Grand Prince Wanpung

Yi Wŏn'gye (; 1330–1388), later posthumously promoted to Grand Prince Wanp'ung, was a warrior and painter in the late Goryeo period. He was the oldest child and son of Yi Chach'un, making him the older half-brother to Yi Sŏnggye, who later founded the Joseon dynasty.

After repulsing the Red Turban invasions and Japanese pirates, Yi was enfeoffed as the Prince Cheoksan and later Prince Wansan . Then, after the Joseon dynasty was established in 1392, he was posthumously enfeoffed as Count Wansan and later enfeoffed as a grand prince in 1872 during King Gojong's reign.

Biography Early life Born in 1330 (the 17th year of King Chungsuk of Goryeo's reign) at Heukseok village, Hwaryeong-bu in the Ssangseong Prefecture of the Yuan dynasty, Yi Wŏn'gye was the oldest child and son of Yi Chach'un and his first wife, Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan.

However, he lost his mother only at the age of 4 and he was raised by his father's second wife, Lady Ch'oe who was Yi Sŏnggye's biological mother. According to the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Yi Wŏn'gye and his brothers always lived together in the same place since their childhood, causing their brotherly bond to be very strong. He mastered the scriptures of Confucianism, wrote poetry well, and was also good at horseback riding and archery.

During Red Turban rebellion and later life In 1359 (the 8th year of King Gongmin's reign), Red Turbans invaded from the Yuan dynasty, crossing the Yalu River. but immediately left after being repulsed. He also contributed for defeating the Red Turbans in Bakju and retook Gaegyeong during the second rebellion alongside Cho Ch'ŏn-ju and others under general An U 's command. Then, he received many honors and was enfeoffed Prince Cheoksan from the king in 1363. Later in 1375, he once again made contribution for the country.

He spent his old days in Wihwa-do and honoured as Prince Wansan while two years later after his death in 1388, he received his final title and honors for making big contribution during his lifetime. His title was later upgraded into Count Wansan and received Yangpyeong as his Posthumous name during the reign of his half-brother, King Taejo.

Tomb and ancestral rites He was buried on the right side of Jeongneung tomb, which was also his father's tomb and was enshrined at Samui Temple , Bukcheong in 1901 while later moved to Seonwon Temple , Yiwon, Hamgyeongnam-do in 1909 alongside his last poem. However, after the Korean War, his descendants in South Korea held his ancestral rites every year on the first Sunday of the 10th months in the Korean calendar (lunar) at Heunggyeongdan, in Neunggok-ma, Daesim-ri, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province since 1984.

Family Father: Yi Chach'un (1315–1360) Grandfather: Yi Ch'un (d. 1342) Grandmother: Queen Gyeongsun of the Munju Park clan Mother: Lady Yi, of the Hansan Yi clan (부인 한산이씨, d. 1333) Brother: Yi Chŏn-gye Sister: Kang U 's wife Wives and their issue(s): Grand Lady of Samhan State, of the Gaeseong Gim clan Yi Yangu, Internal Prince Wanwon (완원부원군 이양우; 1346–1417), first son Yi Ch'ŏnu, Internal Prince Wansan (완산부원군 이천우; 1354–1417), second son Lady Yi, of the Jeonju Yi clan , first daughter Grand Lady of Samhan State, of the Gyeongju Kim clan Yi Cho, Internal Prince Wannampyeong (완남평부원군 이조; 1356–1408), third son Grand Lady of Samhan State, of the Nampyeong Mun clan ; third daughter of Mun Ik-jŏm . Yi Paegon, Prince Wallyeong , fourth son Lady Yi, of the Jeonju Yi clan , second daughter Princess Sinhye, of the Jeonju Yi clan , third daughter Lady Yi, of the Jeonju Yi clan , fourth daughter

In popular culture Portrayed by Kim Gyung-ha in the 1983 KBS TV series Foundation of the Kingdom. Portrayed by Lee Sung-woong in the 1996–1998 KBS TV series Tears of the Dragon