Mishil

Lady Misil (미실, 美室, 540? ~ 600?) is a historical figure of Silla. She is a very important figure in the transcription of the Hwarang Segi.

According to the Hwarang Segi, she was a daughter of Lord Mijinbu, with her father's mother being the Princess Samyeop, daughter of King Beopheung. Her mother was the Lady Myodo, sister of queen mother Sado (consort of King Jinheung. With these relations, Mishil gained the qualification of being a jingol (眞骨 진골 a noble within the bone rank system).

She became powerful due to her relations with the Kings of Silla and the various Pungwoljus; she was the wife of Lord Sejong (6th Pungwolju), lover of General Seolwon (7th Pungwolju), and was concubine to 3 successive kings of Silla: King Jinheung, King Jinji, & King Jinpyeong, being also in love with Crown Prince Dongryeon.

Her enormous power was proved when she persuaded the various nobles to expel Jinji from his throne. 2 of her sons (through her many relations), Lords Hajong & Bojong, became the 11th & 16th Pungwolju, respectively.

Portrayal in TV series

In Queen Seondeok, Lady Misil (by Ko Hyun Jung) is involved is some events that happened after the death of the real person. She is portrayed as one of the most influential persons in the kingdom of Silla functioning as court lady (being Jinheung's concubine), Keeper of the Royal Seal (璽主 새주 Seju), Beholder and Controller of the Military, and as Wonhwa (patroness of the Hwarang corps). Furthermore, she possesses intelligence that makes her appear even stronger.

One of the examples of her influence is the deposal of Jinji from the throne. She originally wanted to be Jinji's primary consort, but suddenly he broke off from their agreement, refusing even to recognize Mishil's son with her. Due to this, Mishil, with the nobles and the military faction by her side, launched a coup d'état with the motive of removing him as King of Silla, enthroning his nephew (and Jinheung's eldest grandson) Baekjeong as King in replacement.

In order to consolidate her political base, Mishil devised plans to exile the two princesses of Silla, Princesses Cheonmyeong and Deokman, but had failed. She had attempted another coup to dethrone the Royal Family but Princess Deokman managed to restore order to the palace.

Family

• Paternal grandfather: Lord Asi (阿時公 아시공), son of Seonmo (善牟 선모) and Bohye (寶兮 보혜)
• Paternal grandmother: Princess Samyeop (三葉公主 삼엽공주), daughter of King Beopheung and Lady Byeokhwa (碧花夫人 벽화부인)^[1]
• Maternal grandfather: Park Yeong-sil (朴英失 박영실), son of Lord Suji (守知公 수지공) and Princess Bohyeon (普賢公主 보현공주; daughter of King Jijeung)
• Maternal grandmother: Palace Lady Okjin (玉珍宮主 옥진궁주)^[2], daughter of Wihwa Rang (魏花郞 위화랑; 1st Pungwolju) and Lady Odo (吾道夫人 오도부인)
• Father: Lord Mijinbu (未珍夫公 미진부공), 2nd Pungwolju
• Mother: Lady Myodo (妙道夫人 묘도부인)
• Younger Brother: Misaeng Rang (美生郞 미생랑), 10th Pungwolju
• Husbands:

1. Lord Sejong (世宗公 세종공)^[3][4], 6th Pungwolju
2. Lord Sadaham (斯多含公 사다함공), 5th Pungwolju
3. Seolwon Rang (薛原郞 설원랑), 7th Pungwolju
4. King Jinheung (眞興王 진흥왕), 24th King of Silla
5. Crown Prince Dongryun (銅輪太子 동륜태자), Son of King Jinheung
6. King Jinji (眞智王 진지왕), 25th King of Silla
7. King Jinpyeong (眞平王 진평왕), 26th King of Silla

• Issue:

1. Lord Hajong (夏宗公 하종공), 1st Son by Lord Sejong, 11th Pungwolju
2. Lord Okjong (玉宗公 옥종공), 2nd Son by Lord Sejong
3. Lord Bojong (寶宗公 보종공), Only Son by Seolwon Rang, 16th Pungwolju
4. Prince Sujong (壽宗殿君 수종전군), Only Son by King Jinheung
5. Princess Banya (般若公主 반야공주), 1st Daughter by King Jinheung
6. Princess Nanya (蘭若公主 난야공주), 2nd Daughter by King Jinheung
7. Princess Aesong (艾松公主 애송공주), Only Daughter by King Jinji
8. Princess Bohwa (寶華公主 보화공주), Daughter by King Jinpyeong

Notes

1. ^ Sister of Wihwa Rang, 1st Pungwolju.
2. ^ Later King Beopheung's concubine.
3. ^ The official husband of Mishil.
4. ^ One of the sons of Empress Dowager Jiso (지소태후).