Kwon

Kwon (권) is a Korean family name. Some sources list as many 56 clans, but most of them were merged with the Andong Kwon clan under the Sijeung-gong faction soon after the establishment of the Republic of Korea.

Andong Kwon clan

The Andong Kwon clan was founded by a Silla aristocrat named Kim Haeng (金幸) who helped Wang Geon, the founder of the Goryeo Kingdom, establish himself as ruler in 918. The new king bestowed upon Kim Haeng a new surname: Kwon (權), meaning ‘authority’ or 'power'. Wang Geon also gave the aristocrat taxation rights for the towns in the Andong region, hence the clan name. The Andong Kwon clan has one of the oldest extant printed genealogies in East Asia, and this clan became the most famous family in Korea through Goryeo and Joseon kingdom.^[1]

Yecheon Kwon clan

One account has it that the Yecheon Kwon clan’s original surname was Heun (昕). However, in 1197, the name Heun (昕) was chosen as the posthumous name for the Goryeo kingdom's King Myeongjong. To avoid the use of a king’s posthumous name, the Heun(昕) family were directed to change their name to Kwon (權). The head of the Heun clan at this time became Kwon So, the founding ancestor of the Yecheon Kwon clan. Approximately two thirds of all present-day Kwon clan members live in the Gyeongsang provinces. All members of the Heun(昕) clan disappeared before the founding of Joseon.

Another account states that the Yecheon Heun (昕) clan's Jeoksin, Suchang, Seungdan, and Seungjo married into the Andong Kwon Clan and afterward their descendants took their mothers' surname Kwon (權). Yecheon Kwon clan called an Obongmun (五福門) in late Goryeo.

Mr. Kwon

He is penniless man that fled North Korea and now wishes to return to North Korea. South Korea has made him a citizen of South Korea, and under South Korean law no South Korean can enter North Korea without permission. Mr. Kwon has been arrested for trying to return. Mr. Kwon is protesting with a sign around South Korea to try and return. There has been news reports pleading that he please be allowed to return.^[2]

Notable people

Entertainers

• Yul Kwon (born 1975), American reality television star, winner of Survivor: Cook Islands
• Kwon Sang-woo (born 1976), South Korean actor
• Kwon Yul (actor) (born Kwon Se-in, 1982), South Korean actor
• Sol Bi (born Kwon Ji-an, 1984), South Korean actress and singer, former member of Typhoon
• BoA (born Kwon Boa, 1986), South Korean actress, dancer, composer, model, singer and songwriter
• Kwon So-hyun (actress) (born 1987), South Korean actress
• G-Dragon (born Kwon Ji-yong, 1988), South Korean musician, leader of Big Bang
• Kwon Yuri (born 1989), South Korean singer and actress, member of Girls' Generation
• Kwon Nara (born 1991), South Korean singer, member of Hello Venus
• Kwon Ri-se (1991–2014), South Korean singer, member of Ladies' Code
• Dean (South Korean singer) (born Kwon Hyuk, 1992), South Korean R&B singer, songwriter, and producer
• Kwon Mina (born 1993), South Korean singer and actress, member of AOA
• Kwon So-hyun (born 1994), South Korean singer and dancer, former member of 4Minute
• Kwon Soon-young (born 1996), stage name Hoshi, member of South Korean boy group Seventeen
• Kwon Chae-won (born 1999), stage name Eunchae, member of South Korean girl group DIA
• Kwon Eunbin (born 2000), South Korean singer, member of South Korean girl group CLC
• Kwon Jun (Born 1986), South Korean, AOG Specialist, one time Impact player of the month.
• Kwon Da Hae (Born 1981), South Korean, Fashionista, Accomplished Pianist, Voted 100 Most Beautiful People in the World by People Magazine.
• Kwon Hyuk Dong (Born 1979), South Korean, Father, Brother and Oppa to Kwon Da Hae.

Other

• Kwon Yul (1537–1599), Joseon Dynasty general
• Kwon Jeong-saeng (1937–2007), South Korean children's author
• Min Kwon (Korean name Kwon Min-kyung), American pianist
• Kwon Oh-hyun, South Korean businessman, CEO of Samsung

See also

• List of Korean family names
• Korean name
• List of people of Korean descent
• Kwon the Redeemer

References