[Choi Do-yeol Column 1] Shin-eon-seo-pan (身言書判)

To succeed, it is emphasized that one must possess "Shin-eon-seo-pan (身言書判)" comprehensively. Shin (身) refers to appearance. It means to keep one's demeanor neat, Eon (言) means to speak humbly yet coherently, Seo (書) means to write neatly and with care, as writing reflects one's character. Pan (判) means to act with clear judgment in all matters. Shin-eon-seo-pan (身言書判) signifies the criteria for selecting talents based on appearance, eloquence, handwriting (character), and judgment. Since one's thoughts or actions subtly manifest, one must analyze and establish their own Shin-eon-seo-pan correctly through their efforts.

The origin of Shin-eon-seo-pan dates back to the Tang Dynasty in China, where Emperor Taizong implemented the civil service examination system to check the vested interests and widely recruit talents. The examination system strengthened the emperor's authority and had the dual effect of obtaining talents. Thus, the Tang Dynasty strictly enforced the examination system and gained many talents from across the land. However, Emperor Taizong did not immediately appoint those who passed the examination. He established four selection criteria known as Shin-eon-seo-pan and evaluated individuals before appointing them as officials. Therefore, Shin-eon-seo-pan can be seen as a standard for evaluating a person's inner and outer worlds. It has become an important measure for selecting excellent talents and appointing officials.

Our country also implemented the examination system since the Goryeo Dynasty under King Gwangjong. Gwangjong also implemented the examination system to suppress the powerful families and obtain loyal scholar-officials, and Shin-eon-seo-pan was widely used as a standard for evaluating individuals. During the Joseon Dynasty, which was also a Confucian society, Shin-eon-seo-pan became even more important for selecting talents. This influence remains unchanged today. When meeting someone for the first time, people first evaluate them based on their face or demeanor. The face is a miniature version of the life a person has lived. By observing the face and voice, one can grasp the inner world of that person. When we say someone is handsome or intelligent, we are judging based on Shin-eon (身言).

The moment you wake up in the morning, if you repeat positive phrases like 'I can do it, I can do well,' your thoughts and actions will change, and luck will naturally follow. The 'face' is said to be a composite of the stains and patterns of life created by the 'spirit' of that person. Nowadays, companies also go through document reviews, written tests, and interviews (executive and officer levels) for hiring. Recently, it is said that job applications are submitted online, and notifications regarding test locations, interview dates, and pass/fail results are also received online. In this way, Shin-eon-seo-pan is still relevant in the AI computer age, as interviews are conducted to select final candidates. Some companies even have face readers present during interviews. This can be considered a modern version of Shin-eon-seo-pan.

Considering that the Shin-eon-seo-pan (身言書判) system was applied during the time of Emperor Taizong (AD 598-649), it has become a standard for selecting talents even in today's AI computer society, about 1400 years later. The face is a miniature version of life. A person's face reflects various aspects of life, including their experiences, emotions, health status, profession, and family relationships. The important thing is that one must cultivate their own Shin-eon-seo-pan. This is because thoughts and actions subtly manifest through the face and body. Therefore, the basic management processes of one's Shin-eon-seo-pan, such as honesty, diligence, humility, perseverance, and competitive spirit, must be actively pursued to become a shortcut to success.

A successful life and a good impression (人相) require managing 'heart wounds' with plenty of smiles. The face is a miniature version of a person's life, and through the face, one can infer a person's life (人生) and character (仁性). The first criterion for a good impression is the complexion of the face, which reflects the state of the internal organs, thoughts, and mindset. We often predict a person's circumstances based on comments about their complexion being good or bad. Next is the gaze, which reveals the mental state; the eyes are the mirror of the heart. Mutual eye contact is the most important skill in conversation. The face may bear stains of pain, sadness, frustration, and despair, but it also displays patterns of joy, pleasure, victory, and happiness.

To change myself, I must change the people I meet. Changing the people I meet alters the relationships between individuals, and when relationships change, so does humanity. Humanity (人性) is also referred to as benevolence (仁性). In (仁) means to be 'kind,' just as a person (人) has two (二) bodies. A person's individuality or character is formed within relationships with two or more people. A person with many worries will have poor lung function, and those who frequently feel depressed or frustrated will have issues with their ears or teeth. The ears are a miniature version of the body's organs, and frequently touching the ears is said to improve organ function and contribute to longevity. It is also said that touching the ears often improves mood.

In conclusion, to succeed, one must "possess Shin-eon-seo-pan comprehensively." The traces of a person's life are reflected not only in their face but also in their front appearance; the burdens of a difficult life and the heavy loads carried are revealed through a hunched back. The hidden struggles of youth, the pain currently experienced, and the shadows of trials and adversities that frequently arise are also reflected in the front and back of the head. In particular, the hunched back and the back of the head carry the shadows of a person's life. Rather than living an unhappy life by decorating and changing the front appearance to show to others, let us cultivate a happy life where the beautiful patterns of life emerge from living the life we desire.