Crown Princess Sunbin Bong

Deposed Crown Princess Bong , of the Haeum Bong clan, also known as Crown Princess Sun, was the second wife of Crown Prince Hyang (King Munjong), later the fifth monarch of Joseon. She was demoted to commoner status and banished from the palace following the discovery of her homosexual affair with one of her maids.

Biography Early life Lady Kim was most likely born during the reign of King Taejong, but the exact date and year of birth are unknown. Her father was Bong Ryeo, who served as vice minister of personnel , and she had at least two younger brothers.

Her niece married Prince Buwon , a great-grandson of King Taejong through the legitimate second son of Grand Prince Yangnyeong.

Her first cousin, Bong Yeo-hae , who married the youngest sister of Park Paeng-nyeon, was later executed for participating in the six martyred ministers' plot to restore King Danjong.

One of her great-great-grandfathers was a brother of Empress Gi and Gi Cheol.

Life in the palace Lady Bong was invested as crown princess in 1429, a few months after Crown Princess Kim was deposed for practicing witchcraft.

The Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty mention that she was chosen as crown princess because both King Sejong and the officials in charge of the selection were satisfied with her appearance, irrespective of lineage and wifely virtue. Therefore, she is one of the few Joseon royal consorts to be officially recorded as a beautiful woman.

However, like her predecessor, Lady Bong also failed to have a harmonious marital relationship, with Crown Prince Hyang once telling his father, "If I favor her, she will become jealous and fierce, and will not hesitate to wield even a blade; if things go her way, even Empress Lü of old could not surpass her." So regardless of whether he was physically attracted to Lady Bong, Crown Prince Hyang viewed her character as lacking.

Getting drunk was a common occurrence for her, even during her father's mourning period; while inebriated, she would sometimes have her maids carry her on their backs around the courtyard. She often publicly bemoaned the crown prince's lack of enthusiasm toward her, and out of jealousy, she would personally beat palace ladies for minor offenses, driving some of them to the brink of death.

In 1431, as the crown prince continued to remain childless, three new consorts were brought into the palace, which caused Lady Bong to harbor resentment for a long time. When Seunghwi Gwon announced her pregnancy in 1433, Lady Bong was indignant; she believed she would be removed from her position if the child was male and her laments would occasionally spread throughout the palace, prompting King Sejong to admonish her.

Rumors ultimately reached King Sejong and after investigation, Lady Bong was demoted to commoner status on 13 December 1436. However, the edict for her deposition excluded any mention of the homosexual affair and instead focused on matters such as Lady Bong's sending palace supplies to her natal home, as well as her inability to bear children, jealousy, and vulgar behavior.

There are no surviving records about Lady Bong's life after her banishment from the palace; as such, it remains unknown when she died and where her tomb is located.

Titles

During the reign of King Taejong : Lady, of the Haeum Bong clan Bong Ryeo's daughter Lady Bong During the reign of King Sejong : Crown Princess Sun (; from 20 November 1429) Crown Princess (; from 19 June 1432) Commoner (; from 13 December 1436)

Family Father: Bong Ryeo (; 1375–1436) Mother: Lady, of a certain clan Sibling(s) Brother: Bong Geuk-hwa (; 1420–?) Brother: Bong Guk-yu Husband: King Munjong (; 15 November 1414 – 10 June 1452) — No issue. Father-in-law: King Sejong (; 15 May 1397 – 8 April 1450) Mother-in-law: Queen Soheon , of the Cheongsong Shim clan (; 20 October 1395 – 28 April 1446)

Ancestry

In popular culture Portrayed by Yeo Min-joo in the 2008 KBS2 TV series The Great King, Sejong. Portrayed by Jung Da-eun in the KBS Drama Special episode "The Palace".