이 논문은 『수이전』에 실려 있는 선덕왕 설화의 형성 배경을 분석한 것이다. 일문으로 남아 있는 『수이전』에는 선덕왕 설화가 2편 전해지고 있는데, 후대 역사서 편찬에 사료로 활용되었다. 그렇지만 『수이전』에 실려 있는 선덕왕 설화는 선덕왕과 직접적인 관련이 없으며, 선덕왕 사후 신라말 9C경에 형성되었을 가능성이 컸다. 9C는 신라에서 세 번째 여왕인 진성왕이 등장했던 시기이다. 『수이전』 찬자가 선덕왕을 주목했던 이유는 신라의 첫 여왕이었기 때문이었으며, 찬술 의도는 9C대 여왕인 진성왕에 있었다. 『수이전』에서 선덕왕은 남성에게 연모의 대상이 될 정도의 아름다운 ‘여성’이면서, ‘왕’으로서 뛰어난 능력을 갖춘 긍정적인 모습으로 그려지고 있다. 『수이전』 찬자는 도당유학생 출신으로 9C 진성왕대에 활동했던 최치원으로, 당시 여왕이었던 진성왕에 대해 정치적으로 우호적인 입장을 가졌음을 알 수 있었다.
This paper analyzes background of the formation of King Seondeok’s Narative in ‘Suijeon(殊異傳)’. ‘Suijeon’ contains two accounts of King Seondeok, which were utilized as historical sources in works like ‘Samguksagi(三國史記)’ and ‘Samgukyusa(三國遺事)’. However, it is important to note that the narrative of King Seondeok in ‘Suijeon’ has no direct relation to the actual King Seondeok. It is highly probable that this account was fabricated around the 9th century, towards the end of the Silla Dynasty, following the demise of King Seondeok. It was during this time that the third queen, King Jinseong, emerged in the Silla Dynasty. The reason for ‘Suijeon’ author’s interest in King Seondeok stems from her role as the first queen of Silla. The purpose of writing was likely intended to highlight King Jinseong, who ascended to the throne as a woman in the 9th century. In ‘Suijeon’, King Seondeok is depicted as an alluring ‘woman’ who captivates the admiration of men, as well as a competent ‘king’ with exceptional abilities. It can be seen that the author of ‘Suijeon’ had a friendly attitude towards King Jinseong, who was the queen at the time of the 9th century, and this article focused on Choe Chi-won, who acted as King Jinseong’s closest aide.