Muyeol of Silla facts for kids

King Taejong Muyeol (born Gim Chunchu, 604–661) was the 29th ruler of Silla. Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, which were ancient kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula. King Muyeol is famous for helping to unite these kingdoms.

Becoming King: A Royal Story

King Taejong Muyeol, born Gim Chunchu, came from a very important family. His grandfather was King Jinji. In Silla, people were ranked by their "bone rank." The highest rank was seonggol, or "sacred bone," which meant you were pure royal blood. Gim Chunchu was born with this special seonggol rank.

However, his grandfather, King Jinji, was removed from power. This meant that Gim Chunchu's family was not supposed to rule. But because his parents were both seonggol, Gim Chunchu still had a claim to the throne.

After Queen Seondeok died, there were no more seonggol left. This meant someone from the next highest rank, jingol (meaning "true bone"), had to become king. A powerful leader named Alcheon was expected to take the throne. But Gim Yu-sin, a very important general and friend of Gim Chunchu, strongly supported Gim Chunchu. In the end, Alcheon stepped aside, and Gim Chunchu became King Muyeol.

A Special Marriage

Gim Yu-sin had two sisters, Bohee and Munhee. He hoped one of them would marry Gim Chunchu.

One day, Gim Chunchu visited Gim Yu-sin's home to play Gyeokgu, a traditional Korean game similar to polo. During the game, Gim Yu-sin cleverly tore a tassel from Gim Chunchu's robe. He offered to have one of his sisters sew it back on.

He first asked Bohee, but she was too shy. Then, Munhee stepped forward and offered to help. When Gim Chunchu and Munhee met, they quickly fell in love. Gim Chunchu started visiting Munhee often.

Later, Munhee became pregnant. Gim Chunchu was already married, so he wanted to keep this a secret. But Gim Yu-sin found out. To make sure Gim Chunchu would marry his sister, Gim Yu-sin spread rumors about Munhee's pregnancy and pretended he might punish her severely.

Queen Seondeok heard these rumors. She asked Gim Chunchu about it, and he finally told her the truth. The Queen then gave him permission to marry Munhee as his second wife.

Munhee became Gim Chunchu's official wife after his first wife passed away. When Gim Chunchu became the 29th King of Silla in 654, Munhee became his Queen. Their son grew up to be King Munmu, who later completed the unification of Korea's Three Kingdoms. Gim Yu-sin became a very powerful figure in the court during King Muyeol's reign.

King Muyeol's Reign and Unification

King Muyeol was good friends with Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty in China. This friendship was very important for Silla. King Muyeol often asked the Tang dynasty for help to defeat Baekje, another of the Three Kingdoms.

In 660, the Tang dynasty finally agreed. They sent a huge army of 130,000 soldiers. At the same time, General Gim Yu-sin led 50,000 Silla soldiers. They fought a fierce battle called the Battle of Hwangsanbeol, which weakened Baekje greatly. King Uija of Baekje surrendered, leaving only Goguryeo as Silla's main enemy on the Korean Peninsula.

King Muyeol died in June of the next year, 661. His son, Gim Beopmin, took over as king and continued his father's work to unite Korea.

Royal Family

Parents

• Father: Kim Yong-su (578–647)
  • Grandfather: King Jinji of Silla
• Mother: Princess Cheonmyeong
  • Grandfather: King Jinpyeong of Silla

Wives and Children

• Princess Bora
  • Lady Gotaso (627 – 642)
• Queen Munmyeong (from the Gimhae Kim clan)
  • King Munmu of Silla (626 – 681)
  • Kim In-mun (629 – 694)
• Kim Bo-hui (from the Gimhae Kim clan)
  • Princess Yoseok

In Popular Culture

King Muyeol's story has been told in many TV shows and movies:

• Portrayed by Lee Ho-seong in the 2003 movie Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield.
• Portrayed by Kim Byung-se in the 2006 SBS TV series Yeon Gaesomun.
• Portrayed by Yoo Seung-ho and Jung Yun-seok in the 2009 MBC TV series Queen Seondeok.
• Portrayed by Lee Dong-kyu in the 2011 MBC TV series Gyebaek.
• Portrayed by Choi Soo-jong and Chae Sang-woo in the 2012–2013 KBS1 TV series Dream of the Emperor.
• Portrayed by Park Jun-hyuk in the 2017 KBS TV series Chronicles.
• Featured in the 2021 webnovel QUEEN JINDEOK by author TAIYANG DASHENG.

See also

• History of Korea
• Rulers of Korea
• Bone rank system