Born into the Yeoheung Min clan, she was the second daughter of Min Yu-jung and his second wife, Lady Song of the Eunjin Song clan. She married King Sukjong as his second Queen Consort in 1681, at the age of 14. When so-uiJang Ok-jeong produced a son in 1688, it created a bloody dispute called Gisa literati purges. During this time, Sukjong wanted to give this eldest son the title of "Crown Prince" and wanted to promote Lady Jang from So-ui to Hui-bin. This action was opposed by the Noron faction, who supported Queen Inhyeon led by Song Si-yeol, and this was supported by the Soron faction, who supported Lady Jang. Sukjong became angry at the opposition, and many were killed including Song Si-yeol. Many, including Inhyeon and her family, were forced into exile. Queen Inhyeon was deposed, while Jang so-ui became Jang hui-bin, and then became the third Queen Consort. Later in 1694, Sukjong, feeling remorse at his temperamental actions by the urging of his new favorite Choe Suk-bin, gave in to a movement for Inhyeon's reinstatement, which was led by the Soron She was brought back to the palace and was reinstated as Queen Consort, with Lady Jang being demoted to hui-bin. In 1701, aged 34, she became ill and died of an unknown disease. It has been said that Sukjong, while mourning for Inhyeon, dreamed of her in a sobok dress drenched with blood. Sukjong asked Inhyeon of how she died, but Inhyeon didn't say anything, but pointed in to the direction of Jang Hui-bins chambers. Sukjong awoke, then went into Jang's chambers. While approaching, he heard music and sounds of laughter. Eavesdropping, he saw Jang Hui-bin with Shamanist priestesses in her chambers, praying for the Queen's death, while striking a figurine with arrows. When this was discovered by Sukjong, Lady Jang was executed for her actions by poison. One of the Queen's ladies in waiting wrote a book called Inhyeon Wanghu Jeon, which still exists today. She is buried in Myeongreung in Gyeonggi Province, and Sukjong was later buried near her in the same area. She has no issue to Sukjong.
Inhyeon's eldest brother Min Jin-hu's great-great-great-granddaughter would eventually marry Inhyeon's step-great-great-great-great-adoptive-grandson, the futureEmperor Gojong of the Korean Empire, becoming the famous Empress Myeongseong. Emperor Gojong's mother, Lady Yeoheung, was also a member of the Yeoheung Min clan.
In popular culture
Portrayed by Jo Mi-ryeong in the 1961 movie Jang Hui Bin.
