Choe Han-gi

Choe Han-gi (1803–1879) was a Silhak scholar and philosopher of the late Joseon period who developed the "Study of Gi" (Gihak), explaining the origin of the world through gi, and championed an approach grounded in experience and observation. He left a vast body of work spanning more than a thousand volumes, including the Jigujeonyo (Comprehensive Account of the Earth), and took part in mapmaking alongside figures such as Kim Jeong-ho, contributing to the growth of geography. By actively embracing Western knowledge and seeking to connect Joseon scholarship with the wider world, he took a meaningful step toward modern thought.