Sangmin (Korean: 상민; Hanja: 常民), short for p'yŏngsangjimin (평상지민; 平常之民), is a Korean-language term for commoners of the Joseon period (1392–1897).
[1] Synonyms for the term include sŏin (서인; 庶人), sangin (상인; 常人), yangmin (양민; 良民), p'yŏngmin (평민; 平民), and p'yŏngin (평인; 平人).
[1] The term sangmin was used as an informal or legal designation depending on the time period.
[1] In the latter half of the 17th century, a two-class system called yangch'ŏnje (양천제; 良賤制) was enacted, and sangmin made the lower class.
Money allowed for the purchase of clothing that signaled high social status.