Kim Mun-geun

Kim Mun-geun (; 25 November 1801 – 6 November 1863), posthumously called Duke Chungsung (충순공, 忠純公), was a Korean nobleman and politician during the late Joseon Period. He served in various high-ranking positions at the court of his son-in-law, King Cheoljong. He was also the father of Queen Cheorin, primary wife of King Cheoljong.

He was one of the famous political figures who came from the Andong Kim clan and was a 7th degree nephew of Kim Jo-sun, Internal Prince Yeongan (김조순 영안부원군); the father of Queen Sunwon. When his daughter was chosen as Queen, he was honoured as Internal Prince Yeongeun (영은부원군, 永恩府院君).

Biography Early life Kim Mun-geun was born on November 25, 1801, as the son of Kim In-sun (김인순) and his wife, Lady Shin of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (평산 신씨). He was the great-grandson of Kim Seong-haeng (김성행), who was executed for supporting Prince Yeoning during the reign of King Gyeongjong. He was later adopted by Kim Yi-sun (김이순).

Kim married Lady Yi of the Yeonan Yi clan (daughter of Yi Yong-su), but she died early, without any issue. She was later honoured as Internal Princess Yeonyang (연양부부인).

His second wife was Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (daughter of Min Beon-hyeon). With her, he had one son and one daughter (the future Queen Cheorin).

Political career In 1824, at the age of 23, Kim Mun-geun passed the civil service examination (Heungje) held by King Sunjo at Huijungdang Hall, ranking 3rd out of all examinees. This earned him the title of "Samha" (三下), a lower-level civil service rank. Despite not completing the required lower-level civil service examinations (Sangrye and Jinsa), he was granted the privilege of directly taking the highest-level civil service examination (Gwaje) due to his exceptional performance in the Heungje exam. He enrolled at Sungkyunkwan, the prestigious Confucian university, as a government-sponsored student (Gwanhak Yusaeng). In 1830, at the age of 29, he passed the civil service examination (Heungje) held by Crown Prince Hyomyeong at Chundangdae Hall. This remarkable achievement exempted him from taking the lower-level civil service examinations (Sangrye and Jinsa) and granted him direct access to the highest-level civil service examination (Gwaje).

Kim Mun-geun held a succession of high-ranking military positions, including Sanguiwonjejo (Chief of the Board of Censors), Geumwidaejang (Commander of the Royal Guards), Dansadaejang (Commander of the Navy), Chonyongsa (Minister of Ordnance), and again Geumwidaejang, Howie Daejeong (Commander of the Escort Guard), and Hwaldong Daejeong (Commander of the Training Corps). These positions allowed him to serve as a close advisor to King Cheoljong. Kim Mun-geun, along with Kim Jwa-geun and Kim Su-geun, emerged as prominent figures in the new power center of the Andong Kim clan. His appointment as Yeongdonnyeongbusa further solidified the clan's influence in the royal court. The Andong Kim clan enjoyed significant power and influence during this period. Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Kim Gwang-chan (김광찬, 金光燦) (1597 - 24 February 1668) Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother Lady Kim of the Yonan Kim clan (본관: 연안 김씨) Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Kim Su-hang (김수항, 金壽恒) (1629 - 9 April 1689) Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother Lady Na of the Anjeong Na clan (본관: 안정 나씨) Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Kim Chang-jib (김창집, 金昌集) (1648 - 2 May 1722) Great-Great-Great-Grandmother Lady Park (박씨) Great-Great-Grandfather Kim Je-gyeom (김제겸, 金濟謙) Great-Grandfather Kim Seong-haeng (김성행, 金省行) Grandfather Kim Yi-jik (김이직, 金履直) Father Kim In-sun (김인순, 金麟淳) Adoptive uncle - Kim Yi-sun (김이순, 金頤淳) Mother Stepmother - Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan (한산 이씨) Stepmother - Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (전주 이씨) Step-grandfather - Yi Gwon-su (이관수) Biological mother - Lady Shin of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (평산 신씨) Grandfather - Shin Il-sik (신일식, 申日式) Siblings Older brother - Kim Jun-geun (김준근, 金浚根) Older brother - Kim Su-geun (김수근, 金洙根) (1798 - 1854) Sister-in-law - Lady Jo (조씨); daughter of Jo Jin-Taek (조진택) Nephew - Kim Byeong-hak (김병학, 金炳學) (1821 - 1879) Niece-in-law - Lady Yun of the Paepyeong Yun clan (파평 윤씨) Niece-in-law - Lady Yun of the Paepyeong Yun clan (파평 윤씨) Niece-in-law - Lady Yi of the Seongju Yi clan (성주 이씨) Adoptive grandnephew - Kim Seung-gyu (김승규, 金昇圭); son of Kim Byeong-yu (김병유, 金炳儒) Nephew - Kim Byeong-guk (김병국, 金炳國) (1825 - 1905) Adoptive grandnephew - Kim Jeong-gyu (김정규, 金貞圭); son of Kim Byeong-mun (김병문, 金炳聞) Wives and their issue(s) Internal Princess Consort Yeonyang of the Yeonan Yi clan (연양부부인 연안 이씨, 延陽府夫人 延安 金氏) (1799 - 1824) — No issue. Internal Princess Consort Heungyang of the Yeoheung Min clan (흥양부부인 여흥 민씨, 興陽府夫人 驪興 閔氏) (? - 1872) Daughter - Queen Cheorin of the Andong Kim clan (27 April 1837 - 12 June 1878) (철인왕후 안동 김씨) Son-in-law - Cheoljong of Joseon (25 July 1831 - 16 January 1864) (조선 철종왕) Grandson - Prince Royal Yi Yong-jun (22 November 1858 - 25 May 1859) (원자 이융준) Son - Kim Byeong-pil (김병필, 金炳弼) (1839 - 1870) Grandson - Kim Heung-gyu (김흥규, 金興圭) Great-Grandson - Kim Yong-jin (김용진, 金容鎭); adopted by Kim Jeong-Gyu (김정규)

In popular culture Portrayed by Jeon Bae-soo in the 2020 TVN TV series Mr. Queen.