Abstract

This study examines the lifespans and career trajectories of Joseon yangban elites using linked biographical records. Drawing on Who’s Who in Korean History and the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, the study links examination rosters, biographical records, and appointment histories to reconstruct lifespan and career patterns across the dynasty’s five-century span. Findings reveal significant lifespan variations; court eunuchs lived longest, kings shortest, while officials across tracks averaged around 61 years. Exam-passing age differed systematically by track (japkkwa youngest, munban oldest) and varied by region of residence at exam time and by lineage. Earlier exam passage and established family lineage were associated with greater long-term career success, while exam rank itself showed no significant association with eventual career achievement after adjusting for other covariates. Seoul residence at exam time was associated with earlier exam passage but showed no independent association with career outcomes once timing and lineage were included as covariates. These results suggest that early bureaucratic entry and established family background showed stronger associations with long-term advancement than either region of residence or performance among successful candidates.