Kim Gae-si

Kim Gae-si (died 1623) or formally called Court Lady Kim was a Korean Court Lady during the Joseon period, who became a concubine of King Seonjo and later of his son, Gwanghae, after Seonjo death. During the latter's reign, she intervened in state affairs and wielded power, but was beheaded after Gwanghae's deposition from the throne.

Biography
There aren’t special records about her family or her early life. It is just recorded that she was a palace maid in Crown Prince Gwanghae's palace. Then, she received Seung-eun from Gwanghae's father, King Seonjo, and became his favourite concubine.

Even though she was not beautiful, she was favoured and liked by both of Seonjo and Gwanghae due to her agility and skill. After Seonjo's death on March 16, 1608, she became Gwanghae's concubine. At the time, it was acceptable for the next King take their father's former consort, with the exception of the primary wife and their own biological mother.

After Gwanghae took the throne, she helped him in succeeding to confine his legal mother, Queen Inmok, by killing her only son and the only legitimate son of Seonjo, Grand Prince Yeongchang.

Despite her lowly background and status as a palace maid, Lady Kim wielded power to the extent that she worked with Yi Yi-cheom and Gwon Sin. Her power even surpassed that of Queen Yu, whom was Gwanghae's primary wife and leader of the Internal Court.

Later, on March 13, 1623, after King Injo was crowned following a rebellion led by Seoin faction, Lady Kim, along with all of Gwanghae's people and supporters, were executed.

Confrontation

 * In the Gyechuk Diary, it was said that the Court Lady and Queen Inmok had a bad relationship, because Lady Kim tried to blame her miscarriage on the Queen's daughter, Princess Jeongmyeong.

Drama & Television series

 * Portrayed by Kim Bo-yeon in the 1982 MBC TV series Woman Exhibition in the West Palace?.
 * Portrayed by Won Mi-kyung in the 1986 MBC TV series The Hoechun Gate.
 * Portrayed by Lee Young-ae in the 1995 KBS2 TV series West Palace.
 * Portrayed by Lee Joo-hwa in the 2000–2001 KBS2 TV series Roll of Thunder.
 * Portrayed by Park Sun-young in the 2003–2004 SBS TV series The King's Woman.
 * Portrayed by Jeon Min-seo and Jo Yoon-hee in the 2014–2015 KBS2 TV series The King's Face.
 * Portrayed by Shin Rin-ah, Jo Jung-eun and Kim Yeo-jin in the 2015 MBC TV series Splendid Politics.
 * Portrayed by Min Ji-ah in the 2019 tvN TV series The Crowned Clown.
 * Portrayed by Song Seon-mi in the 2021 MBN TV series Bossam: Steal the Fate.

Film

 * Portrayed by Lee Min-ja in the 1962 South Korean film Queen Dowager Inmok.

Webtoon

 * Portrayed in the 2019 KakaoPage Webtoon series Finally, the Blue Flame .