Observing the Ancestors’ Courtesy names (Ja) and Pen names (Ho), alongside the kings and major events of each era, helps better understand the historical flow.

 

 

1. Anyeol Byun (변안열, 1st generation of Wonju Byun clan) & Sook Byun (변숙, 1st generation of Duke Jeonseo branch,

   2nd generation of the Wonju Byun clan)

• Era: Late Goryeo, King Chungseok, King Chungjeong, King Gongmin, King U, King Chang, King Gongyang

• Notes: A period of weakened royal authority and political chaos. Ultimately, Yi Seong-gye led a rebellion that ended Goryeo and established Joseon, marking a time of major upheaval.

• Anyeol Byun: Pen name Daeun (大隱) – a recluse free from worldly worries; Courtesy name Chungga (忠可) – striving for loyalty and a righteous life.

• Sook Byun: Pen name Moryeodang (慕麗堂) – yearning for Goryeo and living a life of integrity; Courtesy name Jaeom (子嚴) – maintaining one’s beliefs even in hardship

 

2. We Byun (변위) & Ryangbo Byun (변량보, 1st generation of Cheomjigong branch, approx. 6th–7th generations)

• Era: Mid-Joseon, King Yeonsangun, King Jungjong, King Myeongjong Notes: After the Jungjong Restoration (1506), conflicts arose between the entrenched Hungu faction and the rising Sarim scholars. Political purges and power struggles included the reforms of Jo Gwang-jo, the Gim An-ro regime, the Munsuk Queen’s regency,  and the Eulsa purge (1545).

• We Byun: Pen name Taheo (太虛) – seeking harmony with nature and balance even amid societal chaos.

• Ryangbo Byun: Pen name Gukno (國老) – emphasizing living rightly for the nation and community.

 

3. Yijin Byun (변이진) & Hwan Byun (변환, 9th–10th generations)

• Era: Late-Mid Joseon, King Seonjo, Gwanghaegun, King Injo Notes: The nation was devastated by major wars: the Imjin War (1592–1598), the Jeongmyo War (1627), and the Byeongja War (1636). Yijin Byun died in battle in 1640.

• Yijin Byun: Courtesy name Hyeongbo (亨甫) – valuing human relationships and trust.

• Hwan Byun: Courtesy name Yeohwi (汝輝) – aiming to positively influence those around like light.

 

4. Sangdam Byun (변상담) ~ Hankook Byun (변한국, 11th–13th generations)

• Era: Mid-Late Joseon, King Hyojong, King Hyeonjong, King Sukjong, King Gyeongjong, King Yeongjo Notes: Factional politics intensified with conflicts between the Westerners and Southerners, leading to the Gihaye Song (1659) and Gapin Song (1674). During King Gyeongjong’s reign, the Noh-Ron and So-Ron conflicts sparked the Sinim purge (1721–1722), and in King Yeongjo’s reign, Crown Prince Sado was confined and killed in the Imo Hwa-byeon (1762).

• Sangdam Byun: Pen name Huiun (希隱) – maintaining optimism and goals even in adversity.

• Moon Byun: Courtesy name Gyeongheon (敬獻) – valuing respect and harmonious relationships.

• Hankook Byun: Pen name Ikjae (翊栽) – self-improvement and contributing to society.

 

5. Taehwa Byun (변태화) ~ Jihyun Byun (변지현, 14th–16th generations)

• Era: Late Joseon, King Yeongjo, King Jeongjo, King Heonjong, King Cheoljong Notes: Yeongjo and Jeongjo implemented Tangpyeong politics and cultural development, but during Heonjong and Cheoljong, factional dominance (sedo politics) weakened royal authority and destabilized governance.

• Taehwa Byun: Pen name Sijung (時中) – living with balance and wisdom.

• Dongwoo Byun: Pen name Gukbo (國甫) – living rightly for community and nation.

• Jihyun Byun: Pen name Seonwon (善元) – embodying a righteous beginning in life.

 

6. Seokyeon Byun (변석연) ~ Hyungsik Byun (변형식, 17th–19th generations)

• Era: Late Joseon → Korean Empire → Japanese Occupation Kings/Leaders: King Sunjo, King Heonjong, King Cheoljong, Heungseon Daewongun, Emperor Gojong Notes: Political corruption from the Andong Kim clan’s dominance, Heungseon Daewongun’s isolationist policies, and Gojong’s modernization efforts were undermined by foreign invasions. Key events included the Treaty of Ganghwa (1876), Eulsa Treaty (1905), and the Japan–Korea Annexation (1910), leading to the loss of national sovereignty.

• Seokyeon Byun: Pen name Wonho (源浩) – contributing to the world through knowledge and creativity.

• Seungphil Byun: Courtesy name Gyeongheum (敬欽) – valuing respect and consideration in community life.

• Hyungsik Byun: Pen name Nanhwe (蘭會) – devoted to independence and historical mission.

 

7. Heepung Byun (변희풍) & Eungzou Byun (변응주, 20th–22nd generations)

• Era: Modern and Contemporary Korea, Period: Japanese Occupation, Post-Liberation, Korean War, Modern

   Republic of Korea Presidents:

• 1st–3rd: Syngman Rhee (Korean War, mass civilian killings including Jeju 4.3 incident, authoritarian rule, election fraud, The fact that Syngman Rhee failed to prepare for the Korean War despite hearing North Korea’s declaration of war is similar to King Seonjo of Joseon, who did not take precautions even after learning of Japan’s declaration of war.),

• 4th: Yun Boseon,

• 5th–9th: Park Chunghee (1961 military coup, industrialization, authoritarian rule),

• 10th: Choi Kyuhah,

• 11th–12th: Chun Doohwan (came to power via coup, Gwangju Democratization Movement, authoritarian rule, Detained in 1995),

• 13th: Roh Taewoo (military coup with Chun Doohwan, authoritarian rule, Detained in 1995),

• 14th–16th: Kim Youngsam, Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moohyun (civilian governments),

• 17th: Lee Myungbak (Four Major Rivers project, BBK stock scandal, impeachment),

• 18th: Park Geun-hye (Sewol Ferry disaster, impeachment)