Translated into English from the Korean script (han'gul), the memoir of Lady Hong (1735-1815) of Hyegyong Palace is an autobiographical memoir. Known as Hanjung nok and dated 1796, it was prepared over a period of about eleven years, in the twilight years of Lady Hong's life as a vivid account of her personal life and its great tragedy. It is a compelling story of a young girl's introduction to court life; of her selection as a royal consort at the early age of ten; and the various events of her life.
Lady Hong tells of her early fears on entering the court and how she came to terms with the deprivations which existed within the palace walls. The memoir explores woman's subservience to male rulers who were moulded by Confucian ideology and Lady Hong's fortitude and resolution in trying to prevent, or at least delay, her husband's inevitable demise.
