The Story of Hong Gildong
by Heo Gyun · 2026-08-25
"You will not see the world again,"
"But since I am not in a position to uphold the national law under the command of the country, I will overlook this for now."
"However, if you do not mend your ways in the future, I will hunt you down and behead you, even if you are tens of thousands of miles away."
Then, he gave them a severe beating and drove them out of the camp gate.
Gil-dong slaughtered cattle and sheep to feed the soldiers, arranged the formation, and forbade any loud noises.
The white sun shone brightly across ten thousand li of blue sky, and commands were solemn amidst the wind and clouds of the Eight Formations.
Gil-dong drank until he was half-drunk, then grabbed a sword and danced.
The sword's light scattered wildly, playing with the sunlight, and his dancing sleeves fluttered lightly in the air.
It was a feast.
Soon, the formation was broken, and the divine generals were sent back to their respective places. Gil-dong then swiftly returned to the Hwalbindang's abode.
After that, the order to capture Gil-dong became even more urgent, but not even a trace of him could be found.
Gil-dong sent his subordinates to seize the bribes going from the eight provinces to Seoul and consumed them.
And if there were people in distress, he would open the granaries and distribute grain to them.
People could not fathom his ghost-like talent.
His Majesty worried and sighed.
"This fellow's talent cannot be captured by human strength."
“The public sentiment is so shaken, yet his talent is truly remarkable.”
"It would be better to harness his talent and keep him in the court."
Thus, he offered the position of Minister of War and summoned Gil-dong.
Gil-dong rode in a palanquin, accompanied by dozens of servants, and entered through Dongdaemun.
The servants of the Ministry of War escorted him to the foot of the palace.
Gil-dong bowed and reported.
"Your heavenly grace is boundless, and by your undeserved favor, I have been appointed to the position of Grand Marshal."
“I am humbled that my heart cannot repay even one ten-thousandth of Your Majesty's grace.”
And then he withdrew.
After that, Gil-dong never caused any more trouble.
The order to capture Gil-dong, which had been sent to all provinces, was also withdrawn.
It was a bright moonlit night three years later.
The King was enjoying the moonlight with his eunuchs when an immortal official descended from the sky on a five-colored cloud and prostrated himself.
The King, surprised, said,
“What fault do you, a noble person, wish to tell me by coming to this humble place?”
The person replied,
“I am your humble servant, the former Minister of War, Hong Gil-dong.”
The King, surprised, took Gil-dong's hand and asked,
“Where have you been all this time?”
Gil-dong replied,
“I was in the mountains.”
“Now that I am leaving Joseon and will not see Your Majesty again, I have come to bid farewell.”
“If Your Majesty, with your great virtue, would grant me three thousand seok of rice, thousands of lives would be saved, so I implore your grace.”
The King granted it and said,
“Raise your head. I wish to see your face.”
Gil-dong raised his face but did not open his eyes.
“I do not open my eyes, lest Your Majesty be startled.”
Then, after serving for a while, he rode on a cloud and departed, bidding farewell.
“Your Majesty's grace in granting three thousand seok of rice is boundless and ever-increasing.”
“Please send it to Seogang tomorrow.”
The King gazed into the sky for a long time, regretting Gil-dong's talent.
The next day, he ordered the Daedongcheong Dangsan to transport three thousand seok of rice to Seogang.
The officials did not know the reason.
As the rice was being moved to Seogang, two boats floated up the river.
Having loaded three thousand seok of rice onto a ship, Gil-dong departed, bowing four times towards the palace to bid farewell.
After that, it was unknown where he went.
On this day, Gil-dong set sail into the vast ocean with three thousand subordinates.
He arrived at an island called Seongdo, built warehouses, erected palaces, and established himself there.
He had his soldiers focus on farming and circulated goods by traveling between various countries.
He revered martial arts and taught military strategy, so within three years, weapons and military provisions piled up like mountains.
His army was so strong that no one could stand against them.