Prince Imperial Waneun facts for kids

Prince Imperial Waneun (Hangul:완은군, Hanja: 完恩君) was a prince of the Korean Empire. He was part of the Joseon dynasty royal family. His life spanned from around 1842 to 1881.

His real name was Yi Jae-seon (hangul: 이재선, hanja: 李載先). He was a son of Heungseon Daewongun and his concubine Kyeseongwol. This made him an older half-brother to Gojong of Korea and Prince Imperial Heung. He was also a half-uncle to Emperor Sunjong of Korea.

Early Life and Family

Prince Waneun was likely born around 1841 or 1842. He was born in Unhyeongung, a royal residence in Seoul. He was the first son of Heungseon Daewongun, a powerful figure in Joseon. His early life is not well known.

He married Lady Shin of the Pyeongsan Shin clan. Her father was Shin Seok-wan. They had two daughters. One daughter was Yi Chang-hwa. The name of their other daughter is not known. Later, his father's main wife, Grand Internal Princess Consort Sunmok, had two sons. These were Yi Jae-myeon and Yi Myeong-bok. Yi Myeong-bok later became the 26th King of Joseon and the first Emperor of Korea.

Military Career

Prince Waneun became a military official after passing special tests. In 1863, his younger half-brother, Gojong of Korea, became King of Joseon. King Gojong was still a child. So, Queen Sinjeong was made regent. His father, Prince Heungseon, also became Daewongun, a powerful title.

After 1864, Prince Waneun was given more important military jobs. He supported his father, Heungseon Daewongun.

Later Life and Death

In November 1874, his father, Heungseon Daewongun, was sent away. This happened because some of his father's supporters were planning a rebellion. Prince Waneun also supported his father.

Donuimun Gate, Seoul, Korea

In 1881, some people close to Heungseon Daewongun were planning another uprising. Prince Waneun was involved in this plan. He was arrested by the police. Many people involved in the plot were killed. Government officials asked for him to be sentenced to death. One person who accused him was Yi Yun-yong. He was Prince Waneun's brother-in-law. Yi Yun-yong reported directly to King Gojong of Korea and Queen Min.

Prince Waneun was arrested and sent to prison in Jeju. On October 28, 1881, he was given poison as punishment by King Gojong. He died in his 40s. His body was first buried in Yangju in Gyeonggi-do. Later, his grave was moved to Wangsipri-dong in Seoul. In 1909, it was moved again to Siheung-dong in Seoul. Today, the exact location of his grave is unknown.

On October 15, 1907, he was given the title "Prince Imperial Waneun." This was done by Emperor Sunjong of Korea, his half-nephew. However, he was not given a special title after his death.

Family Tree

• Great-Great-Grandfather: Yi Jin-ik (1728 - 1796)
• Great-Great-Grandmother: Lady Jo of the Hanyang Jo clan
• Great-Grandfather: Yi Byeong-won (1752 - 1822)
• Great-Grandmother: Lady Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan
• Grandfather: Yi Gu, Prince Namyeon (1788 - 1836)
• Grandmother: Princess Consort Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (1788 - 1831)
• Father: Yi Ha-Eung, Grand Internal Prince Heungseon (1820 – 1898)
• Mother: Gyeseongwol
• Wife: Princess Consort Shin of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (born 1844)
  • Father-in-law: Shin Seok-wan
• Daughters:
  • Yi Chang-hwa (1867 - 1937)
    • Son-in-law: Shin Hyeong-kyun of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (1870 - 1940)
  • Unnamed daughter
• Adoptive Son: Yi Gwan-yong (1891 - ?)

In Popular Culture

Prince Waneun has been shown in several TV series:

• Portrayed by Kim Hui-ra in the 1990-1991 MBC TV series 500 Years of Joseon Dynasty.
• Portrayed by Park Hyeon in the 1995 KBS2 TV series The Radiant Dawn.
• Portrayed by Lee Woo-suk in the 2001-2002 KBS2 TV series Empress Myeongseong.

See also

• Heungseon Daewongun
• Unhyeongung
• Gojong of Korea
• Prince Imperial Yeongseon
• Prince Imperial Heung
• Sunjong of Korea
• History of Korea