What am I missing here?

I’ve recently started The Rookie Historian. This is the second Kdrama I’ve watched that talks about palace eunuchs who have wives. We all know what a eunuch is, which is an enormous relief to me. That way I don’t have to spell it out. But eunuchs with wives? Someone needs to do some explaining! ~Pat

Oh too funny. I'm watching it also and said to myself 'we need to do a post on Eunuchs.' Pat & I think too much alike sometimes. So here goes....

Historically in Asia eunuchs were an important component of palace life. It was assumed that since their testorone levels were low, eunuchs would not want to dethrone kings or to create a dynasty; in short they could be trusted. So, they were oftentimes employed as companions to the royal family, imperial guards, or members of court. Interestingly depending on the surgical details of their 'eunuch-ing' (I just made that word up) some were able to have intercourse and frequently had wives and families although they could not father children. One interesting tidbit is that eunuchs could also be taller and stronger than the general population. In our Joseon period Kdramas the eunuchs are easily identified by their distinctive clothing. Also, many of the featured eunuchs had humorous and endearing relationships with the royal family; kind of like a favorite confidant. Great supporting actors!