Yi Ji (; 31 December 1598 – 22 July 1623), firstly named Yi Su, was the only surviving son of Gwanghaegun, the 15th monarch of Joseon. He was invested as crown prince shortly after his father's accession to the throne, then lost his position when his father was deposed in a coup d'état led by his first cousin, Prince Neungyang (King Injo).
Biography Yi Ji was born on 31 December 1598 as the second, or perhaps third son, of Crown Prince Hon and Crown Princess Yu of the Munhwa Yu clan, during the reign of his grandfather, King Seonjo. He became the prince royal () upon his father's accession to the throne and was then invested as crown prince.
In 1611, a royal bridal selection was held and Yi Ji married Lady Park, the 13-year-old daughter of Park Ja-heung (). In 1618, Heo Gyun's daughter became his consort.
On 13 April 1623, Yi Ji's father was deposed and exiled alongside his family to Ganghwa Island. While in exile, Yi Ji attempted to dig a tunnel and escape, but was captured by the guarding soldiers. Lady Park committed suicide three days after her husband's arrest. One month after his wife's death, Yi Ji was ordered to commit suicide and hanged himself.
King Injo had the funeral conducted according to the rites for a deposed consort. Yi Ji was buried near Heunguksa Temple () on Suraksan, in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.
Family Father: Gwanghaegun (; 14 June 1575 – 7 August 1641) Grandfather: King Seonjo (; 6 December 1552 – 16 March 1608) Biological grandmother: Concubine Gong (), of the Gimhae Kim clan (; 26 November 1553 – 23 June 1577) Adoptive grandmother: Queen Uiin (), of the Bannam Park clan (; 15 May 1555 – 26 July 1600) Step-grandmother: Queen Inmok (), of the Yonan Kim clan (; 15 December 1584 – 13 August 1632) Mother: Queen (), of the Munhwa Yu clan (; 25 August 1576 – 21 October 1623) Grandfather: Yu Ja-sin (), Internal Prince Munyang (; 1541–1612) Grandmother: Internal Princess Consort Bongwon (), of the Dongnae Jeong clan (; 1541–1620) Consort(s) and their respective issue Crown Princess (), of the Miryang Park clan (; 1598 – 19 June 1623) Unnamed daughter (1614) Sohun (), of the Yangcheon Heo clan () Lady, of the Yi clan () Unnamed daughter (1620–?) Unknown Unnamed daughter (1618–?)
Ancestry
In popular culture Portrayed by Jung Tae-woo in the 2003 SBS TV series The King's Woman. Portrayed by Choi Seung-hun in the 2014 KBS2 TV series The King's Face. Portrayed by Lee Ha-yool in the 2015 MBC TV series Splendid Politics. Portrayed by Lee Min-jae in the 2021 MBN TV series Bossam: Steal the Fate.
See also History of Korea Styles and titles in Joseon Politics of Joseon
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