The King of Legend (
Korean: 근초고왕;
Hanja: 近肖古王; literally King Geunchogo) is a 2010 South Korean historical drama based on King
Geunchogo of Baekje. Besides historical information from
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
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 ("Bakchi" as referred to in the English subtitles) 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.[1]
This King is not Gwanggaeto but Baekje's King Geunchogo, who seized and ruled a Chinese region at least 60 years ahead of Gwanggaeto.[2]
Han Jin-hee as King
Gye (known as Buyeo Jun, son of 10th Eoraha of Baekje, King Bunseo, head of Wiryegung faction. Later proclaimed as the 12th Eoraha of Baekje)
Ungniha River (욱리하; 郁里河), mentioned in the drama is now known as Hangang River (한강;漢江) in Seoul.
Hansan (한산,閑山) is also one of the former names of
Seoul,after Wiryeseong (위례성; 慰禮城-Baekje era),Hanyang (한양; 漢陽,-Goryeo era),Hanseong (한성; 漢城,-Joseon era),and Gyeongseong (경성; 京城,Japanese colonial era).
The
Seven-Branched Sword (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
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 (later as 14th Eoraha of Baekje) when the Baekje Army captured Goguryeo's capital of Nampyeongyangseong (South Pyeongyang Fortress;present-day
Pyongyang,
North Korea).