The King of Legend
The King of Legend is a 2010 South Korean historical drama based on King Geunchogo of Baekje. Besides historical information from the historical texts Samguk sagi and Samguk yusa, it was also inspired by a novel written by Lee Munyeol, a renowned Korean writer. The drama aired on KBS1 in South Korea, and internationally through KBS World.
Synopsis
The drama tells the story of a 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 Baekje's political power that was the greatest height of Baekje's power. The initial video references 2010 Seoul at the site of Pungnaptoseong then flashes back 1,700 years to Hanseong, Baekje in which the subject declares to make a new kingdom on that land near the West Sea. Yeogu, the ousted Prince, is banished to a life of selling salt to suppress any fears that he, being the second son, could attempt to take over the throne. The film about Yeogu's return to the kingdom displays many epic war scenes with Goguryeo, who feels the kingdom was stolen from him and deceives Baekje.This King is not Gwanggaeto but Baekje's King Geunchogo, who seized and ruled a Chinese region at least 60 years ahead of Gwanggaeto.
Cast
- Kam Woo-sung as Prince Buyeo Gu
- Kim Ji-soo as Buyeo Hwa
- Lee Jong-won as King Sayu or Gogugwon of Goguryeo
- Lee Ji-hoon as Hae Gun
- Ahn Jae-mo as Jin Seung
- Lee Se-eun as Wi Hongran
- Yoon Seung-won as King Biryu of Baekje
- Seo In-seok as Heukganggong Sahul
- Choi Myung-gil as Haebi Hae Sosul
- Kim Do-yeon as Jinbi Jin Saha
- Lee Jong-soo as Buyeo Chan
- Lee Byung-wook as Buyeo Hwi
- Kim Tae-hoon as Buyeo San
- Han Jin-hee as King Gye
- Ahn Shin-woo as Buyeo Min
- Choi Ji-na as Seok Rahae
- Hwang Dong-Joo as Buyeo Mun
- Kim Bo-mi as So-Haebi
- Jung Woong-in as Wi Birang
- Kang Sung-jin as Payun
- Kim Hyo-won as Jwapyeong Jin Jeong
- Kim Gi-bok as Jwapyeong Hae Nyeong
- Kim Hyeong-il as Jin Godo
- Jung Ui-Kap as Bu Gantae
- Kim Eung-soo as Jobul
- Jeon Byung-ok as General Ko Naja
- Park Chul-ho as Ko Chisu
- Won Seok-Yeon as Sou
- Kim Joo-young as Onjo
- Lee Deok-hwa as King Dongmyeong of Goguryeo
- Jung Ae-ri as Soseono
- Park Jung-woo as Yuri
- Han Jung-soo as Bok Gugeom
- Uhm Kyung-wan as Naman
- Jeon Gwang-jin as Sagi
- Hahm Eun-jung as Jin Ai
- Qri as Princess Buyeo Jin
- Lee In as Ajikai
- Park Geon-il as Soekkop
- Jung Hong-chae as Dugo
- Jin Sung as Sosurim of Goguryeo
- *Jung Yoon-seok as young Go Gu-bu
Production notes
Ungniha River, mentioned in the drama is now known as Han River in Seoul.Hansan is also one of the former names of Seoul, after Wiryeseong, Hanyang, Hanseong and Gyeongseong.- The Seven-Branched Sword, 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'.
- 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 Chogo over those of 8th Eoraha, King Goi. It was reflected in his reign name,Geunchogo. The ascendancy lasted until the 31st and last the Eoraha of Baekje, King Uija 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 Geungusu when the Baekje Army captured Goguryeo's capital of Nampyeongyangseong.