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Chumo (Korean: 추모; Hanja: 鄒牟), posthumously Chumo the Saint (추모성왕; 鄒牟聖王), was the founding monarch of the kingdom of Goguryeo, and was worshipped as a god-king by the people of Goguryeo and Goryeo. Chumo, originally Buyeo slang for an excellent archer, later became his name. He was commonly recorded as Jumong (주몽; 朱蒙) by various Chinese sources, including history books written by Northern Qi and Tang. This name became dominant in future writings including the Samguk sagi and the Samguk yusa. Chumo's title was changed to Dongmyeong the Saint (동명성왕; 東明聖王), literally translating to the Brilliant Saintly King of the East, at some point in time prior to the compilation of the Samguk sagi (1145). His other names include Chumong (추몽; 鄒蒙), Jungmo (중모; 中牟), Nakamu, or Tomo. In the Samguk sagi, he was recorded as Jumong with the surname Go (고; 高), and was also known as Junghae (중해; 衆解) or Sanghae (상해; 象解).

Life and myth

The records of Chumo are often regarded as semi-legendary, and the extent to which the records are historical or mythological is debated. They are also mixed with legends about Dongmyeong of Buyeo told among the people of Buyeo, Goguryeo, and Baekje — whose monarchs all claim the same ancestry. The founding myths of Goguryeo are told in ancient writings, including the Gwanggaeto Stele. The best-known versions of Chumo's life are found, with slight variations, in the Samguk sagi, Samguk yusa, and the "Dongmyeongwang" chapter (동명왕편; 東明王篇) of the Donggukisanggukjip (동국이상국집; 東國李相國集).

Birth

Hae Buru, the king of Buyeo, performed religious ceremonies in hope of having a son, as he was getting old without an heir. When he arrived at Gonyeon (or Gon Pond; 곤연; 鯤淵), he noticed his horse was shedding tears in front of a large rock. The king issued an ordered to remove the rock, and there he found a young boy who looked like a golden frog. The king treated the boy as a gift from heaven and named him Geumwa. Hae Buru adopted Geumwa and made him the Crown Prince when he became older.

Later, Aranbul (아란불; 阿蘭弗), the minister of Buyeo, told Hae Buru that he received the messages from heaven. "Heaven will send its descendent and create a new kingdom above Buyeo, thus the king should resettle at Gaseopwon (가섭원; 迦葉原)," a fertile land next to the ocean. Hae Buru and his followers relocated the capital and created a new kingdom called Eastern Buyeo. Meanwhile, in Buyeo, a person named Hae Mosu, proclaiming himself as the Son of Heaven, established the new capital at Buyeo.

After Hae Buru died, Geumwa became the next king of Eastern Buyeo. When he went to Wubalsu (or Wubal Pond; 우발수; 優渤水), which is located at the south of the mountain Taebaeksan, he met a woman named Yuhwa (유화; 柳花) who was a daughter of Habaek. She told Geumwa that she was exiled by her father because she slept with Hae Mosu, who claimed to be the son of heaven, prior to marriage. She explained that Hae Mosu lured her to a place near the Yalu River, next to Ungsimsan (or Ungsim Mountain; 웅심산; 熊心山). Geumwa thought her story was strange, so he locked her in a room. While Yuhwa was locked away, the sunlight followed her wherever she went, and she eventually became pregnant. After she gave a birth to a large egg, Geumwa gave the egg to dogs and pigs, but they refused to eat it. He then put the egg in the middle of the street, but cows and horses walked around it. The egg was also thrown on a field, but birds came to protect it. After multiple failed attempts to crack the egg, Geumwa returned the egg to Yuhwa. Later, a boy was born from the egg. The young boy learned how to craft a bow and arrows, and he became a master of archery by the age of 7, earning the nickname Chumo, a word used by the people of Buyeo to describe excellent archers.

Escaping Eastern Buyeo

Daeso, the eldest of the seven sons of Geumwa, was worried Chumo would rise as a threat to him, but Geumwa commanded Chumo to take care of the horses. While raising the horses, Chumo intentionally gave more food to slow horses and gave less food to fast and talented horses to make them look unappealing and thin. When Geumwa went on a hunting trip with Chumo and others, Chumo was given a thin horse and fewer arrows, yet he was able to hunt more than anyone else who participated, since his thin horse was faster. This hunting episode further fueled Daeso's desire to kill Chumo. Seeing the growing threat, Yuhwa asked Chumo to leave and use his abilities elsewhere.

Chumo and his three friends — Oi (오이; 烏伊), Mari (마리; 摩離), and Hyeopbo (협보; 陜父) — escaped from Eastern Buyeo, followed by cavalry sent out by Daeso. Chumo and his companions arrived to Eomsasu (or Eomsa River; 엄사수; 淹㴲水), but failed to find a bridge to cross the river. As the cavalry were approaching, Chumo asked the river for help, declaring himself a son of the Heavenly God (천제; 天帝) and maternal grandchild of Habaek. Answering Chumo's call, fish and softshell turtles floated up from the river and created a bridge for Chumo to cross, then disappeared by the time the pursuing troops arrived.

Founding of Goguryeo

After escaping death, Chumo met three people, each wearing different cloths at Modungok (or Modun Valley; 모둔곡; 毛屯谷). Considering them as gifts from heaven, Chumo gave a surname to each person: Jaesa, wearing hemp cloth, was named Geuk Jaesa (극재사; 克再思); Mugol, wearing monk cloth, was named Jungsil Mugol (중실무골; 仲室武骨); Mukgeo, wearing waterweed cloth, was named Sosil Mukgeo (소실묵거; 少室默居). Chumo gave roles to everyone, and together they arrived at Holboncheon (or Holbon Stream; 홀본천; 忽本川). Chumo wanted to build a palace on the mountain, but he wasn't able to afford it. Thus, he built a thatched house near Biryusu (or Biryu River; 비류수; 沸流水) and lived there. He named his newly founded nation Goguryeo, and he changed his surname to Go at the age of 21 (37 BC). Hearing the news that a new a nation was born, many people joined him.

Rule

In 37 BC, in the first year of his reign, Chumo launched a preemptive strike on the Mohe near the border, fearing raids from them. The Mohe surrendered after the fight.

One day, Chumo saw vegetable leaves floating on the Biryu River. He went hunting farther upstream and arrived at Biryuguk (or the Kingdom of Biryu; 비류국; 沸流國). Song Yang (송양; 松讓), the king of Biryu, saw Chumo and commanded him to submit to Song's authority, since the State of Biryu was stronger and older. The two kings had an argument, then had an archery competition in which Chumo was victorious. In June of 36 BC, Song Yang surrendered to Chumo. Chumo renamed the land Damuldo (or Damul City; 다물도; 多勿都),, appointed Song Yang as the Marquis of Damul (다물후; 多勿侯), and continued to rule the area.

In July of 34 BC, the construction of walls and a palace was completed. In October of 32 BC, Chumo sent Oi and Bu to Bunno (부분노; 扶芬奴), and conquered Haenginguk (or State of Haengin; 행인국; 荇人國), which is located southeast of Taebaek Mountain. In November of 18 BC, the king ordered Bu Wiyeom (부위염; 扶尉猒) to attack the Northern Okjeo (북옥저; 北沃沮), and Bu Wiyeom successfully made the Northern Okjeo submit to Goguryeo.

In August of 24 BC, Yuhwa died in Eastern Buyeo. A funeral was held, and a shrine was built to her as the dowager of Geumwa. In October, Chumo sent an envoy along with regional products to Buyeo as a token of gratitude for the virtue and generosity shown by Geumwa.

In April of 19 BC,Yuryu (유류; 儒留) and his mother fled from Buyeo, arriving at Goguryeo. Chumo appointed Yuryu as the crown prince of Goguryeo. In September, Chumo died at the age of 39. He was buried at Yongsan (or Yong Mountain; 용산; 龍山), and was posthumously given the title Dongmyeong-Seongwang.

Comparison and controversies

By noting the similarities in these myths, we can presume the following:

• The legend of Dongmyeong was shared among kingdoms with Buyeo origins — Buyeo, Goguryeo, and Baekje — with variations.
• There seems to have been an ancient kingdom located north of Buyeo which existed before the creation of Buyeo.
• Dongmyeong and Chumo were considered as separate entities by Goguryeo; however, the legend was mixed together before the reign of Jangsu. Many Buyeo and Goguryeo royals intermarried after the birth of the kingdom of Goguryeo and appear to have mixed naturally or purposely to claim legitimacy and subjugate Buyeo.
• Eastern Buyeo was created after the invasion of Xian Bei. Many people ran to North Okjeo and founded Eastern Buyeo rather than returning to Buyeo. The addition of Eastern Buyeo to the myth appears to have occurred in the process of Goguryeo claiming legitimacy and subjugating Eastern Buyeo, or was added during the unified Silla or Goryeo period.
• The description of the Book of Wei has the most similarities with the story written in Samguk sagi. The myth was complete, with the exception of the stories related to Eastern Buyeo, by the time when the Book of Wei was written.
• By the time Samguk sagi was written, Dongmyeong and Chumo were considered the same person, posthumously changing the title of Chumo to Dongmyeong. The story of Geumwa also seems to be influenced by Heokgeose of Silla.

Alternative story

There is an alternative story of Chumo, which was noted by the compilers of Samguk sagi. The name Soseono only appears here. The storyline can extend to the theory of a coup led by Onjo, killing both Biryu and Soseono in order to claim Baekje for himself.

The following description is based on Samguk sagi.

Both Biryu (비류; 沸流) and Onjo (온조; 溫祚) were sons of Wu Tae (우태; 優台), the illegitimate grandson of Hae Buru, and Soseono (소서노; 召西奴), the daughter of Holbon native Yeon Tabal (연타발; 延陀勃). Unfortunately, Soseono became a widow after Wu Tae died. When Chumo arrived at Holbon, he established Goguryeo and married Soseono.

Soseono supported Chumo in every way possible, paving the way for the future of the Kingdom of Goguryeo, while Chumo helped raise her sons as if they were his own children. However, everything eventually turned against Soseono after Yuryu, the only biological son of Chumo from Lady Ye, came to Goguryeo and was appointed as the crowned prince. Biryu was displeased by the decision since Yuryu had not contributed at all to the creation of the kingdom. Also, fearing a purge by Yuryu after Chumo's death, Biryu led his followers along with Onjo and Soseono, and left Goguryeo to create his own kingdom.

Records by people of Goguryeo

There are only a handful of records from Goguryeo still remaining today as many have been lost throughout the centuries. According to the records, Chumo was born in Northern Buyeo. He arrived to Holbon (홀본; 忽本), and built the capital on the mountain located west of Holbon. After he became tired of the throne, he went to the hill east of Holbon and died there.

Other records

According to the Notes on History of the Three Kingdoms, in previous books written by Chinese dynasties, there are huge discrepancies in the history of Goguryeo, as they treated Old Goguryeo (고고구려; 古高句麗) and the New Goguryeo (신고구려; 新高句麗) as the same entity, while separating Sosu Maek (소수맥; 小水爲) and the events involving Eastern Okjeo. The Old Goguryeo was occupied by the Han Dynasty shortly after the fall of Gojoseon, and became one of the counties under the Xuantu Commandery in 107 BC. On the other hand, the New Goguryeo was founded by Chumo. In 82 BC, New Goguryeo launched an attack on the Commanderies of Han, and was responsible for driving out the Xuantu Commandery from its original location to an area northwest of Goguryeo. Based on this account, Chumo was old enough to command his military force by 82 BC, which directly challenges the records from Samguk sagi.

However, there are indications that Goguryeo was actually older than 705 years based on other records.

• Tombstone of Go Ja recognized the history of Goguryeo as 708 years old. (indicating a founding date of 42 BC)
• Silla recognized the history of Goguryeo as 800 years old in 670 AD. (indicating a founding date around 130 BC)
• Tang recognized the history of Goguryeo as 900 years old in 668 AD. (indicating a founding date around 232 BC)

According to Gwanggaeto Stele, Gwanggaeto the Great was the 17th generation (世孫) after Chumo, while Samguk sagi recorded him as the 13th generation after Chumo. There are two analyses of this:

• Gwanggaeto the Great was the 17th generation after Chumo.
• Gwanggaeto the Great was the 17th generation after Daejuryu.

These other sources suggests there may be significant gaps or issues in the timeline of Goguryeo found in the Samguk sagi.

Legacy

The Kingdom of Goguryeo eventually evolved into a great regional territory with considerable power and influence. Goguryeo existed for 705 years and was ruled by 28 consecutive monarchs of the Go Dynasty until the collapse of the central government by the Silla-Tang alliance in 668. Both Balhae and Goryeo succeeded Goguryeo, and the modern descendants of Chumo still bear his family name of "Go."

In Goguryeo, Chumo was deified as an ancestral deity and he was worshipped throughout the centuries.

Today, Korea's Heongseong Go clan (Hanja:橫城 高氏, 횡성 고씨), China's Liaoyang Go clan (Hanzi:遼陽 高氏) and Japan's Koma clan (Kanji:高麗氏) consider him their founder.

In popular culture

From May 2006 to March 2007, MBC aired an 81-episode drama, Jumong, to mark the network's anniversary. The series took elements from historical records and mythology, and retold the story in a more down-to-earth manner than found in the myths, recounting how Jumong, the spoiled stepchild of the Buyeo royal family, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, becoming a leading figure of Buyeo, but retreats from Buyeo after his step-brothers' betrayal. Relaunching the armed and militarily capable guerrilla fighters' force his biological father Hae Mo-su once headed, Jumong goes on a life mission to rescue and band together the refugees of the ancient Joseon peoples, leading the fight against the oppression of Imperial China, finally establishing himself as the king of the new nation Goguryeo.

From 2010 to 2011, KBS1 aired King Geunchogo, also known as The King of Legend. In this series, Jumong is portrayed as a tyrant who could not accept sharing the power over Goguryeo with Soseono and the Jolbon faction. After Yuri of Goguryeo's arrival, the declared crown prince and successor to Jumong's throne, Soseono and all her subordinates and servants decided to leave "their beloved Goguryeo" to establish a new kingdom "much more powerful than Goguryeo ever was."

Since 2017, KCTV aired 고주몽, a historical animation directed by Kim Kyung-ho at the SEK Studio. The animation contains the contents of Jumong, when he brings small countries of the same family together and builds up Goguryeo into a powerful nation. It deals with the history from the time when the parents Hae Mo-su and Yuhwa established their family until the birth of Jumong. In the first ten parts, Jumong tells the story of Buyeo, where he was born, and escaped. The first episode was broadcast on January 1, 2017, and so far 24 episodes have been broadcast. South Korean netizens were surprised at the quality development of the North Korean animation.

Actors who have played Jumong

• Portrayed by Song Il-kook in the 2006–2007 MBC TV series Jumong.
• Portrayed by Lee Deok-hwa in the 2010–2011 KBS1 TV series The King of Legend.
• Portrayed by Jo Jang-ho in the 2017 KBS TV series Chronicles of Korea.

See also

• List of monarchs of Korea
• History of Korea
• Three Kingdoms of Korea

Notes

1. The name is variously transcribed as "Jumong", "Jungmo", or "Domo".
2. From the Samguk yusa, only in one chapter.
3. In Silla.
4. In Nara Japan, the Korean pronunciation is "Jungmo" (중모; 仲牟).
5. In Heian Japan, the Korean pronunciation is "Domo" (도모; 都慕).
6. Korean translation of golden frog is geumwa (금와). A frog is also used to metaphorically describe Buyeo and Goguryeo and is related to water. It can be phonetically translated as goma or gom (bear).
7. The words Aranbul and Gaseopwon are originally from Buddhism. Buddhism was state religion of Goryeo when the Samguk sagi was written.
8. translation: the Great White Mountain
9. Yuhwa was recorded as Lady Habaek (Korean: 하백녀; Hanja: 河伯女) or Maiden Habaek (Korean: 하백여랑; Hanja: 河伯女郞) by Goguryeo and China.
10. The Shoku Nihongi records that the ancestor of the royal family of Baekje is daughter of the river spirit Habaek (하백; 河伯) which is similar to the Korean Chumo tales.
11. A river spirit, literally translated as the Firstborn of the River.
12. translation: Bear Heart Mountain
13. 我是皇天之子, 母河伯女郎, 鄒牟王. 爲我連葭浮龜!
14. In the Book of Wei, one of the oldest record of the myth, it is written "我是日子, 河伯外孫, 今日逃走, 追兵垂及, 如何得濟" describing relation to the Sun (日). Sun in Korean is 해 (Hae), and it is one of the oldest native Korean words.
15. This can be interpreted as the joining of three different groups, or as a meeting with three saints.
16. According to the history of Baekje, Chumo arrived at Holbon Buyeo (Korean: 홀본부여; Hanja: 忽本扶餘), married the second daughter of the king of Holbon Buyeo, and had two sons from her.
17. Mohe or Malgal was the term used by Tang dynasty.
18. Damul (多勿) is a Goguryeo native word for reclaimed land.
19. One common error within Samguk Sagi, mixing up Eastern Buyeo and Northern Buyeo. The story involving Eastern Buyeo is a fabricated story hundreds years later. Early descriptions of Eastern Buyeo actually refer to (Northern) Buyeo.
20. Translation: Dragon Mountain
21. Also can be pronounced as Gori.
22. Samguk sagi often confused Buyeo and Eastern Buyeo. Also the movement of people and troops is only described as being north and south, not west and east.
23. This could have been added during the era of Yeon Gaesomun, whose family originated in Eastern Buyeo. The Yeon family often associated themselves with water.
24. This storyline is actually more convincing and inartificial with cross validations.
25. If Soseono is recognized, then Biryu also must be recognized as the founder of Baekje.
26. This is an indication that Lady Ye, who came from Northern Buyeo, had more power and support than Soseono. Lady Ye was more likely a daughter of powerful family of Buyeo, which also prevented Daeso from purging Lady Ye and her family.
27. 漢初, 燕亡人衛滿王朝鮮, 時沃沮皆屬焉. 漢武帝 元封二年, 伐朝鮮, 殺滿孫右渠, 分其地爲四郡, 以沃沮城爲玄菟郡. 後爲夷貊所侵, 徙郡句麗西北, 今所謂玄菟故府是也. 沃沮還屬樂浪. 漢以土地廣遠, 在單單大領之東, 分置東部都尉, 治不耐城, 別主領東七縣, 時沃沮亦皆爲縣. — 丁謙曰, 徙治古高句驪西北, 在昭帝五年, 正朱蒙開國後, 攘斥邊境, 沃沮與濊貊, 爲所役屬時, 傳云, 爲夷貊所侵, 實卽高句驪也.

References

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Sources

• MET "List of Rulers of Korea". The MET Museum. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
• KOCIS Lim, Felix (2014-09-04). "Jumong: founder of Goguryeo Kingdom is man of legend, history". Korean Culture and Information Service.
• CEFIA "Korea's Representative Myths: Stories of State-Founding Kings". CEFIA, Toward Globalization of Korean Studies. June 2022.
• RKS Kim Chang-seok (2004-12-01). "Goguryeo Society and Its Economy" (PDF). The Review of Korean Studies. 7 (4): 35–56.

• 58 BC births
• 19 BC deaths
• Goguryeo monarchs
• 1st-century BC monarchs in Asia
• 1st-century BC Korean people
• Founding monarchs
• Mythological Korean kings