Royal Consort Suk-yong (Korean숙용 장씨, 1484–1506[1]), of the Heungdeok Jang clan, was the consort of Yeonsangun of Joseon. She is often compared with Jang Hui-bin and Jeong Nan-jeong, two other women of the Joseon period. After the overthrow of Yeonsangun, she was executed by the new ruler, Jungjong of Joseon.

Jang Nok-su
장녹수
Royal Consort Suk-Yong
Tenure1503–1506
Born1484
Joseon
Died1506 (aged 21–22)
Joseon
Burial
?
SpouseKing Yeonsangun of Joseon
HouseHeungdeok Jang
FatherJang Han-pil
Jang Nok-su
Hangul
숙용 장씨
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSukyong Jangssi
McCune–ReischauerSukyong Changssi

Biography

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The royal consort’s name was Jang Nok-su (장녹수). Her father was Jang Han-pil a county magistrate who lived in the western part of Chungcheong Province and her mother was a concubine from the cheonmin class. Because of this, Jang Nok-su lived as a servant of the Grand Prince Jean, son of Yejong of Joseon and Queen Ansun. After having a son with Gano (가노; 家奴), another servant of Grand Prince Jean, she learned to sing and dance and became a kisaeng. She was only of ordinary beauty, but had a vibrant and youthful appearance, and possessed an extraordinary talent for singing and music.

One day, Yeonsangun heard her voice and appointed Jang Nok-su his concubine, sending lots of gifts and wealth to her family. Concubine Jang seemed to treat Yeonsangun as a baby, but he so favored her that all rulings and punishments were made under her influence. In 1503 Jang Nok-su became Royal Consort when she was elevated to the rank of Suk-yong. Based on the king's favor, her brother-in-law Kim Hyo-Son (husband of her sister) was given an official post.

Although Jang Nok-su lived in the palace, she destroyed her house to rebuild a new and a bigger house. In 1506, a group of officials plotted against the despotic ruler of Yeonsangun. King Yeonsangun was dethroned and sent into exile. The last moments of Jang Nok-su's life were miserable. She was beheaded publicly and many people threw rocks at her dead body.

Family

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  • Father: Jang Han-pil (장한필; 張漢弼; 1455–?)
  • Unnamed Mother (1460–?)
  • Sibling(s)
    • Sister: Jang Bok-su (장복수; 張福壽)
      • Brother-in-law: Kim Hyo-son (김효손; 金孝孫)
  • Husband: Gano (가노; 家奴)
    • Unnamed son
  • Husband: King Yeonsangun of Joseon (조선 연산군; 23 November 1476 – 20 November 1506)
    • Son: Yi Chong-su (이총수; 1502–?)
    • Son: Yi Yeong-su (이영수; 1503–1503)
    • Daughter: Princess Yi Yeong-Su (이영수; 1506–1517)
      • Son-in-law: Kwon Han (권한; 權鷴; 1506–?)
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References

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  1. ^ In Lunar Calendar, Jang died on 2 September 1506
  2. ^ "The Rebel". MBC Global Media. MBC&iMBC. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  3. ^ "7일의 왕비 인물관계도". Korean Broadcasting System (in Korean). Retrieved September 9, 2019.