When Love Meets Politics | Fall of Joseon, part 14

King Sukjong’s reign, beginning at just 13 years old, was a turbulent time for Joseon, marked by power struggles, love affairs, and the downfall of factions. His relationship with concubine Lady Jang became the focal point of one of the most dramatic political upheavals in Joseon history. When Sukjong named Lady Jang’s son as Crown Prince, it sparked a fierce backlash from the West Faction, leading to their eventual purge from the court. The episode also explores the rapid rise and fall of the South Faction, driven by internal royal feuds and Sukjong’s emotional entanglements. Factionalism, love, and royal power struggles took center stage as Sukjong navigated a court deeply divided, reshaping the future of Joseon in the process.

       

 

Join our Patreon to get more stuff

https://patreon.com/darksideofseoul

Book a tour of The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk at https://darksideofseoul.com

Credits

Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey

Music by Soraksan

Top Tier Patrons

Angel Earl
Joel Bonomini
Devon Hiphner
Gabi Palomino
Steve Marsh
Eva Sikora
Ron Chang
Hunter Winter
Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
Ashley Wright
Edward Bradford
Boram Yoon
Chad Struhs
Stewart MacMillan
Louise Dreisig

When Love Meets Politics: The Fall of Joseon, Part 14

In 1689, the Joseon court was rocked by a political earthquake that would reshape the dynasty’s future. King Sukjong, who had ascended the throne at just 13 years old, inherited a kingdom divided by factional strife. His personal life became intricately tied to the kingdom’s political fate when he fell in love with his concubine, Lady Jang.

Sukjong’s love for Lady Jang became more than a royal affair—it triggered a dramatic purge of the West Faction, a powerful political force within the court. When Sukjong named her son as Crown Prince, the West Faction, led by influential figures like Song Siyeol, vehemently opposed the decision. Sukjong, however, stood firm, and his decision set off a chain of events that led to the West Faction’s downfall and the rise of the South Faction.

The political fallout didn’t stop there. Sukjong’s emotional entanglements, along with his deepening bond with Lady Jang, led to a series of actions that alienated other factions. Lady Jang’s rise to power, her eventual promotion to queen, and the birth of her son as Crown Prince triggered more than just a political shake-up—it exposed the deeply entrenched factionalism that plagued Joseon politics. Sukjong’s court was a battleground where love, loyalty, and ambition collided, forcing the king to navigate a treacherous political landscape shaped by infighting, betrayal, and the pursuit of power.

However, Sukjong’s reign wasn’t solely defined by Lady Jang. The South Faction, which had emerged victorious in the purge of the West Faction, eventually faced its own downfall, and once again, it was royal family tensions that led to its collapse. Sukjong’s relationship with his queens, the political infighting within the royal court, and the shifting balance of power within the factions created a volatile environment where loyalty could change on a dime. The result? A period of intense factional warfare that set the stage for the further decline of the Joseon Dynasty.

This episode reveals the inner workings of a court consumed by power struggles, with personal relationships and political factions intertwining in a way that would have profound consequences for the future of the kingdom. Sukjong’s reign is a testament to how love and power can shape the course of history, especially in a court as divided as Joseon’s.