Queen Inhyeon

Queen Inhyeon of the Yeoheung Min clan (Hangul: 인현왕후 민씨, Hanja: 仁顯王后 閔氏; 15 May 1667 – 16 September 1701)[1] was the second wife and Queen Consort of King Sukjong, the 19th Joseon monarch. She was Queen of Joseon from 1681 until her deposition in 1688, and from her reinstatement in 1694 until her death in 1701. She is one of the best known Queens in Korean history and her life has been portrayed in many historical dramas.

"Inhyeon" is a posthumous title, not a personal name.
Not to be confused with Queen Inheon.
Queen Inhyeon
인현왕후
Queen consort of Joseon
Tenure
  • 14 May 1681 – 2 May 1689
  • 1 June 1694 – 16 September 1701
Predecessor
Successor
Born15 May 1667
Bansongdong, Hanseong, Kingdom of Joseon
Died16 September 1701 (1701-09-17) (aged 34)
Gyeongchunjeon Hall, Changgyeong Palace, Hanseong, Kingdom of Joseon
Burial
Myeongneung Tombs, Seooneung Cluster, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
SpouseSukjong of Joseon (m. 1681–div.1688, m. 1694–1701)
Posthumous name
  • Queen Hyogyeong Sukseong Jangsun Wonhwa Uiyeol Jeongmok Inhyeon
    • 효경숙성장순원화의열정목인현왕후
    • 孝敬淑聖莊純元化懿烈貞穆仁顯王后
HouseYeoheung Min clan (by birth)
House of Jeonju Yi (by marriage)
FatherMin Yu-jung
MotherLady Song of the Eunjin Song clan
ReligionKorean Buddhism
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationInhyeon Wanghu
McCune–ReischauerInhyŏn Wanghu

Biography

Born into the Yeoheung Min clan, the future queen was the second daughter of Min Yu-jung (민유중 閔維重) (1630–1687), entitled as Internal Prince Yeoyang (여양부원군, Yeoyang Buwongun), and his second wife, Princess Consort Eunseong of the Eunjin Song clan (은성부부인, Eunseong Bubuin).

She married to King Sukjong in 1681 at the age of 14 and became his second queen consort. When Sukjong's concubine who belonged to the Southerners (Nam-in) faction, So-ui[2] Jang Ok-jeong, give birth to a son, Yi Yun in 1688, it created a bloody dispute called Gisa Hwanguk (기사환국). During this time, Sukjong wanted to give this eldest son (entitled the wonja, literally the "First Son") the title of "Crown Prince" and wanted to promote Jang Ok-jeong from So-ui to Hui-bin.[3]

This action was opposed by the Westerners (Seoin) faction, who supported the Queen led by Song Si-yeol,[4] and this was supported by the Nam-in faction, who supported Jang Ok-jeong.

The King pushed for a compromise in which the Queen would adopt Yi Yun as her son. However, the Queen refused to do so. Sukjong became angry at the opposition, and many were killed, including Song Si-yeol. Many, including the Queen's family, were forced into exile. The Queen herself was deposed in 1688, while Jang Ok-jeong was elevated from so-ui to hui-bin, and then appointed as queen consort.

The Seoin faction split into the Noron (Old Learning) faction and the Soron (New Learning) faction. In the meantime, Kim Chun-taek who was member of the Noron faction and Han Jung-hyuk from the Soron faction, staged a campaign to reinstate the Deposed Queen. In 1693, Sukjong's new favorite, a palace maid from Haeju Choe clan, was officially elevated as a royal concubine with the rank Suk-won.[5] Choe Suk-won (later Choe Suk-bin), was an open supporter of the Deposed Queen Min and encouraged the King to reinstate her to her original position as queen.

Later, Sukjong felt remorse at his temperamental actions during Gisa Hwanguk. He also grew disgusted by the greed of the Nam-in faction and the ever-powerful Jang family. In the government, the Nam-in attempt to purge Seoin on charge of plotting to reinstate the Deposed Queen backfired.

The King banished Jang Hui-jae, Jang Ok-jeong's older brother, and the leaders of the Nam-in party. In 1694, he officially demoted Jang Ok-jeong to her former position, Hui-bin, and he reinstated the Deposed Queen as queen consort and brought her back into the palace. This incident is called Gapsul Hwanguk (갑술환국). The Nam-in faction would never recover from this purge politically.

In 1701, aged 34, the Queen became ill and died of an unknown disease. Some sources say that she was poisoned. She was posthumously honoured as Queen Inhyeon.

It has been said that Sukjong, while mourning for Inhyeon, dreamed of her in a sobok dress drenched with blood. Sukjong asked Inhyeon of how she died, but Inhyeon didn't say anything, but pointed in to the direction of Jang Hui-bin's chambers.[6] Sukjong awoke, then went into Hui-bin's chambers. While approaching, he heard music and sounds of laughter. Eavesdropping, he saw Jang Hui-bin with Shamanist priestesses in her chambers, praying for the Queen's death, while striking a figurine with arrows. When this was discovered by Sukjong, Jang Hui-bin was executed for her actions by poison.[7]

One of Queen Inhyeon's ladies in waiting wrote a book called Inhyeon wanghu jeon (Hangul: 인현왕후전, Hanja: 仁顯王后傳, Queen Inhyeon's Story), which still exists today. She was buried in Myeongreung (명릉,明陵) in Gyeonggi Province, and Sukjong was later buried near her in the same area. She has no issue to Sukjong.

Titles
  • 15 May 1667 – 14 May 1681: Lady Min, daughter of Min Yu-jung of the Yeoheung Min clan
    • Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)
    • Min Yu-jung's daughter (민유중의 딸, 閔維重之 女)
  • 14 May 1681 – 2 May 1689: The Queen of Joseon (조선의 계비, 朝鮮之 繼妃)
  • 2 May 1689 – 1 June 1694: Deposed Queen Min (폐비 민씨, 廢妃 閔氏)
  • 1 June 1694 – 16 September 1701: The Queen of Joseon (조선의 계비, 朝鮮之 繼妃)
  • Honorary name: Hyogyeong Sukseong Jangsun Wonhwa Uiyeol Jeongmok (효경숙성장순원화의열정목, 孝敬淑聖莊純元化懿烈貞穆)
  • Posthumous name: Queen Hyogyeong Sukseong Jangsun Wonhwa Uiyeol Jeongmok Inhyeon (효경숙성장순원화의열정목인현왕후, 孝敬淑聖莊純元化懿烈貞穆仁顯王后)

Family
  • Great-great-great-grandfather
    • Min Hyo-son (민효손, 閔孝孫)[8][9]
  • Great-great-great-grandmother
    • Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan (파평 윤씨); daughter of Yun Ji-kang (윤지강)
  • Great-great-grandfather
    • Min Se-ryu (민세류, 閔世瑠)[10]
  • Great-great-grandmother
    • Lady Yi of the Jeonui Yi clan (전의 이씨); daughter of Yi In-seok (이인석, 李仁錫)
  • Great-Grandfather
    • Min Gi (민기, 閔機) (1504 – 18 January 1568)
  • Great-grandmother
    • Lady Kim of the (old) Andong Kim clan (구 안동 김씨, 舊 安東 金氏); daughter of Kim Taek (김택, 金澤)
  • Grandfather
    • Min Gwang-hun (민광훈, 閔光勳) (1595 – 1659)
  • Grandmother
    • Lady Yi of the Yeonan Yi clan (연안 이씨);[11] daughter of Yi Gwang-jeong (이광정, 李光庭) (1552 – 1629)
  • Father: Min Yu-jung, Internal Prince Yeoyang (민유중, 여양 부원군) (1630 – 29 June 1687)
    • Uncle: Min Si-jong (민시중, 閔蓍重) (1625 – 1677)
      • Aunt: Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (풍산 홍씨)[12]
        • Cousin: Min Jin-ha (민진하, 閔鎭夏)
        • Cousin: Min Jin-ju (민진주, 閔鎭周) (1646 – 1700)
        • Cousin: Min Jin-ro (민진로, 閔鎭魯) (1662 – 1684)[13]
    • Uncle: Min Jeong-jung (민정중, 閔鼎重) (1628 – 25 June 1692)[14]
      • Aunt: Lady Shin of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (평산 신씨)[15]
      • Aunt: Lady Hong of the Namyang Hong clan (남양 홍씨)
        • Cousin: Min Jin-jang (민진장, 閔鎭長) (1649 – 1700)[16]
        • Cousin: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)
      • Aunt: Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (전주 이씨); daughter of Yi Gyeong-jeong, Prince Jeonpyeong (이경정 전평군, 李慶禎 前評君)
      • Aunt - Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (전주 이씨);[17] daughter of Yi Suk (이숙) (? – 1680)
        • Cousin: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (11 August 1663 – 17 September 1680)
    • Aunt: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)
      • Uncle: Hong Man-hyeong (홍만형, 洪萬衡) (1633 – 1679)[18][19]
        • Cousin: Hong Jong-mo (홍중모, 洪重模)
        • Cousin: Hong Jong-hae (홍중해, 洪重楷)[20]
  • Step-mother: Internal Princess Consort Haepung of the Deoksu Yi clan (해풍부부인 덕수 이씨, 海豊府夫人 德水 李氏) (1628 – 1652)[21]
    • Step-grandfather: Yi Gyeong-jeung (이경증, 李景曾) (1595 – 1648)
    • Step-grandmother: Yi Gye-yeo, Lady Yi of thr Jeonju Yi clan (이계여 정부인 전주 이씨 계여, 李桂餘 貞夫人 全州 李氏 桂餘) (1598 – ?)[22]
  • Mother: Internal Princess Consort Eunseong of the Eunjin Song clan (은성부부인 은진 송씨, 恩城府夫人 恩津 宋氏) (1637 – 1672); Min Yu-jung’s second wife
    • Grandfather: Song Jun-gil (송준길) (28 December 1606 – 2 December 1672)
    • Grandmother: Lady Jeong of the Jinju Jeong clan (진주 정씨, 晉州 鄭氏)
  • Step-mother: Internal Princess Consort Pungchang of the Pungyang Jo clan (풍창부부인 풍양 조씨, 豊昌府夫人 豐壤 趙氏) (1659 – 1741)

Sibling(s)

  • Older half-brother: Min Jin-oh (민진오, 閔鎭五)
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Hwang of the Pyeonghae Hwang clan (평해 황씨, 平海 黃氏)
      • Nephew: Min Chi-su (민치수, 閔致洙)
        • Grandnephew: Min Baek-yong (민백용, 閔百用)[23]
  • Older sister: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏) (1656 – 1728)
    • Brother-in-law: Yi Man-chang (이만창)[24]
      • Nephew − Yi Jae (이재, 李縡) (1680 – 1746)
  • Older brother: Min Jin-hu (민진후) (1659 – 1720)[25]
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Yi of the Yeonan Yi clan (연안 이씨, 延安 李氏); daughter of Yi Dan-sang (이단상, 李端相)
      • Niece: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)[26]
        • Nephew-in-law: Jo Gyu-bin (조규빈, 趙奎彬)
          • Grandnephew: Jo Yeong-jin (조영진, 趙榮進)
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Yi of the Yeonan Yi clan (연안 이씨, 延安 李氏); daughter of Yi Deok-ro (이덕로, 李德老)
      • Nephew: Min Ik-su (민익수, 閔翼洙) (1690 – 1742)[27]
        • Grandnephew: Min Baek-bun (민백분, 閔百奮) (1723 – ?)[28][29]
        • Grandniece: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)
        • Grandniece: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)
      • Nephew: Min Woo-su (민우수, 閔遇洙) (1694 - 1756)
        • Niece-in-law: Lady Yun of Chilwon Yun clan (칠원 윤씨)
          • Grandnephew: Min Baek-cheom (민백첨, 閔百瞻)
          • Grandnephew: Min Baek-gyeom (민백겸, 閔百兼)
      • Niece: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)
        • Nephew-in-law: Kim Gwang-taek (김광택, 金光澤)[30]
  • Older brother: Min Jin-won (민진원) (1664 – 1736)[31][32]
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan (파평 윤씨)
      • Nephew: Min Chang-su (민창수, 閔昌洙)
        • Niece-in-law: Lady Kim of the (new) Andong Kim clan (신 안동 김씨, 新 安東 金氏)[33]
          • Grandnephew: Min Baek-sun (민백순, 閔百順)
      • Nephew: Min Hyeong-su (민형수, 閔亨洙)[34]
        • Niece-in-law: Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (전주 이씨)
          • Grandniece: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)
            • Grandnephew-in-law: Hong Nak-in (홍낙인, 洪樂仁) (1729 – 19 June 1777)[35]
          • Grandnephew: Min Baek-sang (민백상, 閔百祥) (1711 – 1761)[36]
          • Grandnephew: Min Baek-heung (민백흥, 閔百興)
          • Grandnephew: Min Baek-jeung (민백증, 閔百增)
          • Grandnephew: Min Baek-gab (민백갑, 閔百甲)
      • Nephew: Min Tong-su (민통수, 閔通洙)
        • Niece-in-law: Lady Song of the Eunjin Song clan (은진 송씨, 恩津 宋氏)
          • Grandnephew: Min Baek-seon (민백선, 閔百善)
      • Niece: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)
        • Nephew-in-law: Yi Ju-jin (이주진)
  • Younger sister: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)
  • Younger sister: Min Jeong-seong, Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (민정성 여흥 민씨) (1672 – 1672)[37]
  • Younger sister: Min Jeong-je, Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (민정제 여흥 민씨) (1672 – ?)
    • Brother-in-law: Shin Seok-hwa (신석화, 申錫華) (1672 – 1714)[38]
  • Younger half-brother: Min Jin-yeong (민진영, 閔鎭永) (1682 – 1724)[39]
    • Nephew: Min Ak-su (민악수, 閔樂洙)[40]
      • Grandnephew: Min Baek-sul (민백술, 閔百述)[41]
    • Nephew: Min Gak-su (민각수, 閔覺洙)
  • Younger half-sister: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)
    • Brother-in-law: Yi Jang-hee (이장휘, 李長輝)
  • Younger half-sister: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)
    • Brother-in-law: Hong Woo-jo (홍우조, 洪禹肇)
  • Younger half-brother: Min Jin-chang (민진창, 閔鎭昌)
  • Younger half-sister: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏) (1671 – ?)
  • Younger half-sister - Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)

Husband

Trivia

Inhyeon's eldest brother Min Jin-hu's great-great-great-granddaughter would eventually marry Inhyeon's step-great-great-great-great-adoptive-grandson, the future Emperor Gojong of the Korean Empire, becoming the famous Empress Myeongseong.

Emperor Gojong's mother, Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok, is a great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Queen Inhyeon's younger half-brother, Min Jin-yeong (through her father and his third wife, Lady Pungchang of the Pungyang Jo clan). Empress Sunmyeong is also a great-great-great-great-granddaughter through Queen Inhyeon's second eldest brother, Min Jin-won.

Drama

Novels
  • Queen Inhyeon’s story
  • Femme Fatale, Jang Hee-bin by Lee Jun-beom and Min Ye-sa, 1994, ISBN 2-00-236900076-7
  • Dong Yi by Lee Jun-hyeok, 2010, Literary Chunchusa, ISBN 978-89-7604-055-8

See also

References
  1. In lunar calendar, the Queen was born on 23 April 1667 and died on 14 August 1701
  2. So-ui (소의) was 3rd rank concubine of the King. See Styles and titles in the Joseon dynasty
  3. Bin (빈) was the highest rank concubine of the King. See Styles and titles in the Joseon dynasty
  4. "네이버 학술정보".
  5. Suk-won (숙원) was 8th or the lowest rank concubine of the King. See Styles and titles in the Joseon dynasty
  6. "The history of Korea". Seoul, Methodist Pub. House. 1905.
  7. "The history of Korea". Seoul, Methodist Pub. House. 1905.
  8. His daughter became a concubine of Yeonsangun.
  9. He’s a descendant of Queen Wongyeong’s grandfather’s older brother, Min Yu.
  10. His sister, Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Yeoheung Min clan, was a concubine of Yeonsangun.
  11. She is a maternal cousin of Heo Jeok; their grandmother, Lady Min, was the aunt of Royal Noble Consort Jeong of the Yeoheung Min clan (a concubine of King Seonjo) and the granddaughter of Princess Gyeongsuk (a daughter of King Seongjeong).
  12. She is a sister-in-law of Princess Jeongmyeong (the only daughter of Queen Inmok and King Seonjo).
  13. Married Lady Yi of the Hampyeong Yi clan (함평 이씨, 咸平 李氏) (1660 – 1717) and through their son, Min Hong-su (민흥수, 閔興洙) (1685 – 1751), they eventually became the 5th great-grandparents of Min Yeong-hwi (민영휘, 閔泳徽); who was a 15th degree nephew of Empress Myeongseong.
  14. Became the 4th great-grandfather of Princess Consort Min (the mother of Heungseon Daewongun and the grandmother of King Gojong) through his grandson Min Deok-su (민덕수, 閔德洙)
  15. She is a daughter of Shin Seung (신승, 申昇) (a grandson of King Seonjo, through his daughter, Princess Jeongsuk). Shin Seung is also a brother-in-law to Queen Myeongseong’s uncle, Kim Jwa-myeong (김좌명, 金佐明) (1616 – 1671), and Crown Princess Minhoe’s brother, Kang Mun-du. His parents are also the in-laws to Crown Princess Minhoe’s brother, Kang Mun-seong.
  16. The 3rd great-grandfather of Princess Consort Min.
  17. She is a half-sister of Yi Man-chang (이만창).
  18. He is the son of Princess Jeongmyeong (정명공주) and the grandson of Queen Inmok and King Seonjo.
  19. He is the maternal great-great-granduncle of Lady Hyegyeong, through his older brother, Hong Man-yong (홍만용, 洪萬容) (1631 – 1692).
  20. Became the great-great-grandfather of Royal Noble Consort Won of the Pungsan Hong clan (a concubine of King Jeongjo)
  21. Lady Yi is a great-granddaughter of King Seonjo.
  22. Lady Yi is the daughter of Yi Bo, Prince Sunhwa (이보 순화군; 1580 – 1607) and Lady Hwang of the Jangsu Hwang clan (장수 황씨, 長水 黃氏; 1577 – 1645). Prince Sunhwa was the son of King Seonjo and Royal Noble Consort Sun of the Gimhae Kim clan (순빈 김씨) (? – 1647).
  23. His great-grandson, Min Pil-ho (민필호, 閔弼鎬), is an in-law to Yun Po-sun (through Yun’s first wife, Lady Min).
  24. His younger brother, Yi Man-seong (이만성), married Lady Kim of the Andong Kim clan (a niece of Kim Su-hang, the 4th great-grandfather of Queen Sunwon and Kim Jwa-geun).
  25. Great-great-great-grandfather of Empress Myeongseong
  26. In Queen Inhyeon’s Story (소설 인현왕후전), it states that Queen Inhyeon had raised her niece while in her deposition and confinement. But some say that the information is written incorrectly.
  27. Great-great-grandfather of Empress Myeongseong
  28. Great-grandfather of Empress Myeongseong.
  29. Grandfather of Min Chi-rok.
  30. He is the grandson of Kim Man-jung (who is also the uncle of Queen Ingyeong). Kim Man-jung is also a maternal great-great-great-grandson of Princess Jeonghye (the daughter of King Seonjo and Royal Noble Consort In of the Suwon Kim clan) and Yun Shin-ji.
  31. Great-great-great-great-grandfather of Empress Sunmyeong.
  32. His eldest granddaughter eventually became a great-great-aunt to Empress Sunmyeong, and was married to Lady Hyegyeong’s older brother.
  33. She is a granddaughter of Kim Su-hang (the 4th great-grandfather of Queen Sunwon and Kim Jwa-geun).
  34. Great-great-great-grandfather of Empress Sunmyeong.
  35. The older brother of Lady Hyegyeong and maternal uncle of King Jeongjo.
  36. Great-great-grandfather of Empress Sunmyeong.
  37. Queen Inhyeon’s maternal grandfather, Song Jun-gil, recorded that Min Yu-jung had two sons and five daughters. It did not match the registry as Min had two sons and three daughters recorded. The family didn’t record premature deaths before the coming-of-age ceremony or the 100th day ceremony. It was later found out that the 4th and 5th daughters were twins, but one died prematurely in 1672.
  38. He was a grandnephew of Queen Jangryeol.
  39. The 5th great-grandfather of Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok (Gojong's mother).
  40. The 4th great-grandfather of Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok.
  41. The 3rd grandfather of Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok.
  42. "Femme Fatale, Jang Hee-bin (Yohwa, Jang Hee-bin) (1968)". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
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