Jang Nok-su

Royal Consort Suk-yong (, 1484–1506 ), of the Heungdeok Jang clan, 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 period. After the overthrow of Yeonsangun, she was executed by the new ruler, Jungjong of Joseon.

Biography
The royal consort’s name was Jang Nok-su. Her father was Jang Han-pil a county magistrate who lived in the western part of Chungcheong Province and her mother was a concubine from the cheonmin class. Because of this, Jang Nok-su lived as a servant of the Grand Prince Jean, son of Yejong of Joseon and Queen Ansun. After having a son with Gano, another servant of Grand Prince Jean, 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 (1455–?)
 * Unnamed Mother (1460–?)
 * Sibling(s)
 * Sister: Jang Bok-su
 * Brother-in-law: Kim Hyo-son
 * Husband: Gano
 * Unnamed son
 * Husband: King Yeonsangun of Joseon (23 November 1476 – 20 November 1506)
 * Son: Yi Chong-su (이총수; 1502–?)
 * Son: Yi Yeong-su (이영수; 1503–1503)
 * Daughter: Princess Yi Yeong-Su (1506–1517)
 * Son-in-law: Kwon Han (1506–?)

In popular culture

 * Portrayed by Kim Jin-ah in the 1988 film Diary of King Yeonsan.
 * Portrayed by Kang Sung-yeon in the 2005 film The 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 Insu, The Queen Mother.
 * Portrayed by Cha Ji-yeon in the 2015 film The Treacherous.
 * Portrayed by Lee Hanee in the 2017 MBC TV series The Rebel.
 * Portrayed by Son Eun-seo in the 2017 KBS2 TV series Queen for Seven Days.