Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of the great philosopher Yi I (1536-1584 AD), nicknamed "the Confucius of Korea."
Yi I (December 26, 1536-1584) was one of the two most prominent Korean Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty, the other being his older contemporary, Yi Hwang (Toegye). Yi I is often referred to by his pen name Yulgok ("Chestnut valley"). His mother was Sin Saimdang, an accomplished artist and calligraphist.
Yi I was born on December 26, 1536 in Bukpyeong, in Gangwon Province. He was a child prodigy who knew Chinese script at the age of three and composed poems in Classical Chinese before he had reached his seventh birthday. By the age of seven, he had finished his lessons in the Confucian Classics, and he passed the Civil Service literary examination at the age of 13.
At the age of 29, Yi I passed a higher Civil Service examination—with full marks—and he started government service. His winning thesis, titled Cheondochaek, was widely regarded as a literary masterpiece, displaying his knowledge of history and the Confucian philosophy of politics, and also reflecting his profound knowledge of Taoism.
At 34, Yi I authored "Dongho Mundap", an eleven article treatise devoted to clarifying his conviction that righteous government could be achieved even within his own lifetime, showing his aspirations and also measures to achieve it.
Yi I temporarily renounced the world by secluding himself in the Diamond Mountain following his mother's death when he was 36. It is not known why he did this, although it is thought that either: he sought three years of lamentation until the Buddhist phrase, "life is transient", eased his sorrow; he may have understood that the Confucian teaching, "preserve your mind and nurture your nature", was synonymous with the Buddhist teaching, "open your mind and see your nature"; or he may have regarded it as a pleasure simply to retire to the countryside to rest.
Following his return to society, he authored "The Essentials of Confucianism" in 1576, which was considered to be a most valuable book, showing examples for a good Confucian life.
Yi I died in 1584, and the Yulgok Jeonjip ("The Complete Works of Yulgok") was compiled after his death on the basis of the writings he bequeathed.
Yulgongno—a street in central Seoul—is named after him, and he is depicted on the South Korean 5,000-Won note.
He is also well-known for his foresight about the national security of Joseon Dynasty. He proposed to draft and raise 100,000 men against possible Japanese attack. Rejected by central government, his worry was found to be well-founded soon after his death, when Hideyoshi Toyotomi's Japanese forces invaded Korea in 1592. The "Yulgok Project", a recent modernization project for the South Korean military, was named after him.
According to a legend, he had a villa built near the ford of the Imjin River in his lifetime and instructed his heirs to set it ablaze when the king had to flee northward from Seoul, to provide a guiding beacon. This took place during Hideyoshi's Invasions of Korea in 1592.
YUL-GOK
Movements - 38
Ready Posture - PARALLEL READY STANCE
1. Move the left foot to B forming a sitting stance toward D while extending the left fist to D horizontally.
2. Execute a middle punch to D with the right fist while maintaining a sitting stance toward D.
3. Execute a middle punch to D with the left fist while maintaining a sitting stance toward D. Perform 2 and 3 in a fast motion.
4. Bring the left foot to the right foot and then move the right foot to A forming a sitting stance toward D while extending the right fist to D horizontally.
5. Execute a middle punch to D with the left fist while maintaining a sitting stance toward D.
6. Execute a middle punch to D with the right fist while maintaining a sitting stance toward D. Perform 5 and 6 in a fast motion.
7. Move the right foot to Ad forming a right walking stance toward AD while executing a middle side block to AD with the right inner forearm.
8. Execute a low front snap kick to AD with the left foot keeping the position of the hands as they were in 7.
9. Lower the left foot to AD forming a left walking stance toward AD while executing a middle punch to AD with the left fist.
10. Execute a middle punch to AD with the right fist while maintaining a left walking stance toward AD. Perform 9 and 10 in a fast motion.
11. Move the left foot to BD forming a left walking stance toward BD at the same time executing a middle side block to BD with the left inner forearm.
12. Execute a low front snap kick to BD with the right foot keeping the position of the hands as they were in 11.
13. Lower the right foot to BD forming a right walking stance toward BD while executing a middle punch to BD with the right fist.
14. Execute a middle punch to BD with the left fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward BD. Perform 13 and 14 in a fast motion.
15. Execute a middle hooking block to D with the right palm while forming a right walking stance toward D, pivoting with the left foot.
16. Execute a middle hooking block to D with the left palm while maintaining a right walking stance toward D.
17. Execute a middle punch to D with the right fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward D. Execute 16 and 17 in a connecting motion.
18. Move the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a middle hooking block to D with the left palm.
19. Execute a middle hooking block to D with the right palm while maintaining a left walking stance toward D.
20. Execute a middle punch to D with the left fist while maintaining a left walking stance toward D. Execute 19 and 20 in a connecting motion.
21. Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D at the same time executing a middle punch to D with the right fist.
22. Turn the face toward D forming a right bending ready stance A toward D.
23. Execute a middle side piercing kick to D with the left foot.
24. Lower the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while striking the left palm with the right front elbow.
25. Turn the face toward C forming a left bending ready stance A toward C.
26. Execute a middle side piercing kick to C with the right foot.
27. Lower the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C while striking the right palm with the left front elbow.
28. Move the left foot to E forming a right L-stance toward E while executing a twin knife-hand block.
29. Move the right foot to E forming a right walking stance toward E while executing a middle thrust to E with the right straight finger tip.
30. Move the right foot to F turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward F while executing a twin knife-hand block.
31. Move the left foot to F forming a left walking stance toward F while executing a middle thrust to F with the left straight finger tip.
32. Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C while executing a high side block to C with the left outer forearm.
33. Execute a middle punch to C with the right fist while maintaining a left walking stance toward C.
34. Move the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C while executing a high side block to C with the right outer forearm.
35. Execute a middle punch to C with the left fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward C.
36. Jump to C forming a left X-stance toward B while executing a high side strike to C with the left back fist.
37. Move the right foot to A forming a right walking stance toward A at the same time executing a high block to A with the right double forearm.
38. Bring the right foot to the left foot and then move the left foot to B forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a high block to B with the left double forearm.
END: Bring the left foot back to a ready posture.