This "fact" is only half true and is parroted by pop historians who think making Ji undefeated is half true. In 1489 a locally renown scholar challenge Ji to a debate. In his arrogance, Ji opened the discussion (instead of going second as he usually did) with "I am an undefeated emperor. Begone." His opponent, wishing to use Ji's infamous method against its master, said "I know I am, but what are you?" This fumble made him legally the emperor for 34 seconds until it was realised that this phrase is grammatically incorrect in Korean and he was slain for the disgraceful blunder, returning Ji to the imperial throne.
1 week ago
| 140
Goddammit. You finally got me. I was pondering the answer for an embarrassingly long time there. Hey, this reminds me of the time I got fooled by that onion video.
1 week ago | 181
For anyone wondering, the joke is “Talk to the hand.” I only say this because it took me a solid 30 seconds to figure out what he was talking about.
4 days ago | 4
What an amazing piece of history! Thanks for all the hard work you do in finding these never-before-discussed stories about history!
1 week ago | 15
I'm just imagining the black swirly things as his hands and now I'm crying wtf I haven't felt emotion in so long
22 hours ago | 1
i read that his eldest son was the creator of the "takes one to know one" technique
1 week ago | 5
Another well known response to this one, only used by the smartest of scholars, was (translated) 'Your mum.'
1 week ago | 6
Reminds me of how the historical enemy giant crabs used to bring shame to the Mikado of yore...unless you attack it's weakpoint for massive damage
5 days ago | 0
I heard the story slightly differently, in the version I heard the guy pulled out an Uno reverse card
1 week ago | 1
i am korean and extremely confused rn like what's the reference here
6 days ago (edited) | 0
He rly thought we wouldn’t be wondering about the identity of the ‘converse the hand’ emperor smh, anybody got at least a name?
2 days ago (edited) | 0
This true, actually. He told me himself. We’ve been friends since 2nd grade.
1 week ago | 8
Adrian Gray Comedy
The first recorded use of “I know you are, but what am I?” was by Korean politician Ji Hi in 1486. Groundbreakingly effective, Ji used it to win 400 debates, and became emperor in 1490. He was eventually overthrown by a man who invented the phrase “손을 대다” (converse the hand).
1 week ago | [YT] | 1,030