And the "prequel", showing the founding of the Koryo empire (circa 900 AD),
A new series will show soon, taking place around the year 1799. i expect to see the subtitled version in a few weeks. Any advance information would be appreciated.
These TV shows are Korean Historical Dramas (read: Soap Opera).
No, i can't understand Korean, but i am very fluent in subtitles. i like it because it's history brought to life. As a matter of fact, there is a lot about these dramas that make them interesting:
Currently, "Emperor Wang Guhn" is shown with subtitles Fridays and Saturdays, 11pm to Midnight on Channel 28 WOCH-LP, a low power station in Chicago. Channel 28 also shows advance episodes (i.e. stuff we English-readers haven't seen yet), but they are only in Korean, no help for the non-Korean.
You've probably stumbled on these pages because you relied on the shows' transliteration. for the "correct" spelling of names.
Most of the shows i've seen take place during the Yi Dynasty (Chosun period) in Korean history, which spans from the 13th century until the 19th Century. Each drama follows the life of a particular ruler, and the politics that surround the King.
i got into "Korean Historical Dramas" about this time last year because i was flipping channels, and saw these cute kids. Since it had subtitles, i got drawn into wondering "What's gonna happen next with these kids?" The drama, "Chang Nok Soo", was following the life and times of King Yeon San (who, i guess is portrayed as tyrannical, according to "official" history) and his concubine, Chang Nok Soo (also spelled Jang Nok Soo).
"Cho Kwang Jo" follows the life of a scholar who started to become prominent just after King Yeon San (translated as Yon San everywhere except "Chang Nok Soo") is deposed is king, and his (initially) wimpy half-brother is made King. Interestingly , the actor who played Yeon San in "Chang Nok Soo" also has the title role of "Cho Kwang Jo." The King finally stood up to Park Won-jong, who led the coup that put the "puppet" King in power. But now he has to stand up against the conservative faction (which includes many coup leaders) on one side and his mother on another if he wishes to bring back the woman he loves (his first wife and the initial Queen, Lady Shin; she was banished to Chung-duk Palace for being the daughter of Yon-san's closest officials--translation: politics). Cho Kwang Jo had appeared in about 45% (or less) of the show, but seemed a real influence in history--until politics took away his reforms.
"West Palace", which aired in Chicago from Sep'95 to Feb'96, took place during the reign of King Kwanghae at the turn of the 17th century. Like Yeon San, he was deposed in a coup. To the people, he seemed to be a tyrant, but the show portrayed him as a good man being heavily manipulated by
court officials.
"Tears of the Dragon" is a bit different in that, instead of 52 episodes (like the other series), this one goes to 162 (more than 3 years, if 1 episode played each week!). This series takes place at the founding of the Yi Dynasty, and the rough new rule of this family. I missed the first 30 episodes or so due to a time change in the airing of this type of series. What I gathered: King T'aejo was the founder of the Yi Dynasty. Sambong was his trusted advisor, and Bang-won is T'aejo's eldest son, from his first wife (who did not live to become Queen). Sambong wanted power to go from the king to the court. Sambong's followers helped make a younger son of T'aejo's second wife (the Queen) Crown Prince. Bang-won gathered up forces to lead a rebellion which led to the death of the Crown Prince, the death of Sambong, and the eventual abdication of the King.
The story takes some twists when Bang-won chooses not to become Crown Prince, but rather gives that title to a brother. Bang-won, who is really the one in control now, also puts into effect some policies of Sambong (Bang-won previously dismissed Sambong as a power monger, but grew to respect his intelligence).
Later on, Bangwon ruins the lives of several people and clans in order to secure power for his third son (the first son intentionally ran around with beggars to have the title of Crown Prince removed; the second became a Buddhist monk).
So was Bang-won really a bad guy, or did he really have the interests of Korea at heart?
"Emperor Wang Guhn" (also known as "Taejo
Wanggeon") is about the founding of the Koryo dynasty, led by
the house of Wang. This is serious historical stuff. In fact ,
"The set for 'Taejo Wanggeon' attracts many visitors as it is recorded as the biggest outdoor set in Korean drama history."
What I find interesting about these shows are cute kids, the politics,and the "revisionist history" ("Cruel tyrants" are made out to be sympathetic victims of circumstances). There are occasional cheesy martial arts scenes, quite a bit of death, but usually not too explicit. The sex is inferred, but not at all explicit, unlike in America.
For an excellent article on the positives - and negatives - of these dramas, check out this link by You Ha-na
...Is there anyone in America who watches these shows? Please
e-mail me: (
j.p. paulus
) if you do watch these shows, or if you have
questions or comments (even bad ones).
Here's a great history of Korea from the founding of the Koryeo dynasty, from start to finish.
The following is a list of Korean kings who ruled during the Yi Dynasty and the dates of their reigns, as provided by the University
of California-Berkeley. More specific information has been provided by i World. i welcome any new information in this
subject. Also, here's a concise
history of Choson from a Korean web-site. A more detailed history of Koryo,
Early
Choson and Later
Choson dynasties appear here.
Cho Kwang Jo centers on political life during the "rule" of Chungjong.
.
Asian Youth Services
JP Paulus /jp [at] paulus.com
P.O. Box 138428
Chicago IL 60613-8428
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