The future queen was born in Jangtongbang (장통방; 長通坊) on 3 June 1642 during the reign of King Injo as the only daughter within four sons.
Her husband ascended the throne as the 18th Joseon monarch, (temple name: Hyeonjong) in 1659, automatically making her the queen consort.
In 1667, Yi Sun was appointed as heir to the throne with title Crown Prince Myeongbo.
However, there was no evidence to support her accusation and because of her claim, Kim Woo-myeong, the Queen Dowager’s father, ended up being the suspect of initiating the slander against the princes.
In the end, Sukjong exiled the three princes and the Southerners mocked her as a reincarnation of Queen Munjeong because of her intervention in the politics.
Kim Woo-myeong chose to confine himself in his house following the incident as he felt humiliated, and he died because of severe depression.