King Daemusin (4–44, r. 18–44) was the third ruler of

Goguryeo Goguryeo (37 BC–668 AD) ( ) also called Goryeo (), was a Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula and the southern and central parts of Northeast China. At its peak of power, Goguryeo controlled most ...

, the northernmost of the

Three Kingdoms of Korea Samhan or the Three Kingdoms of Korea () refers to the three kingdoms of Goguryeo (고구려, 高句麗), Baekje (백제, 百濟), and Silla (신라, 新羅). Goguryeo was later known as Goryeo (고려, 高麗), from which the modern name ''Kor ...

. He led early Goguryeo through a period of massive territorial expansion, conquering several smaller nations and the powerful kingdom of

Dongbuyeo Eastern Buyeo, also rendered as Dongbuyeo or Eastern Fuyu, was an ancient kingdom that developed from Northern Buyeo (Northern Fuyu), until it was conquered by Goguryeo. According to the ''Samguk Sagi'', it was established when the Buyeo king ...

Biography

He was born as Prince Moo-hyul, the third son of

King Yuri King Yuri (38 BCE – 18 CE, r. 19 BCE – 18 CE) was the second ruler of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He was the eldest son of the kingdom's founder Chumo the Holy. As with many other early Korean rulers, the e ...

. At 11 years old he became the

crown prince A crown prince or hereditary prince is the heir apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The female form of the title is crown princess, which may refer either to an heiress apparent or, especially in earlier times, to the wif ...

, as the next in line to the throne had committed suicide, and became king upon his father's death four years later. Daemusin strengthened central rule of Goguryeo and expanded its territory. He annexed

and killed its king

Daeso Hae Daeso (; 60 BCE – 22 AD, r. 7 BCE – 22 AD) was the third and last ruler of the ancient Korean kingdom Dongbuyeo. Early life Daeso was the first son of King Geumwa, and the grandson of Dongbuyeo's founder and first ruler, Hae Buru. As t ...

in 22 AD. In 26 AD he conquered ''Gaema-guk'', along the

Amnok River The Yalu River, known by Koreans as the Amrok River or Amnok River, is a river on the border between North Korea and China. Together with the Tumen River to its east, and a small portion of Paektu Mountain, the Yalu forms the China–North Ko ...

, and later conquered ''Guda-guk''. After fending off China's attack in 28, he sent his son, Prince Hodong, who was about 16 at the time, to attack the Nangnang Commandery. He also defeated the

Nakrang Kingdom Nakrang Kingdom (Hangul: 낙랑국, Hanja: 樂浪國) was a kingdom located in the northwestern part of the Korean Peninsula according to ''Samguk Sagi''. The kingdom's independence, however, is debated. According to the ancient Korean record of ...

in northwestern Korea in 32. He destroyed Nangnang in 37, but an

Eastern Han The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD), established by Liu Bang (Emperor Gao) and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) and a warr ...

army sent by

Emperor Guangwu of Han Emperor Guangwu of Han (; 15 January 5 BC – 29 March AD 57), born Liu Xiu (), courtesy name Wenshu (), was a Chinese monarch. He served as an emperor of the Han dynasty by restoring the dynasty in AD 25, thus founding the Eastern Han (Later ...

, captured it in 44. He was buried in Daesuchonwon. In the legend of

Prince Hodong and the Princess of Nakrang A prince is a Monarch, male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary title, hereditary, in s ...

Daemusin was said to have sent his son into deceiving the princess of Nakrang into destroying the drum that would have warned them for a coming invasion.

Family

*Father:

(유리명왕, 瑠璃明王) **Grandfather: King Dongmyeong (동명성왕, 東明聖王) **Grandmother: Lady Ye (예씨 부인, 禮氏夫人) *Mother: ''Queen'', of the Song clan (왕후 송씨, 王后松氏) **Grandfather: Song Yang, Marquis Damul (송양 다물후, 松讓多勿侯) *Consorts and their respective issue(s): #Unknown lady ("Primary consort" (원비)) ##Son: Prince Haeu (해우, 解憂; d. 53 AD) # Lady Hae ("Secondary consort" (차비)) ##Son: Prince Hodong (호동, 好童; d. 32 AD) – married

Princess Nakrang Princess Nakrang (), also known as Princess Anjeong Sukui () or Lady Sinran (신란궁부인, 神鸞宮夫人; ) was a Goryeo princess as the first daughter of King Taejo and Queen Sinmyeong who became the wife of King Gyeongsun of Silla. As th ...

(낙랑공주; d. 32 AD).

Modern depiction

Film and television

* Portrayed by

Song Il-gook Song Il-kook (; born 1 October 1971) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his role in the 2006 hit drama series ''Jumong'' as the titular character. Early life and education Song is the grandson of politician Kim Du-han, great grandso ...

in the 2008 KBS TV series '' The Kingdom of The Winds''. * Portrayed by

Moon Sung-keun Moon Sung-keun (born May 28, 1953) is a South Korean actor and politician. He has won three Blue Dragon Film Awards, two Baeksang Arts Awards, and two Chunsa Film Art Awards for Best Actor. Career Moon was born in Tokyo, Japan. His father was ...

in the 2009 SBS TV series '' Ja Myung Go''.

Others

In recent times, Daemusin served as a model for the famous ''

Manhwa (; ) is the general Korean language, Korean term for comics and print cartoons. Outside Korea, the term usually refers to South Korea, South Korean comics. is greatly influenced by Japanese Manga comics. Modern Manhwa has extended its rea ...

'' and video game '' Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds''.

Significance of title

King Muhyul was given the title ''Daemusin wang'', which literally means "Great Holy Warrior King". As with most Goguryeo kings, little is known about Muhyul except for what is stated in some ancient Korean sources. Some historians have inferred that the giving of such an extreme title to this man must mean that he led Goguryeo through many outstanding military accomplishments, possibly more than he is given credit for in historical texts. Another school of thought declares that the destruction of East Buyeo in itself, was an almost unthinkable feat at the time, meaning East Buyeo was a powerful kingdom according to these select scholars. Not all Goguryeo rulers were given special titles posthumously or in their lifetime. Most Goguryeo rulers were posthumously given titles based on the place of their burial. Only a select few, such as King

Gwanggaeto the Great Gwanggaeto the Great (374–413, r. 391–413) was the nineteenth monarch of Goguryeo. His full posthumous name means "Entombed in ''Gukgangsang'', Broad Expander of Domain, Peacemaker, Supreme King", sometimes abbreviated to ''Hotaewang'' ...

and King Dongmyeongseong, were given such "significant" posthumous names.

References

{{Authority control Goguryeo rulers AD 4 births 44 deaths 1st-century monarchs in Asia 1st-century Korean people