Dong Yi, MBC
In episode 30, Dong Yi is promoted by the king to a special court lady, sung-un sang-gung 승은 상궁 承恩尙宮.
The sang-gung level is a rank 5 in the court ladies ranking system. The ranking system went for level 1 (top) down to 9. But this was the top rank for a court lady – but below the concubines.
But as a special court lady, Dong Yi is different to the regular court ladies, sang-gung.
First of all, she hasn’t worked her way up the ranks. She has gone from servant to court lady overnight!
The special court lady was a title for court ladies who were intimate with the king. Their relationship meant that they were likely to become eligible to move up to concubine status: Getting pregnant would be grounds to move up the rankings and become a concubine!
Jang Hee bin was a special court lady at the beginning of the drama. And in episode 17 there’s a ceremony for her to become a hu-gung 후궁 後宮, concubine rank 4 Sook-won.
Lady Jang becomes concubine Jang Sook-won, episode 17, Dong Yi, MBC source
Because of this special status, the sung-ung sang-gung didn’t have to work like the other sang-gung did. The regular sang-gung had jobs to do around the palace.
in the drama we see sang-gung leading the court lady investigation bureau. It seems that all that the special court ladies – sung-un sang-gung – had to do was look nice and wait for the king!
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