The devastating impact of the Imjin War (壬辰倭亂) did not spare the ruling class of Joseon, including its intellectual elite (士大夫). These scholars left behind diary records written in classical Chinese that contain fragments of their painful wartime experiences and reflections on foreign powers. This study examines and compares how two such intellectuals, Oh Hee-moon and Jeong Gyeong-un, recorded the scars of war and the evolution of their perceptions of foreign powers in their respective diaries, Swaemirok (瑣尾錄) and Godaeilrok (孤臺日錄). Both individuals experienced severe hardship, including hunger and the tragic loss of their children. However, their views on foreign powers diverged depending on their respective circumstances. Jeong Gyeong-un, who served as a militia member and experienced the war firsthand, came to recognize that blind loyalty to the Ming dynasty was insufficient to sustain the country. He also acknowledged the need to learn from Japan. In contrast, Oh Hee-moon, who suffered more indirectly while moving between refugee camps, showed little change in his perception of the Ming dynasty but gradually became less hostile toward Japan. Ultimately, his deepest wish was simply for the war to end so he could return to everyday life.