Sin Sung-gyeom

Sin Sung-gyeom (Korean: 신숭겸; Hanja: 申崇謙; d. 927) was a Korean general during the turbulent Later Three Kingdoms period in the early 10th century. Born in Gwanghaeju (present-day Chuncheon), he became a general in the kingdom of Taebong. He was instrumental in helping Wang Geon, who later founded the state of Goryeo to achieve power. He is widely viewed as the founder of the Pyeongsan Sin clan, which includes the famous actress Shin Se-kyung.[1]

Sin Sung-gyeom
Shrine of the general Shin Sung-gyeom in northern Daegu, South Korea.
Korean name
Hangul	신숭겸
Hanja	申崇謙
Revised Romanization	Sin Sunggyeom
McCune–Reischauer	Sin Sung'kyŏm
Posthumous name
Hangul	장절
Hanja	壯節
Revised Romanization	Jangjeol
McCune–Reischauer	Ch'angch'ŏl
Other Name
Hangul	능산 or 삼능산
Hanja	能山 or 三能山
Revised Romanization	Neungsan or Sam Neungsan
McCune–Reischauer	Nŭngsan or Sam Nŭngsan

Shin is remembered today for giving his life for Wang Geon in the aftermath of a rout of their forces by Hubaekje near present-day Daegu. According to the legend, the two exchanged armor so that the king would be able to escape the battlefield. While Wang Geon escaped the battlefield, Shin and the remaining army fought bravely against the Hubaekje army. But eventually his army was routed and in the woods Shin was shot with arrows and was killed by the enemy. He was beheaded and his head was sent to Gyeon Hwon, King of Hubaekje.