With regard to the origin of tea importation, there are two different opinions. One is that the (green) tea was first imported from China during the reign of King Sondok (632~647) of Shilla. The other is that it was brought from India by the queen consort of King Suro, the progenitor of the family Kimhae Kim.
There are also two different opinions about the popularization of tea. The first is that it is after Kim Tae-ryom planted the seeds in Mt. Chirisan by order of the king in the third year (828) of King Hungdok's reign (Shilla period). The second is that seven sons of the queen of Kimhae's family cultivated it in Mt. Chirisan.

In any case, the southern part of Korea around Mt. Chirisan became the cradle of tea culture. Tea was popularized for its pharmaceutic effect and as a method of mental training along with Buddhism.
Almost everyone drank tea regardless of his or her social position, during the Shilla and Koryo periods. Besides,it had a great influence on architecture, interior decoration, woodcraft, and ceramics.
Along with the decline of Buddhism due to a policy against it in the Choson dynasty however, the custom of drinking tea gradually disappeared. The new habit of drinking liquor spread day by day.

Zen Priest Choui-sonsa of Taehungsa Temple in Haenam greatly contributed to the revival of Tado in the late Choson dynasty. He wrote Tashinchon ('Story of the Tea God') and Tongdasong ('Song of Eastern Tea'), which are considered the first systematic tea books. He built a tea house named Iljiam Hermitage in the recesses of the mountain next to Taedunsa Temple and stayed there alone making friends with tea and leading a life of meditation for 40 years until the age of 81 when he passed away. After his death, Iljiam Hermitage gradually went into decay and disappeared leaving no trace behind. The Korea Tea Society, established in 1970, decided to restore it to the original state and collected contributions from members all over the country to rebuild the Iljiam of today. Thus, Iljiam became the mecca of tea. The same brook of about 500 years ago still flows with a lively current and the tea plants and camellias still preserve their fresh and green color. Zen Priest Choui-sonsa was a man of high moral repute and mysteriously versatile talents. His