Korean won notes aren’t just pieces of paper used in daily transactions — they are windows into Korea’s soul, celebrating national pride, intellectual legacy, and timeless cultural values.
 |
| South Korean Won Banknotes |
Let’s uncover the fascinating stories behind each Korean banknote, and why they are a living tribute to Korea’s rich history.
₩1,000 – Yi Hwang, The Philosopher of Humanity (이황)
 |
| 1000 won banknote (천원) |
The ₩1,000 note features Yi Hwang (이황), one of Korea’s most respected Confucian scholars from the Joseon Dynasty. He believed that being a good person comes before gaining knowledge, a principle that still echoes in Korean education today.
Back Design: Dosan Seowon (도산서원), a Confucian academy he founded, symbolizes Korea’s long-standing reverence for learning and moral growth.
₩5,000 – Yi I, Wisdom in Action (이이)
 |
| 5000 won banknote (오천원) |
A reformist thinker and Yi Hwang’s student, Yi I (이이) appears on the ₩5,000 note. Known for applying Confucian principles to real-world policies, Yi I laid the foundation for Korea’s knowledge-based agriculture and governance.
Back Design: Traditional folk paintings of plants and birds reflect the harmony between nature and scholarship, a theme deeply embedded in Korean culture.
₩10,000 – King Sejong, Father of Hangeul (세종대왕)
 |
| 10000 won banknote (만원) |
Arguably the most iconic Korean historical figure, King Sejong the Great (세종대왕) appears on the ₩10,000 note. He invented Hangeul (한글), the Korean writing system, making literacy accessible to all — a monumental gift of equality and national identity.
Back Design: Star charts (천문도), celestial globes, and ancient clocks symbolize Korea’s scientific advancements during his reign.
₩50,000 – Shin Saimdang, The Icon of Korean Womanhood (신사임당)
 |
| 50000 won banknote (오만원) |
The only woman featured on Korean currency, Shin Saimdang (신사임당) was a poet, artist, calligrapher, and the mother of Yi I. She represents the grace, strength, and creativity of Korean women throughout history.
Back Design: Embroidered flowers and silkworms highlight her contributions to Korean arts and domestic innovation.
Korea’s Currency is a Cultural Classroom
Every Korean banknote is more than money — it’s a mini museum in your wallet. These notes teach us values like wisdom, education, equality, innovation, and compassion.
Whether you’re a student of Korean language or a traveler collecting souvenirs, Korean currency offers a meaningful connection to the heart of Korea.
SEO Keywords:
한국 지폐 역사, 한국 돈 인물, 세종대왕 한글, 신사임당, 이황 도산서원, 이이 실학자, 조선 왕조 문화, Korean currency meaning, Korean banknote figures, King Sejong Hangeul, Shin Saimdang, Yi Hwang, Yi I, Korean culture travel tips