Grief over National Ruin and Introspection
- 홈
- About Kansong
- Life
- Grief over National Ruin and Introspection
- Lineage and Family Environment
- Grief over National Ruin and Introspection
- Hannamseorim Bookstore and Bukdanjang Art Institute
- Bohwagak Art Museum and Passionate Collection
- Posung Middle School and Hunminjeongeum
- The Korean War
- Cultural Properties Committee and the Art & Archaeology Magazine
Kansong gained admission to the Department of Law at Waseda University with remarkable ease and departed for Tokyo. That same year, Kansong welcomed the birth of a son, bringing laughter back to the family after years of sorrow. Kansong’s jubilant biological father, Chun Yeonggi, bestowed upon his grandson the name Chun Gwangwu (literally, “rain of light”), expressing his wish for the child to bring honor to the family. To ensure the continuation of the family line, Gwangwu was adopted as the son of Chun Yeonggi’s eldest son, Chun Hyeongseol, who had passed away prematurely.
As a student hailing from a Japanese colony, Kansong encountered humiliation and disdain at Waseda University. Moreover, he felt a profound sense of disorientation, unable to envision the future of his homeland. Prior to his sojourn in Tokyo, Kansong had lived with his family in Seoul in the traditional Korean manner, attending schools established in the spirit of resistance to Japanese rule. He had never relinquished his sense of dignity, firmly believing that the opportunity to reclaim sovereignty from Japan would inevitably arise. Kansong had been resolute in his determination to dedicate himself to the cause of liberating his country from Japanese dominion. However, in Tokyo, Kansong found himself beset by doubt and skepticism, and his hope for liberation from Japan began to feel like a delusion.
In his homeland, Kansong had been an object of envy—the sole son of Seoul’s wealthiest man, a well-rounded and handsome individual who excelled in academics, sports, music, and the arts. Although outwardly modest, Kansong possessed great self-respect and pride. Consequently, he found it nearly impossible to accept the humiliating reality of his situation, and began to harbor ambitions of undertaking endeavors that would bring the Japanese colonialists to their knees.
As a student hailing from a Japanese colony, Kansong encountered humiliation and disdain at Waseda University. Moreover, he felt a profound sense of disorientation, unable to envision the future of his homeland. Prior to his sojourn in Tokyo, Kansong had lived with his family in Seoul in the traditional Korean manner, attending schools established in the spirit of resistance to Japanese rule. He had never relinquished his sense of dignity, firmly believing that the opportunity to reclaim sovereignty from Japan would inevitably arise. Kansong had been resolute in his determination to dedicate himself to the cause of liberating his country from Japanese dominion. However, in Tokyo, Kansong found himself beset by doubt and skepticism, and his hope for liberation from Japan began to feel like a delusion.
In his homeland, Kansong had been an object of envy—the sole son of Seoul’s wealthiest man, a well-rounded and handsome individual who excelled in academics, sports, music, and the arts. Although outwardly modest, Kansong possessed great self-respect and pride. Consequently, he found it nearly impossible to accept the humiliating reality of his situation, and began to harbor ambitions of undertaking endeavors that would bring the Japanese colonialists to their knees.
Kansong as a Waseda University student, 1927 
During his returns home for academic breaks, Kansong paid visits to like-minded friends, family elders, and mentors to share his frustrations and seek guidance on finding a glimmer of hope amidst the seemingly hopeless reality. The individual Kansong consulted most frequently in this regard was Go Huidong (1886-1965, pen name Chungok), who had been Kansong’s art teacher at Whimun High.
Go Huidong had recognized Kansong’s extraordinary artistic talent early on and held him in high esteem. Go Huidong himself had been the first Korean student to pursue studies in Tokyo. He had initially majored in Western painting at a Tokyo art school before transitioning to Oriental painting. As a member of a new generation of intellectuals who harbored strong anti-Japanese sentiments and appreciated traditional Korean art, Go Huidong empathized with Kansong more profoundly than anyone else.
Both Kansong and Go Huidong, who resided in Gwancheol-dong, hailed from Jongno. Go Huidong, perceiving Kansong’s frustration and ambition, suggested that the sole ray of hope for Koreans in this dark age could be found in the protection of their cultural heritage. Kansong was elated by this insight, as if he had spotted a lighthouse on a boundless ocean shrouded in darkness, and it was at this juncture that he determined the future course of his life.
A pioneer had already begun laying the groundwork for this mission. Oh Sechang (1864-1953, pen name Wuichang), also from Gwancheol-dong, was an Enlightenment Movement activist who had taken the lead in embracing Western culture. He was also a follower of Cheondogyo who had stood at the forefront of the March 1st Movement of 1919. Oh Sechang was renowned as a master of the Chusa-style of documental archeology. Possessing an exceptional eye for discovering authentic treasures of the past, Oh Sechang was regarded as the preeminent documental archaeologist, capable of providing elaborate scholarly consultation and accurate artistic value assessments.
Go Huidong introduced Kansong to Oh Sechang. When the 23-year-old college student met the 65-year-old archaeologist, it was a fortuitous encounter. Oh Sechang was deeply impressed by Kansong, who, despite being young enough to be his grandson, was already devoted to protecting the cultural heritage of his country. Kansong, in turn, was reassured to discover a mentor of Oh Sechang’s caliber who could guide him. Under Oh Sechang’s tutelage, Kansong studied documental archaeology, calligraphy, painting, and authentication techniques for paintings, calligraphic works, and antiques.
As Kansong diligently pursued the expansion of his great ambition, the Chun clan encountered yet another tragedy. Chun Gwangwu, Kansong’s son who had been adopted by Chun Hyeongseol, passed away in 1928 before reaching the age of two, plunging the family into despair. The toddler had been the raison d’être for his adoptive mother (Kansong’s sister-in-law), a daughter of Kim Junhui from the Andong Kim clan who had served as a sixth-rank military officer in the Five Military Commands. Having been widowed at the age of 28, she soon followed her adoptive son in departing this life.
Go Huidong had recognized Kansong’s extraordinary artistic talent early on and held him in high esteem. Go Huidong himself had been the first Korean student to pursue studies in Tokyo. He had initially majored in Western painting at a Tokyo art school before transitioning to Oriental painting. As a member of a new generation of intellectuals who harbored strong anti-Japanese sentiments and appreciated traditional Korean art, Go Huidong empathized with Kansong more profoundly than anyone else.
Both Kansong and Go Huidong, who resided in Gwancheol-dong, hailed from Jongno. Go Huidong, perceiving Kansong’s frustration and ambition, suggested that the sole ray of hope for Koreans in this dark age could be found in the protection of their cultural heritage. Kansong was elated by this insight, as if he had spotted a lighthouse on a boundless ocean shrouded in darkness, and it was at this juncture that he determined the future course of his life.
A pioneer had already begun laying the groundwork for this mission. Oh Sechang (1864-1953, pen name Wuichang), also from Gwancheol-dong, was an Enlightenment Movement activist who had taken the lead in embracing Western culture. He was also a follower of Cheondogyo who had stood at the forefront of the March 1st Movement of 1919. Oh Sechang was renowned as a master of the Chusa-style of documental archeology. Possessing an exceptional eye for discovering authentic treasures of the past, Oh Sechang was regarded as the preeminent documental archaeologist, capable of providing elaborate scholarly consultation and accurate artistic value assessments.
Go Huidong introduced Kansong to Oh Sechang. When the 23-year-old college student met the 65-year-old archaeologist, it was a fortuitous encounter. Oh Sechang was deeply impressed by Kansong, who, despite being young enough to be his grandson, was already devoted to protecting the cultural heritage of his country. Kansong, in turn, was reassured to discover a mentor of Oh Sechang’s caliber who could guide him. Under Oh Sechang’s tutelage, Kansong studied documental archaeology, calligraphy, painting, and authentication techniques for paintings, calligraphic works, and antiques.
As Kansong diligently pursued the expansion of his great ambition, the Chun clan encountered yet another tragedy. Chun Gwangwu, Kansong’s son who had been adopted by Chun Hyeongseol, passed away in 1928 before reaching the age of two, plunging the family into despair. The toddler had been the raison d’être for his adoptive mother (Kansong’s sister-in-law), a daughter of Kim Junhui from the Andong Kim clan who had served as a sixth-rank military officer in the Five Military Commands. Having been widowed at the age of 28, she soon followed her adoptive son in departing this life.
Chun Yeonggi (Kansong’s biological father), who had named his grandson and even included the name in the epitaph inscribed on his father’s tombstone, was also stricken with grief and despair over the loss of his precious grandson. He passed away on February 26, 1929, at the age of 65, during the spring of Kansong’s final year at university.
Just as he had worn mourning attire at his high school graduation due to the death of his adoptive father, Kansong now found himself graduating from university in mourning garb, this time for his biological father. Once again, Kansong became the sole legitimate heir of both his biological and adoptive families, inheriting the enormous fortunes of the two families to become the country’s wealthiest landowner.
Ironically, the series of unfortunate deaths in the Chun clan proved to be a blessing for Korea, as the substantial inheritance empowered Kansong to collect and preserve the cultural treasures of the country.
As the new head of the family, the 25-year-old man fresh out of college was tasked with overseeing farming operations on lands with a combined production capacity exceeding 100,000 sacks of rice per annum. While there must have been numerous attempts by others to lead him astray and gain access to his enormous wealth, Kansong was fortified by a strong sense of mission and remained uninterested in pursuits beyond his chosen path. As if to overcome the grief of losing his father and son by immersing himself in the collection and safeguarding of his country’s cultural properties, Kansong increased the frequency of his visits to Oh Sechang.
Just as he had worn mourning attire at his high school graduation due to the death of his adoptive father, Kansong now found himself graduating from university in mourning garb, this time for his biological father. Once again, Kansong became the sole legitimate heir of both his biological and adoptive families, inheriting the enormous fortunes of the two families to become the country’s wealthiest landowner.
Ironically, the series of unfortunate deaths in the Chun clan proved to be a blessing for Korea, as the substantial inheritance empowered Kansong to collect and preserve the cultural treasures of the country.
As the new head of the family, the 25-year-old man fresh out of college was tasked with overseeing farming operations on lands with a combined production capacity exceeding 100,000 sacks of rice per annum. While there must have been numerous attempts by others to lead him astray and gain access to his enormous wealth, Kansong was fortified by a strong sense of mission and remained uninterested in pursuits beyond his chosen path. As if to overcome the grief of losing his father and son by immersing himself in the collection and safeguarding of his country’s cultural properties, Kansong increased the frequency of his visits to Oh Sechang.
Kansong as a university student during vacation, 1928 