[BOOK REVIEW] Book Review on Seodorok (Part I) / 「서도록 전 (서도록(西都錄) 전(前)」독후감
A Journey That Opened Both Eyes and Mind / 눈과 마음을 함께 열어 준 여행
Reading “Seodorok” (Part I) (서도록(西都錄) 전(前)) from Volume 8 of Gani-jip felt like joining the author on a journey to western Korea. Although it was written hundreds of years ago, I found that many of the thoughts and emotions were surprisingly familiar. It is much more than a simple travel diary. It is a record of careful observation, appreciation of nature, and concern for the people who lived along the way.
One of the things that impressed me most was how carefully the author observed everything around him. Mountains, rivers, villages, and historical sites are described with respect and curiosity. Instead of merely passing through these places, he tried to understand their history, culture, and meaning. His writing reminded me that traveling is not only about reaching a destination but also about learning from every place we visit.
Another lesson I learned was the importance of paying attention to ordinary people. As the author traveled, he noticed the daily lives of local residents and reflected on their circumstances. This shows that a good scholar and public official should care about people as much as beautiful scenery. His compassion and sense of responsibility make the narrative meaningful even for modern readers.
The natural landscapes described in Seodorok also left a strong impression on me. The rivers, fields, mountains, and changing weather are portrayed with elegance and vividness. While reading, I could almost imagine walking beside the author, enjoying the fresh air and peaceful surroundings. His descriptions encourage us to slow down and appreciate the beauty that often goes unnoticed in our busy lives.
I was also inspired by the author’s attitude toward learning. Every encounter and every destination became an opportunity to deepen his knowledge. He viewed travel as an extension of education, believing that true wisdom comes from observing the world directly. In today’s age of digital information, this message remains valuable. Reading books and using technology are important, but firsthand experience and thoughtful reflection are equally essential.
After finishing Seodorok (Part I), I realized that meaningful travel changes not only what we know but also how we think. It broadens our perspectives, deepens our understanding of others, and teaches us to appreciate both nature and history. The author’s journey reminds us that curiosity, humility, and compassion are timeless virtues.
Overall, Seodorok (Part I) is a graceful combination of travel writing, historical reflection, and personal growth. Although it was written in the Joseon Dynasty, its lessons continue to speak to readers today. It encourages us to travel with open eyes, learn with an open mind, and live with a caring heart. +++
{Solti}
July 26, 2026
「서도록 전」 독후감
『간이집』 제8권의 「서도록 전 (서도록(西都錄) 전(前)」을 읽으면서, 옛 시대의 서쪽 지역 여행을 따라가며 마치 함께 길을 걷는 듯한 느낌을 받았다. 이 글은 단순한 여행 기록이 아니라, 자연과 역사, 그리고 사람에 대한 깊은 관찰과 사색이 담긴 기록이다.
가장 인상 깊었던 점은 저자의 세밀한 관찰력이다. 그는 산과 강, 마을과 고적을 스쳐 지나가는 풍경으로 보지 않고, 그 속에 담긴 역사와 의미를 하나하나 살펴보았다. 여행은 단순히 이동이 아니라, 새로운 것을 배우고 이해하는 과정임을 보여준다.
또한 이 글에서는 백성들의 삶에 대한 관심이 잘 드러난다. 여행 중 만나는 사람들의 생활을 주의 깊게 바라보고 그들의 처지를 생각하는 모습은, 좋은 관리와 학자가 갖추어야 할 중요한 태도를 보여준다. 자연 경관을 즐기는 데 그치지 않고 사람을 먼저 생각하는 마음이 인상 깊다.
자연에 대한 묘사 또한 매우 아름답다. 강과 들판, 산과 계절의 변화가 섬세하게 그려져 있어, 읽는 사람으로 하여금 실제로 그 길을 함께 걷는 듯한 느낌을 준다. 바쁜 현대 생활 속에서 잊기 쉬운 자연의 아름다움을 다시 생각하게 한다.
저자의 배움에 대한 태도도 깊은 인상을 준다. 그는 여행의 모든 순간을 학문적 깨달음의 기회로 삼았다. 이는 책과 지식뿐 아니라 직접 경험을 통해 배우는 것이 중요하다는 메시지를 전달한다.
「서도록 전」을 읽고 나면, 여행은 단순한 이동이 아니라 삶을 바라보는 시야를 넓히는 과정임을 깨닫게 된다. 자연과 사람, 역사에 대한 이해가 함께 어우러질 때 진정한 배움이 이루어진다는 점을 보여준다.
결국 「서도록 전」은 여행기이면서 동시에 사색의 기록이며, 인간과 자연을 함께 바라보는 따뜻한 글이다. 오늘날에도 여전히 유효한 교훈을 주며, 열린 마음으로 세상을 보고 배우는 자세의 중요성을 일깨워 준다. +++
2026년 7월 26일
{솔티}
Prof. Dr. Young Choi (Editor in Chief) — Regent University
Young B. Choi is a Professor in the Department of Engineering & Computer Science at Regent University. He published 38 books with ‘Selected Readings in Cybersecurity’ (2018) (over 800 copies archived globally at university/college libraries around the world) and ‘Cybersecurity Applications and Artificial Intelligence’ (2023) available in seven major world languages. He proposed the world’s first global and universal telecommunications “Service Order Handling (SOH)” Model (T-SOH Model) (1995) with Dr. Adrian Tang. With this innovative research work, he received the IEEE NOMS ’96 Best Paper Award and became the first recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award of the TeleManagement Forum in 1998. His research areas include Natural Language Processing-focused AI, AI-applied cybersecurity, network and telecom service management, and Korean studies on Gani Choi Rip’s Jeonggwan (靜觀: Quiet Contemplation) philosophy and Shilhak ( 實學: Practical Learning).