Sanggung

Sanggung was an official title of the senior 5th rank, the highest attainable for palace ladies during the Joseon period. Female officials with the title were assigned to govern the inner affairs of the palace. When a regular nain served for more than 15 years, she would be awarded with an ornamental hairpin for a sanggung. Therefore, a newly appointed sanggung was usually 35–45 years old. A court lady at the rank of sanggung was treated well enough to live in her own house with servants.