Korean · Titles & Forms of Address
내관內官
naegwan
Also written: palace eunuch; court eunuch; inner-court official
A male palace official—historically often a eunuch—serving within the royal household and inner court.
Literal meaning
inner official
Cultural context
Naegwan performed administrative, ceremonial, communication, and personal-service duties close to the monarch and royal family. Rank and responsibilities varied across time.
How dramas use it
A trusted naegwan announces visitors, carries royal orders, protects confidential information, advises the crown prince, or becomes a crucial witness to palace events.
Usage & formality
Eunuch is often accurate in Joseon drama contexts, but palace official or court eunuch may better preserve the role rather than reducing the character to bodily status.