Deposed Queen Yu

Princess Munseong (15 August 1576 – 31 October 1623), of the Munhwa Yu clan, was the wife and queen consort of Yi Hon, King Gwanghae, the 15th Joseon monarch. She was Queen consort of Joseon from 1608 until her husband's deposition in 1623, after which she was known as Deposed Queen Yu.

Biography[]

The future queen was born on 15 August 1576 during the reign of King Seonjo. Her father, Yu Ja-shin, was member of the Munhwa Yu clan. As queen's father, he being given the title Internal Prince Munyang (문양부원군, Mun-yang Buwongun). Her mother was member of the Dongrae Jeong clan. As queen's mother, she being given the title Internal Princess Consort Bongwon (봉원부부인, Bongwon Bubuin).

At the age of 11 in 1587, she was selected to become the consort of Yi Hon, Prince Gwanghae, son of Seonjo, born to Kim Gongbin, senior 1st rank king's concubine. As Gwanghae's wife, she was given the royal title of Princess Consort Munseong (문성군부인, Munseong Gunbuin). When Gwanghae became the crown prince in 1592, she was elevated to the crown princess’ rank at the age of 16. 16 years later, Gwanghae ascended to the throne as the fifteenth Joseon king in 1608 and she became queen consort.

On April 6, 1623, Gwanghaegun was deposed in a coup by the Westerners faction. The coup directed by Kim Yu took place at night. The King fled but was captured later. His nephew, Injo, was placed on the throne as the 16th Joseon monarch. As deposed king's wife, she lost her status as queen consort and known as Deposed Queen Yu. She was deposed and exiled to Ganghwa Island, together with Gwanghae. Her son, Yi Ji, the deposed Crown Prince, tried to escape with his wife but failed, resulting in them committing suicide. Deposed Queen Yu passed away on the same year after seven months of living in exile.

Deposed Queen Yu was buried in Jeokseong, Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, and it's said that her tomb was not built as it was a waste house.

Titles[]

• 15 August 1576 - 1587: Lady Yu (류씨, 柳氏), daughter of Yu Ja-shin, of the Munhwa Yu clan
• 1587 - 1592: Princess Consort Munseong (문성군부인 류씨, 文城郡夫人 柳氏)
• 1592 - 1608: Crown Princess Yu (왕세자빈 류씨, 王世子嬪 柳氏)
• 1608 - 1623: The Queen Consort
• 1623: Deposed Queen Yu (폐비 류씨, 廢妃 柳氏)
• Posthumous title: Princess Consort Munseong (문성군부인, 文城郡夫人)
• Other posthumous title: Queen Hyejang (혜장왕후, 惠章王后)

Family[]

Parent

• Father − Yu Ja-Shin (December 1541 – 7 February 1612) (유자신)
  • 1) Grandfather − Yu Jam (1509 – 1576) (류잠, 柳潛) (1509 - 1576)
    • 2) Great-Grandfather − Yu Su-cheon (류수천, 柳壽千)
      • 3) Great-Great-Grandfather − Yu Je-geun (류제근, 柳悌根)
  • 1) Grandmother − Lady Jeong of the Hadong Jeong clan (1510 – 1587) (하동 정씨)^[1][2][3]
• Uncle - Yu Deok-shin (유덕신, 柳德新)
  • Cousin - Yu Tae-hyeong (유태형, 柳泰亨)
• Mother − Internal Princess Consort Bongwon of the Dongrae Jeong clan (1541 – 1620) (봉원부부인 동래 정씨, 蓬原府夫人 東萊 鄭氏)^[4]
  • 1) Grandfather − Jeong Yu-Gil (30 November 1515 – 28 September 1588) (정유길)
  • 1) Grandmother − Lady Won of the Wonju Won clan (정경부인 원주 원씨, 貞敬夫人 原州 元氏)

Siblings

• Older brother − Yu Hui-kaeng (류희갱, 柳希鏗)
• Older brother − Yu Hui-dam (류희담, 柳希聃) (1563 - 1614)
• Older brother − Yu Hui-bun (류희분, 柳希奮) (1564 - 1623)
  • Nephew − Yu Myeong-rib (류명립, 柳命立)
• Older brother − Yu Hui-bal (류희발, 柳希發) (1568 - 1623)
  • Niece − Lady Yu of the Munhwa Yu clan (문화 류씨)
  • Nephew-in-law − Yi Mu (이무, 李袤)
• Older sister − Lady Yu of the Munhwa Yu clan (문화 류씨)
• Older sister − Lady Yu of the Munhwa Yu clan (문화 류씨)
• Older brother − Yu Hui-ryang (류희량, 柳希亮) (1575 - 1628)
• Younger sister − Lady Yu of the Munhwa Yu clan (문화 류씨)
• Younger brother − Yu Hui-an (류희안, 柳希安) (1581 - 1638)

Consort

• Yi Hon, King Gwanghae (4 June 1575 – 7 August 1641) (조선 광해군)

Issue

• Son − Yi Ji, Deposed Crown Prince (31 December 1598 – 22 July 1623) (이지 폐세자)^[5]
  • Daughter-in-law − Deposed Crown Princess Consort Park of the Miryang Park clan (1598 – May 1623) (폐빈 박씨, 廢嬪 朴氏)
    • Unnamed grandson (대군, 大君)

In popular culture[]

• Portrayed by Jang Seo-hee in the 1995 KBS2 TV Series West Palace.
• Portrayed by Sa Kang in the 2003-2004 SBS TV series King's Woman.
• Portrayed by Han Hyo-joo in the 2012 movie Masquerade.
• Portrayed by Lee Si-a in the 2013 MBC TV series Hur Jun, The Original Story.
• Portrayed by Kim Hee-jung in the 2014 KBS TV series The King's Face.
• Portrayed by Kim Hyo-seo in the 2015 MBC TV series Splendid Politics.
• Portrayed by Lee Se-young in the 2019 tvN TV series The Crowned Clown.
• Portrayed by Park Min-jung the 2019 KBS2 TV series The Tale of Nokdu.

References[]

• 문성군부인 유씨 (in Korean). Doosan Encyclopedia.