[Chaekdam] "We Misunderstand Gojong and Myeongseong Hwanghu"

‘The Shadow Empress’ Depicting Empress Myeongseong and Late Joseon History
‘Incompetent’ Gojong and ‘Political Manipulation’ by Empress Myeongseong Are Misunderstood
Seeking to Correct Misconceptions Through Novel

Artist Jeongmi Son. Photo by Younghee Han

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] Gojong, the last king of Joseon and the last emperor of the Korean Empire. History often highlights him as an incompetent figure who failed to protect the country. Empress Myeongseong is similarly portrayed, frequently consumed as the image of Joseon's national mother who was assassinated by hired thugs from invading countries rather than for her own karma. But is history truly remembering and conveying them correctly? Could they have been sacrificed to a history written according to someone's 'intent' rather than 'fact'? Son Jeongmi (56), who worked at the Chosun Ilbo for 20 years and has been fully devoted to writing historical novels since 2014, publishing works such as "Wang Gyeong," "Gwanggaeto the Great," "Dogeong Seoran," and "From Joseon Maksa Bowl to Silla Gold Crown," has returned with "The Shadow Empress" (Lee Jeong Seo Jae), which deals with Empress Myeongseong and the late Joseon period. He argues that there is a need to reexamine the patriotic devotion that Empress Myeongseong and Gojong exerted. We met him on the 8th, and below is the Q&A.

- The novel "The Shadow Empress" deals with Empress Myeongseong and the late Joseon period. Is there a special reason for choosing this theme?

▲ I did not want to write about the late Joseon period because it is often seen as a stage of "national ruin" and "tragedy." However, my perspective changed while writing the book "From Joseon Maksa Bowl to Silla Gold Crown," which dealt with cultural heritage controversies. While covering stories about Korean cultural assets looted by Japan, I realized that what I knew about the "late Joseon history" was not accurate. I also found that I either knew too little or misunderstood Gojong and Empress Myeongseong. This sparked a passionate desire to write a novel to properly inform people.

- There seem to be quite a few works about Empress Myeongseong. What makes yours different?

▲ After finishing writing "The Shadow Empress," I gave a special lecture about Empress Myeongseong at a forum, and many were very surprised as I pointed out details about her. Although many think they know her well through dramas and musicals, most do not know or misunderstand the core facts.

- You said you want to reveal the true face of Empress Myeongseong. What does that entail?

▲ One of the distorted stories about Empress Myeongseong is that she appointed many relatives from the Yeoheung Min clan and monopolized state affairs. It is important to note that Gojong's mother was also from the Yeoheung Min clan. After Daewongun abdicated and Gojong took direct control, he needed officials to assist him, so he appointed members of the Yeoheung Min clan. However, only a few were truly close to Empress Myeongseong; most were closer to Gojong.

- What kind of person was Empress Myeongseong to Gojong?

▲ She was a reliable political comrade who supported him like a shadow and led state affairs together. In an era without the internet, transportation, or communication as developed as today, she bought many foreign books from Beijing and studied them thoroughly. Because of this, even within the royal palace, she could grasp the geopolitical situation of the great powers. She boldly approached the middle class, illegitimate children of noble families, military officers, and merchants, who were discriminated against, to use them as a driving force for modernization.

- At the end of last year, Hyangwonjeong Pavilion in Gyeongbokgung Palace was newly renovated and unveiled. It is said that Empress Myeongseong conducted her own diplomatic efforts there.

▲ It is a place where you can glimpse Empress Myeongseong's intelligence and diplomatic sense. In 1894, a year before the Eulmi Incident, Japan occupied Gyeongbokgung Palace and confined Gojong and Empress Myeongseong inside the royal palace. This was an invasion without a declaration of war. Fortunately, Japan, fearing Western powers, did not block Westerners from entering. From then on, Empress Myeongseong invited Western women such as missionaries and diplomats' wives to Hyangwonjeong to inform them of Japan's invasion. Just as President Zelensky appealed to the world during the Ukraine crisis and Russia is struggling, Empress Myeongseong strategically sought to alert the outside world to Joseon's crisis.

- You claimed that the image of Gojong as incompetent was fabricated by Japan.

▲ Japan sent soldiers and hired thugs to assassinate Joseon's queen. After assassinating the queen, Japan had to justify it. To do so, they portrayed Empress Myeongseong as a wicked woman. From around 1910, Japan wrote Joseon's history in this direction. They exaggerated the power struggle between Empress Myeongseong and Daewongun and wrote about Gojong superficially to create an image of incompetence. The lamentable fact is that this historical narrative continued even after liberation. Gojong was also a king loved by his people. The reason a nationwide anti-Japanese movement arose after Japan assassinated Gojong.

- How do you view Gojong as a person?

▲ Owen Denney, an American who served as Gojong's diplomatic advisor, defended Gojong as very brave and wise, not an incompetent monarch. Denney was sent by Li Hongzhang, a powerful figure in Qing China, to control Joseon and was a subordinate of Qing. Nevertheless, he evaluated Gojong highly and was eventually dismissed by Li Hongzhang. Gojong and Empress Myeongseong believed that national prosperity and military strength were necessary to save Joseon and actively promoted opening the country. Even after the Gapsin Coup, when there was a backlash against modernization, they pushed forward with opening the country despite opposition and ridicule from conservative officials.

- It seems you put considerable effort into historical verification. Can you tell us about that process?

▲ I thought that without detailed authenticity, it would be difficult to evoke vividness or emotion, so I especially focused on verification. I researched the language used by palace maids and in the royal court. To write about customs offices, I read books like "Late Joseon Customs Office Staff" and "Window to Modernity - Incheon Customs Office." When writing about Catholicism, I visited the Korean Church History Research Institute to understand the atmosphere at the time and learned that the prayer book was called "Cheonju Seonggyo Gonggwa." I also studied the global modern weapon systems and military uniforms, and when writing about shamanism and pansori, I searched for materials one by one.

- Did you discover any new or interesting facts during the verification process?

▲ There are people who romanticize Kim Okgyun and the pro-Japanese reformists during the Gapsin Coup, but in reality, they staged the coup with Japanese support. According to the report "Sahwa Giryak (使和記略)," which describes the situation when Park Yeonghyo was sent to Japan as an envoy, Kim Okgyun accompanied him when he met the Japanese emperor (Tenn?) in Tokyo. Japan treated them very well to win their hearts. I also found out that Kim Okgyun stayed at the house of Fukuzawa Yukichi, who advocated the Conquer Korea policy, and was recruited by the shrewd Fukuzawa. Ultimately, they staged the Gapsin Coup with the support of those who dreamed of invading Joseon. Fukuzawa was even tried in Japan for plotting the Gapsin Coup.

- How should readers distinguish between fiction and historically verified facts in the novel?

▲ Most important parts about historical figures are factual. However, parts about fictional characters like "Chogye" contain fiction. Even so, since the fiction is based on the situation and historical records of the time, it is not entirely baseless. Min Tae-ung is a fictional character, but the story about the Tongjeyeong Academy, which Gojong established with difficulty to create a navy, is based on historical records.

- What lessons does the history in the novel convey to the present day?

▲ We say Gojong and the late Joseon period were "incompetent," but looking at ourselves now, can such words be easily said? Although countless information is disclosed and we elect rulers through voting, partisan conflicts in the country are worsening. The situation with neighboring countries is serious, and there is the bad news of North Korea's nuclear threats. While criticizing the late Joseon period so harshly, I want to ask whether we are truly controlling our own destiny now.

- What is the ultimate message you want to convey through the novel? What impact do you expect?

▲ I want to say that the history of the late Joseon period needs to be rewritten. We should blame the aggressor Japan, which robbed Joseon, not self-flagellate as victims. Empress Myeongseong met Mrs. Underwood a year before the Eulmi Incident and cried out, "If only Joseon were as happy, free, and strong as America!" It is time to restore the honor of Empress Myeongseong, who risked her life to protect the country.