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Hong Eon, who used the pen name Donghaesu-bu, was born in Seoul. He was a scholar with a talent for literature and immigrated to Hawaii in 1905 for the purpose of studying. In 1906, he organized the Korean Composite Association by merging 24 Korean organizations in Hawaii and became the chief editor of its official newspaper, the Korean Composite News. He also served as the chief editor of the New Korea News, working to improve the capabilities of his fellow countrymen and promote education.

After moving to San Francisco, he served as the vice president of the Korean National Association’s Central General Assembly and worked as the chief editor of the New Korean News for four years starting in 1908. Under the pen name Donghaesu-bu, he continued to contribute poetry and articles to the New Korean News, providing spiritual comfort to Koreans in America. He was one of the eight representatives from Gyeonggi Province in the Heungsadan, which was founded in San Francisco in 1913.

He conducted fundraising activities targeting Chinese immigrants, providing significant support to the National Association. In June 1920, he became a member of the Chinese Committee of the Overseas Korean Commission and visited Chinese communities in Central and South America to raise funds. In June 1922, he returned to San Francisco and traveled throughout California as a member of the National Association’s touring committee, appealing for support and assistance for the association. In 1924, he organized a literary group called the “Imunhoe” with Kim Hyun-gu and Choi Jin-ha, engaging in literary activities. He worked tirelessly for the restoration of national sovereignty, national education, the eradication of illiteracy, and the promotion of patriotic ideals. He served as the chief editor of the New Korean News for over a decade until his passing.

In 1995, the government posthumously awarded him the Order of Independence.