The paper makes a thorough study on the understanding and admiration of Jeo ngjo, the King of Joseon, toward Lu You. Firstly, it explores the series of publicati on of Lu You`s selected poetry sponsored by King Jeongjo, and the theory, brough t forwar...
The paper makes a thorough study on the understanding and admiration of Jeo ngjo, the King of Joseon, toward Lu You. Firstly, it explores the series of publicati on of Lu You`s selected poetry sponsored by King Jeongjo, and the theory, brough t forward by the King, that Lu You is on a par with Du Fu and the relationship between this theory and the emergence, as well asintroduction, of various Lu You`s selected poetry works into Joseon during the late of Ming dynasty and early of Qin g dynasty are examined. The introduction of Complete Works of Lu You, published by Ji Gu Ge, a prominent Chinese publishing house at the time, has provided fund amental material for the compilation of a great many grand poetry collections, including Poetic Rhythms of Lu You, etc. Later on, Jiannan Selected Poems and Copy Version of Song Poetry were introduced into Joseon and spread rapidly as the main sources for the public to read about the works of Lu You. In these poetry and literature works, the similarities in life experience and literature features between Lu You and Du Fu have been reiterated time and time again, which has exerted influences on Korean literati. Since the late 17<sup>th</sup> century and early 18<sup>th</sup> century, when these poetry works were introduced into Joseon, Korean literati began to comment on them together. This is the root of thought for King Jeongjo to develop his theory that Lu You is on apar with Du Fu.
Secondly, the article analyses the reasons why King Jeongjo made Lu You`s poetry a vital mean to restore discipline in the nationwide literature circle. The poetic works of Lu You can be mainly divided into two featured categories, those with grief and indignation, and those with leisure and refinement. On one hand, King Jeongjo hoped to enhance Confucianism via Lu You`s patriotic poems, so as to correct the prevailing poetic value in Joseon since the 18<sup>th</sup> century, which has been drifting farther away from the traditional pursue of individual liberation and person al expression; on the other hand, he hoped to uphold the characteristics of sophistication, indifference and the ambience of peace in Lu You`s poetry to alter the prevalent poetic fashion of pursuing sharpness, novelty and sadness.