Yuk Yi

Born in 1438 and dying in 1498, Yuk Yi was a Korean scholar-official and writer of the Joseon period. Sources describe him as a member of a prominent family line, a man who spent his life in both government service and literary work, and someone who held a range of posts in the central administration before serving as a provincial governor.

He is best known today for Cheongpa geukdam (청파극담), a work associated with anecdote and tale literature. That reputation gives him a special place for modern readers: he was not only part of official Joseon intellectual life, but also a figure connected with preserving stories, voices, and literary tastes that still draw interest centuries later.

English-language library records sometimes list him as “Yi Yuk,” so his name can appear in more than one romanized form. I couldn’t confirm a suitable verified portrait image from the sources I checked, so none is included here.