Gyewolhyang

Gyewolhyang (?-1592) was a kisaeng during the Joseon Dynasty, from Pyongyang, South Pyongan Province. During the Imjin War, she assisted Joseon general Kim Gyeong-seo in killing a Japanese general.^[1][2]

Gyewolhyang was a kisaeng during the Joseon Dynasty, also known as gyeseon, and was from Pyongyang, Pyongannam-do. Gyewolhyang was later revered as a "righteous kisaeng". The court valued her loyalty, honoring her as a righteous heroine of Joseon and building a shrine in her honor.^[3][4]

Legend has it that on August 1st, 1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo's reign), Inspector Yi Won-ik led a group of generals, including Kim Gyeong-seo, to besiege Pyongyang. They were defeated and retreated to Sunan. Kim Gyeong-seo was mistakenly believed to have been killed in battle by Yi Won-ik. At dusk, Kim Gyeong-seo returned to his unit on a white horse, carrying the head of a Japanese general. It turned out that a Pyongyang kisaeng named Gyewolhyang had been taken captive by one of Konishi Yukinaga's lieutenants. Gyewolhyang requested permission to find her relatives at the West Gate, and the Japanese general agreed. Gyewolhyang climbed the city wall and repeatedly cried out, "Where is my brother?" Kim Gyeong-seo, hearing this, impersonated her brother and went to the city. Gyewolhyang secretly told him, "If you can help me escape, I will repay you with my life!" Kim Gyeong-seo agreed and followed her into Pyongyang as her brother. That night, while the Japanese general slept soundly, Gyewolhyang seized the opportunity to lure Kim Gyeong-seo to his bedroom. Kim Gyeong-seo drew his sword, beheaded him, and escaped with the head. Gyewolhyang grabbed Jin Jingrui's clothes and fled, but Jin Jingrui, realizing they couldn't escape together, killed Gyewolhyang and then escaped over the city wall.^[5]