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The wonhwa were a class of cadets in 6th-century Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. It is not clear to what extent they ever engaged in battle. Created in the reign of King Jinheung, the first group of wonhwa consisted of about 300 young people chosen for their beauty and skill. Their leaders were two women. However, after one of them committed murder, the wonhwa class was abolished, and replaced by the all-male hwarang.

Some have suggested that wonhwa might be the origin of the later kisaeng class, but little evidence exists to support this.

[edit] See also

• List of Korea-related topics
• History of Korea
• Hwarang