The cheonin (賤民), the base people, occupied the very bottom of the Joseon class system. The nobi come to mind first, but the base people were not only nobi. Various groups fell here simply because society deemed their occupations lowly. They generally passed their status and trade down the generations, and faced strict discrimination in where they could live, what they could wear, and whom they could marry.
Baekjeong — the most heavily discriminated against
The baekjeong (白丁) slaughtered cattle and pigs, worked hides, and made willow crafts, and suffered especially harsh discrimination even among the base people. They could not live within the village but had to gather apart, and faced restrictions extending even to their names, clothing, and funerals. Although the Gabo Reform legally emancipated them, social discrimination lingered long after, and in 1923 the Hyeongpyeongsa was organized in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, launching the Hyeongpyeong ("equity") movement to demand an end to discrimination against the baekjeong.
Gwangdae and jaein — the despised performers
The gwangdae and jaein, who delighted people with tightrope walking, mask dance, and pansori, were artists by today's eyes, but at the time were seen as lowly wanderers selling their skills. The arts they honed became a great current of Korea's traditional performance and pansori in later ages.
Shamans and gisaeng
Shamans (mudang), who handled people's fortunes through rituals and divination, were also classed as base people. The gwangi — official gisaeng attached to government offices, who performed song, dance, and music at banquets and receptions — were likewise of base status. Some among them excelled in poetry and music and left their names to history, yet the yoke of status was hard to shed.