The Tale of Hong Gildong
by Heo Gyun · 2026-08-25
"There is one more place besides this, but the journey is thousands of li, which concerns me."
Gil-hyeon said,
"Even if it were tens of thousands of li, if there is a place where my parents' bones can rest in peace, I will not consider the distance."
Gil-dong returned home with his brother and reported the matter.
The madam was also deeply saddened.
A day was chosen, and the Grand Minister's coffin was carried to the island.
Gil-dong said to the madam,
"Even after I returned, I could not fully express the affection between mother and son."
"Furthermore, it will be difficult to offer morning and evening sacrifices before the Grand Minister's spirit tablet,"
"So, I wonder if it would be good if you would allow me to accompany you on this journey with my mother."
The madam agreed.
They set off that day and reached Seogang, where his subordinates were waiting with a large ship.
After placing the coffin on the ship, all the accompanying servants were dismissed.
Then, taking his brother and mother, they departed into the vast ocean, and no one knew where they were going.
A few days later, they arrived at an island, placed the coffin in the main hall, and on a chosen day, ascended Mount Ilbong to hold the funeral.
The funeral procession resembled the construction of a king's tomb.
When his brother expressed surprise, saying it was too extravagant, Gil-dong said,
"Brother, do not doubt."
"This is not a land frequented by Joseon people."
"It is not a sin for a child to give their parents a lavish funeral."
After the funeral, they returned to the island and stayed for several months.
Eventually, his brother wished to return to his hometown, so Gil-dong prepared the way and bid farewell.
"The day I see you again, brother, is distant."
"Mother has already come here, and I cannot bear to leave due to the affection between mother and son."
"Brother, you served the Grand Minister while he was alive, so you will have no regrets."
"I will perform the ancestral rites after his passing, hoping to atone for even a ten-thousandth of my unfilial sin."
Then, they ascended to the burial mound together, bid farewell, and descended.
When Gil-dong also bid farewell to his mother and Baek, they urged each other to meet again, expressing their deep regret.
As he hastened a small boat towards his homeland, his brother took Gil-dong's hand and said,
“Alas. This separation will be long.”
“My younger brother, please consider my circumstances and allow me to see the Grand Minister's burial mound again in my lifetime.”
With that, he shed endless tears, soaking his collar.
Gil-dong also shed tears and said,
“Brother, please return to our homeland, attend to your wife, and live a long and prosperous life.”
“Since we cannot set a date to meet again,”
“Divided by thousands of miles to the north and south, the quilt will be cold, and the wings of a lonely bird will be weary.”
“I can only sigh as I watch the geese flying north in vain, and gaze at the water flowing east.”
“A living separation is no different from a separation by death, so our hearts are the same.”
“No matter how strong our hearts are, like iron and stone, how can we endure this?”
Two streams of tears fell with his words, truly a heartbreaking utterance for all ages.
The river seemed to stop flowing at his voice, and the passing clouds seemed to linger.
They could not bear to part from each other.
They forced themselves to compose their hearts, comforted each other, and then launched the boat.
After several months, he returned to his homeland, met his mother and wife, and recounted in detail the story of the burial mound and all that had transpired.
His wife also expressed deep sorrow.
After parting with his brother, Gil-dong instructed his subordinates to focus on farming and to practice military law.
After observing the three-year mourning period, their provisions were abundant.
The martial arts and battle formations of tens of thousands of soldiers were the best in the world.
There was a country nearby, named Yul-do-guk.
They did not serve China, and for dozens of generations, they ruled with virtue, leading to a peaceful nation and prosperous people.
Gil-dong discussed with his subordinates.
“How can we spend our days just guarding this island?”
“Now I intend to attack Yuldo-guk. What are each of your opinions?”
Everyone was willingly in favor.
Soon, they set a date and raised an army.
They appointed the Three Heroes as the vanguard and Kim In-su as the rear commander.
Gil-dong himself became the Grand Marshal, commanding the central army, with five thousand cavalry and twenty thousand infantry.
The sound of drums and shouts shook the mountains and rivers, and flags, swords, and spears obscured the sun and moon.
They hastened their army towards Yuldo-guk, and there was no one to oppose them.
Wherever they went, people offered food and water, opened their gates, and surrendered.
Within a few months, they pacified over seventy fortresses, and their prestige resonated throughout the entire nation.
They set up camp fifty ri outside the capital and sent a declaration of war to the King of Yuldo-guk.
The letter read as follows: