Yi Kyu-Bo: A Poet Amidst Turbulent Times Yi Kyu-Bo (이규보; hanja: 李奎報; 1168–1241) stands as one of the most celebrated figures in Korean literary history, a beacon of artistic brilliance amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the Koryo Dynasty. Born around 1168 in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province – though precise birth records remain elusive – Yi Kyu-Bo’s life was inextricably linked to the political upheavals that defined his era, shaping both his worldview and his enduring legacy as a poet. His profound understanding of Confucian ethics combined with an unparalleled mastery of poetic form cemented his pl…