Choe Chiwon (857-10th century) was a noted Korean Confucian official, philosopher, and poet of the late Unified Silla period (668-935). He studied for many years in Tang China, passed the Tang imperial examination, and rose to high office there before returning to Silla, where he made ultimately futile attempts to reform the governmental apparatus of a declining Silla state. In his final years he turned more towards Buddhism and became a hermit scholar residing in and around Korea's Haeinsa temple.
Choe Chiwon was also known by the literary names of "Haeun" ("Sea Cloud"), or more commonly, "Goun" ("Lonely Cloud"). He is recognized today as the progenitor of the Gyeongju Choe clan.
Read more about Choe Chiwon: Early Life and Study in Tang, Attempts At Reform, Retirement and Later Life, Later Views, Writings