Chang Noksu

Royal Consort Sugyong (Korean: 숙용 장씨, c.1474–1506^[a]), of the Heungdeok Jang clan, was the consort of King Yeonsangun. She is often compared with Royal Noble Consort Huibin Jang and Chŏng Nanjŏng, two other women of the Joseon period. After the overthrow of Yeonsangun, she was executed by the new ruler, King Jungjong.

Chang Noksu
Royal Consort Sugyong
Tenure	1503–1506
Born	c.1474 Joseon
Died	1506 Joseon
Burial	?
Spouse	King Yeonsangun of Joseon
House	Heungdeok Jang
Father	Chang Hanp'il
Korean name
Hangul	장녹수
RR	Jang Noksu
MR	Chang Noksu
Royal title
Hangul	숙용 장씨
Hanja	淑容張氏
RR	Sugyong Jangssi
MR	Sugyong Changssi

In this Korean name, the family name is Chang.

Biography

The royal consort’s name was Chang Noksu. Her father was Chang Hanp'il, a county magistrate who lived in the western part of Chungcheong Province, and her mother was a concubine from the cheonmin social class. Because of this, Chang Noksu 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 Chang Noksu his concubine, sending lots of gifts and wealth to her family. Concubine Chang seemed to treat Yeonsangun as a baby, but he so favored her that all rulings and punishments were made under her influence. In 1503, Chang Noksu became Royal Consort when she was elevated to the rank of Sugyong. Based on the king's favor, her brother-in-law Kim Hyoson (husband of her sister) was given an official post.

Although Chang Noksu 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 Chang Noksu's life were miserable. She was beheaded publicly and many people threw rocks at her dead body.

Family

• Father: Chang Hanp'il (장한필; 張漢弼; 1455–?)
• Unnamed Mother (1460–?)
• Sibling(s)
  • Sister: Chang Poksu (장복수; 張福壽)
    • Brother-in-law: Kim Hyoson (김효손; 金孝孫)
• Husband: Kano (가노; 家奴)
  • Unnamed son
• Husband: King Yeonsangun of Joseon (조선 연산군; 23 November 1476 – 20 November 1506)
  • Son: Yi Ch'ongsu (이총수; 1502–?)
  • Son: Yi Yŏngsu (이영수; 1503–1503)
  • Daughter: Princess Yi Yŏngsu (이영수; 1506–1517)
    • Son-in-law: Kwŏn Han (권한; 權鷴; 1506–?)

In popular culture

• Portrayed by Kim Jin-ah in the 1988 film Diary of King Yeonsan.
• Portrayed by Kang Sung-yeon in the 2005 film The King and the Clown.
• Portrayed by Oh Soo-min in the 2007-2008 SBS TV series The King and I.
• Portrayed by Jeon So-min in the 2011-2012 JTBC TV series Insu, The Queen Mother.
• Portrayed by Cha Ji-yeon in the 2015 film The Treacherous.
• Portrayed by Lee Hanee in the 2017 MBC TV series The Rebel.^[1]
• Portrayed by Son Eun-seo in the 2017 KBS2 TV series Queen for Seven Days.^[2]

Notes

1. In the Korean calendar, Chang died on the 2nd day, 9th month of 1506