Choe Hyo-won

Choe Hyo-won (20/23 February 1638 – 15 August 1672), of the Haeju Choe clan, was a Joseon military officer. He was the father of Royal Noble Consort Suk and the maternal grandfather of King Yeongjo of Joseon.

Biography
There is little detailed information known about his family lineage. The names of his great-grandfather Choe Eok-ji, grandfather Tongjeong Choe Mal-jeong, and father Choe Tae-il are mentioned. However, none of them are documented in the family records of the Haeju Choe clan. It remains uncertain whether they are descendants of Choe On (崔溫), the founder of the Haeju Choe clan, several generations down the line.

His father Choe Tae-il held no official position, but posthumously, he was appointed to the positions of Sukjongdaebu (숭정대부; Grand Chancellor), Uijeongbu Jwachanseong (의정부좌찬성; State Councilor), concurrently positions of Panuigeumbusa (판의금부사; Inspector General of the Treasury), and was posthumously promoted again to the positions of Daegwangbo Sukrokdaebu (대광보국숭록대부; Grand Chancellor), Uijeongbu Uiejeong (의정부우의정; State Councilor), concurrently serving as Yeonggyeongyeon (영경연; Inspector General) and Chunchugwansa (춘추관사; Royal Secretariat). His mother, Lady Pyeonggang Jang, the daughter of Tongdeoknang Jang Ji-won , was posthumously recognized as Jeonggyeongbuin. He was married to Hong Gye-nam's daughter, Lady Hong, from the Namyang Hong clan. They had two daughters and one son. Their second daughter eventually became the birth mother of Yi Geum, King Yeongjo. During his lifetime, Choe Hyo-won served as the General of the Vanguard (선략장군 (宣略將軍), acting Deputy Chief Officer of the Loyal Martial Guard.

He died on 15 August 1672, at the age of 35. After his death, his grandson, King Yeongjo, posthumously promoted him the position of Daewangbo (대광보국숭록대부; Grand Chancellor), Sukrokdaebu (숙록대부; State Councilor), concurrently holding the positions of Yeonguijeong (영의정; Chief State Councillor), Yeonggyeongyeon (영경연; Inspector General), and Hongmungwan (홍문관; Royal Secretariat) on February 18, 1734.

Tombs
His burial site is located at 85th spot in Jin Gwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. In the vicinity of his tomb, there are burial sites for his grandson Choe Su-gang, father-in-law Hong Gye-nam, and the Hong Gye-ung family. The burial sites of his father, Choe Tae-il (崔泰逸), and grandfather, Choe Mal-jeong (崔末貞), are situated at 10-1 spot in Bulkwang-dong, Eunpyeong-gu. The epitaph was composed by the royal family member, Prince Seopyeonggun Lee Yo-ga.

Family

 * Father: Choe Tae-il
 * Grandfather: Choe Mal-jeong
 * Great-grandfather: Choe Eok-ji
 * Mother: Lady Jang of the Pyeonggang Jang clan
 * Grandfather: Jang Won
 * Wife
 * Lady Hong of the Namyang Hong clan (17 October 1639 – 18 December 1673)
 * Father-in-law: Hong Gye-nam (1602–?)
 * Mother-in-law: Lady Kim of the Gangneung Kim clan
 * Children:
 * Daughter: Lady Choe of the Haeju Choe clan
 * Son-in-law: Seo Jeon
 * Granddaughter: Lady Seo
 * Grandson-in-law: Yi Hyeong-nyeon
 * Daughter: Royal Noble Consort Suk (17 December 1670 – 9 April 1718)
 * Son-in-law: Yi Sun, King Sukjong of Joseon
 * Grandson: Prince Yeongsu
 * Grandson: Yi Geum, King Yeongjo of Joseon
 * Son: Choe Hu
 * Daughter-in-law: Lady Ahn of the Sunheung Ahn clan
 * Grandson: Choe Su-gang (? – 21 December 1749)
 * Granddaughter-in-law: Lady Kim
 * Great-grandson: Choe Jin-hae
 * Great-grandson: Choe Jin-hyeong
 * Granddaughter: Lady Choe of the Haeju Choe clan
 * Grandson-in-law: Jo Tae-hang
 * Unnamed great-grandson
 * Great-granddaughter: Lady Jo
 * Great-granddaughter: Lady Jo

In popular culture

 * Portrayed by Lee Hee-do in the 1988 MBC TV series 500 Years of Joseon: Queen In Hyun.
 * Portrayed by Kang Man-hee in the 2002–3 KBS2 TV series Royal Story: Jang Hui-bin.
 * Portrayed by Chun Ho-jin in the 2010 MBC TV series Dong Yi.