He was named Crown Prince in the seventh year of Munjamyeong's reign (498),[2] and assumed the throne when his father died in 519.
[2][1] Under Anjang, Goguryeo continued to maintain close relations with the Chinese dynasties, notably Wei and Liang with constant 'tribute missions',[2][4] to counterbalance the volatile relationship with the southerly Korean kingdoms of Baekje and Silla.
Historical records during the reign of Anjang are rarely found throughout East Asia with some erroneous marks on his death: the Book of Liang completed in 635 says Anjang died in 526 although the actual date is believed to be about five or six years later;[7] The Japanese chronicle Nihon Shoki quoting Baekje Bongi says Anjang was killed amid bloody chaos,[8] which implies the final years of his reign were unstable.
[9][10] Since chaos also marked the end of his brother Anwon's reign, it is speculated that succession issues had already been entrenched among the Goguryeo aristocracy.
It shows many parallels to the Western culture's Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and also the story of Prince Hodong and Princess Nangnang, who also had a forbidden love.