caused the raise of a new wave of political forces, while a new cultural heritage was developed independently by taking inspiration from China. Though Hyejong and Jeongjong established their reigns by relying on strong power bases represented by general Park Sul-hee and uncle Wang Sik-ryeom, respectively, Gwangjong established his own power base, and, in order to restrain the power of wealthy people and influential vassals, he encouraged consanguineous marriages to avoid troubles with maternal relatives. He is regarded as the king who made the most strenuous and energetic efforts to strengthen the kingship in the early Goryeo. His reforms contributed greatly to the formation of a new political order in the newborn kingdom of Goryeo, but they were mainly limited to politics; the restructuring of the local government, and the reorganization of national economy and social system were comparatively weak. He was always wary of the possibility of hostile acts, and killed nobles and relatives recklessly. One of the most influential thinkers of the time was Choe Seungno, the son of a high-ranked official, who strongly opposed Gwangjong's autocracy. He believed that the privileges of the nobility were to be protected, and that having as officials the sons of provincial gentlemen with no power base at the court would put it in danger. Therefore, he condemned Gwangjong for his obsession with Buddhism and public projects, which, according to him, drove the kingdom into debt, and declared him a tyrant for his cruelty. In the memorial he drew up for the sixth king of Goryeo, Seongjong, he wrote: Family Father: Taejo of Goryeo (고려 태조) Grandfather: Sejo of Goryeo (고려 세조) Grandmother: Queen Wisuk (위숙왕후) Mother: Queen Sinmyeong (신명왕후) Grandfather: Yu Geung-dal (유긍달) Consorts and their respective issue(s): Queen Daemok of the Hwangju Hwangbo clan (대목왕후 황보씨); half younger sister. Crown Prince Wang Ju (태자 왕주) Prince Hyohwa (효화태자) Wang Aji, Lady Cheonchu (왕아지 천추전부인) Lady Bohwa (보화궁부인) Queen Mundeok (문덕왕후) Lady Gyeonghwa of the Jincheon Im clan (경화궁부인 임씨); half niece – No issue. Worthy Consort, of the Gim clan (현비 김씨) – No issue. In popular culture Portrayed by Kim Sang-joong in the 2002–2003 KBS TV series The Dawn of the Empire. Portrayed by Jung Seung-woo in the 2009 KBS2 TV series Empress Cheonchu. Portrayed by Jang Hyuk in the 2015 MBC TV series Shine or Go Crazy. Portrayed by Lee Joon-gi in the 2016 SBS TV series Moon