Ryong Wonchoung

Wonchoung Ryong (Juponese: 鈴晚井; Ryong Wonchōung) was a Juponese artisan who was known for his famous statues, like Youkoshi Nankuai in Konggei, and poems, such as Lullaby of the Princess of the Moon. He was born on 30 Chirwol, 1819 in Hankyung, Shodai Dynasty Jupon. Wonchoung was born into an elite family within old Jupon's, his father had pioneered one of present-day Jupon's most successful consumer electronic companies, Wonchoung's mother was a poet.

From a very young age it was apparent that Wonchoung had a deep fascination and talent for artistry, especially drawing, painting, and poetry. Most of his poetry consisted of a constant romance theme, which caused it to become quite popular.

Wonchoung's career initially skyrocketed shortly after his permanent relocation to Namju, there he resided in the wealthiest district of Junggyeong and spent his hours writing poetry, sculpting figurines, as well as drinking at local pubs. Wonchoung's first major work was a clay statue which he constructed in a local park near his residence. He garnered further attention by selling portraits of people, he even painted scenes from daily life.

While Wonchoung led a fairly peaceful life, the artisan did encounter quite a lot of controversy. One year after marrying his wife I-seo, Wonchoung started an affair with his male lover Ran Wong-dae, the affair lasted for twelve years but came to an abrupt end once I-seo discovered the affair.

Wonchoung died in 1890 at the age of 71 due to pneumonia, he was buried in Junggyeong City Cemetery, though in 1895 his remains were transported to Jupon. Wonchoung now rests in Konggei City Cemetery, the majority of his art has been donated to a number of art museums throughout Jupon, Namju, and Basanreseri.

=Early=

Childhood and Adolescence
Wonchoung Ryong was born on 30 Chirwol, 1819 in Youkuensan, Honkyung in Jupon to aristocratic parents. His father had founded Taiken Group, and Wonchoung's mother was a poet. Due to his father constantly being away, Wonchoung often stayed confined to the house with his mother. As a young child who was constantly around his mother, Wonchoung gained interest in poetry, it was noted that he'd often steal his mother's poems to read them before bed, or write his own poetry while lounging in the pavillion. As a young poet, Wonchoung excelled in reading and writing, and was quite literate for a small child.

Wonchoung's peaceful childhood would come to a screeching halt as his parents' ever worsening marital issues culminated in the revelation of his father's decade-long affair. To avoid public ridicule and damage to their social standing, Wonchoung's parents continued to live together, though this proved to be a bad decision, since the two constantly engaged is loud arguments and occasional physical altercations.

Teenage Years
Due to the suffocating toxicity of his homelife, Wonchoung often ran away from home. He spent most of his time lounging around with friends and perusing the city. One night, a fight which left Wonchoung's mother fatally wounded and his father dead incentivized the teen to leave home. With the Ryong family's reputation being tarnished, Wonchoung lived on the streets, he wrote poetry and painted meaningful art through channelling his inner turmoil and emotions. While these poems made him a small amount of money, it wasn't enough to sustain him, so Wonchoung formulated a plan.

After two years of hard work, a fifteen year-old Wonchoung purchased a ticket to Namju, in Siwol of 1834 Wonchoung boarded a ship to a port in Geumsan. Shortly after arriving in Geumsan he became an to a craftsman, Wonchoung continued to assist the craftsman and his family until he left for Junggyeong at the age of eighteen. The years spent as an apprentice had taught Wonchoung many valuable traits, as well as improving his painting and sculpting skills.

At the age of eighteen Wonchoung had moved to Namju's capital city of Junggyeong, in the early months there he spent nights sleeping in inns and taverns. While on his way to a pub one night, he met his future wife, a commoner by the name of Gwon I-seo. Soon after their first encounter the pair often engaged in outings throughout the city, and partook in drunken escapades.

It is known that Wonchoung was a sexual deviant who often engaged in with other men, which of course earned him the reputation of being promiscuous. Wonchoung, and his campanion Ran Wong-dae commonly frequented taverns where they plighted in acts of sodomy.

=Marriage=

On 12 Guwol of 1840, a 20 year-old Wonchoung married a 19 year-old I-seo. Much to Wonchoung's surprise, his mother Koshi Popi was in attendance. Married life with I-seo had proven itself to be quite mundane and challenging, as only six months had passed before Wonchoung initiated a secret affair between him and his male lover Wong-dae.

In Owol of 1842 Gwon I-seo gave birth to Wonchoung's only son Ryong Jin-su. Thirty months later, Wonchoung would come to father a pair of twin girls which I-seo had also birthed. Unlike his father, Wonchoung took an active role in his children's lives, though he still continued the affair. Wonchoung was especially close to his youngest daughter, Ryong Ja-yeong. The two often went on outings together, and enjoyed hiking trips in the mountains of what is now Empress Taejo National Park.

In an early spring morning of 1853, I-seo had awoken to her husband's absence, she was astonished to find him embracing his lover at the local tavern. In a fit of rage she had evicted Wonchoung from their home. Wonchoung ended the affair, though kept loose contact with Wong-dae until Wong-dae's death in 1859.

It was during this time back on the streets that Wonchoung reconnected with his mother. The two became fairly close, unlike in Wonchoung's childhood. After the death of his mother, Wonchoung had found that the entire Ryong family inheritance was left to him. In 1855, Wonchoung reconciled with his wife and they resumed life as normal. =Career=

While Wonchoung was a dedicated father, he still made time for his career. During the 1840's-50's, Wonchoung released a number of paintings and poems, such as Lullably of the Princess of the Moon which was a, also known as an Aikkyu. One of his most popular pieces is Ksoyonji, a painting depicting daily life in Namju during the Industrial Revolution.