Yi Hwang (Korean: 이황; Hanja: 李𩔇; 19 January 1498 – 20 October 1506) was the eldest son of Yeonsangun, the 10th monarch of Joseon. He was invested as crown prince three months before his fifth birthday, then lost his position when his infamous father was deposed in a coup d'état led by his uncle, Grand Prince Jinseong (King Jungjong).
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Biography
Yi Hwang was the fifth child and eldest surviving son of Yeonsangun and Queen Shin. He was born about 100 years after the founding of Joseon, and was the first case of an heir to the throne being a descendant of King Taejo through both paternal and maternal lines.
Displaying intelligence and a benevolent nature from a young age, he garnered great expectations from officials suffering under Yeonsangun's tyranny. It is said that Yi Hwang possessed a thirst for knowledge and resembled the demeanor of his grandfather, King Seongjong. According to unofficial histories, when Queen Shin's eldest brother, Shin Su-geun (신수근), received a request from Park Won-jong to participate in the coup, he reportedly said, "The Crown Prince is intelligent, so let's place our hopes on him."
Following his father's deposition, Yi Hwang was sent into exile and executed alongside his three younger brothers. The four children's funerals, which King Jungjong had intended to be lavish after having been pressured into executing them, were ultimately held in a simple manner. The location of their tombs remains unknown.
Family
Father: Yeonsangun (연산군; 2 December 1476 – 30 November 1506)
Grandfather: King Seongjong (성종대왕; 28 August 1457 – 29 January 1495)
Biological grandmother: Deposed Queen (폐비), of the Haman Yun clan (함안 윤씨; 24 July 1455 – 7 September 1482)
Adoptive grandmother: Queen Jeonghyeon (정현왕후), of the Papyeong Yun clan (파평 윤씨; 30 July 1462 – 23 September 1530)
Mother: Queen (왕비), of the Geochang Shin clan (거창 신씨; 24 December 1476 – 26 May 1537)
Grandfather: Shin Seung-seon (신승선), Internal Prince Geochang (거창부원군; 1436–1502)
Grandmother: County Princess Jungmo (중모현주), of the Jeonju Yi clan (전주 이씨; 1435–?)