Injo bowed his head to the ground 9 times in front of the Qing emperor. Rock bottom.

After the Manchu invasion of 1636, King Injo surrendered at Namhansanseong and performed the sambaegugodu — three kneelings and nine prostrations — before the Qing emperor Hong Taiji. On a specially built platform. In front of his entire court. This was the most humiliating moment in Joseon history. And honestly? It was completely avoidable. Gwanghaegun had been managing the Ming-Qing transition just fine until Injo's coup replaced him with pro-Ming hardliners. Karma speedrun.