Sin Sung-gyŏm

In this Korean name, the family name is Sin.

Sin Sung-gyŏm
Shrine of the general Sin Sung-gyŏm in northern Daegu, South Korea.
Korean name
Hangul	신숭겸
Hanja	申崇謙
Revised Romanization	Sin Sunggyeom
McCune–Reischauer	Sin Sunggyŏm
Posthumous name
Hangul	장절
Hanja	壯節
Revised Romanization	Jangjeol
McCune–Reischauer	Changjŏl
Other Name
Hangul	능산 or 삼능산
Hanja	能山 or 三能山
Revised Romanization	Neungsan or Samneungsan
McCune–Reischauer	Nŭngsan or Samnŭngsan

Sin Sung-gyŏm (Korean: 신숭겸; Hanja: 申崇謙; 882 – October 927) was a Korean general during the turbulent Later Three Kingdoms period in the early 10th century. Born in Gwanghaeju (present-day Chuncheon), he became a general in the kingdom of Taebong. He was instrumental in helping Wang Kŏn, who later founded the state of Goryeo to achieve power. He is widely viewed as the founder of the Pyongsan Shin clan, which includes the famous actress Shin Se-kyung.[1]

Sin is remembered today for giving his life for Wang Kŏn in the aftermath of a rout of their forces by Later Baekje near present-day Daegu.[2] According to the legend, the two exchanged armor so that the king would be able to escape the battlefield. While Wang Kŏn escaped the battlefield, Sin and the remaining army fought bravely against the Later Baekje army. But eventually his army was routed and in the woods Sin was shot with arrows and was killed by the enemy.[3][4] He was beheaded and his head was sent to Kyŏn Hwŏn, King of Later Baekje.

Through his only son, Sin became the 16th great-grandfather of Shin Saimdang and the 17th great-grandfather of Sin Rip.

Family

• Father - name unknown (845 – ?)
• Mother - name unknown (845 – ?)
• Sibling(s)
  • Older brother - Sin Nŭng-gil (신능길; 申能吉; 872 – ?)
• Wives and their issue
  • Lady Kim (김씨; 金氏; 869 – ?)
    • Daughter - Lady Sin of the Pyongsan Sin clan (평산 신씨; 平山 申氏; 896 – ?)
    • Daughter - Lady Sin of the Pyongsan Sin clan (평산 신씨; 平山 申氏; 900 – ?)
    • Son - Sin Po-jang (신보장; 申甫藏; 903 – ?)
    • Daughter - Lady Sin of the Pyongsan Sin clan (평산 신씨; 平山 申氏; 913 – ?)
  • Lady Yu of the Munhwa Yu clan (문화 유씨; 文化 柳氏; 912 – ?) - No issue.

Cultural references

• First Love (1996–1997)[a]
• Taejo Wang Geon (2000–2002), portrayed by Kim Hyung-il
• Thousand Days Unofficial History - Episode 73 (ko) (2018)[6]
• Taejo Wang Geon (2022)[7]

See also

• List of Goryeo people
• History of Korea
• Military history of Korea

Note

1. In Episode 26, there is a scene where Choi Soo-jong and Lee Seung-yeon look around the tomb of Sin Sung-gyeom in Chuncheon, after that, 4 years after the end of first love, Choi Soo-jong playing the role of Taejo in Taejo Wang Geon, and the scene appears that he weeps loudly when he sees Sin Sung-gyeom serving as bait and going to die.[5]

References

1. 신숭겸(申崇謙). Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
2. Ilyon: Samguk Yusa: Legends and History of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea, translated by Tae-Hung Ha and Grafton K. Mintz. Book Two, page 128. Silk Pagoda (2006). ISBN 1-59654-348-5
3. 섬진강과 보성강의 수려한 물길이, 서로 도와 빚은 풍광 [The beautiful waterways of the Seomjin and Boseong rivers help each other create scenery]. Pressian. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
4. [굿모닝 내셔널]대구 곳곳 남아 있는 '왕건 탈출로'...지금은 [[Good Morning National] 'Wang Geon Escape Route' that remains throughout Daegu...Now]. JoongAng Ilbo. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
5. [꿀드] [태조왕건 모음.Zip] ※감동※ 왕건을 대신해 죽음을 택한 고려의 개국공신 신숭겸⭐️ ｜ KBS방송 [[Kkulde] [Taejo Wang Geon Collection.Zip] ※Impression※ Sin Sung-gyeom, a founding contributor of Goryeo who chose death in place of Wang Geon⭐️ ｜ KBS Broadcasting] (in Korean). KBS Drama Classic (published 6 October 2001). 1 October 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
6. 왕건 대신 왕의 옷을 입고 죽은 신숭겸의 정체는?!｜천일야사 73회 다시보기 [What is the identity of Shin Sung-gyeom who died wearing the king's clothes instead of Wang Geon?!｜Replay Episode 73 of Thousand Days Unofficial History] (in Korean). KBS Drama Classic. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
7. 안컴퍼니, 메타버스 창작뮤지컬 '태조 왕건' 오는 28일 개막 [Ahn Company, Metaverse creative musical 'Taejo Wang Geon' opens on the 28th]. Break News. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.