Jinji of Silla

Jinji (r. 576–579) was the 25th ruler of the Korean state Silla. He was dethroned three years after his accession.

Biography King Jinji's birth name was either Saryun or Geumryun , and he was the second son of King Jinheung of Silla and Queen Sado of the Park Clan. His elder brother, Crown Prince Dongryun, died in 572 CE, and Saryun was made crown prince.

In 576 CE, Saryun ascended the throne as the 25th king of Silla. His accession to the throne was received with mixed views, with some objecting to his way of life.

Reign

Silla continued to face attacks by Baekje during Jinji's reign. In the second year of his reign (577 CE), Baekje invaded Silla's west. The Silla army under the command of Sejong defeated Baekje, and Jinji had several fortresses, including Naeriseo Fortress , built. The next year, however, Silla lost Aryasan Fortress to Baekje. In 579 CE, Baekje captured three Silla forts, including Naeriseo Fortress, and destroyed several major routes.

In 578 CE, Jinji sent an envoy to the Chen in southern China to maintain their diplomatic relationship. The king asked a servant to follow Bihyeong and find out where he went. As it turns out, Bihyeong was actually meeting with his ghost friends every night on the hills of the Hwangcheon River west of the city. When the king heard of it, he asked Bihyeong to build a bridge on the river. Bihyeong and the ghosts did build the bridge in just one night, naming it Gwigyo, or Ghost Bridge. One of these ghosts' name was Gildal, whom Bihyeong recommended to the royal court. Gildal was given the job of guarding the temple. One night, Gildal transformed into a fox and decided to run away. Bihyeong chased after him and killed him. Because of this, the ghosts started to fear Bihyeong. They decided to leave the palace and never returned. One of the foxes was the so-called gold fox who was later killed by Kim yu-shin as he was trying to harm Kim yu-shin's Lover.

Family Father: King Jinheung of Silla (; 526–576 CE) Grandfather: Galmunwang Ipjong (?–537 CE) Grandmother: Queen Mother Jiso (?–574 CE) Mother: Queen Sado of the Park clan (사도왕후 박씨, 思道王后 朴氏( (?–614 CE) Grandfather: Park Yeongsil Grandmother: Princess Okjin of the Royal Kim clan Consorts and their respective issue: Queen Jido of the Park clan Kim Yongchun (; 579–646 CE) Lady Dohwa Kim Bihyeong (; 581–? CE) Princess Bomyeong , daughter of Queen Jiso and Gu Jin Princess Seok-myeong Princess Yang-myeong ( 양명공주)

Popular culture Portrayed by Im Ho in the 2009 MBC TV series Queen Seondeok. Portrayed by Son Hyo-won in the 2012 MBC TV series Dream of the Emperor. Portrayed in the 2017 KBS TV series Chronicles of Korea