If you’re a true historical K-Drama fan, by now you should know that the Joseon dynasty operated on so many rules (and the majority of them can be annoying), including the selection of who gets to be the Crown Princess and, by extension, the Queen.

And no, this wasn’t some exaggerated K-drama plot written by a bored screenwriter turned into a cliche storyline in every Sageuk. This was real royal business on its own.

In Joseon, picking a Crown Princess wasn’t a romantic love story. It was obvious politics; no one was trying to hide.

The Beginning  

From the very moment a Crown Prince was born, the palace already had its eyes on who his future bride would be. Nobody is concerned about love here (love? Where?) because it was all about alliances and power.

Also, royal marriage was like insurance of the throne because it actually had a lot of influence on how power and authority were wielded. When the elders decide it's time for the prince to take a wife, the selection process officially begins. A marriage ban is declared, especially for eligible girls/ladies. Government officials are sent out to noble families to scout young girls with “clean” family backgrounds with no bad political records, no family members who had ever rebelled, and definitely no suspicious ties to rival factions that could be a threat to the throne.

This is why a random girl the prince falls in love with stands no chance of becoming the crown princess of the queen. It’s the qualifications that matter.

Qualifying

As I said, before a girl/lady is even considered, her entire family line and history will be checked, and they have to be healthy, graceful, educated in proper etiquette, and, of course, well-mannered. They also have to be beautiful with no marks or scars on their faces; otherwise, that would be an automatic disqualification. The parents must both be alive. Finally, presentation matters because they will not just be representing their family, but their entire clan.

Gantaek: The Royal Audition

You know that three-step selection process we see in every sageuk where they are trying to pick a crown princess? Here is where it comes in, and flopping in one step means not proceeding to the next one.
Step one was the background check, where officials investigated the girl’s family history, social standing, health, and even any past scandals. Step two was the preliminary screening, where selected candidates were brought to the palace for close inspection. Every single thing was observed. From how they walked to how they bowed, from how they smiled to how they spoke, from how they held their hands to how they reacted under pressure, everything! Step three was the final selection before the royal family and key court officials, and it’s the real deal. Only three candidates make it here, and while one is chosen as the crown princess, the remaining two finalists are sometimes appointed as royal concubines, especially if they came from families with strong political ties or sent back home (to their father’s house)

Grandma Had the Final Say  

Who has the final say? Well, Grandma (Queen Dowager) does. After all the examinations, the Queen Dowager had the ultimate veto power to approve and choose who became the crown princess. The prince’s feelings were optional because this was about palace politics.

Life as Crown Princess

As soon as the crown princess was chosen, the work started immediately. There were strict daily routines, endless lessons on royal etiquette, ceremonies, and, of course, pressure to produce heirs. And now, here’s the twist: becoming a Crown Princess didn’t guarantee that you’d one day become Queen. If the Crown Prince died, fell sick, or was dethroned. You know what is happening already.

In Joseon, rules were rules, and they were strictly followed, and that is why even historical dramas can’t go against most of them, even in fictitious story lines, unless they are ready to get dragged like a Nigerian generator or even get boycotted.

I am sure you’ve learned something new. Look forward to the next one, where I tell you how queens are chosen and even deposed.

Until then. Ciao.