Jeongmyeong

Princess Jeongmyeong (; 27 June 1603 – 8 September 1685) was a Joseon Royal Princess as the tenth daughter of King Seonjo from Queen Inmok. During her older half-brother's reign, she suffered hardships, and her title was revoked, but later it was reinstated after her half-nephew ascended the throne. Due to this, her life was believed to have been as brittle and unfortunate like her ancestor and her descendant who were famous for their unfortunate fates as the Princess of Joseon and Korean Empire.

Biography Early life Princess Jeongmyeong was born on 27 June 1603 as the only daughter of Seonjo of Joseon and Queen Inmok. At this time, her father was already 52 years old, and her mother was 19 years old. She had a younger sister who died prematurely and a younger brother, Yi Ui.

Through her mother, the princess already had distant royal blood. From her maternal grandfather's side, she was the 7th great-granddaughter of Princess Jeongui and, from her maternal grandmother's side, her 7th great-grandfather was Grand Prince Imyeong. Princess Jeongui was the older sister of King Munjong, King Sejo, and Grand Prince Imyeong. Thus making the princess the 8th great-granddaughter of Queen Soheon and King Sejong.

The age gap had made it seem like Princess Jeongmyeong was Seonjo's granddaughter but despite the age difference, he favoured and showed affection towards Jeongmyeong, she becoming his favourite daughter. so she immediately applied to her stepson, Gwanghaegun of Joseon to free her daughter.

Later, in 1623, when her half nephew, Injo of Joseon succeeded Gwanghae's throne, she was reinstated and allowed to live in Changdeokgung along with her mother. At this time, she was around 20-years-old, which was a difficult age to marry because the Princess was considered too old to marry as girls usually married at a young age during this time period. As she couldn't find a husband who was similar to her age, she decided to choose someone younger than her. and there were only 9 chosen. The winner of this selection was Hong Ju-won, the son of Hong Yeong from the Pungsan Hong clan , but at that time, Hong Ju-won, who was younger than the 21-year-old princess, was 18 years old. At this, Injo, who is the new King of Joseon, was in disagreement, but he could not blame nor punish the Dowager Queen because he still respected her and regarded her as his parent. After the marriage, Injo gave Ingyeong Palace to her as her manor with Hong, and also gave her Jeong-cheol . However, feared of suspicion of artificiality, she deliberately turned away from politics and only concentrated on sewing and housework.

Originally, Gyeongguk Daejeon stipulated that the princess's house couldn't exceed 50 periods, but her house was 200 years old until now. In Gyeongsang Province, she enjoyed tremendous luxury, such as being given a large land reaching 8,076 units. Now, this land whom was given to the Princess is the notorious pitfall of tenancy disputes until the Japanese colonial era.

She later bore Hong Ju-won 7 sons and 1 daughter, but only 4 sons and the daughter survived to adulthood. Which, through her second eldest son, Hong Man-yong; her great-great-great-granddaughter, Lady Hyegyŏng, eventually married her great-great-great-great half-grandnephew, Crown Prince Sado. Crown Prince Sado was the grandson of her great-great half-grandnephew, King Sukjong. Even after getting torture and several sentences, she received the best treatment as an adult from her families during the King Hyeonjong and King Sukjong's reign.

Later life The Princess outlived her husband by 13 years, living from her father, King Seonjo's reign, until her step great-great-grandnephew, King Sukjong's reign. She later died on 8 September 1685 at 82 years old. After her death, she was buried near her husband's tomb. She was the Princess who had lived the longest among all of Joseon Princesses in Joseon history records.

Family Father: King Seonjo of Joseon (26 November 1552 – 16 March 1608) Mother: Queen Inmok of the Yonan Kim clan (15 September 1584 – 16 August 1632) Sibling(s) Unnamed younger sister (1604–1604) Younger brother: Yi Ui, Grand Prince Yeongchang (영창대군 이의; 12 April 1606 – 19 April 1614) Husband: Hong Ju-won, Prince Consort Yeongan (; 1606 – 3 November 1672) Issue(s): Son: Hong Tae-mang (; 1625–1631); died young Son: Minister of Rites Hong Man-yong, Duke Jeonggan (; 1631–1692) Son: Hong Man-hyeong (; 1633–1670) Son: Hong Man-hui (; 1635–1670) Son: Hong Tae-ryang (; 1637–1642); died young Son: Hong Tae-yuk (; 1639–1645); died young Daughter: Hong Tae-im , Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (; 1641–?) Son: Hong Man-hoe (; 1643–1710)

In popular culture Drama and television series Portrayed by Park Rusia in the 1995 KBS2 TV series West Palace. Portrayed by Han Min in the 2014 tvN TV series The Three Musketeers. Portrayed by Heo Jung-eun, Jung Chan-bi, and Lee Yeon-hee in the 2015 MBC TV series Splendid Politics. Portrayed by Kim Seo-an in the 2021 MBN TV series Bossam: Steal the Fate.

Novel Portrayed in the Naver Novel Series The Novel of Princess Jeongmyeong .

Webtoon Portrayed in the 2019 KakaoPage Webtoon series Finally, The Blue Flame .