This article is aimed at studying, through two ways of becoming King's concubines in the middle of Joseon Dynasty(from King Yeonsangun (燕山君) to King Hyeonjong(顯宗)), how to change their positions, and in the process how to do them and their relatives the honor due to their position and what kind of material benefits to get from the country.
The ways of becoming King’s concubines were the official choosing(揀擇) by the royal family and inheriting by King’s graces(承恩). The official choosing was the procedure carried out only the royal family. The official choosing royal concubines(揀擇後宮) were chosen among the legitimate daughters of literal classes, who were elevated to the royal family through the official choosing(揀擇) and felicitous rites( 嘉禮). While Non-choosing royal concubines(非揀擇後宮) were from the secondary daughters of literal classes or the daughters of the poor family, who, at early ages, had become the maids of honor(宮女) through recommending by royal seniors or for the means of living and had become King's concubines by King's graces(承恩). Due to the acquired position, they were elevated to the noble status from their inborn origins.
The royal concubines were King’s women, who were public figures in the system of the King's inner quarters(內命婦) unlike aristocrats'. The official choosing(揀擇後宮) were ranked from Sukui (淑儀), and the non-choosing(非揀擇後宮) were ranked from Sukwon(淑媛)or Palace Matron(尙宮), But they could go up their ranking by their family backgrounds, the favor of the King, the birth of the King’s child, the contribution to the royal family, and the commemoration of the national celebration. Because of the women within the King’s inner quarters, the King payed them in accordance with their ranks and frequently provided many materials to them in addition.
The royal concubines' relatives could be provided material aids or the better social positions by the King’s will. Sometimes the royal concubines would exert their political influences or be involved in the coups or political intrigues, relying on their powers as the King’s secondary wives. Today, there are some prejudices and misunderstanding about the royal concubines. However they assisted the King, gave birth to the King’s children, played the role of supporting the royal family and so on. Therefore their social status were very high as members of the legitimate royal family.