[Photo from utour.gwangju.go.kr]

Gi Daeseung (pen name Gobong) was praised by Lee Hwang (pen name Toegae) who said "You are better than me." People often remember Toegae Lee Hwang a great Neo-Confucian scholar of the Joseon dynasty, but do not often remember Gi Daeseung. While Lee Hwang was in Gyeongsang-do, Gobong was in Jeolla Province. The birthplace of Gobong is Dujeong-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju City. Gobong Gi Daeseung read books diligently and passed the state examination to become a Third Copyist of the Office of Diplomatic Correspondence. Here he met Toegae Lee Whang.

At their first meeting Gobong asked Toegae about 'the conduct of a right scholar.' Toegae answered "a scholar has only to do what is pure and right." Gobong unsparingly criticized the contradictions that had existed within the core of Joseon society since its inception. His unwaveringly critical consciousness and straightforward nature made him a loner, and after a long time he decided to leave his government post at the age of 44. He decided to rusticate after giving up his service. King Seonjo tried earnestly to him from doing it.

However Sir Gi Daeseung expostulated to King Seonjo the importance of good government for the people and then left Seoul (formerly called Hanyang) after packing his bags. But he had hardly reached Cheonan when a swelling broke out on his cheek. He bore the illness until he arrived in Taein. After hearing the news of his illness, King Seonjo sent medicine for him, but he passed away before it arrived. King Seonjo sent the money for the funeral expenses and enshrined his body in a large village of Imgok-dong. To King Seonjo, he had been a tenacious and obstinate subject for his whole life, but Sunjo could not forget such a one who took righteousness and morality as his position his whole life.