These days it is not strange to bump into someone who is into K-Pop or K-Drama, but is entertainment the only string that is connecting India to Korea? Well, we take the pleasure to apprise you that India and Korea had shared lineage since millennials. It all started with the queen Heo Hwang-Ok.
Who is Heo Hwang- Ok?
Born in 33 AD as Suriratna Princess of Ayuta present-day Ayodhya a city in Uttar Pradesh, India. This legendary queen is mentioned in Samguk Yusa, the collection of legends and historic achievements of the three kingdoms of Korea Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla.
According to Samguk Yusa, The lord Sange Je appeared in the dreams of the King and Queen of Ayuta and asked them to send Princess Suriratna to the then King Sura.
The King sent the Princess Suriratna by a boat with jewels, clothes and money, it took her two months to reach Goguryeo by sea.
She married the then King Gim Suro in 48 AD. She was 16 when they got married. Then she was named Heo Hwang- Ok, they have 12 children together (10 sons & 2 daughters). The queen passed away at the age of 157.
(Still, due to the lack of proper research, there is controversy about the place but it’s confirmed that Heo Hwang-ok is Indian).
Indian & South Korean Relation
In 2001, a memorial of Heo Hwang-Ok was inaugurated by Korean delegates including historians, politicians, and Government representatives.
In 2018 the First Lady of The Republic of South Korea Kim Jung- Sook visited India and joined the celebration of the festival of lights Deepavali.
During her visit the First Lady laid the foundation stone for beautification to the existing memorial. Ayodhya welcomes hundreds of Koreans who visit to pay their respects to their queen.
The First Lady Kim Jung-Sook with Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath
ICCR to mention this Indo-Korean love story
As many Koreans trace their lineage in India. To improve the Indian-Korean the Indian Council for Cultural Relations had decided to include the story of queen Heo Hwang- Ok and King Gim Suro in their book of international love stories.
ICCR mentioned that they are planning a Musical on this story. They added that this Musical is a joint production where it will be shot first in India with Indian actors and then take it to Korea, involving both Indian and Korean actors.
The motive behind the musical and the mention in ICCR books is to showcase the millennia-old relations between India and Korea.
Did you know that it is believed that people with surnames “Heo” are descendants of queen Heo?
What do you think about Heo Hwang Ok’s story and the reason for keeping it at the forefront in framing India- Korea political relationships? Tell us in the comment section below.
Author: Gayatri Vemuri