Dae Joyeong (drama)

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Dae Joyeong is a Historical drama aired on KBS1. The korean drama Dae Jo-yeong (spelled Dae Jo-young in the English release) is about the life of Dae Jo-yeong, also known as the founder of the kingdom of Balhae

[edit] Background

The drama begins during a war between Tang and Goguryeo before Dae Joyeong is born. Dae Jungsang, Dae Joyeong's father is introduced as a general. When Dae Joyeong is born, a prophecy says that he will become a king. Naturally, this is seen as treachery if there is already a king and since there is, his father flees from the Supreme Commander only to be captured as his wife and son try to escape on a raft. She is later found and captured by the Supreme Commander as well. The Supreme Commander intended to kill them at first but when General Yang Manchun tells him that perhaps the heavens sent Dae Joyeong to protect their country after they die, he changes his mind. General Dae Jungsang (Dae Joyeong's father) is told his wife and son are dead and ordered to command Goryeo Fort. His wife is ordered to never communicate with her son, or be killed along with her son.

[edit] Early Life

Dae Joyeong is raised by the Supreme Commander, Yeon Gaesomun, of Goguryeo as a serf. As a child he is often shown running away from the Supreme Commander's estate and trying to find his parents, not knowing his parents are alive since the Supreme Commander tells him that his parents are dead. He teaches himself to read and fight. He also begs the Supreme Commander's eldest son (Yeon Namsaeng) to allow him to join the martial arts contest because the reward is emancipation (freedom), but he refuses. when he hears the Supreme Commander say that he would accept anyone who had a recommendation from the Grand Martial General Yang Manchun, he runs away to Ansi fortress and impresses Yang Manchun, who wonders if he is Dae Jungsang's son. He tells Yang Manchun that he is a serf and that he wants to be a warrior. Yang Manchun, not wanting to hurt him by letting him think he has a chance, tells him to fight the best fighter (Geol Sa-Biwoo) in Yodong Fort. He surprises everyone and is about to smash his head with a rock when General Yang Manchun stops the fight.