Prince Imhae (; 20 September 1572 – 3 June 1609;In the Chinese calendar (lunar), he was born on 14th day 8th month 1572 and died on 29th day 4th month 1609. personal name Yi Jin, childhood name Yi Jin-guk), was the eldest son of King Seonjo of Joseon《선원속보》 선조자손록 권1 and the elder brother of King Gwanghae. He was known for such a violent and arrogant personality that he murdered some government officials alongside his half brothers, Prince Jeongwon () and Prince Sunhwa (), but survived punishment thanks to his father's protection.
However, he was passed over for the Crown Prince's role in favour of his younger brother who would eventually take the throne and became King Gwanghae. After being investigated for crimes committed against common people, he was sent into exile to Gyodong County after the Imjin War, then died in 1609.
Early life and marriage He was born Yi Jin-guk (later changed into Yi Jin) on 20 September 1572 as the first and oldest son of King Seonjo and his concubine, Lady Gim. In 1577 his mother died so he and his younger brother were raised by Seonjo's primary wife, Queen Uiin who was childless at that time.
In 1585 he married the daughter of Heo Myeong (), Lady Heo from the Yangcheon Heo clan. In 1591, he, Prince Gwanghae (), Prince Sinseong (), Prince Jeongwon () and Prince Sunhwa () became Gwanggigwonjonggongsin ().
The Imjin war At the start of the Imjin war in 1592, he lost his position as Crown Prince () due to his violent personality. After being passed over for the position of Crown Prince, he was sent to Hamgyeong-do with Prince Sunhwa () to recruit the Geunwang soldiers ().《선조수정실록》 26권, 선조 25년(1592년 명 만력(萬曆) 20년) 4월 14일(계묘)
On 23 July the two brothers were captured by a local inspector in Hoe-ryeong, Hamgyeong-do.선조 31권, 25년(1592 임진 / 명 만력(萬曆) 20년) 10월 19일(을사) 5번째기사, 경성판관 이홍업이 가져온 가토의 편지. 왕자들이 보낸 편지엔 7월 24일로 되어있다.《선조수정실록》 26권, 선조 25년(1592년 명 만력(萬曆) 20년) 7월 1일(무오) They were eventually released after series negotiations.《선조수정실록》 26권, 선조 25년(1592년 명 만력(萬曆) 20년) 8월 1일(무자)
After the war, prince Imhae acted arrogantly and violently. Some officials wanted him to be severely punished, but he was protected by his father.
When Gwanghae took over the throne, appeals for his punishment and expulsion came up one after another. Uigeumbu () followed Gwanghae's instructions and punished Imhae, Gi Ja-heon () and Yi Heung-ro ().광해 4권, 즉위년(1608 무신 / 명 만력(萬曆) 36년) 5월 16일(신축) 2번째기사 Meanwhile, Hong Mun-gwan () advocated for a death sentence, and Imhae was exiled again to Gyodong-gun. Based on Gwanghaegun's Diary (), Yi Jeong-pyo (), a soldier who guarded him in the exile, was suspected to have forced him to drink poison, but after the rebellion, a servant of Imhae testified that he was, in fact, strangled to death. There was also a re-investigation in 1623 which concluded that he was murdered by an assassin sent by Yi Yi-cheom (), then reinstated under King Injo's command.
Family Father: Seonjo of Joseon (조선 선조; 1552–1608) Mother: Royal Noble Consort Gong of the Gimhae Gim clan (공빈 김씨; 1553–1577) Wife: Princess Consort, of the Yangcheon Heo clan (군부인 양천허씨; 26 July 1571 – 15 October 1644In the Chinese calendar (lunar), she was born on 5th days 7th months 1571 and died on 15th days 9th months 1644.) – daughter of Heo-Myeong (). Unnamed daughter; died prematurely Yi Tae-ung (이태웅; 1589–1665) – an Iryeon Buddhist () Yi Jun, Prince Changwon () – adoptive son Yi Gyeong, Prince Yangnyeong (이경 양녕군; 1616–1644) – adoptive son
In popular culture Television series Portrayed by Kim Mu-saeng in the 1982 MBC TV Series Woman Exhibition in the West Palace? (). Portrayed by Jung Sung-mo in the 1985–1986 MBC TV Series The Imjin War. Portrayed by Im Jung-ha in the 1986 MBC TV Series The Hoechun Gate. Portrayed by Im Hyuk-joo in the 1995 KBS2 TV Series West Palace. Portrayed by Lee Won-bal in the 2000–2001 KBS2 TV Series Roll of Thunder. Portrayed by Kim Yu-seok in the 2003–2004 SBS TV Series The King's Woman. Portrayed by Lee Kwang-soo and Lee In-sung in the 2013 MBC TV Series Goddess of Fire. Portrayed by Park Joo-hyung in the 2014–2015 KBS2 TV series The King's Face. Portrayed by Yoon Hong-bin in the 2015 KBS1 TV series The Jingbirok: A Memoir of Imjin War. Portrayed by Choi Jong-hwan in the 2015 MBC TV series Splendid Politics.
Film Portrayed by Kim Seung-ho in the 1962 South Korean film Queen Dowager Inmok.
References
Prince Imhae on the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture .