[All] What is Chaehong meaning? Joseon Chaehongsa, Chaecheongsa, and the shocking truth behind The Tyrant’s Chef
What does “Chaehong” in tvN’s The Tyrant’s Chef really mean? Learn about the historical system of Chaehongsa under King Yeonsan, how the drama reinterprets it, and the differences from the original web novel and webtoon.
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Table of Contents
1. What exactly is the meaning of Chaehong and Chaehongsa? 2. How did the Chaehongsa and Chaecheongsa system function in the Joseon era? 3. How is Chaehong reinterpreted in The Tyrant’s Chef? 4. What are the differences between the original web novel/webtoon and the drama? 5. Why is the Chaehong setting so important to the story? 6. FAQ: Common questions about Chaehong in The Tyrant’s Chef |
1. What exactly is the meaning of Chaehong and Chaehongsa?
“Chaehong (采紅)” literally means to gather red, but in the Joseon Dynasty, it referred to the practice of bringing women into the royal court.
The officials in charge of this were called Chaehongsa (采紅使). The full title was Chaehongjunsa (采紅駿使), where “hong (紅)” meant women and “jun (駿)” meant horses. In other words, they were officials responsible for procuring both beautiful women and fine horses.
2. How did the Chaehongsa and Chaecheongsa system function in the Joseon era?
During King Yeonsan’s reign, Chaehongsa officials were dispatched across the country to forcefully bring women into the palace. Historical records even suggest that thousands of women were taken from Jeju Island alone.
There was also the position of Chaecheongsa (採靑使), whose role was even more disturbing: selecting young girls with the potential to become future beauties.
| Title | Chinese Characters | Meaning | Role |
| Chaehongsa | 采紅使 | To gather red |
Selection of beautiful women
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| Chaehongjunsa | 采紅駿使 | To gather women & horses |
Procurement of women + fine horses
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| Chaecheongsa | 採靑使 | To gather green (youth) |
Selection of young girls
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3. How is Chaehong reinterpreted in The Tyrant’s Chef?
The drama does not stop at the historical fact of “requisitioning women for pleasure.” Instead, it reimagines Chaehong as a political weapon.
▪️In history: A system for the king’s indulgence and display of power
▪️In the drama: A device where Prince Yeonhui summons the families of his enemies into the palace to exact his mother’s revenge
This shift from indulgence to political manipulation raises the dramatic tension significantly.
4. What are the differences between the original web novel/webtoon and the drama?
The original work is Park Guk-jae’s web novel Surviving as the Tyrant’s Chef, later adapted into a webtoon.
| Aspect | Web Novel / Webtoon |
Drama The Tyrant’s Chef
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| Tone | Heavy, political survival drama |
Romance + fantasy emphasis
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| Development | Political struggles dominate the later part |
Romance between Im Yoon-ah & Lee Chae-min from the start
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| Ending | Yeonsan changes → happy ending |
Still unknown; leans toward heavier political tone
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5. Why is the Chaehong setting so important to the story?
The Chaehong device is not just a historical reference; it drives the core of the plot.
▪️It becomes the turning point for the protagonist’s conflict with Prince Yeonhui.
▪️It intensifies palace intrigue and political drama.
▪️It allows viewers to experience both history and fantasy.
Understanding Chaehong adds depth, showing that the drama is not just romance but also a political thriller about survival and power.
6. FAQ: Common questions about Chaehong in The Tyrant’s Chef
Q1. What does Chaehong mean?
A1. It was the Joseon system of bringing women into the palace, carried out by officials called Chaehongsa.
Q2. Is the Chaehong in the drama the same as in history?
A2. Historically it was a system of requisitioning women, but in the drama it is reinterpreted as a political weapon.
Q3. What is Chaecheongsa?
A3. An official role for selecting young girls deemed likely to become future beauties, a grim aspect of Yeonsan’s tyranny.
Q4. How does the drama differ from the original?
A4. The original was a political survival story with a male protagonist, while the drama emphasizes romance and fantasy with a female lead.
Q5. Why is Chaehong important to the story?
A5. It creates conflict, fuels palace intrigue, and adds political weight to what could otherwise be a light romance.
👉 With this context, it’s clear that “Chaehong” is more than just a fictional term. It’s a blend of historical reality, dramatic reinterpretation, and narrative tension that makes The Tyrant’s Chef more engaging.
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