Jeonju Yi clan

The Jeonju Yi clan is a Korean clan with the surname Yi. Their bon-gwan is in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. The clan includes the House of Yi that led Joseon and the Korean Empire.

Their founder was Yi Han. He was Minister of Works during the Silla Dynasty and became the ancestor of a prestigious and powerful clan that held influence from the Unified Silla period to the Goryeo period. On the other hand, there were records that he was an immigrant from China. This is because the Jeonju Yi clan's record named Wansan Sillok said that Yi Han originally lived in China, but he later came to Silla. Moreover, another record named Origin of Yi Clan said that Yi Han was originally a descendant of the Tang dynasty's imperial family and lived in Jeonju after he came to Silla.

Yi Han's descendant, Yi Seong-gye, seized power in a military coup and founded Joseon in 14th century.

In the 21st century, the Jeonju Lee Royal Family Association manages the affairs of the clan.

Notable people of history

 * Heungseon Daewongun, father of Emperor Gojong and regent of Joseon
 * Lee Beom-seok, Korean independence activist and first Prime Minister of South Korea
 * Lee Bong-chang, Korean independence activist notable for attempting to assassinate the Japanese emperor
 * Prince Imperial Heung, prince of the Joseon dynasty and of the Korean Empire
 * Yi Eokgi, Joseon naval commander during the Imjin War
 * Yi Je-ma, Korean medicine scholar during the late Joseon period
 * Yi Su-gwang, Joseon military official and diplomat
 * Yi Ui-bang, military ruler of Korea during the Goryeo period

Notable contemporary people

 * Lee Ahyumi, South Korean singer and actress, former member of girl group Sugar
 * Lee Chae-yeon, South Korean singer, member of girl group IZ*ONE
 * Lee Ji-eun, (better known as IU), South Korean singer-songwriter and actress
 * Lee Jun-ho, South Korean singer-songwriter and actor, member of boy band 2PM
 * Lee Kyung-kyu, South Korean comedian and actor
 * Lee Man-hee, founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a new religious movement
 * Syngman Rhee, South Korean politician and first President of South Korea
 * Yi Seok, Joseon history professor, grandson of Emperor Gojong
 * Yi Tjoune, Korean prosecutor and diplomat

Fictional characters

 * Ri Jeong-hyeok, a character from the South Korean television series Crash Landing on You