊과 豪族". 한국고대사연구 (in Korean). 41: 299–333. ISSN 1226-6213.
- ↑ "최지몽 > 역사인물 | 영암문화원". yaculture.org. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 成春慶 (June 2002). "月出山 道岬寺 五層石塔". 문화사학 (in Korean) (17): 331–356. ISSN 1598-0774.
- ↑ 김갑동 (December 2018). "왕건과 전남 세력의 동향 – 나총례, 오다련, 최지몽을 중심으로 -". 도서문화 (in Korean). 52: 7–36. ISSN 1598-4893.
- ↑ 박성래 (January 1998). "역사속 과학인물-왕건의 꿈 해석해준 한국의 프로이드 최지몽(907~987)". 과학과 기술 (in Korean). 31 (9): 83–85.
- ↑ "63년 동안 여섯 임금을 섬긴 '최지몽'". 영암신문 (in Korean). 2019-10-31. Archived from the original on 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ 입력 2016-09-22 00:00 (2016-09-22). "'달의 연인 보보경심 려' 사천공봉 최지몽은 실존인물? 태조 왕건에 이름 하사받은 '낭주최씨 시조'". 아주경제 (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-08-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ 정청주 (August 2015). "신라말ㆍ고려초 海上勢力의 대두와 그 역사적 의미 - 왕건의 海上勢力 장악을 중심으로 -". 역사학연구 (in Korean) (59): 27–64. ISSN 1975-2431.
- ↑ 전, 기웅 (2002-05-01). "고려 개국공신 왕규". 월간중앙.
- ↑ "개성 귀법사". 한국민족문화대백과사전 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2026-05-16. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "고려사 < 고려시대 사료 DB". db.history.go.kr. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Goryeo dynasty | Korean History & Culture | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Taejo Wang Geon (TV Series 2000–2002) ⭐ 7.0 | Drama. Archived from the original on 2025-08-10. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Dawn of the Empire (TV Series, 2002–2003)". IMDb. 2003.
- ↑ "Empress Cheonchu - Apple TV". Apple TV. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Shine or Go Crazy - Apple TV". Apple TV. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Dalui Yeonin - Bobogyungsim Ryeo, So's Real Face (2015). "Kim Sung Kyun: Choi Ji-mong". IMDb.
- ↑ "Choi Ji Mong - Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo - POSTAVY.cz". www.postavy.cz. Retrieved 2026-08-10.