Yangnyeong

Grand Prince Yangnyŏng (; 1394 – 8 October 1462), personal name Yi Che, was the eldest surviving son of King Taejong, the 3rd monarch of Joseon. He was invested as crown prince at the age of 12, but ultimately lost his position in favor of his younger brother who went on to become Sejong the Great. His descendants include Syngman Rhee, the first president of South Korea.

Biography Yi Che was born in 1394, but the exact date is unknown. At the time, Joseon had just been founded and his grandfather, King Taejo, was on the throne.

Yi Che became crown prince four years after King Taejong's accession. Known for his dislike of study and misconduct, he often clashed with his father.

In 1415, he caused a scandal when he had an affair with Cho-gung-jang, a courtesan belonging to his uncle, King Jeongjong; he had been unaware that she was his uncle's woman. In 1417, he secretly brought Eo-ri, a concubine of Gwak Seon, into the palace. Angered, Taejong banished Yi Che to the residence of his father-in-law, Kim Han-ro , who arranged rendezvous between Yi Che and Eo-ri. For a while, Taejong did not fault his son for his libertine proclivities, but instead held Kim Han-ro accountable for his improprieties. However, Yi Che accused Taejong of hypocrisy, criticizing his father for punishing him over his affair with Eo-ri, while Taejong himself maintained numerous concubines.

Yi Che was deposed on 15 July 1418. He reportedly neither cried nor showed signs of sadness. He was expelled from the palace and relocated to Gwangju County. Two months later, his younger brother, Yi To (posthumously King Sejong), acceded to the throne.

After Sejong became king, the relationship between the brothers strengthened, with Sejong often inviting Yi Che to the palace. During King Sejo's reign, he enjoyed the status of the most senior member of the royal family.

Yi Che died in 1462, around the age of 68. He was buried in present-day Sangdo-dong, Dongjak District, Seoul.

Family

Father: King Taejong (; 21 June 1367 – 8 June 1422) Grandfather: King Taejo (; 4 November 1335 – 27 June 1408) Grandmother: Queen Sinui , of the Cheongju Han clan (; 6 October 1337 – 25 November 1391) Mother: Queen Wongyeong , of the Yeoheung Min clan (; 6 August 1365 – 27 August 1420) Grandfather: Min Che , Internal Prince Yŏhŭng (; 1339 – 13 October 1408) Grandmother: Grand Princess Consort of Samhan State , of the Yeosan Song clan (; 1342–1414) Consort(s) and their respective issue Grand Princess Consort Suseong , of the Gwangsan Kim clan (? – 28 February 1456) Commandery Princess Jaeryeong (; 1409–?), first daughter Yi Ae , Prince Sunseong (; 18 July 1414 – 3 October 1462), first son Yi Po , Prince Hamyang (; 1416 – 13 July 1474), second son Yi Hye , Prince Seosan (; 1420–1451), third son Lady Yi , second daughter County Princess Yeongpyeong , third daughter Lady Yi , fourth daughter Commandery Princess Yangcheon , fifth daughter Courtesan Bong-ji-ryeon Unknown concubine Yi Gyeom , Gojeong Bujeong , fourth son Yi Heun , Jangpyeong Dojeong (; 1438–?), fifth son Yi Seong , Gyecheon Dojeong , sixth son Yi Sun , Bongsan Bujeong , seventh son Yi Sim , Anchang Bujeong , eighth son Yi Gwang-seok , Dolsan Bujeong , ninth son Yi Gwang-geun , Geumji Bujeong , 10th son Courtesan Eo-ri Lady Yi (; 1451–?), personal name Ae-jung , sixth daughter Courtesan Cho-gung-jang Courtesan Jeong-hyang Courtesan Chil-jeom-saeng Unknown concubine Lady Yi , seventh daughter Unknown concubine Lady Yi , ninth daughter Lady Yi , 10th daughter Lady Yi , 11th daughter Lady Yi , 12th daughter Unknown concubine Lady Yi , eighth daughter Lady Yi (?–1489), personal name Gu-ji , 13th daughter Unknown concubine Lady Yi , 14th daughter Lady Yi , 15th daughter Lady Yi , 16th daughter Lady Yi , personal name Geon-yi , 17th daughter

Ancestry

In popular culture Portrayed by Song Ki-yoon in the 1983 MBC TV series The King of Chudong Palace. Portrayed by Lee Min-woo in the 1996–1998 KBS1 TV series Tears of the Dragon. Portrayed by Park Sang-min, Jung Chan-woo and Lee In in the 2008 KBS2 TV series The Great King, Sejong. Portrayed by Park Woong in the 2011 JTBC TV series Insu, the Queen Mother. Portrayed by Baek Do-bin in the 2012 film I Am the King. Portrayed by Lee Byung-wook in the 2016 KBS1 TV series Jang Yeong-sil. Portrayed by Lee Tae-ri, Kim Joon-ui and Kim In-woo in the 2021-2022 KBS1 TV series The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won.