▲ Cheonghaejin Calligraphy & Chinese Classics Study director Ji Wang-sik

Ji is famous for donating 266 pieces of seven-word poems written in five styles of calligraphy to Wando County. 

Ji started to learn calligraphy under the instruction of Kim Ung-hyun aka Yeocho. When time came, Ji opened and ran Mooknong Calligraphy & Chinese Classics Study in Seoul from 1996 and 2000. He then moved its base to Wando County in 2001 and has been carrying on his lecture on Chinese poem writing and calligraphy to local residents ever since.

It only costs residents 40,000 won (US $35) a month but those who cannot afford can learn for half the price or for free as long as they have a will. 

"I learned precious values of sharing and of spreading scholar's road through calligraphy. I just don't have any desire for materials but want to lead the rest of my life by sharing what I have and what I can with the people in this county. I hope my talent in calligraphy would make a small contribution and that would make me really happy" says Ji.

As a calligrapher, Ji has produced substantial achievements: he wrote the 6,000 words <Annotated Cheongsando Eomyeong Semok> and the 266 pieces of 'seven-word' poems <Five Styles of Calligraphy: Sangsuljip>, which is his biggest achievement donated to Wando County. 

The donation is really meaningful on the fact that all 266 pieces were written by residents in Wando County and Ji, who also is a native of the island, poured 6 years to complete the works; he analyzed every single style of the letters before shifting them onto the papers. He also published a number of papers relating to the literature and history of Cheongsando Island.

It is notable that Ji refused to take the support fund for the work from the county office. "I just wanted to complete the work on my own effort without a help though I feel really appreciated about it. Calligraphy for me is 'my way' of life and also a valuable cultural asset of Wando County. So I'm determined to make continuous support and contribution to the development of Wando art and culture."