The example "I am busy with my work, and I am in a hurry for my family" in the article "욱면비염불서승(郁面婢念佛西昇, Uk myeon biyeombulseoseung)" in Volume 5 of 삼국유사 (三國遺事, Samguk yusa) indicates that a number of proverbs were in common use during the Three Kingdoms period.
A Korean proverb, which generally reflects pre-modern lifestyles and ways of thinking, can be mistakenly thought to have been created in the past.
[3] Although many proverbs derive from descriptions of common events, they may include proper names: historical figures, literary works or regions.
[4] The five steps are:[5] A proverb begins with a colloquialism, and may be refined with retelling or acquire an odd meaning.
Prosodic harmony is achieved in two ways: Abwoon (압운, 押韻) and yul-gyeok (율격, 律格), both meaning rhyme.
[10] Examples are: In Korean proverbs, rhythm consists of two four-syllable feet which are doubled like traditional poetry.
The proverb "It's dark under the base of a lamp" is generally interpreted as instructive; the truth may be hidden in plain sight.