Wikipedia

Consort Kang (Kung Ye's wife)

In this Korean name, the family name is Kang.

Queen Kang of the Sinchon Kang clan (died 915) was the daughter of a wealthy and strong family in Sincheon during the Later Three Kingdoms periods. She was the wife of Kung Ye and later became the queen consort in 901 following his ascension to the throne as a short-lived King of Taebong.[1]

Queen Kang
Queen consort of Taebong
Tenure901–915
Coronation901
PredecessorDynasty established
SuccessorDynasty abolished
(Queen Sinhye as the first Goryeo Queen consort)
Born?
Sincheon-gun, South Hwanghae Province, Later Three Kingdoms
Died915
Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province, Taebong
SpouseKung Ye
IssueSin Kwang
Ch'ŏng Kwang
Names
Lady Kang (부인 강씨; 夫人 康氏)
HouseSinchon Kang clan
FatherGang Yeonchang
MotherLady Baek
ReligionBuddhism
Korean name
Hangul
강비
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGang-bi
McCune–ReischauerKang-p'i

Historical life

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Lady Kang was married to Kung Ye and bore him 2 sons: Ch'ŏnggwang (청광) and Singwang (신광).[2] However, Kung Ye suspected that she might have committed adultery and accused her of doing such things,[3] then used a fiery hot iron pestle to mutilate (or pare) her vagina and killed their sons.[4] As Kung Ye often boasted that he could read people's minds, he practiced a harsh government of terror, such as killing several generals and servants for treason just like Kang.[5]

Legends

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Legend from Cheorwon

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According to a legend passed down in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, it was said that Lady Kang was actually married to her far-relative, Wang Kon, but was forced to marry Kung Ye and couldn't forget Wang Kon. From this, it was described that she was killed by Kung Ye after discovered for having an affair with Wang Kon.
[6][2][7]

Legend from Gapyeong

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Meanwhile, according to a legend passed down in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province that contrary to history, Queen Kang asked Kung Ye to stop his tyrannical rule, but instead made Kung Ye angrier. She was then exiled to one of Gapyeong's mountains. Later on, as Kung Ye ran away when Wang Geon's counter-revolution broke out, he couldn't forget Kang's advice for him and went to Gapyeong, where she was exiled. However, Kang had already died when Kung Ye was there.
[8]

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Literature

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In a novel titled "Crown Prince Maui" (마의태자) by Lee Kwang-soo, Lady Kang was named as Kang Na-young (강나영) and described as a person with outstanding martial arts and resourcefulness. However, she was disappointed with Kung Ye's tyranny and stalked Wang Kon while eventually died in Kung Ye's hand.
[9]

Television

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In the KBS1 TV series "Taejo Wang Geon", Lady Kang was named as Kang Yeon-hwa (강연화), which "Yeon-hwa" resembles the image of a single lotus blooming in the mud. She was said to originally betrothed with Wang Kon since childhood and loved each other, but were separated after Wang's father, Wang Ryung declined this betrothal. Described as an ideal wife due to her beautiful, strong personality, and wise, she was respected by many. Being aware of her position, she never tried to get involved in country affairs more than necessary, but she must live twisted upon becoming an unwanted empress.

Regardless of the fact that she couldn't connect with her loved one and her husband never showed any affection at all although she served Kung Ye with all of her heart as a husband and king. As soon as their children were born, they were taken away by him and Kang couldn't raise any of them herself. Due to Kung Ye's circumstances, the country was literally living hell and whenever Kang went to an event or public speaking, Kung Ye became mad and all kinds of slaughter took place. Although she wanted to try to do something, she couldn't get involved in politics due to her position as a woman and then tried her best to advise Kung Ye, which instead made Kung Ye's madness getting worse. She later abused Kung Ye and openly encouraged Wang Kon to revolt, which she and her two sons were sacrificed for Kung Ye's madness at the end.
[10][11][12] Queen Kang is portrayed by Kim Hye-ri and Jung-hoo in the 2000–2002 KBS1 TV series Taejo Wang Geon.[13]

Family

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  • Husband: Kung Ye (궁예, 弓裔; died 918)
    • Son: Sin Kwang (신광, 神光; d. 915)
    • Son: Ch'ŏng Kwang (청광, 淸光; d. 915)

Ancestors

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References

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  1. ^ 월간 중앙 (in Korean). University of California: JoongAng Ilbo. 2000. p. 345.
  2. ^ a b Seo Gu-jung, Park Hong-kap (2012). 필원잡기 (in Korean). CommunicationBooks. ISBN 9791130434292.
  3. ^ Doo-jin, Kim (1996). "궁예". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean). Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  4. ^ Samguk Sagi,Book 50,Gungye "貞明元年，夫人康氏以王多行非法，正色諫之。王惡之曰：「汝與他人奸，何耶？」康氏曰：「安有此事？」王曰：「我以神通觀之。」以烈火熱鐵杵撞其陰殺之，及其兩兒。"
  5. ^ Sinya, Kang (1989). 간신 의 처 [Barely A Wife] (in Korean). University of Michigan: Literary World Club. p. 173.
  6. ^ Ki-duk, Kim (2005). 영상역사학 (in Korean). University of Michigan: 생각의나무. p. 125. ISBN 9788984984776.
  7. ^ <"철원군에 있었던 태봉국의 시작과 끝". Local culture story (in Korean). Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  8. ^ Sisa chŏnŏl, Volumes 534-539 (in Korean). University of California: Kukche Ŏllon Munhwasa. 2000.
  9. ^ Kwang-soo, Lee (2013). 이광수 문학전집 소설 8- 마의태자 [A Collections of Lee Kwang-soo novel 8- Crown Prince Maui] (in Korean). SINYUL. ISBN 9788966980208.
  10. ^ 월간 중앙, Volume 26, Issues 6-7 [Monthly Joongang, Volume 26, Issues 6-7] (in Korean). University of California: JoongAng Ilbo. 2000. pp. 231, 345.
  11. ^ "비운의 여인KBS 대하드라마 태조 왕건 강비역 김혜리". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). 17 March 2000. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  12. ^ "태조 왕건' 그들의 최후". The Korea Times (in Korean). 22 May 2001. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  13. ^ In this series, the Queen appears with name Kang Yeon-hwa (강연화).

Further reading

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  • Ilyon (2006). Samguk Yusa. Disruptive Publishing. ISBN 9781596543492.
  • Kim Yong-sun (2008). "궁예의 나라 태봉". (in Korean). Iljogak. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
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