Prince Successor Mun Hyo

Crown Prince Munhyo (; 13 October 1782 – 6 June 1786), personal name Yi Yang, was the elder son of King Jeongjo, the 22nd monarch of Joseon, and the half-brother of King Sunjo. His biological mother was Concubine Ui, the most beloved consort of his father.

Biography Life In the morning of 13 October, Yi Yang was born to King Jeongjo and his consort, Concubine Ui. He was the first child of the king, who was overjoyed by the birth.

The following week, the posthumous name was changed to Munhyo (문효; 文孝). The eulogy was written by Pak Chiwŏn, and the epitaph, by . A poem titled "Munhyo Seja Manjang" is included in Joengjeop, the collection of poems and essays authored by the Joseon scholar Yi Seong-won. This collection is currently in the archives of Yonsei University.

Tomb Crown Prince Munhyo's tomb was first known as Hyochangmyo (효창원; 孝昌墓), then was later elevated to Hyochangwon (효창원; 孝昌園). It was initially situated in present-day Yongsan District, Seoul, 100 steps away from the tomb of his biological mother. However, it was relocated to the Seosamneung Cluster in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, during the Japanese occupation. The former site of the two tombs is now occupied by Hyochang Park.

Taesil In Korean culture, the placenta and umbilical cord of a royal child was considered a sacred object, believed to contain the essence of the child's life. It was often enshrined in a special place called taesil (태실). In 1783, the taesil of Crown Prince Munhyo was established at Yongmunsa Temple in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province.

In 1782, upon the appointment of Yi Yang as crown prince, the Qing imperial court sent a jade Buddha from Burma to wish for his longevity. This precious gift from a powerful neighbor symbolized Qing's support for Joseon. In response, King Jeongjo reconstructed Sungkyansa Temple to house the jade Buddha. However, its current whereabouts remain unknown.

King Jeongjo visited Crown Prince Munhyo's tomb several times, and this is why the name of the hill in Yongsan District is called Geodunggogae (거둥고개; ).

Hongyebun (홍예분) was a village in Singongdeok-dong, Mapo District, Seoul. It was located on the way to Crown Prince Munhyo's tomb. The village was named after the appearance of the burial mound from a distance. The mound was shaped like a rainbow, and it was said to be a sign of the crown prince's good fortune.

Family Father: King Jeongjo (정조대왕; 28 October 1752 – 18 August 1800) Biological grandfather: King Jangjo (장조대왕; 13 February 1735 – 12 July 1762) Legal grandfather: King Jinjong (진종대왕; 4 April 1719 – 16 December 1728) Biological grandmother: Queen Heongyeong (헌경왕후), of the Pungsan Hong clan (풍산 홍씨; 6 August 1735 – 13 January 1816) Legal grandmother: Queen Hyosun (효순왕후), of the Pungyang Jo clan (풍양 조씨; 8 January 1716 – 30 December 1751) Biological mother: Concubine Ui (의빈), of the Changnyeong Seong clan (창녕 성씨; 6 August 1753 – 4 November 1786) Grandfather: Seong Yun-u (성윤우; 1709–1769) Grandmother: Lady, of the Buan Im clan (부인 임씨; 1722–1756) Adoptive mother: Queen Hyoui (효의왕후), of the Cheongpung Kim clan (청풍 김씨; 25 December 1753 – 29 March 1821)

Ancestry

In popular culture Portrayed by Cha Jae-dol in the 2007 MBC TV series Lee San, Wind of the Palace. Portrayed by Park Da-on in the 2021 MBC TV series The Red Sleeve.