Grandson of Gi Jeong-jin and Honam volunteer chief commander; pen name Songsa, recipient of the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Independence Medal
| Life | 1846 ~ 1916 |
| Era | 조선 말기 |
| Clan | 행주 기씨 |
Gi U-man (奇宇萬, 1846-1916) was a late-Joseon volunteer commander and scholar of the Haengju Gi, courtesy name Hoeil and pen name Songsa. Grandson of Gi Jeong-jin, he was revered as a literatus and, with Gi Sam-yeon, became chief of the Honam volunteer forces, according to the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
He disapproved of the Donghak movement, writing the inscription on a stele celebrating its suppression in 1895, and after the topknot-cutting order wrote a bitter memorial arguing that losing one's hair was worse than losing the country. In 1896, after Yu In-seok's call from Jecheon reached Honam, he gathered like-minded men in March and set rules and strategy.
Gi Sam-yeon joined with 300 men and he became in effect chief of the Honam uprising with headquarters in Gwangju, but dispersed after being persuaded by the royal envoy Sin Gi-seon. He rose again in May, was captured by Japanese forces in October and released in April 1897. In 1908, hearing of Gojong's forced abdication, he wept and disbanded his men. He was awarded the Independence Medal in 1980.
He raised volunteers at Jangseong with headquarters at Gwangsangwan in Gwangju, disbanded after persuasion, rose again and was captured by Japanese forces.
His tomb location was not confirmed in this survey.
He continued his grandfather's school of learning and left his name through the volunteer movement.