Quick Facts
Biography
Jang Nok-su (died 1506) (장녹수) 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 Dynasty. After the overthrow of Yeonsangun, she was executed by the new ruler, Jungjong of Joseon.
Biography
Her father was Jang Han-pil who lived in the western part of Chungcheong Province and her mother was a concubine from the cheonmin people.Because of this, Jang Nok-su lived as a servant of the Grand Prince Jean, son of Yejong of Joseon and Queen Ansun. After she gave birth to a son, 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.
Family
- Father: Jang Han-pil (장한필)
- Sister: Jang Bok-su (장복수)
- Brother-in-law: Kim Hyo-son (김효손)
- Sister: Jang Bok-su (장복수)
- Husband: King Yeonsangun of Joseon (23 November 1476 – 20 November 1506) (조선 연산군)
- Daughter: Princess Yi Yeong-Su (이영수)
- Son-in-law: Kwon Han (권한)
- Daughter: Princess Yi Yeong-Su (이영수)
In popular culture
- Portrayed by Do Kum-bong in the 1962 film Tyrant Yeonsan.
- Portrayed by Lee Mi-sook in the 1984-1985 MBC TV series 500 Years of Joseon - The Ume Tree in the Midst of the Snow.
- Portrayed by Kang Soo-yeon in the 1987 film King Yeonsan.
- Portrayed by Park Ji-young in the 1995 KBS TV series Jang Nok-su.
- Portrayed by Kim Jin-ah in the 1988 film Diary of King Yeonsan.
- Portrayed by U;Nee in the 1998-2000 KBS1 TV series The King and Queen.
- Portrayed by Kang Sung-yeon in the 2005 film King and the Clown.
- Portrayed by Oh Soo-min in the 2007-2008 SBS TV series The King and I.
- Portrayed by Jeon So-min in the 2011-2012 JTBC TV series Queen Insoo.
- Portrayed by Cha Ji-yeon in the 2015 film The Treacherous.
- Portrayed by Lee Ha-nui in the 2017 MBC TV series Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People
- Portrayed by Son Eun-seo in the 2017 KBS2 TV series Queen for Seven Days.