어려서부터 재예가 남보다 뛰어나 18세때에 무과에 급제하고 1586년 21세의 젊은 나이로 선전관이 되었으며, 이어 녹도만호에 부임하였다.
Even when he was young, he was highly accomplished. He passed the military service examination at the age of 18 and even became a propaganda officer at a young age in 1586 when he was 21 years old. Then he was appointed as junior fouth rank naval officer of Nokdo Bay.