Royal Consort Sukbin Hong

Sukbin Hong , or Concubine Suk, of the Namyang Hong clan, was a consort of King Munjong, the fifth monarch of Joseon.

Biography Early life Lady Hong was most likely born during the reign of King Sejong. The exact date and year of birth is not clear, but the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty mention that she was younger than Queen Hyeondeok. Her father was Hong Sim, who would later become governor of Hanseong , and her mother was a lady from the Papyeong Yun clan.

Her younger brother, Hong Eung , was a member of the State Council during the reign of King Seongjong.

In 1466, her nephew, Hong Sang , married Princess Myeongsuk, the only daughter of Crown Prince Uigyeong and Queen Insu.

Through her maternal line, she was a first cousin of Soyong Yun , another one of King Munjong's consorts; a first cousin once removed of Queen Jeonghui; a second cousin twice removed of Queen Janggyeong and Yun Im; a second cousin three times removed of Queen Munjeong and Yun Won-hyeong; and a third cousin once removed of Queen Jeonghyeon.

Life in the palace In 1431, when King Munjong was still crown prince, Lady Hong was officially selected as his consort, alongside Lady Gwon (posthumously Queen Hyeondeok) and Lady Jeong (later known as Soyong Jeong). The three of them were officially appointed as consorts of the crown prince of the junior fourth rank and entered the palace together.

Despite Lady Hong being closest to the crown prince at the time when Crown Princess Bong was deposed, King Sejong chose Lady Gwon as the new crown princess, because she was older, held the higher rank, and had already given birth to two children, including Princess Gyeonghye.

Meanwhile, Lady Hong gave birth to a daughter in 1441, but the child died in 1444.

After King Munjong acceded to the throne, she was promoted to royal consort of the junior first rank and given the authority to manage the Internal Court since the position of queen was empty.

In 1452, a few months after Danjong succeeded his father, Lady Hong was elevated to the senior first rank , with the honorific title suk , meaning "respectful".

She moved into a residence that had belonged to the late Grand Prince Anpyeong and stepped down from her position as leader of the Internal Court following Danjong's marriage to Queen Jeongsun.

Later life Lady Han's last appearance in official records was in 1485. It remains unknown when she died and where her tomb is located.

Titles

During the reign of King Sejong : Lady, of the Namyang Hong clan Hong Sim's daughter Lady Hong Seunghwi (; from 5 May 1431), consort of the crown prince of the junior fourth rank During the reign of King Munjong : Gwiin (; from 1450), royal consort of the junior first rank During the reign of King Danjong : Concubine Suk (; from 30 August 1452), royal consort of the senior first rank

Family Father: Hong Sim (; 1398–1456) Mother: Lady, of the Papyeong Yun clan Sibling(s) Brother: Left State Councilor Hong Eung (; 1428–1492) Brother: Hong Ching Consort of: King Munjong (; 15 November 1414 – 10 June 1452) Issue Unnamed daughter (1441–1444)

Ancestry

In popular culture Portrayed by Park Young-gwi in the 1994 KBS2 TV series Han Myung-hoi. Portrayed by Jang Seo-hee in the 1998–2000 KBS1 TV series The King and the Queen.