Bangyesurok and the Gyeongse Theory in the Late Joseon Dynasty

The Gyeongse theory of the late Joseon Dynasty, exemplified by Bangyesurok, envisions an ideal society and offers a blueprint for a new social order, while bridging the gap between fiction and reality, addressing both present circumstances and future prospects. It is safe to say that the ideas of ideal society were organized into the form of the Gyeongse theory due to the emergence of Bangyesurok. The Gyeongse theory outlined in Bangyesurok was systematic, with its theoretic foundation rooted in the public land system (公田制). In addition, the reform plans proposed in this book were divided into several sectors, each closely interconnected yet addressing distinct social issues separately. In line with the essence of "Jing-Dong" and "Ti-Yong" theories (靜動·體用論) in Neo-Confucianism, Yu Hyeongwon valued both institutional reform plans concerning practical matters and theoretical discussions related to philosophy. The narrative structure of Bangyesurok effectively avoids the problem of being excessively biased toward ideals or lacking the ability to address reform plans. This aspect ensures that Bangyesurok remains both realistic and appealing, and is also an important feature of Yu Hyeongwon's Gyeongse theory. This development of the Gyeongse theory shows that Neo-Confucianism's shift towards addressing practical concerns, which was significant in driving the exploration of new historical possibilities and fostering changes.