Yun Sondo (1587-1671) was a major Korean sijo poet who captured the Korean spirit in native terms.

Yun Sondo, whose literary names were Kosan (Lonely Mountain) and Haeong (Old Man of the Sea), was born in July 1587 in Seoul to Yun Yusim, an official of the third rank. He was adopted and educated by his uncle Yun Yugi, a childless official of the first rank. In 1612 Yun Sondo passed the licentiate degree, but he chose not to enter public service. In 1616 he memorialized the throne concerning official corruption under Minister Yi Ich'om and earned a reputation for honesty and courage. Subsequently he was forced into exile until Yi's death.

In 1618, during his exile, Yun wrote Songs upon Gloom (Kyonhoe-yo) at Kyoongwon. These poems, his earliest, are in the sijo form, which reached its maturity in his hands. The form, which evolved in the 14th century, consists of a...