Royal Noble Consort Sukbin Choe

Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Choi clan (Hangul: 숙빈최씨, Hanja: 淑嬪崔氏) (1670 - 1718) was a concubine of King Sukjong of Joseon. She is best remembered as Sukjong's concubine, as there are few records of her life before she became Sukjong's concubine.

Biography

She was originally a water maid in the palace, serving Queen Inhyeon. One night, she was praying in her chamber for Inhyeon's wellbeing when Sukjong, who was crossing outside after a trip outside of the palace, heard her and, moved by her kindness (Sukjong was having his regrets at that time).

In 1693, in the fourth lunar month of the nineteenth year of King Sukjong's reign, she became Sukjong's concubine with the rank of suk-won. In 1694, during the twentieth year of Sukjong's reign, she was elevated to the rank of suk-ui (Royal Noble Consort of the 2nd grade) after giving birth to a son, Prince Yeoning-geum (later King Yeongjo of Joseon).

In 1695, she was again elevated to the rank of gwi-in. In 1699, she was again promoted to the rank of "bin" (Royal Noble Consort), with the adjective "suk" ("pure"). She died in 1718, on the ninth day of the third lunar month in the forty-fourth year of Sukjong's reign.

She was given the posthumous title "Lady Hwagyeong, Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Choi clan" (화경숙빈최씨 和瓊淑嬪崔氏).

Family

Ancestors

• Great-Great-Grandfather
  • Choi Eok-ji (Hangul: 최억지, Hanja: 崔億之)
• Great-Grandfather
  • Choi Mal-jeong (Hangul: 최말정, Hanja: 崔末貞)
• Paternal Grandfather
  • Choi Tae- il (Hangul: 최태일, Hanja: 崔泰逸)
• Paternal Grandmother
  • Lady Jang of the Pyeonggang Jang clan (Hangul: 평강장씨, Hanja: 平康張氏)
• Maternal Grandfather
  • Hong Gye-nam (Hangul: 홍계남, Hanja: 洪繼南)
• Maternal Grandmother
  • Lady Kim (Hangul: 김씨, Hanja: 金氏)
• Father
  • Choi Hyo-won (Hangul: 최효원, Hanja: 崔孝元) (1638–1672)
• Mother
  • Lady Hong of the Namyang Hong clan (Hangul: 남양홍씨, Hanja: 南陽洪氏)

Issue

Royal Noble Consort Suk bore King Sukjong three sons:

• Prince Yeongsu (1693), died young.
• Prince Yeoning (1694–1776), later became King Yeongjo.
• unnamed son (1698), died young.

In media

• 2010: television drama Dong Yi broadcast on MBC., which focuses on the life of Lady Choi Suk Bin. The drama was directed by Lee Byung-hoon, co-stars Ji Jin-hee as King Sukjong of Joseon and Lady Choi is portrayed by Han Hyo-joo, well known for her role in Korean historical drama, Iljimae.