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Royal Consort Suk-yong (Korean: 숙용 장씨, 1484–1506[1]), of the Heungdeok Jang clan, was the consort of Yeonsangun of Joseon. She is often compared with Jang Hui-bin and Jeong Nan-jeong, two other women of the Joseon period. After the overthrow of Yeonsangun, she was executed by the new ruler, Jungjong of Joseon.
| Jang Nok-su 장녹수 | |
|---|---|
| Royal Consort Suk-Yong | |
| Tenure | 1503–1506 |
| |
| Born | 1484 Joseon |
| Died | 1506 (aged 21–22) Joseon |
| Burial |
?
|
| Spouse | King Yeonsangun of Joseon |
| House | Heungdeok Jang |
| Father | Jang Han-pil |
| Jang Nok-su | |
| Hangul | 숙용 장씨 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Sukyong Jangssi |
| McCune–Reischauer | Sukyong Changssi |
The royal consort’s name was Jang Nok-su (장녹수). Her father was Jang Han-pil a county magistrate who lived in the western part of Chungcheong Province and her mother was a concubine from the cheonmin class. Because of this, Jang Nok-su 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 Jang Nok-su his concubine, sending lots of gifts and wealth to her family. Concubine Jang seemed to treat Yeonsangun as a baby, but he so favored her that all rulings and punishments were made under her influence. In 1503 Jang Nok-su became Royal Consort when she was elevated to the rank of Suk-yong. Based on the king's favor, her brother-in-law Kim Hyo-Son (husband of her sister) was given an official post.
Although Jang Nok-su 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 Jang Nok-su's life were miserable. She was beheaded publicly and many people threw rocks at her dead body.