“I shall begin with this. In the past, people of great wisdom and virtue seldom spoke of fantastical or bizarre things that were inexplicable, as their attention was devoted to governing the country with courtesy and moral principles, as well as educating the people. However, when a new King assumed power, he was clearly unlike ordinary men, having been granted an official mandate from the heavens and foretold by prophecy. Only then did he become King, riding the waves of great change, and achieved a monumental feat of founding a nation (…) Consequently, how could it be considered uncanny that the founders of the Three Kingdoms were all born of miraculous circumstances? This explains why “Giipyeon” (“Record of Marvels”) is presented as the first chapter and reflects the central purpose of this book.” (National Institute of Korean History, Illyeonui Samgungnyusa Jip-pil Donggi [Ilyeon’s Motivation for Writing Samguk Yusa], History Net: Korean History through Historical Sources)
Ilyeon was a writer and monk of the late Goryeo period, known for composing Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms).
1. Life
Ilyeon’s birth name was Kim Gyeong-myeong, and his posthumous name was Bogak. He was born in 1206 (second year of King Huijong’s reign), became a monk in 1219, and passed away in 1289. In 1249 (36th year of King Gojong’s reign), he stayed at Jeongnimsa Temple and contributed to the production of Jaejodaejanggyeong(The Second Edition of the Tripitaka). In 1277, while residing at Unmunsa Temple, he began composing Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), which he completed in 1284.
2. Writing
Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms)is undoubtedly the most widely read of Ilyeon’s works. He began writing it in 1277 and completed it in 1284. It exhibits some elements of a historical text, but unlike Kim Pusik’s Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), it encompasses a wide range of records, including 14 hyangga (songs and poems), myths and customs, tales, and songs, as well as references to Buddhism, endowing it with literary significance. It depicts the history of the Korean peninsula, dating back to Gojoseon (Old Chosŏn), and was composed during the turbulent late Goryeo period, a time of heavy interference by the Yuan Dynasty. Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) includes the myth of Dangun, known as Korea’s first ever foundation myth. Ilyeon also composed many other works, such as Hwarok (Analects) and Gesongjapjeo (A Collection of Verses and Prose). Ilyeon and Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) are representative writer and text, regarded as essential references both in the Korean curriculum and in the study of Korean history and literature.
Reference
National Institute of Korean History, Illyeonui Samgungnyusa Jip-pil Donggi (Ilyeon’s Motivation for Writing Samguk Yusa), History Net: Korean History through Historical Sources
http://contents.history.go.kr/front/hm/view.do?levelId=hm_070_0030
Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms)
Hwarok(Analects)
Gesongjapjeo(Collection of Verses and Prose)
Jungpyeonjodongowi(The Revised Edition of the System of Five Stages in T’sao-t’ung School)
Jodo(Lineage Chart of the Patriarchs)
Daejangsujirok(Essential Records for Understanding the Tripitaka)
Jeseungbeopsu(A Buddhist Dictionary of Numerical Terms)
Jojeongsawon(A Collection of Zen Anecdotes)
Seonmunjeomsongsawon(A Commentary on the Zen Koan Collection)
LTI Korea 
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