Danjong of Joseon

The future Danjong was born during the reign of his grandfather, King Sejong. His mother, Crown Princess Consort Gwon (posthumously honored as Queen Hyeondeok), didn't recover after giving birth and died the next day. He had one older sister, Princess Gyeonghye, and one older half-sister, Princess Gyeongsuk.

In 1452, Yi Hong-wi succeeded his father, King Munjong, at the age of 10.^[2] Since he was too young to rule, the governing of the country fell to Chief State Councillor Hwangbo In, and Left State Councillor General Kim Chongsŏ, along with Princess Gyeonghye acting as his guardian.^[3]

In 1453, this government was overthrown in a coup d'état led by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (posthumously called King Sejo), who persuaded a number of scholars and officials who had served in the court of Sejong the Great to support his claim to the throne. Hwangbo In and Kim Chongsŏ were captured and killed in front of the gate of Gyeongbokgung.

In late January 1454, the 14 years-old king married the 15 years-old daughter of Song Hyeon-su, Lady Song the Yeosan Song clan (later known as Queen Jeongsun). In 1455, he was forced to abdicate and became the King Emeritus of Joseon while his wife became Queen Dowager Uideok.

The following year, six court officials attempted to restore him to power, but their plot was discovered and they were immediately executed.^[2] Yi Hong-wi was later demoted to Prince Nosan (Nosan Gun; 노산군, 魯山君) and exiled to Cheongnyeongpo, Yeongwol. His wife was also kicked out of the palace after losing her status as queen dowager and being demoted to Princess Consort Nosan (Nosan Gunbuin; 노산군부인).

Initially, Sejo was hesitant to execute Danjong and showed mercy despite the attempted coup. However, he began perceiving that Danjong would present a continuing threat to his rule, Sejo accepted the advice of the court and ordered that his nephew be disposed of. In November 1457, he was put to death.^[2]

Sejo ordered his body to be dumped in a river where it flowed to Yeongwol and decreed that anyone giving him a proper burial would face execution. Eom Heung-do, hojang of Yeongwol, held a funeral for him and secretly buried the body in his family grave, which later became Jangneung.^[4] To escape retribution, he went into hiding for the remainder of his life. Honored by Koreans as a “loyal subject to the rightful king,” his courageous act continues to be commemorated annually in the village, where locals reenact the king’s funeral. The town also features a statue of him holding Danjong’s body.^[5][6]

There was an attempt to honor the late king and queen during Jungjong's reign, but he rejected the proposal. During the reign of King Sukjong scholars once again proposed the restoration of the titles. After 200 years, in 1698, the demoted Prince Nosan and his wife were finally restored, receiving the temple name "Danjong", and posthumous name "Queen Jeongsun".

• Portrayed by Park Ji-hoon in the 2026 film The King's Warden.

• List of monarchs of Korea
• Politics of the Joseon dynasty