The King of Legend
Encyclopedia
The King of Legend is the alternate title for the King Geunchogo,a historic drama based on King Geunchogo of Baekje
.Besides than the historic info obtained from Samguk Sagi
and Samguk Yusa
,It was also inspired by a novel written by Lee Munyeol
,a renowned Korean writer.The drama was aired on KBS 1TV
in Korea,and internationally through KBS World
.
Do you know about King Geunchogo?
People who have climbed Mt. Baekdu say they feel angry. The sacred mountain of the Korean people is divided in half—one half called Mt. Jangbaek belongs to China.
China's historical distortions, as evidenced by such, is nothing new. History as recorded by the Chinese is thoroughly distorted from the winner's perspective and Korea has been a victim of this tyranny for at least 1,500 years.
Then why is China bent on distorting Korean history? Is it because of the tomb tablet of the Korean king Gwanggaeto the Great located in Jilin Province?
Who is the king mentioned in the Chinese record that says, "A king has come from Baekje (a Korean dynasty) (百濟到來之王)."
This king is not Gwanggaeto but Baekje's King Geunchogo, who seized and ruled a Chinese region at least 60 years ahead of Gwanggaeto.
And from KBS World website:
I, Geunchogo, am the king of conquest who has been requested from the era to establish the great Baekje Empire. The path towards conquest is blood-stained: Blood of enemies, blood of my people and sometimes blood of my families… I always ask myself as I walk down this bloody road, “is it for the great cause or for my own selfish desire?” When Buyeogu, the son of King Biryu, and his second queen Jin, takes to the throne, he changes his name to Geunchogo meaning that he will succeed the mind of the fifth king of Baekje, Chogo. He was born to be a hero, but his father did not approve him and avoided him, when he was young. Left alone, Geunchogo went through the trauma of being rejected by his father. Every prince dreams of being a king. Geunchogo also dreamed of the empire he would create if he became a king. However, since he is not favored by his father, Geunchogo is expelled from the palace and then lives in his grandfather’s mansion and there learns to be a merchant. Now, since he left the palace, he dreams to travel freely beyond Baekje and all around the world where the ocean will take him. However, fate and time choose the hero and fate has different plans for Geunchogo, which is not the life of a free merchant.
Geunchogo of Baekje
Geunchogo of Baekje was the 13th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He reigned over the apex of Baekje's powers.-Background:...
.Besides than the historic info obtained from Samguk Sagi
Samguk Sagi
Samguk Sagi is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. The Samguk Sagi is written in Classical Chinese and its compilation was ordered by Goryeo's King Injong Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of...
and Samguk Yusa
Samguk Yusa
Samguk Yusa, or Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms, is a collection of legends, folktales, and historical accounts relating to the Three Kingdoms of Korea , as well as to other periods and states before, during, and after the Three Kingdoms period.The text was written in Classical Chinese, which was...
,It was also inspired by a novel written by Lee Munyeol
Yi Munyol
Yi Munyol is a South Korean writer.He was born in Cheongun-dong of Seoul. He attended the Seoul National University, where he studied Korean Language Education. He dropped out in 1970. From 1994 to 1997, he taught Korean language and literature at Sejong University...
,a renowned Korean writer.The drama was aired on KBS 1TV
KBS 1TV
KBS 1TV, the premier channel of the Korean Broadcasting System, previously known as KBS Television in 1961, is the first TV channel in South Korea. It is also the only non-commercial free-to-air television channel in the country....
in Korea,and internationally through KBS World
KBS World
KBS World is a name of Korean Broadcasting System's international broadcasting service. It consists of KBS World Radio and a KBS World television channel.- History :...
.
Synopsis
The 60-episode drama tells the story of King Geunchogo, warrior king of Baekje. Under his reign, the kingdom experienced its glory days, with military conquests that saw him controlling most of the Korean peninsula and a subsequent enhancement of political power that reached its greatest height in Baekje's history.Program Aim
From KBS Website,The mentioned Program aim was:Do you know about King Geunchogo?
People who have climbed Mt. Baekdu say they feel angry. The sacred mountain of the Korean people is divided in half—one half called Mt. Jangbaek belongs to China.
China's historical distortions, as evidenced by such, is nothing new. History as recorded by the Chinese is thoroughly distorted from the winner's perspective and Korea has been a victim of this tyranny for at least 1,500 years.
Then why is China bent on distorting Korean history? Is it because of the tomb tablet of the Korean king Gwanggaeto the Great located in Jilin Province?
Who is the king mentioned in the Chinese record that says, "A king has come from Baekje (a Korean dynasty) (百濟到來之王)."
This king is not Gwanggaeto but Baekje's King Geunchogo, who seized and ruled a Chinese region at least 60 years ahead of Gwanggaeto.
And from KBS World website:
I, Geunchogo, am the king of conquest who has been requested from the era to establish the great Baekje Empire. The path towards conquest is blood-stained: Blood of enemies, blood of my people and sometimes blood of my families… I always ask myself as I walk down this bloody road, “is it for the great cause or for my own selfish desire?” When Buyeogu, the son of King Biryu, and his second queen Jin, takes to the throne, he changes his name to Geunchogo meaning that he will succeed the mind of the fifth king of Baekje, Chogo. He was born to be a hero, but his father did not approve him and avoided him, when he was young. Left alone, Geunchogo went through the trauma of being rejected by his father. Every prince dreams of being a king. Geunchogo also dreamed of the empire he would create if he became a king. However, since he is not favored by his father, Geunchogo is expelled from the palace and then lives in his grandfather’s mansion and there learns to be a merchant. Now, since he left the palace, he dreams to travel freely beyond Baekje and all around the world where the ocean will take him. However, fate and time choose the hero and fate has different plans for Geunchogo, which is not the life of a free merchant.
Cast
- Kam Woo Sung as Prince Bu Yeogu (Buyeo Gu) (Later as 13th Eoraha of Baekje, King Geunchogo)
- Kim Ji-sooKim Ji-sooKim Ji-soo is a South Korean actress.- Career :A graduate of Kaywon Art High School, Kim made her acting debut in 1992. She worked as a television actress for over a decade before branching out into film, saying in an interview that, "I was getting older by the second, and I hated becoming...
as Bu Yeohwa (Buyeo Hwa)
- Lee Jongwon as King Sayu or Gogugwon of GoguryeoGogugwon of GoguryeoKing Gogugwon of Goguryeo was the 16th king of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He was the son of King Micheon and Lady Ju. He's birth name is Sa-Yu. He was made crown prince in 314 and became king upon his father's death...
(16th Taewang of Goguryeo)
- Lee Ji-hoon as Hae Gun (Jwapyeong Hae Nyeong's Son)
- Ahn Jaemo as Jin Seung (Jwapyeong Jin Jeong's Son)
- Lee Se EunLee Se EunLee Se-eun is a South Korean actress. She made her debut in the 2000 romance drama Like It Hot and also appeared in Bloody Beach. In 2003, she took the role of Park Yeol Yi in the popular TV drama Dae Jang Geum. Currently, she starred in the 2010 historical drama King Geunchogo as Wi Hong Ran and...
as Wi Hongran (Wi Birang's sister)
- Yoon Seung Won as King BiryuBiryu of BaekjeBiryu of Baekje was the 11th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. According to the Samguk Sagi, he was second son of the 6th king Gusu and the younger brother of the 7th king Saban...
(Geunchogo's father,11th Eoraha of Baekje)
- Suh In Suk as Heukganggong Sahul (King Biryu's Father)
- Choe Myeonggil as Haebi Hae Sosul (Biryu's 1st Queen; Also known as Wanwoldang,Bu Yeochan's Mother)
- Kim Doyun as Jinbi Jin Saha (Biryu's 2nd Queen;also known as Sosukdang, Bu Yeogu's Mother)
- Lee Jong Soo as Bu Yeochan (Buyeo Chan,Crown Prince of Baekje)
- Lee Byung Wook as Bu Yeohwi (Buyeo Hwi,Wisagun Army Division Commander)
- Kim Tae Hoon as Bu Yeosan (Buyeo San)
- Han Jinhui as King GyeGye of BaekjeGye of Baekje was the 12th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.He was the eldest son of the 10th king Bunseo, who was assassinated. The Samguk Sagi records that Biryu became king because of Gye's young age...
(known as Bu Yeojun,son of 10th Eoraha of Baekje,King Bunseo,head of Wiryegung faction.Later proclaimed as the 12th Eoraha of Baekje)
- Ahn Shin Woo as Bu Yeomin (Buyeo Min)
- Choi Jina as Seok Rahae (Buyeo Min's wife)
- Hwang Dong Joo as Bu Yeomun (Buyeo Mun)
- Jung Woong In as Wi Birang (Leader of Danbeomhoe; grandson of King Mayeo of Former DongbuyeoDongbuyeoDongbuyeo was an ancient Korean kingdom that developed from Bukbuyeo, until conquered by the early Goguryeo, which then grew into one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea...
(East Buyeo) Kingdom)
- Kang Sung Jin as Payun (Bu Yeogu's men)
- Kim Hyo Won as Jwapyeong Jin Jeong (Leader of the Jin Clan)
- Kim Gibok as Jwapyeong Hae Nyeong (Leader of Hae Clan)
- Kim Hyeongil as Jin Godo (Wisagun Division General)
- Jung Ui Kap as Bu Gantae (Leader of Malgal Tribe)
- Kim Eungsu as Jobul (Prime Minister of Goguryeo)
- Jun Byung Ok as General Ko Naja (Goguyreo Army Commander)
- Park Chul Ho as Ko Chisu (Goguryeo Army General)
- Won Suk Yun as Sou (Goguryeo Minister)
- Kim Joo Young as OnjoOnjo of BaekjeOnjo was the founding monarch of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. According to the Samguk Sagi, he was the ancestor of all Baekje kings.- Background :...
(1st Eoraha of Baekje)
- Lee Deokhwa as King Dongmyeongseong of GoguryeoDongmyeongseong of GoguryeoKing Dongmyeong of Goguryeo or Dongmyeongseongwang , which literally means "Holy King of the East". also known by his birth name Jumong, was the founding monarch of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. In the Gwanggaeto Stele, he is called Chumo-wang ...
(Go Jumong,1st Taewang of Goguryeo)
- Jeong Aeri as SoseonoSo Seo-noSoseono was the wife of King Dongmyeong , and remembered as a key figure in the founding of both Goguryeo and Baekje...
(King Dongmyeongseong's 2nd Consort,later Founder of Baekje)
- Park Jung Woo as YuriYuri of GoguryeoKing Yuri was the second ruler of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He was the eldest son of the kingdom's founder King Dongmyeongseong. As with many other early Korean rulers, the events of his life are known largely from the Samguk Sagi.- Background :Yuri was the son...
(Later as 2nd Taewang of Goguryeo)
- Han Jung Soo as Bok Gugeom (cameo,Bu Yeogu's men.Later known as Mok Nageumja)
- Uhm Kyung Wan as Naman
- Jun Gwangjin as Sagi (Son of late dalsol Sa Chungseon)
- Ham Eun-jeongHam Eun-jeongHam Eun-jeong is a South Korean idol singer, rapper, dancer and actress. She rose to prominence with her status as a member of K-pop girl group T-ara.- Biography :...
as Jin Ayi (Jin Godo's daughter)
- QriLee QriLee Ji Hyun , better known by her stage name Qri, is a South Korean idol, singer, actress and member of K-pop girl group T-ara.- Biography :Qri was born on 12 December 1986. Her birth name is Lee Ji Hyun ....
as Princess Bu Yeojin
- Lee In as Ajikgi
- Park Gun Il as Soekkop (later as GeungusuGeungusu of BaekjeGeungusu of Baekje was the 14th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Geungusu was the eldest son of the 13th king Geunchogo, and father to the 15th king Chimnyu and the 16th king Jinsa.- Background and rise to the throne :...
,14th Eoraha of Baekje)
- Jung Hong Chae as Dugo ((Danbeomhoe General,later appointed as one of the Generals in Baekje Army,and later Mok Gohae)
Trivia
- Ungniha River (욱리하; 郁里河),mentioned in the drama is now known as Hangang RiverHan River (Korea)The Han River is a major river in South Korea and the fourth longest river on the Korean peninsula after the Amnok, Duman, and Nakdong rivers. It is formed by the confluence of the Namhan River , which originates in Mount Daedeok, and the Bukhan River , which originates on the slopes of Mount...
(한강;漢江) in Seoul.
- Hansan (한산,閑山) is also one of the former names of SeoulSeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
,after Wiryeseong (위례성; 慰禮城-Baekje Era),Hanju ( 한주; 漢州-Silla era), Namgyeong (남경; 南京- Goryeo era), Hanseong (한성; 漢城,-Baekje and Joseon era), Hanyang (한양; 漢陽,-Joseon era), and Gyeongseong (경성; 京城,Japanese colonial era).
- The Seven-Branched SwordSeven-Branched SwordThe Seven-Branched Sword , also known as the Seven-Pronged Sword, the Seven-Branched Knife, the Seven-Pronged Spear, Nanatsusaya no Tachi in Nihon shoki, Chiljido in Korea is a 74.9 cm long iron sword with six branch-like protrusions along the central blade originally made in Baekje Korea,...
(칠지도,七支刀,Chiljido in Korean),(七支刀 ,七枝刀,shichishitō or nanatsusaya no tachi in Japanese) marks the friendly relationship between the Baekje Kingdom and Japan,during his reign.
- The title of the Kings in this drama differs,as Kings of Baekje were known as 'Eoraha' ,while Goguryeo is known as 'Taewang' (태왕,太王).
- When he reclaimed the throne of Baekje upon the death of King Gye in 346,it marks the end of the alternating kingship of two lines,and sealed the permanent ascendancy of the descendants of 5th Eoraha, King ChogoChogo of BaekjeChogo of Baekje was the fifth king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.-Background:He was the son of King Gaeru....
over those of 8th Eoraha, King GoiGoi of BaekjeGoi of Baekje was the 8th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He was the second son of the 4th king Gaeru and younger brother of the 5th king Chogo.-Background:...
.It was reflected in his reign name,Geunchogo.The ascendancy lasted until the 31st and last Eoraha of Baekje,King UijaUija of BaekjeUija of Baekje was the 31st and final ruler of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. His reign ended when Baekje was conquered by the alliance of the rival Korean kingdom Silla and China's Tang Dynasty.- Background :...
when he surrendered when Baekje was conquered by Silla-Tang forces in 660.
- King Sayu,or Gogugwon of Goguryeo would be later killed by Geunchogo's son,Crown Prince GeungusuGeungusu of BaekjeGeungusu of Baekje was the 14th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Geungusu was the eldest son of the 13th king Geunchogo, and father to the 15th king Chimnyu and the 16th king Jinsa.- Background and rise to the throne :...
(later as 14th Eoraha of Baekje) when the Baekje Army captured Goguryeo's capital of Nampyeongyangseong (South Pyeongyang Fortress;present-day PyongyangPyongyangPyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
,North Korea).