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Queen Min (Empress Myeongseong)

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Royalty

The Resume

    (October 19, 1851-October 8, 1895)
    Born in Yeoju County, Korea (South)
    Wife of King Kojong of the Joseon Dynasty
    Daughter-in-law of regent ‘the Taewongun'
    Killed by Japanese and Korean assassins
    Subject of several films, TV shows and the musical ‘The Last Empress’

Why she might be annoying:

    Her full title is the Filial and Benevolent, the Origin of Holiness, the Proper in Changes, the Uniter of Heaven, the Immensely Meritorious, and the Sincerely Virtuous Grand Empress Consort Myeongseong.
    Her wedding day wig was so heavy an attendant had to support it.
    She accused her father-in-law of poisoning her infant son.
    When King Kojong began ruling, she had his father’s entrance to the palace walled up.
    She interfered constantly with her husband’s rule.
    She wore a necklace of fox’s and cats’ genitals to regain the king's sexual interest.

Why she might not be annoying:

    Her weak husband was willing to let his father rule even after he came of age.
    She opened Korea to foreign trade and modernized the army.
    She tried to prevent Japan from annexing Korea, appealing in vain to other countries for support.
    She was dragged out of bed by assassins hired by the Japanese ambassador and, along with her attendants, raped and stabbed.
    Her death was met with international outrage, forcing Japan to try the accused (albeit with show trials).
    Years later, her husband held an elaborate funeral for her only known remain, a single finger bone.

Credit: Georgina


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 32 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 31 Votes: 51.61% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 107 Votes: 61.68% Annoying