Like the South Asian countries of China, Japan, Bhutan, and Thailand, Korea, too, was an empire. The Joseon Dynasty ruled the country for 519 years until 1910, when Korea ceased to be an empire after the Japanese took control of it. The Korean royal family, who directly descended from the Joseon dynasty, exists even today. However, there are no idols who are a part of this family. But the K-pop industry had descendants of the Yangban clans. These clans were part of the nobility who served the crown in administrative duties. The most prominent Yangban clans included the Jeonju Lee clan, the Gwangsun Kim clan, and the Yoheung Min clan.
The Jeonju Lee clan was a clan of the royal family of Yi. King Taejon, who established the Joseon Dynasty, belonged to this clan. This clan is biologically the closest to the royal family. This clan consisted of the highest of nobles alongside the royal family. The Gwangsun Kim clan was one of the most prominent Yangban clans, descending from Prince Heung Gwang, the third son of King Sinmu of Silla. The Yoheung Min clan was founded by Min Ching Do, a descendant of Min Sun, a disciple of Confucius. Empress Sunmyeong, the last empress of Joseon, was from this clan. The Min surname happens to be one of the rarest in Korea. Here are ten kpop idols who have descended from these Yangban clans:
1. Beomgyu
Beomgyu doesn't descend from the clans, as mentioned earlier, but he does come from an equally influential one. The Gyeongju Choi clan may not be as well known as the three previous ones, but it's definitely among the richest. A military commander, Choi Jin-nip, established the line, and the clan has strived to help the poor since it was established. The clan is known to have managed its wealth since the mid-Joseon era, and it is still well managed 300 years later.
2. Chaeryeong And Chaeyeon
The twins Chaeryeoug and Chaeyeon are descendants of the Jeonju Lee clan. Both sisters are insanely talented dancers. They joined JYP Entertainment as trainees, but Chaeyeon left the company and joined Off The Record Entertainment. She debuted in IZ*ONE as the main dancer, lead vocalist and lead rapper. Chaeryeong stayed in JYPE and debuted as the main dancer, vocalist and rapper in Itzy.
3. Dino
The Seventeen maknae belongs to the Jeonju Lee clan. His fellow member Mingyu also hails from the same clan.
4. Solar
Solar of MAMAMOO has descended from the Gwangsun Kim clan. Ironically, despite descending from one of the oldest Yangban clans in the country, the MAMAMOO fandom has an inside joke that she might be from North Korea because of a lack of her pre-debut photographs.
5. Hyunjin
Hyunjin from Loona is a descendant of the Gwangsun Kim clan.
6. Haechan
NCT Haechan belongs to the Jeonju Lee clan.
7. Jeno
Jeno of NCT is a descendant of the Jeonju Lee clan.
8. Hongjoong
Hongjoong of Ateez is a descendent of the Gwangsun Kim clan.
9. Sunny
Lee Soonkyu, aka Sunny from Girls Generation, belongs to the Jeonju Lee clan.
10. V
Kim Taehyung aka V from BTS is a descendent of the Gwangsun Kim clan. He’s the lead dancer of BTS. Despite not being the official visual, V is still the most recognized for his regal visuals.
