We're sure that many of you have watched Korean historical dramas about life in the past. These costume dramas will often have beautifully dressed characters belonging to the upper strata of the Korean society.

But what was life really like for these aristocrats? Today we will take a look at how their education system. How and what did they study to land a official position in the old Korean kingdoms?

The Origins Of National Civic Service Exam

Korea's First National Civil Service Exam

The first national civil service exam on the Korean peninsula took place in 958, during the rule of King Gwangjong of Goryeo. This exam was known as Gwageo (과거). 

This exam has always put emphasis on the study of Confucian classics in order to foster officials to assist the king in power. However, the exam was also a system that the King implemented in order to keep the power of the nobility in check. 

The system was recommended to the king by Ssang Gi (쌍기), a Chinese scholar who had become a naturalized Korean.

How Were Government Positions Determined Before The Implementation Of Civil Service Exam?

The rulers of the previous kingdoms on the Korean peninsula had struggled to maintain their power.

Already during the middle and late stages of the Silla period, they started looking for new ways to govern the people. 

To this end, emphasis was put on class and filial piety by the promotion of Confucianism.

We know that by 520, Silla had introduced a system with 17 levels of official ranks (17관등). This system worked in parallell with what is known as the bone-rank system (골품제).

Source: Doopedia

To put it simple, the 5 highest levels of officials could only be held by members of the "true bone", members of the royal family, otherwise referred to as Jingol (진골).

Along with Jingol was Seonggol (성골), members of the royal Kim family who were in the direct lineage to become King. 

Members of the head ranks, less distinguished aristocrats, otherwise referred to as Yukdupum (6두품), were allowed to hold official ranks from 6 to 17, Odupum (5두품) from 10 to 17, and Sadupum (4두품) from 12 to 17.

Any rank below Sadupum (4두품) were considered commoners.

As you can see from the chart above, the bone-rank system also categorized status by the colour of uniform.

This was a system that emphasized family background rather than a person's abilities.

A low-ranked official couldn't climb the ladder if his parents were not of the right linage.

Likewise, higher ranked official would not be willing to go down the ladder. As can be seen from the picture above, your level in the hierarchy would even determine the color of your cloths. 

During the reign of the King Munmu of Silla (674), all 17 levels of officials were still occupied by aristocrats.

Ordinary citizens would never have the opportunity to work as an official for the dynasty. But this system was also created a hotbed for corruption and certain families amassing power. 

To rein in the power of aspiring noble families, King Gwangjong of Goryeo decided to introduce the national civil service exam.

How Did The Civil Service Exam Come To Be?

Constrained by their status, Yukdupum colluded with the monarch to fight against the true-bone aristocrats to become political advisers in diplomacy, medicine, law-making and etc.

In this atmosphere, Gukhak (국학) was established in 682 (2nd year under the ruling of King Sinmun of Shilla) and Dokseo Sampumgwa (독서삼품과) was established in 788 (4th year under the ruling of King Wonseong of Shilla), earliest educational institution of the nation.

Children of Yukdupum (6두품) were able to enroll into this Confucion institute and were guaranteed government official positions in the future.

Members of Jingol strongly opposed Yukdupum's practice of defending the King's power. As a result, many children of Yukdupum would move to China (Tang Dynasty) to study in the late Silla period.

When the Silla dynasty collapsed, the old bone-rank system crumbled as well. Local forces started fighting for power.

The old aristocracy went into decline as less emphasize was put on Confucian values.

In the early days of Goryeo dynasty, the nobles of Yukdupum dared not make an appearance.

It wasn't until the Goryeo king wanted to implement the imperial examination system to select talents for the government in order to consolidate the royal power.

The imperial examination system was also the result of discussing with the descendents of Yukdupum from the Silla era not wanting the culture to go backwards hundreds of years.

The examination was largely divided into two parts: Mungwa (문과) which focused on literature and Mugwa (무과) which focused on military.

After Gojong initiated the imperial examination system, it officially opened the rule of Confucianism that lasted for thousands of years from Goryeo dynasty to Joseon dynasty.

What Did You Get Tested On?

The Civil Service Examination Process

The imperial examination process, initiated by naturalized Korean Ssang Gi, was simple at first.

Following the establishment of the foundation of Goryeo dynasty and the improvement of the bureaucratic system, the Korean imperial examination system was also divided into "preparatory examination" and "final examination".

In 1004 (the 7th year under the ruling of King Mokjong of Goryeo), a ritual examination named Dongdang Gamsi (동당감시) was announced.

Dongdang Gamshi was further divided into three examinations: first, middle and final exams.

The three examinations were called Samjang Yeongwonbeop (삼장연권법).

Sometimes a 4th examination called Boksi (복시) was conducted on the grounds of strict selection of candidates to reinforce the kingship.

In 1024 (the 15th year under the ruling of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo), Gyesugwan (계수관) started Hyangsi (향시), or the local examination.

After passing the local examination in one's province, they could qualify to test at Gukjagam (국자감) in Seoul.

In 1031 (the first year under the ruling of King Deokjong of Goryeo), Deokjong announced that everyone had to take the preparatory exam Gukjagamsi (국자감시), also known as Sungkyun Exam or Namseongsi (남성시).

Those who perform well on the exam were given an opportunity to take the official examination and be awarded the title of Jinsa (진사), who enjoyed special treatment.

What Did You Have To Study? How Many Got Accepted?

The categories of the examination were divided into three: Jesulgwa (제술과), Myeonggyeonggwa (명경과) and Japgwa (잡과).

Jesulgwa and Myeonggyeonggwa tested literature-based subjects and Japgwa technical-based.

Because Jesulgwa was considered a lot more prominent at the time, around 6,700 people applied to get tested on it and around 30 people were picked each time.

On the other hand, Myeonggyeonggwa picked 3 to 4 individuals each time, sometimes going a long time without accepting anyone.

Overall, only 449 people applied to Myeonggyeonggwa.

The Changes In The Civil Service Exam

Were Commoners Able To Climb Up The Social Ladder?

Many may think that having successful results at imperial examinations means that children from poor families may climb up the social ladder, but it was actually impossible (Poor in this context means an environment where one is nearly starving to death or does not have enough food for the next meal).

Although based on the examination rules there are no restrictions for civilians (Yangin · 양인) to participate in Jesulgwa and Myeonggyeonggwa, from 1450 to 1452 (under the ruling of King Munjong of Goryeo), there are records that state participation was restricted to talents of the wealthy.

However, everyone could participate in Japgwa examinations.

This caused a collusion between the nobles and the civilians.

Did Only Literature Majors Get Tested?

So what about military examinations?

During the reign of King Yejong of Goryeo from 1105 to 1122, Chiljae (칠재), or 7 lessons, was implemented.

Among them, Muhakjae (무학재) taught martial arts, and through examinations, young people with excellent physique were tested and the country's generals were recruited.

Muhakjae was opposed by ministers who yearned for literati-ism and was abolished after 2 decades.

It was re-established in 1390 (the 2nd year under the ruling of King Gongyang of Goryeo), but then the Goryeo dynasty collapsed in 1392 and the Joseon dynasty followed this policy and continued improving on martial arts.

Civil Service Examination Ranks

The examination results were ranked from the highest to the lowest: Gapgwa (갑과), Eulgwa (을과), Byeonggwa (병과), and Jinsa (진사).

The person who received the highest score on the three exams was called Jangwon (장원) or Suseok (수석).

The rankings did not matter too much as long as one ranked at Jinsa or above, as they could all receive the courtesy of scholar-officials.

Jangwon, as leaders, hosted Dongnyeonhoe (동년회) to build fellowship among colleagues who entered the same year.

There was also Yongduhoe (용두회) where only Jangwon got together to network and bond.

The reality wasn't like the K-dramas we watched. You didn't suddenly become the son-in-law of the King and started living the royal life.

Those without an official rank started at the 6th rank and those with an official rank were promoted to the 4th rank.

What did you guys think about the examination system from hundreds of years ago?

Do you think they had to study more than we do?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!