The Gimhae Kim clan () is a

Korean clan Korean clans are groups of Korean people that share the same paternal ancestor. They are indicated by the combination of a ''bongwan'' () and a family name. Korean clans distinguish clans that happen to share the same family name. The ''bongwan' ...

, descended from

Suro of Geumgwan Gaya Suro (), posthumous name Sureung (; died 199), commonly called Kim Suro, was the legendary founder and Hero King of Geumgwan Gaya (43–532), in southeastern Korea.Gaya confederacy Gaya (; ) was a Korean confederacy of territorial polities in the Nakdong River basin of southern Korea, growing out of the Byeonhan confederacy of the Samhan period. The traditional period used by historians for Gaya chronology is AD 42– ...

, and his descendant,

Kim Yu-sin Kim Yu-sin (; 595 – 21 August 673) was a Korean military general and politician in 7th-century Silla. He led the unification of the Korean Peninsula by Silla under the reign of King Muyeol and King Munmu. He is said to have been the great ...

is renowned for leading the

Silla Silla (; Old Korean: wikt:徐羅伐#Old Korean, 徐羅伐, Yale romanization of Korean, Yale: Syerapel, Revised Romanization of Korean, RR: ''Seorabeol''; International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA: ) was a Korean kingdom that existed between ...

armies to unify the

Three Kingdoms of Korea The Three Kingdoms of Korea or Samhan (Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla) competed for hegemony over the Korea, Korean Peninsula during the ancient period of History of Korea, Korean history. During the Three Kingdoms period (), many states and statele ...

. More than six million present day Koreans, especially from Gimhae Kim, Heo and

Lee Lee may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Lee'' (2007 film), Tamil-language sports action film * ''Lee'' (2017 film), Kannada-language action film * ''Lee'' (2023 film), biographical drama about Lee Miller, American photojournalist * ''L ...

(Yi) clans associate their ''

bon-gwan Korean clans are groups of Koreans, Korean people that share the same Patrilineality, paternal ancestor. They are indicated by the combination of a ''bongwan'' () and a family name. Korean clans distinguish clans that happen to share the same fam ...

'' (geo-biological lineage roots) to

Gimhae Gimhae (, ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, situated near the Nakdong River. It is the seat of the large Gimhae Kim clan, one of the largest Kim (Korean name), Kim clans in Korea, cla ...

, in the

South Gyeongsang Province South Gyeongsang Province (, ) is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is at Changwon. It is adjacent to the major metropolitan center and port of Busan. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple tha ...

of South Korea, and these clans place restrictions on marriage with each other due to the shared ancestors. Today, the Gimhae Kim clan is the largest clan group among them. Also, it is the largest clan group in South Korea. The Gimhae Kim and Gimhae Heo clans, descend from the two sons of King Suro where the latter used their mother, Queen

Heo Hwang-ok Heo Hwang-ok (; 32AD – 189AD) also known as Empress Boju (), was a legendary queen mentioned in '' Samguk yusa'', a 13th-century Korean chronicle. According to ''Samguk Yusa'', she became the wife of King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya at the age of 16 ...

's surname, instead of their father's. One of the dominant branch of Gimhae Kim clan is Samhyunpa-branch.

Origin

The Gimhae Kim clan's founder, according to legend, was Kim Suro, whose wife was the legendary Queen

. Heo Hwang-ok bore 12 children. According to the ''

Samguk Sagi ''Samguk sagi'' () is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. Completed in 1145, it is well-known in Korea as the oldest surviving chronicle of Korean history. The ''Samguk sagi'' is written in Classical ...

'',

was the 12th descendant of Suro.

Royalty

Silla Royalty

* Queen Munmyeong (문명왕후), wife of

Muyeol of Silla King Taejong Muyeol (603–661), born Kim Ch'un-ch'u, was the List of monarchs of Korea, 29th ruler of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He is credited for leading the unification of Korea's Three Kingdoms. Background King Taejong Muy ...

, sister of

, mother of Munm *Kim Po-hui (김보희; 金寶姬), Lady Yeonchang (영창부인), concubine of

Joseon

*Royal Noble Consort ''Gong Bin'' Kim (공빈 김씨), concubine of

Seonjo of Joseon Seonjo (; 6 December 1552 – 6 March 1608), personal name Yi Yeon (), was the 14th monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was known for promoting Confucianism and attempting reforms at the beginning of his reign. However, he later gained ...

and mother of

Gwanghaegun of Joseon Gwanghaegun or Prince Gwanghae (; 4 June 1575 – 7 August 1641), personal name Yi Hon (), was the 15th monarch of the Joseon, Joseon dynasty of Korea. As he was deposed in a ''coup d'état'', he did not receive a temple name. Biography Bi ...

*''Royal Consort Suk-ui'' Kim (숙의 김씨), concubine of

Heonjong of Joseon Heonjong (; 8 September 1827 – 25 July 1849), personal name Yi Hwan (), was the 24th monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. His father was Crown Prince Hyomyeong, who died at the age of 20 before becoming king, and his mother was Queen Sinj ...

and mother of his only kwon child *Royal Consort ''Suk-ui'' Kim (숙의 김해김씨), concubine of

Cheoljong of Joseon Cheoljong (; 25 July 1831 – 16 January 1864), personal name Yi Won-beom (), later Yi Byeon (), was the 25th monarch of the Joseon, Joseon dynasty of Korea. After Heonjong of Joseon, King Heonjong died without any descendants in 1849, Queen Sun ...

and mother of two daughters

Notable people

Andrew Kim Taegon Andrew Kim Taegeon (21 August 1821 – 16 September 1846), also referred to as Andrew Kim in English, was the first South Korean Catholic priest and is the patron saint of Korean clergy. Biography In the late 18th century, Catholicism began ...

(1821–1846), Korean Catholic saint *

Kim Hong-do Kim Hong-do (, 1745–) was a Korean painter during the Joseon dynasty. He is mostly remembered for his depictions of the everyday life of ordinary people, in a manner analogous to painters of the Dutch Golden Age painting, Dutch Golden Age. He ...

(1745–), Joseon painter *

Bokyem Bokyem (), real name Kim Bo-kyem (, Hanja: 金𤣰謙, born January 31, 1988) is a South Korean YouTuber and BJ of afreecaTV. As of June 2020, the number of subscribers to the YouTube channel operated by Bokyem was 4.03 million, and it was the ...

(born Kim Bo-kyem, 1988), South Korean YouTuber *

Kim Boo-kyum Kim Boo-kyum (; born 21 January 1958) is a South Korean activist and politician who served as the 47th prime minister of South Korea from 2021 to 2022 under President Moon Jae-in. He was also the Minister of Interior and Safety from 2017 to 2 ...

(born 1958), South Korean politician *

Kim Dae-jung Kim Dae-jung (, ; 6 January 192418 August 2009) was a South Korean politician, activist and statesman who served as the eighth president of South Korea from 1998 to 2003. Kim entered politics as a member of the new wing of the Democratic Pa ...

(1924–2009), South Korean politician *

Gong Myung Kim Dong-hyun (; born on May 26, 1994), known professionally as Gong Myung (), is a South Korean actor. He is a member of 5urprise. He is known for his roles in the television series ''The Bride of Habaek'' (2017), '' Revolutionary Love'' (2017) ...

(born Kim Dong-hyun, 1994), South Korean actor *

Doyoung (singer) Kim Dong-young (; born February 1, 1996), known professionally as Doyoung (), is a South Korean singer, actor, and host. He is a member of the South Korean boy band NCT through the sub-units NCT 127 and NCT DoJaeJung. Doyoung was first int ...

(born Kim Dong-young, 1996), South Korean singer, member of boy band NCT * B.I (rapper) (born Kim Han-bin, 1996), South Korean rapper *

Bibi (singer) Kim Hyeong-seo (, born September 27, 1998), known professionally as Bibi (), is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, and actress. In 2018, she appeared on the SBS program ''The Fan'' and was the runner-up of the show. In 2022, she releas ...

(born Kim Hyeong-seo, 1998), South Korean singer *

Kim Hyong-uk Kim Hyong-uk (, January 16, 1925 – ) was a South Korean brigadier general who served as director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency from 1963 to 1969. Early life Born in Hwanghae province, he left for the South after high school ...

(1925–1979), South Korean brigadier *

Chuu Kim Ji-woo (, born October 20, 1999), known professionally by her stage name Chuu (), is a South Korean singer, actress and television personality. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group Loona and its sub-unit, yyxy. Early lif ...

(born Kim Ji-woo, 1999), South Korean singer *

Chen (singer) Kim Jong-dae (; born September 21, 1992), better known by his stage name, Chen (), is a South Korean singer and songwriter. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Exo, its subgroup Exo-M and its subunit Exo-CBX, and participated in SM Ent ...

(born Kim Jong-dae, 1992), South Korean singer * Kim Jong-hwan (1924 - 2022), South Korean military officer and politician * Kim Jong-hyun (born 1990–2017), South Korean singer *

Kim Jong-pil Kim Jong-pil (; January 7, 1926 – June 23, 2018), also known colloquially as JP, was a South Korean politician and the founder/first director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA, now the National Intelligence Service (South Kor ...

(1926–2018), South Korean politician *

Yesung Kim Kang-hoon (born Kim Jong-woon; August 24, 1984), better known by his stage name Yesung, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor, radio personality, and television presenter. He debuted in 2005 as a member of Super Junior and its subgroup ...

(born Kim Jong-woon, 1984), South Korean singer *

Kim Kang-hoon Kim Kang-hoon (; born June 7, 2009) is a South Korean actor. He is known for his roles in the television series ''Pride and Prejudice'' (2014), ''Criminal Minds'' (2017), '' Mr. Sunshine'' (2018), '' When the Camellia Blooms'' (2019), and '' Rac ...

(born 2009), South Korean actor *

Winter (singer) Kim Min-jeong (; born January 1, 2001), known professionally as Winter (), is a South Korean singer and dancer. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Aespa which debuted under SM Entertainment in November 2020. In January 2022, she beca ...

(born Kim Min-jeong, 2001), South Korean singer, member of girl group aespa *

Xiumin Kim Min-seok (; born March 26, 1990), better known by his stage name Xiumin (; ), is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy band Exo, its sub-group Exo-M and leader of its sub-unit Exo-CBX. He debuted as ...

(born Kim Min-seok, 1990), South Korean singer * Kim Moo-sung (born 1950), South Korean politician * Kim Mu-ryeok (518–579), Silla general *

Kim Seul-gi Kim Seul-gi (; born October 10, 1991) is a South Korean actress. She is known for starring in the television series ''Oh My Ghost (South Korean TV series), Oh My Ghost'' (2015) and ''Splash Splash Love, Splash Love'' (2015), as well as the fil ...

(born 1991), South Korean actress *

Seungmin Kim Seung-min (; born September 22, 2000), known mononymously as Seungmin, is a South Korean singer. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Stray Kids, formed by JYP Entertainment in 2017. Additionally, Seungmin has served as an MC for '' ...

(born Kim Seungmin, 2000), South Korean singer, member of boy band Stray Kids * Kim Ung-seo (1564–1624), Joseon general * Kim Won-bong (1898–1958), Korean independence activist *

Kim Young-sam Kim Young-sam (, ; 20 December 1927 – 22 November 2015), often referred to by his initials YS, was a South Korean politician and activist who served as the seventh president of South Korea from 1993 to 1998. From 1961, Kim spent almost 30 ye ...

(1927–2015), South Korean politician *

(595–673), Silla general and politician * Jin Longguo (born 1996), Chinese singer * Sunoo (born Kim Seonwoo, 2003), South Korean singer, and member of boy band ENHYPEN *

Kim So-won Kim So-jeong (; born December 7, 1995), known professionally as Kim So-won (), is a South Korean actress and singer. She is best known as the leader of South Korean girl group GFriend. Early life and education Kim was born on December 7, 1995, ...

(born Kim So-jeong,1995), South Korean actress and singer, and member of girl group GFRIEND *

Umji Kim Ye-won (; born August 19, 1998), better known by her stage name Umji (), is a South Korean singer-songwriter and dancer. She is a member of the girl groups GFriend and Viviz. Early life Umji was born on August 19, 1998, in Yeonsu-dong, Ye ...

(born Kim Ye-won, 1998), South Korean actress and singer, and member of girl groups GFRIEND and VIVIZ * Kim Gyuvin (born 2004), South Korean singer, and member of boy band ZEROBASEONE * Liz (born Kim Jiwon, 2004), South Korean singer, and member of girl group IVE

References

{{reflist Clans based in South Gyeongsang Province