Kim Gae-si (Korean: 김개시; Hanja: 金介屎; 1584–1623) or formally called Court Lady Kim (상궁 김씨; 尙宮 金氏) was a Korean Court Lady during the Joseon period. She became a concubine of King Seonjo and later of his son, Gwanghae, after Seonjo’s death. During the latter's reign, she intervened in state affairs and wielded power, but was beheaded after Gwanghae's deposition from the throne.
| Kim Gae-si | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 1584 Joseon | ||||
| Died | 1623 (aged 38–39) Hanseong, Joseon | ||||
| Spouse | Yi Yeon, King Seonjo Yi Hon, King Gwanghae | ||||
| |||||
| Father | Lord Kim | ||||
| Mother | Lady Gang | ||||
Biography
editThere aren’t special records about her family or her early life. It is just recorded that she was a palace maid (춘궁) in Crown Prince Gwanghae's palace. Then, she received Seung-eun (승은; 承恩) from Gwanghae's father, King Seonjo,[1] and became his favourite concubine.[2]
Even though she was not beautiful, she was favoured and liked by both of Seonjo and Gwanghae due to her agility and skill. After Seonjo's death on March 16, 1608, she became Gwanghae's concubine. At the time, it was acceptable for the next King take their father's former consort, with the exception of the primary wife and their own biological mother.
After Gwanghae took the throne, she helped him in succeeding to confine his legal mother, Queen Inmok, by killing her only son and the only legitimate son of Seonjo, Grand Prince Yeongchang (영창대군).
Despite her lowly background and status as a palace maid, Lady Kim wielded power to the extent that she worked with Yi Yi-cheom (이이첨) and Gwon Sin (권신).[3] Her power even surpassed that of Queen Yu (중전 유씨), whom was Gwanghae's primary wife and leader of the Internal Court.
Later, on March 13, 1623, after King Injo was crowned following a rebellion led by Seoin faction (서인; 西人), Lady Kim, along with all of Gwanghae's people and supporters, were executed.[4]
Confrontation
edit- In the Gyechuk Diary, it was said that the Court Lady and Queen Inmok had a bad relationship, because Lady Kim tried to blame her miscarriage on the Queen's daughter, Princess Jeongmyeong.[citation needed]
In popular culture
editDrama & Television series
edit- Portrayed by Kim Bo-yeon in the 1982 MBC TV series Woman Exhibition in the West Palace? (여인열전 - 서궁마마).
- Portrayed by Won Mi-kyung in the 1986 MBC TV series The Hoechun Gate.
- Portrayed by Lee Young-ae in the 1995 KBS2 TV series West Palace.
- Portrayed by Lee Joo-hwa in the 2000–2001 KBS2 TV series Roll of Thunder.
- Portrayed by Park Sun-young in the 2003–2004 SBS TV series The King's Woman.
- Portrayed by Jeon Min-seo and Jo Yoon-hee in the 2014–2015 KBS2 TV series The King's Face.
- Portrayed by Shin Rin-ah, Jo Jung-eun and Kim Yeo-jin in the 2015 MBC TV series Splendid Politics.
- Portrayed by Min Ji-ah in the 2019 tvN TV series The Crowned Clown.
- Portrayed by Song Seon-mi in the 2021 MBN TV series Bossam: Steal the Fate.
Film
edit- Portrayed by Lee Min-ja in the 1962 South Korean film Queen Dowager Inmok.
Webtoon
edit- Portrayed in the 2019 KakaoPage Webtoon series Finally, the Blue Flame (마침내 푸른 불꽃이).
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ 《광해군일기》 [중초본] 69권, 광해 5년(1613년) 8월 11일 11번째
- ^ "김개시(金介屎)". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
- ^ "조선왕조실록". Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty.
- ^ 《속잡록》 계해년 1월