Choganjeong

About this place

Choganjeong is a pavilion built by Chogan Gwon Mun-hae (1534–1591), a civil official during the reign of King Seonjo of Joseon, after he retired from office, for the cultivation of his mind and body. A disciple of Toegye Yi Hwang, Gwon Mun-hae passed the civil service examination and served as magistrate of Daegu and as Jwabu-seungji, among other posts; he was the author of the 'Daedong Unbu Gunok,' Korea's first encyclopedia. First built in the 15th year of King Seonjo (1582), Choganjeong burned down in a fire in 1592; Gwon Mun-hae's son Gwon Byeol rebuilt it in the 4th year of King Injo (1626), but it burned again in the 14th year of King Injo (1636). The building that remains today was moved slightly westward from the original site and rebuilt by Gwon Bong-ui, a great-great-grandson of Gwon Mun-hae, in the 16th year of King Yeongjo (1740), and was renovated anew by his descendants in the 7th year of King Gojong (1870). The plaque reading 'Choganjeongsa' is the writing of Sogo Bak Seung-im; it was lost when the pavilion caught fire several times and later rediscovered—legend has it that a brilliant light was seen in the marsh in front of the pavilion, and when they dug there, the plaque was found buried. The pavilion was built on a stone platform raised on bedrock, measuring three kan across the front and two kan on the side. The two left bays at the front are arranged as ondol (heated-floor) rooms, and the rest is a wooden-floored hall with a railing installed on all four sides. The roof is of the double-eaved hipped-and-gabled style. Harmonizing with the beautiful surrounding scenery, Choganjeong is currently drawing attention as a tourist destination and as a filming location for films and dramas.