The Vanished Body and Words of Consolation - Focusing on the Debate Surrounding the Death of Jambu, Lee Jeonggu

This paper examines the essential meaning of the abstract concept of “filial piety” in premodern society and explores the diverse responses and behaviors that emerged from this shared value among its members. It particularly focuses on the behavioral guidelines established between the declarative maxim from Xiaojing(孝經) that states, “The body, hair, and skin are received from one's parents, and one must not dare to harm them, as this is the beginning of filial piety,” and the rule that emotions should be tempered, as expressed in the phrase “Joy without excess, sorrow without injury.” Through this framework, the paper questions whether the modern understanding of filial piety, as a legacy from premodern times, has been fully inherited and developed in contemporary society. Additionally, the study considers how unusual and contentious cases that deviate from typical examples of filial piety should be evaluated. By exploring the complex nature of filial piety in premodern society, the paper highlights various instances where subtle divergences in perspectives arise and intersect. In particular, it focuses on the life and death of Yi Jeong-gu, an 18th-century figure from late Chosŏn, and the collection of mourning texts dedicated to him, Jeman(祭挽). Born posthumously, Yi Jeong-gu lost his mother at a young age and lived in constant longing for his parents. He ultimately ended his life by throwing himself into a river at the age of 28. The debate over whether his death fell within the bounds of filial piety sparked considerable discussion at the time, with differing opinions from those who mourned him and those who did not, as evidenced by the mourning records in Jeman. Through the analysis of Yi Jeong-gu's life and death, this study sheds light on the complexity of filial piety in premodern society and the various perceptions surrounding it. By reassessing the core understanding of filial piety, it aims to examine the continuity and discontinuity of the concept between premodern and modern times.