About

Guest = Crown Prince Yangban: The ruling class consisting of civil and military officials. They enjoyed various social and economic privileges, such as owning land and slaves and being exempt from military service. Jungin: The middle class of professional subordinates who handled practical administrative tasks in central and local government, including technical officials, local functionaries, and clerks. Sangmin: The commoner class that made up the majority of the population, consisting of farmers, artisans, and merchants. They were obligated to pay taxes (land tax, tribute, and labor) to the state. Cheonmin: The lowest class, mostly consisting of slaves (nobi). They were treated as property for sale, inheritance, or gift, and were not guaranteed human rights. Hyangyak: A community self-governance code in rural society that served to establish Confucian moral order and unite local residents. Seowon: Private academies for local Yangban (Sarim) to study and perform ancestral rites for sages. They were centers for forming Confucian public opinion in rural society. Ogajaktong-beop: A system of collective responsibility and control where five households were grouped into one unit (tong) to monitor each other and prevent crimes or tax evasion. Early Joseon Period: The custom of 'Namgwi-yeogahon' (the husband living in the wife's house) remained, so the status of women was relatively high. Property was inherited equally by sons and daughters, and ancestral rites were performed in rotation. Late Joseon Period: After the 17th century, the Neo-Confucian order deepened, and a patrilineal patriarchal system was fully established. The 'Chin-yeong' system (the wife moving into the husband's house) was established, and as inheritance and ancestral rites became mandatory for the eldest son, the social and familial status of women declined significantly. Destabilization of the Class System: Wealthy farmers and merchants who accumulated wealth through the transplanting method (monaegi-beop) rose to Yangban status by purchasing 'Gongmyeongcheop' (blank appointment certificates) or forging genealogies. Conversely, fallen Yangban (Janban) who became no different from farmers appeared, leading to the collapse of the class system. Development of Commoner Culture: Culture centered on commoners, such as Hangeul novels, Pansori (narrative singing), Talchum (mask dance), and Minhwa (folk painting), became very popular, increasing voices that satirized the hypocrisy of the ruling class and criticized reality. Crown Prince Education: From the time they were the Original Son (Wonja) and Crown Prince (Seja) before becoming King, they received rigorous education in kingship through an institution called 'Sigangwon'.