Hyejong of Goryeo

Hyejong of Goryeo
Hangul	혜종
Hanja	恵宗
Revised Romanization	King Hyejong
McCune–Reischauer	Hyejong
Birth name
Hangul	왕무
Hanja	王武
Revised Romanization	Wang Mu
McCune–Reischauer	Wang Mu

Hyejong of Goryeo (912 – 23 October 945) (r. 943–945) was the second King of Goryeo. He was preceded by King Taejo and succeeded by Jeongjong, 3rd Monarch of Goryeo.

Monarchs of Korea Goryeo

Taejo 918–943 Hyejong 943–945 Jeongjong 945–949 Gwangjong 949–975 Gyeongjong 975–981 Seongjong 981–997 Mokjong 997–1009 Hyeonjong 1009–1031 Deokjong 1031–1034 Jeongjong II 1034–1046 Munjong 1046–1083 Sunjong 1083 Seonjong 1083–1094 Heonjong 1094–1095 Sukjong 1095–1105 Yejong 1105–1122 Injong 1122–1146 Uijong 1146–1170 Myeongjong 1170–1197 Sinjong 1197–1204 Huijong 1204–1211 Gangjong 1211–1213 Gojong 1213–1259 Wonjong 1259–1269 Yeongjong1269 Wonjong 1269–1274 Chungnyeol 1274–1308 Chungseon 1308–1313 Chungsuk 1313–1330 1332–1339 Chunghye 1330–1332 1339–1344 Chungmok 1344–1348 Chungjeong 1348–1351 Gongmin 1351–1374 U 1374–1388 Chang 1388–1389 Gongyang 1389–1392

Early life

Hyejong was born to King Taejo and his second wife, Janghwa of the "Oh" clan. She was the daughter of the Magistrate of Naju, Oh Daryeon. Taejo met and married her while serving in Naju as a general of Taebong under Gung Ye.

In 921, Hyejong was proclaimed Crown Prince and Royal Successor with support from General Bak Sul-Hui. Almost immediately after being named Crown Prince, Hyejong followed his father Taejo into battle against Later Baekje and played a major role in numerous victories. In 943, Hyejong rose to the throne upon his father's death.

Reign

Hyejong's reign was marked with conspiracy and power struggles among Taejo's sons. The first of these conspiracies was led by Princes Wang Yo and Wang So, sons of Taejo and his third consort, Queen Sinmyeongsunseong of the Chungju Yu clan, which possessed considerable political influence. Upon realizing the conspiracy by the two princes, Wang Gyu warned Hyejong of the conspiracy, but plotted to put his grandson on the throne when Hyejong did nothing to stop the conspiracy of the two princes.

Death

Hyejong died in 945, during the second year of his reign from disease. He was succeeded by his third brother Jeongjong, 3rd Monarch of Goryeo.

Family

• Father: King Taejo
• Mother: Queen Janghwa of the Naju Oh clan (장화왕후 오씨) (893-934)
• Consorts:

1. Queen Uihwa of the Jincheon Im clan (의화왕후 임씨)
   1. Prince Heunghwa (흥화궁군)
   2. Lady Gyeonghwa (경화궁부인)
   3. Princess Jeongheon (정헌공주)
2. Lady Hugwangju (후광주원부인)
3. Lady Cheongju of the Cheongju Kim clan (청주원부인 김씨)
4. Court Lady Aeyijoo (궁인 애이주)
   1. Crown Prince Je (태자 제)
   2. Lady Myeonghye (명혜부인)

Popular culture

In 2016, South Korean television channel SBS aired a drama series titled Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, about a girl from the future and her adventure in Goryeo during the reign of King Taejo and his sons. Hyejong was portrayed by actor Kim San-ho.

• Shine or Go Crazy 2015

References