Interesting that Yi San also wrote a eulogy (and created a family crest) for Royal Noble Consort Won of the Pungsan Hong clan  - i.e. Hong Guk-yeong's sister. 

 lime_pickle:

Interesting that Yi San also wrote a eulogy (and created a family crest) for Royal Noble Consort Won of the Pungsan Hong clan  - i.e. Hong Guk-yeong's sister. 

Jeongjo liked doing certain things himself.  I believe her eulogy was a generic one, like she was graceful and honorable (don’t really know).  He didn’t write the epitaph inscription or anything else.  Most of the stuff done for Wonbin was mainly because of her brother.  The difference between Wonbin and Doek-Im (Uibin) is the emotions he put into the long personal epitaph where he said “I Love You” for Doek-Im.  It’s sad but if Wonbin wasn’t Hong Guy-Yeong’s sister and relative of Jeongjo’s mother, I think she would have been largely forgotten just like a Hwabin since she had no children.  Also, she wouldn’t have gotten the kind of honors she did because she had no children.

Thanks. If you can recommend any historical sources - sadly, they'd have to be translated ones - where I can read more about this era I'd be really grateful. I have four Korean history books, now, and a fifth on the way, but many of them focus on more modern epochs, rather than the early/mid Joseon.    I'm a bit wary of Twitter/other social as often it just repurposes what people 'know' from earlier dramas. 

 lime_pickle:

Thanks. If you can recommend any historical sources - sadly, they'd have to be translated ones - where I can read more about this era I'd be really grateful. I have four Korean history books, now, and a fifth on the way, but many of them focus on more modern epochs, rather than the early/mid Joseon.    I'm a bit wary of Twitter/other social as often it just repurposes what people 'know' from earlier dramas. 

I'm reading the Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong, which director Jung Ji In mentioned as a reference she used. There's a link somewhere in this thread to a pdf you can download, I bought a copy on Amazon. 

This tweet mentions a bunch of other historical records she referenced and had actors read, unsure which would be available in translation, beyond the Memoirs. 

https://twitter.com/filmwuju/status/1482710882849521665?t=uQauLK1blNlhrTKoW3H-ZA

She was Prince Sado's wife, I think?

 lime_pickle:

She was Prince Sado's wife, I think?

That's correct. Hyebin in the drama 

Thanks, have found the Jahyun Kim Haboush translation on Amazon.

Enjoy! I'm loving it. 

 lime_pickle:

Thanks, have found the Jahyun Kim Haboush translation on Amazon.

That’s the one I ordered…expecting it today. Can’t wait to get started reading.

https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/seal-of-the-emperor-the-symbol-of-the-korean-empire-national-palace-museum-of-korea/8gKy0xMWRpXAJQ?hl=en

I just thought it was neat that the seal of the CP, seal of the King versus the seal of the Emperor had meanings.  Prior to the Korean Empire, the seals of the CP and King had turtle handles, silver for CP, gold for King (in drama); turtle symbolizing longevity and perseverance, the future.  Then when Korea became an independent empie, the seal handle changed to a dragon, the universal symbol of Emperors.  

I also ended up purchasing a physical copy of
The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong. I hope one day The Red Sleeve novel (vol. 1 & 2) are translated into English.

Interesting article about Jeongjo's letters and writings. No idea if these are published for public consumption. 

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/08/628_162304.html

Thanks for the link - that was an interesting read. 

Quick rundown of succession after Jeongjo and other historical notes (linked back to other dramas) 

https://twitter.com/yeolchives/status/1483632804520816641?t=6tJ9DjzGHuqJWCSh0aOXWg