Top graduate of the 1676 special examination, later Inspector-General; pen name Chunheon
| Life | 1647 ~ 1700 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 동복 오씨 |
O Si-man (1647-1700) was a late-Joseon official from Dongbok, courtesy name Yeongseok, pen name Chunheon, adopted son of his uncle O Jeong-wi; his wife was a fourth-generation descendant of Han Jun-gyeom of the Westerners. He passed both licentiate examinations in 1666 and entered office by hereditary privilege.
He topped the 1676 special civil examination and served as director, censor, editor, personnel secretary, royal secretary and Inspector-General, but was dismissed in the 1680 purge. As a Southerner he was implicated in the Heo Yeong case and attacked by the Westerners, though Sukjong refused their demand and spared his life.
After the 1694 Gapsul turnover he was stripped of office and exiled; the stated ten-plus years of exile do not fit the 1700 death date given by Wikipedia and need checking. In exile he pursued classical studies and taught students, and was noted for his writing.
Wikipedia lists O Si-man as the adopted son of his uncle O Jeong-wi, while O Jeong-wi's article calls him a son, so he is understood as having continued O Jeong-wi's line by adoption. The 1676 top place was surely a source of family pride, and his path through the Office of Special Advisors, the Royal Secretariat and the Office of the Inspector-General is typical of an official recognized for writing and learning. His being swept into the purges because of the family's Southerner leaning parallels O Jeong-wi and O Si-su.
Exiled after 1694, he is said to have pursued classical studies and taught students.
Sources: Wikipedia and Encyclopedia of Korean Culture-based material; genealogies may differ.
His tomb location was not confirmed here.