Hongik Ingan – The Root of Korea’s Spiritual Culture and Why K-Culture Resonates Globally

-

 

Hongik Ingan – The Root of Korea’s Spiritual Culture and Why K-Culture Resonates Globally

Korea’s founding philosophy, Hongik Ingan (弘益人間), literally means “to broadly benefit humankind.”
This simple yet profound phrase embodies the fundamental value established during the founding of Gojoseon, Korea’s first kingdom. It is a philosophical declaration that aspires to a universal ideal, transcending individual interests to pursue the well-being of both the community and humanity as a whole.

Far from being a mere historical slogan, Hongik Ingan continues to live on today as the guiding principle behind Korea’s educational philosophy, social values, and even the global success of K-culture.

1. Hongik Ingan – A Declaration of Universal Human Values

When King Dangun Wanggeom founded Gojoseon, he set forth the principle of “broadly benefiting humankind” as the nation’s founding ideology.
This philosophy emphasized the happiness and harmony of the entire human community rather than the prosperity of a single nation or people.

Its core ideas include:

  • Public Good (公益) – the belief that individuals and communities must flourish together

  • Mutual Prosperity (相生) – living in harmony without harming others and sharing benefits

  • Universal Benevolence – fostering solidarity that transcends borders and ethnicity

2. Why Hongik Ingan Matters Even More Today

The world today faces unprecedented challenges—conflicts, climate change, and growing inequality. At the root of these problems lies self-centered thinking and the pursuit of exclusive interests.

Hongik Ingan stands in contrast by proposing a philosophy of mutual benefit and shared prosperity, presenting a new value system that humanity in the 21st century must strive for.

It is no coincidence that Korea has enshrined Hongik Ingan in Article 2 of its Framework Act on Education, reflecting the nation’s commitment to moral growth and communal contribution as key pillars of education.

3. K-Culture and Hongik Ingan – Universal Values Behind the Global Success

The worldwide popularity of K-pop, K-dramas, Korean films, and Korean cuisine is not merely due to high-quality content.
Korean culture inherently carries warmth that connects people, emotionally resonant stories, and messages of shared happiness.

Examples include:

  • K-pop fandom culture – a mutually supportive relationship where fans and artists grow together

  • K-dramas and films – works that deeply explore universal emotions such as family love, justice, and solidarity

  • BTS’s “Love Myself” campaign – a message of respecting oneself and others, which deeply moved global audiences

At the heart of these phenomena lies the Hongik Ingan spirit, a philosophy of life in which happiness is shared by both self and others.

4. How Hongik Ingan Shapes Korea’s Global Standing

The success of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) is not just about creating new trends.
Korean culture resonates worldwide because it embodies universal human values—sharing, empathy, care, and solidarity—that transcend borders and languages.

The philosophy of Hongik Ingan serves as:

  • A foundation for building respectful, collaborative cultural exchanges

  • A call for ethical action and global citizenship

  • A bridge linking Korea’s traditional values with modern creativity

5. Hongik Ingan and the Future of Humanity – A Value to Be Shared Worldwide

Humanity will continue to face formidable challenges such as climate change, artificial intelligence ethics, inequality, and geopolitical conflicts.
In such times, what we need most is a mindset that helps one another, shares benefits, and collectively creates a better future.

Hongik Ingan offers a philosophical answer to these global challenges.
It is not just a historical slogan but a guiding principle for humanity’s future, as well as the underlying spiritual force enabling the continued success of K-culture.

6. Historical Records of Hongik Ingan

The Samguk Yusa (c. 1281) records the following:

“In ancient times, Hwanung descended to govern the human world. His son, King Dangun Wanggeom, founded a nation at Asadal and called it Gojoseon. At that time, following Heaven’s will, he proclaimed: ‘Hongik Ingan’—to broadly benefit humankind.”

Similarly, the Jewang Ungi (c. 1287) recounts the founding of Gojoseon and King Dangun Wanggeom’s achievements, affirming that Hongik Ingan was the fundamental principle guiding the governance of the state.

These records provide strong historical evidence that Gojoseon was not merely mythical, but an actual early state, proving that Korea’s spiritual culture has deep historical roots.

It is translated as “Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms.” This book is a historical record compiled in 1281 by the Goryeo-era Buddhist monk Ilyeon. It contains myths, legends, and Buddhist stories from ancient Korea, spanning from Gojoseon to the Three Kingdoms period.


References

  • Iryeon, Samguk Yusa (c. 1281)

  • Yi Seung-hyu, Jewang Ungi (c. 1287)

  • National Institute of Korean History, Korean History Database – https://db.history.go.kr

  • Ministry of Education, Framework Act on Education, Article 2

Conclusion – Hongik Ingan Is Korea’s Past and Humanity’s Future

Hongik Ingan is deeply embedded in the spiritual culture of the Korean people and serves as the hidden philosophical force behind the success of Hallyu.
The reason the world connects with Korean culture lies in its universal values and the message of mutual prosperity, ideals that resonate with humanity’s deepest aspirations.

Thus, Hongik Ingan is a value that transcends Korea and should be embraced by all of humanity, a vision to be passed down to future generations.
When Korea’s spiritual culture shines even brighter on the global stage, we can truly realize the meaning of “broadly benefiting humankind.”


by pre2w

View korean vision 

홍익인간 – 한국 정신문화의 뿌리이자 한류가 세계에 통하는 이유



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Redefining the Sky of Joseon – The Scientific Brilliance of Chiljeongsan Naeoe-pyeon

-
Image
  Redefining the Sky of Joseon – The Scientific Brilliance of Chiljeongsan Naeoe-pyeon (from Volume 156 of the Veritable Records of King Sejong) During the Goryeo Dynasty, Choi Seongji accompanied King Chungseon on a visit to the Yuan Dynasty in China. There, he obtained a copy of the Shoushili Calendar (授時曆法) and brought it back to Korea, where it was adopted for the first time. However, at the time, local calendar officials only understood how to construct the calendar itself. They lacked the knowledge to calculate solar and lunar eclipses or determine the positions of the five planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. In response, King Sejong commissioned Jeong Heumji, Jeong Cho, and Jeong Inji to conduct astronomical research and refine the calendar system. These scholars successfully unraveled the underlying principles. Where their understanding fell short, King Sejong himself, with his keen insight, discerned the correct interpretations. Moreover, the Joseon cou...
Read more

The Pinnacle of Joseon Scientific Technology: The Structural Excellence and Technological Superiority of Singijeon and Hwacha

-
Image
  <Singijeon Part 2> The Pinnacle of Joseon Scientific Technology: The Structural Excellence and Technological Superiority of Singijeon and Hwacha In 15th-century Joseon, science and technology were not just tools for development but were perceived as core components of national defense. This philosophy led to the integration of scientific innovations into advanced weapon systems, most notably the Singijeon (Divine Machine Arrow) and its launching platform, the Hwacha (Fire Cart). This article delves into the scientific structure of the Singijeon, its technological sophistication, and the superior engineering of the Hwacha designed for precise projectile delivery. Background: The Strategic Importance of Singijeon in Joseon’s Military System The Singijeon was developed during the reign of King Sejong as a high-performance rocket weapon, a significant advancement from the earlier Gijeon rocket arrows. Initiated in 1448 (Sejong 30) at the request of General Kim Jong-seo t...
Read more

Bigyeokjincheonroe – A Timed Bomb from 16th Century Korea

-
Image
  Bigyeokjincheonroe – A Timed Bomb from 16th Century Korea Joseon: The Historical Root of the Republic of Korea When people around the world think of Korea today, they often associate it with cutting-edge technologies, K-pop, semiconductors, or its rising influence in the global defense market. However, these achievements did not appear overnight. They stem from a long tradition of scientific creativity and technological innovation—most notably during the era of Joseon (1392–1897) , the predecessor state of modern Republic of Korea (South Korea) . Joseon was a country that valued practical science and systematized its technologies. From astronomy to agriculture, from medicine to weapons engineering, the spirit of innovation was deeply embedded in national policy. “Joseon (1392–1897) was Korea’s last dynastic kingdom, known for its Confucian bureaucracy and scientific innovation.”          “Imjin War” Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598) Bigyeokjin...
Read more