Gwi-in Jo

Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Okcheon Jo clan (1617 - 24 January 1652) (귀인 조씨) is one of the best-known female fatale royal consort of the Joseon.

In this Korean name, the family name is Jo, and Gwi-in is a title for consort, not a personal name.
Gwi-in Jo Royal Noble Consort of Joseon
Royal Noble Consort rank junior 1
Born1617
Kingdom of Joseon
Died24 January 1652
Kingdom of Joseon
SpouseKing Injo of Joseon
IssuePrince Sungseon
Prince Nakseon
Princess Hyomyeong
HouseOkcheon Jo
FatherJo Gi
MotherLady Han Ok
Gwi-in Jo
Hangul
조귀인
Hanja
趙貴人
Revised RomanizationJo Gwi-In
McCune–ReischauerJo GWI-IN

Biography

She was initially arranged to become a maid servant of a lord's daughter, but instead became a palace woman. She used to serve Queen Inryeol of the Cheongju Han clan's brother-in-law, and the queen was the one who arranged her to enter the palace.

Royal favorite

She caught King Injo of Joseon eyes and became his favourite consort overnight; her rank also changed rapidly, from the lowest Sukwon to Sowon, Soyong (she’s widely known as Lady Jo Soyong), Soui, and finally declared as a royal consort of the junior first rank, Gwi-in. No one could beat her in terms of receiving the king’s affection; both Queen Jangryeol of the Yangju Jo clan and Lady Jang Sukui failed to receive Injo’s love. Her personality was described as that of a sensual but cunning woman, and those who were in her bad book would not be safe in front of the king. Because of this, people inside the palace were very afraid of her. It was rumored that Lady Jo disturbed the relationship between Injo and Queen Jangryeol of the Yangju Jo clan, with the intention to tear them apart.

Feud with the Crown Princess

Another well-known fact about her was the hate she harbored towards the Yi Wang, Crown Prince Sohyeon ’s family, particularly Crown Princess Minhoe. Since the day she reached the rank of Soyong, she would badmouth them in front of Injo and it became a common thing for her to slander them with false accusations. Although there was no record of her involvement with Crown Prince Sohyeon’s death, her slanders did not stop after the prince passed away. Because of that, Crown Princess Minhoe suspected Lady Jo of poisoning her husband.

Lady Jo accused the crown princess of attempting to poison Injo, leading to the princess’ execution by poisoning. The acupuncturist who treated Prince Sohyeon before his death was Lee Hyung-ik, who was rumored to be in a relationship with Lady Jo's mother. There was even a record about this.

Later life

After Injo's death, she was discovered to be involved in an attempt to put a curse on Queen Jangryeol of the Yangju Jo clan and the queen's niece. Kim Ja-jeom was her accomplice and he was executed. King Hyojong decided to spare the life of Princess Hyomyeong, Lady Jo's daughter, since she was not involved in the incident. Lady Jo was sentenced to death by poisoning and her mother Han-ok, who was also an accomplice, died before she could receive her punishment. There were officials suggesting for Lady Jo to be stripped of her position as a royal consort but out of respect for his father, who treasured Lady Jo, King Hyojong did not go through with the idea and she remained as a consort of the junior first rank. She had a daughter and two sons with King Injo of Joseon.

Family
  • Father: Jo Gi (1574 - ?) (조기)
  • Mother: Lady Han Ok (? - 1652) (한옥)
    • Father-in-law:King Wonjong of Joseon (2 August 1580 - 29 December 1619) (조선 원종)[1]
    • Mother-in-law: Queen Inheon of the Neungseong Gu clan (17 April 1578 - 14 January 1626) (인헌왕후 구씨)[2]
  • Husband: King Injo of Joseon (7 December 1595 – 17 June 1649) (조선 인조)
    • Son: Yi Jing, Prince Sungseon (17 October 1639 - 6 January 1690) (이징 숭선군)
      • Daughter-in-law: Princess Consort Yeongpung of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (1639 - 1692) (영풍군부인 평산 신씨)
    • Son: Yi Suk, Prince Nakseon (9 December 1641 - 26 April 1695) (이숙 낙선군)
      • Daughter-in-law: Princess Consort Dongwon of the Gangneung Kim clan (동원군부인 김씨)
    • Daughter: Princess Hyomyeong (1637 - 1700) (효명옹주)
      • Son-in-law: Kim Se-Ryong (? - 1651) (김세룡)

Titles
  • Lady Jo Suk-won, Noble Consort Junior rank 4 (조숙원)
  • Lady Jo So-won, Noble Consort Senior rank 4 (조소원)
  • Lady Jo So-yong,Royal Noble Consort Senior rank 3 (조소용)
  • Lady Jo Gwi-in, Royal Noble Consort Junior rank 1 (조귀인)

Royal Noble Consort of Korean Kings

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References
  1. As the sixth illegitimate son of King Seonjo, he became Prince Jeongwon. In 1623, he was given the posthusmous title Daewongun as the birth father of King Injo. After considerable opposition, he was posthusmously honored as King Wonjong in 1632.
  2. In 1623, she was given the title Gyeoungung as the birth mother of King Injo. Daughter of Gu Sa-maeng (구사맹).
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