3. Of the King, by the Scholar-Officials, for the People: How Joseon's Radical Vision Shaped Korea’s Academic Drive

🎧If you’ve ever wondered why Korea is so obsessed with education, this episode goes deep into the origin story—one rooted not in modern societal pressures, but in centuries-old philosophy and political upheaval.

In this audio essay, I explore how Korea’s long-standing reverence for education began not with private academies or college entrance exams, but with a revolution. When the Joseon Dynasty emerged from the collapse of Goryeo, it didn’t just install a new monarch—it reimagined the meaning of power. Spoiler: it had less to do with bloodline, and far more to do with books.

We’ll dive into Jeong Do-jeon’s radical Confucian blueprint for governance, how Joseon kings were viewed as public servants rather than divine rulers, and why even royal wealth was expected to serve the people.

This episode builds on Part 3 of my Growing Up in Korea series and includes bonus insights that didn’t make it into the written version. If you're curious about the historical roots of Korea’s academic intensity—this one's for you.

🎧 Audio generated using Google’s NotebookLM🔗 Read the full post here: 3. Of the King, by the Scholar-Officials, for the People: How Joseon's Radical Vision Shaped Korea’s Academic Drive

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