Hong Ju-won


Hong Ju-won, formally called Lord Yeongan, of the Pungsan Hong clan, was a Joseon nobleman and the husband of Princess Jeongmyeong, only daughter of King Seonjo and Queen Inmok. He was a great-great-great-grandfather of Lady Hyegyŏng, Crown Prince Sado's wife.
As a child, Hong learned how to write from his maternal grandfather, Yi Jeong-gwi, and from Kim Ryu. In addition, he enjoyed playing with scholars in search of scenic spots. Hong also had a deep friendship with Jo Seok-yun and Park Jang-won. It was said that he had soft and gentle personality.

Marriage

It was said that Hong already had a fiancée before marrying Princess Jeongmyeong but was forced to break the engagement with her. In fact, in these periods, the marriage age was early when the status was high. So, most of men from yangban families with the same age as the royal princess were forced to take part in the marriage selection, and if selected, to eventually marry the princess. A man who has not yet married was either having difficulty to marry due to a problem, or was already engaged like Hong. However, for unknown reasons, he was delaying the marriage as it was impossible for a princess to marry a man with a flaw.
Later, on 26 September 1623, there was a selection to be Princess Jeongmyeong 's husband, and Hong was the winner. In this marriage, the Princess was 21-years-old who missed marriage due to her long confined life, so it was unlikely she could find a husband of the same age and had to choose a younger man. A day after the marriage, he was honoured as Prince Consort Yeongan or Lord Yeongan.
Meanwhile, when the dying outbreak arose, Right State Councilor Shin Heum and Han Jun-gyeom, Internal Prince Seopyeong, immediately notified the Dowager Queen, Seonjo's widow, and Queen Inyeol, the wife of King Injo.
A few months later, Hong's mother in-law, the Dowager Queen gave him the Eoseungma but she became ill and in 1629, when King Injo tried to comfort her, Hong's father, Hong Yeong became Yejochamphan. Two years later, in 1631, her health became so poor that to please her, Injo elevated Hong's qualities and bade him to surprise her with his wife, Princess Jeongmyeong.
Later, after the death of the Dowager Queen, a suspicious white note was found in the couple's residence. Several of the court ladies who served the Princess were involved and were arrested as well as sentenced to death.

Later life

From 4 October 1647 until 27 February 1648, Hong went to Qing dynasty in Saeun Temple. In 1649, after Yi Ho ascended the throne as the 17th King of Joseon, Hong was honoured as "Gobucheongsicheongseungseubjeongsa". He died on 3 November 1672 and received his posthumous name and courtesy name. With his marriage with the princess, they had 7 children but 5 only made it to adulthood. Princess Jeongmyeong lived until she died at the age of 82 in 1685.

Others

Benefits about marriage with Princess Jeongmyeong

For Hong, it was an auspicious and normal marriage, but not only himself, his family, the Pungsan Hong clan received many benefits from this marriage. Such as having a close in-law relationship with the royal family and having government positions.

Descendants

This list is just for the notable people of Hong's descendants.
  1. Hong Hyeon-ju, Prince Consort Yeongmyeong, husband of Princess Sukseon
  2. Hong Bong-han, father of Lady Hyegyŏng and Hong In-han.
  3. Hong Guk-yeong
  4. Royal Noble Consort Won, consort of Jeongjo of Joseon

Family

In popular culture

Drama and television series