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Goryeo, also known as Koryŏ (Hangul: 고려; hanja: 高麗; 918–1392), was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by King Taejo. This kingdom later gave name to the modern state of Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the leader of the Joseon dynasty in 1392. The Goryeo dynasty expanded its borders to present-day Wonsan in the north-east (936–943) and the Amnok River (993) and finally almost the whole of the Korean peninsula (1374).<br/><br/> By the 14th century Goryeo had lost much of its power under Yuan Dynasty pressure. Although King Gongmin managed to free his kingdom from the Mongol influence, the Goryeo general Yi Seonggye revolted and overthrew the last king of Goryeo, King Gongyang in 1392. Gongyang was killed in 1394.
Sejong the Great (May 15, 1397 – April 8, 1450, r. 1418–1450) was the fourth king of Joseon. He was the third son between King Taejong and Queen-Consort Min. He was designated as heir-apparent, Grand Prince, after his older brother Jae was stripped of his title. He ascended to the throne in 1418.<br/><br/>Sejong reinforced Confucian policies and instituted major legal amendments (공법; 貢法). He also oversaw the creation of Hangul script, encouraged advancements of scientific technology, and instituted many other efforts to stabilize and improve prosperity. He dispatched military campaigns to the north and installed Samin Policy (사민정책; 徙民政策) to attract new settlers to the region. To the south, he subjugated Japanese raiders and captured Tsushima Island.<br/><br/>During his reign from 1418 to 1450, he governed from 1418 to 1442 and governed as regent with his son Grand Prince MoonJong until his death in either 1442 or 1450
Park Yeon (박연, 朴堧) was born in 1378 into a family of Yeongdong officials. As a talented classical musician, he was responsible for the education of the crown prince Sejong the Great, subsequently reviving and renewing Joseon court music between 1424-1433.