Kim Gae-si (Korean: 김개시; Hanja: 金介屎; died 1623) or formally called Court Lady Kim (상궁 김씨; 尙宮 金氏) was a Korean Court Lady during the Joseon period, who became a concubine of King Seonjo and later of his son, Gwanghae, after Seonjo 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 | ? Joseon | ||||
| Died | 1623 Hanseong, Joseon | ||||
| Spouse | Yi Yeon, King Seonjo Yi Hon, King Gwanghae | ||||
| |||||
| Father | Lord Kim | ||||
| Mother | Lady Gang | ||||
There 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]