Wonbin Hong (; 22 June 1766 – 9 June 1779), or Concubine Won, of the Pungsan Hong clan, also known as Lady Sukchang, was a consort of Jeongjo of Joseon and the younger sister of Hong Guk-yeong.
Biography Early life Lady Hong was born into the Pungsan Hong clan, as the second child and only daughter of Hong Nak-chun and his wife, a lady from the Ubong Yi clan. Through her father, Lady Hong was a distant relative of Lady Hyegyŏng (mother of King Jeongjo), as well as a descendant of Hong Ju-won and Princess Jeongmyeong.
Palace life Lady Hong was chosen as a concubine for King Jeongjo when she was 11 years old, in June 1778. She was the first royal consort in Joseon's history to enter the palace with the senior first rank (); her honorific title was won (), meaning "primary". It is said that she was treated like a formal consort in the Chinese court, receiving morning greetings, and had posthumous honors conferred to her upon her death. Her elder brother, Hong Guk-yeong, was a chief royal secretary who hoped to enhance his power through her marriage with the king.
However, she died suddenly the year after her appointment.
After death King Jeongjo himself composed a eulogy for her. Lady Hong was then given the posthumous name Insuk (). She was initially buried within the current grounds of Korea University, and her tomb was called Inmyeongwon (); however, it was later downgraded to Wonbinmyo () and moved to the Seosamneung Cluster in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Today, the former site of Inmyeongwon remains within the university grounds and is known as Aegineung ().
Family Father: Hong Nak-chun () Grandfather: Hong Chang-han (; 1698–?) Grandmother: Lady Yu (); daughter of Yu Du-gi () Uncle: Hong Nak-sun (; 1723–?) Cousin: Hong Bok-yeong () Uncle: Hong Nak-bin (; 1732–?) Mother: Lady, of the Ubong Yi clan () Sibling(s) Elder brother: Hong Guk-yeong (; 1748 – 28 April 1781) Husband: Jeongjo of Joseon (; 28 October 1752 – 18 August 1800) Issue Yi Dam, Prince Sanggye (; 21 January 1769 – 20 November 1786), adopted son
In popular culture Portrayed by Lee Ae-jung in the 2001 MBC TV series Hong Guk-yeong. Portrayed by Ji Sung-won in the 2007 MBC TV series Lee San, Wind of the Palace. Portrayed by Park Seo-kyung in the 2021 MBC TV series The Red Sleeve.
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References
External links Royal Consort Won on Doosan Encyclopedia .