Empress Myeongseong ( 19 October 1851 -- 8 October 1895 ) , also known as Queen Min , was the official wife of King Gojong . King Gojong was the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea . Empress Myeongseong ( 19 October 1851 -- 8 October 1895 ) , also known as Queen Min , was the first official wife of King Gojong , the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea .