The Legend (TV series)

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Legend

Original title card
Format Historical/Fantasy Drama
Created by Kim Jong Hak, Song Ji Na
Directed by Kim Jong Hak, Yoon Sang Ho
Starring Bae Yong Joon
Moon So-ri
Lee Ji-ah
Choi Min Soo
Country of origin Flag of South Korea South Korea
No. of episodes 24
Production
Running time 60 per episode
Broadcast
Original channel MBC
Original run September 11, 2007 – December 5, 2007
External links
Official website

Legend (Korean: 태왕사신기, Hanja: 太王四神記) is a South Korean TV series created by Kimjonghak Production that aired on MBC.

The story is loosely based on the legend of Dangun and Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo. The story also adds mythical elements of the Four Symbols depicted in fantasy form as the four guardians who serve the king of Jyushin. The addition of fantasy to a Korean historical drama (사극) makes this series unique and distinguishes itself from its predecessors in Korean television series. The characters also speak in a modernized Korean language which marks a departure from a typical historical drama.

Contents

[edit] Alternate English titles

An English reading of the original Korean title is Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi. "Tae Wang" refers to the title used by kings of Goguryeo, and means "the Great King."

"Sa Shin" literally translates to "four gods," however, a more accurate description of "Sa Shin" would be "four guardians" because the Sa Shins are mythical creatures that serve the Great King. Although they possess supernatural powers, they are not deities. Rather, they are servants of god of heaven.

Hence, literal translations of the title have yielded English titles such as The Story of the Great King and the Four Gods, The Story of the First King's Four Gods.

[edit] Plot

A long time ago, a tribe that respected the tiger and controlled fire called the Ho-jok (Tiger Tribe), ruled the world. They eliminated and assimilated all tribes except the tribe that respected the bear, called the Ung-jok (Bear Tribe). The Tiger Tribe and the Bear Tribe fought, and Hwanung could not bear to see so many people getting killed. He brought the three gods of nature; Baek-Ho (백호, the White Tiger), Cheong-Ryong (청룡, the Green Dragon), and Hyeon-Mu (현무, the Black Turtle-Snake). He removed the power of fire from the leader of the Tiger Tribe, Gajin, sealed the power into an artifact called the Heart of Ju-Jak (주작, the Red Phoenix), and gave it to the woman he loved; Se-o. However, Gajin was mortally wounded while attacking another tribe, and she seemed to die until Hwanung healed her. This thoroughly convinced Gajin to not make a grudge against Hwanung. When her tribe were revived to take back the power of fire, they didn't listen to Gajin and decided to attack the Bear Tribe. Gajin then slew her tribe's council with her own blade, and escapes from her own tribe and heads towards the Bear Tribe, deciding to become Hwanung's woman. However, Hwanung likes Se-o and declared his love for her, not knowing that Gajin was watching them secretly when this took place. Gajin was infuriated by this and began reforming the Tiger Tribe and attacked the Bear Tribe. Unfortunately, this was the time when Se-o was pregnant, and when she had given birth, the baby was kidnapped by Gajin who offered Se-o a deal to trade her baby for the power of fire. When Se-o refuses Gajin, Gajin responds by dropping Se-o's baby from a cliff, leading to Se-o going out of control and releasing the Heuk-Jujak (Dark Phoenix), even though Hwanung had saved the baby. (Note: Jujak is roughly the equivalent of Phoenix.) Hwanung's subordinates, the White Tiger, the Green Dragon and the Black Turtle-Snake fought the Dark Phoenix, but they were no match for it. Left with no choice, Hwanung used his Heavenly Bow to kill Se-o, the source of the power of the Dark Phoenix, and managed to seal it once again in the heart of the Red Phoenix. Gajin committed suicide by jumping from the cliff because she now "had no reason to live in this world any more." Hwanung sealed the powers of the 'Four Gods' (The Red Phoenix, White Tiger, Green Dragon, and the Black Turtle-Snake) in certain artifacts and left them in the care of certain people, telling them that they will wake when the King of Jushin is born.

Many centuries later, Damdeok, the reincarnation of the son of Hwanung, was born. Along with him, the artifacts of the guardians of the King were born. Damdeok met difficulties in becoming the king of Goguryeo, mainly because of Yeon Hogae who mistook Damdeok for the murderer of his mother, and his father who turned the king's parliament against him.

[edit] Characters

Damdeok (담덕)
the prince of Goguryeo, and also the reincarnation of the son of Hwanwung. (It should be noted that he looked very similar to Hwanwung in the drama.) He came across a girl named Kiha while he was reading a book at night, and later came to her again to ask her to heal his father who was poisoned by Hogae's mother. He had grown to a pleasant young man, but in his heart he always suffered because of Hogae's mother who had committed suicide, causing Hogae to believe that Damdeok killed her. He was later found to be the destined King of Jushin. In order to protect him before he becomes the king, he asked him to not show his true self to anyone, where in he pretended that he has no skills especially in fighting. The image he showed to everyone was not hidden just by him and his father but he also trusted Kiha about him being a good fighter. It also helped him not to be touch by people who wanted the throne, they didn't see him as a threat.
As a king, he was despised by the leaders of the four tribes that form his parliament for several reasons. However, he proves himself to be an excellent fighter and a schemer who can win entire castles without a single casualty on both sides. This was done by avoiding killing, and instead providing love for his future people. Despite being betrayed by his officials still he saw them as his people.
He was enraged at the idea of the tribal leaders that the king of Jushin must be a powerful warrior who can command his army to dominate the world easily. His intention was to unite the world as a brother, not as a conquerer.
At the end of the series, he realizes that the task of the King of Jushin was to answer the gods whether humans needed their help to continue surviving. He answers by unsummoning the heavenly artifacts of heaven to avoid killing more people especially Kiha who was then about to release her power which would consume the world again (Cheongung/천궁: literally Heavenly Bow and of the Four Gods. The answer he told the gods was that he that he should return the powers and that humans could carry on by themselves.
Sujini (수지니)
The reincarnation of Se-o. When she was just a little baby, she was hidden in a pot of beans by her sister to avoid her from danger. Then a tribe adorning white cloaks found her. It was after they saw an explosion, there they found Sujini and saw a heart-black sign on her forehead so they believed that she was the one who could release the black phoenix. The leader was about to kill her, however, one person, Hyeon Go, denied having seen anything that prevented the baby from being killed. He promised if they proved that she is the one, he will kill her with his own hands.
Sujini was pick up as an orphan by Hyeon Go and considered him as her teacher. Growing up in the tribe where men are her companions she developed a boyish traits, but still she was kept by the tribe tenderly. Sujini’s life was hard so she really "loved" money especially used it for buying wine. The way she earned money was quite interesting and funny. She met Damdeok by chance one day while she was getting in somewhat little trouble and Damdeok helped her. Naturally, they had become friends since then. When she got into trouble again, they were watching a polo games. Therefore one more time Damdeok helped her. At that time she discovered that he is actually a prince.
Damdeok frequently sneaked out of his palace into the streets. Sujini and Damdeok often wandered together and she commonly helped him when he got into trouble. Their relationship was strengthened over time. Sujini also gave a big contribution helping Damdeok to recognize himself as the king of Jushin (because of the conflict with Hogae). She always tagged along with him, even onto the battlefield. When she discovered that she was the one that would release the black sparrow she chose to live alone. She thus moved away without Damdeok's knowledge. After many years, they met again but Damdeok had by then realized she was the one he truly loved.
Kiha (기하)
The mistress of the Dark Phoenix. She was born as a princess in a province of Baekje. On the day of the arrival of the King of Jushin, the forces of Hwacheon struck the province and killed everyone in sight. Before being killed by the warriors, Kiha's mother instructed her to protect her sister, Sujini, no matter what. Kiha obeyed by hiding Sujini in a pot of beans, before fainting in the smoke caused by the fire that the Hwacheon forces started. While unconscious, the heart of the Phoenix exploded in a form of watery energy, extinguishing the fire to save her, thus showing that it choses her as the owner. She was discovered shortly afterwards by Saryang, the master-of-fights of Hwacheon, and taken to the base of Hwacheon clan. The Daejangro put a curse on her to control her, while using her power of the Phoenix to regain his youth. She was trained in martial arts by Saryang, who developed an elder-brotherly feeling for her (although he treated her with high respect to his death).
She met Damdeok by chance one night in the royal library and began to fall for him. Their relationship was going well, until the day that Damdeok's father faked his death as an assassination by Kiha to prevent any harm on Damdeok. She became a cold person since, especially after seeing Damdeok having a good time with Sujini. She came to think herself to have been 'used'. Later finding that she was pregnant, she decided to reform the whole of Goguryeo for her child. She went as far as deciding Hogae to be suitable for the father for her child. At the end of the series, she explodes as the Dark Phoenix, and indirectly helps Damdeok to understand his task as the king of Jushin.
Hogae (호개)
The rival of Damdeok. At first he was very open and pleasant towards Damdeok, but after his mother's death he resolved to take revenge. This was combined with his character changing devastingly to a cold, cool type from a warm, pleasant person. He had been winning many battles as early as his teens, and grew to a powerful warrior. He joined Hwacheon to kill Damdeok. He was killed by Damdeok in the last battle after killing Damdeok's right-hand general, Gouchung. Damdeok impaled him with the very spear that Hogae used to kill Gouchung. However, Damdeok's look showed great remorse even as he threw the spear, and possibly Hogae came to understand him in his final moments. (His face at death was not enraged. Instead, his eyes were tearful and pure, perhaps implying that he understood Damdeok finally.)
Hyeongo (현고)
The leader of the Geomul village and the master of Hyeonmu. He carries a stick given to him when he was appointed as the leader of Geomul. This stick is the Heavenly Artifact of the Black Turtle-Snake. He is slightly irresponsible and does not act his age enough. Sure enough, he cheated customers by claiming to be an astrologer. He was the leader of the masters of the Four Gods, and was therefore to identify the King of Jushin and serve him. Damdeok called him his 'Teacher' and asked him to teach him the basics of a king. He presumably died when Damdeok unsummoned the power of heaven and sent it back. (Note: the drama certainly showed him clutching his chest in pain, but his final fate was never shown. It is only presumed that he died since Damdeok died in that incident.)

[edit] Reference to the Korean mythology

Further information: Korean mythology
  • Hwanung (환웅): A son of the god in the heavenly world. He had longed to live in the surface world for long until he was finally given permission to do so. He was said to have brought three Guardians of the world: the Blue Dragon, the White Tiger and the Black Turtle-snake. After marrying a woman who was born as a bear, he had a son and returned to the Heaven.

His heavenly artifact is the Cheongung (천궁) which normally takes the form of a fancy cylinder and enlarges to form a glowing white bow. It is said to be able to either kill or give life to anyone it shoots. It is used to kill the leader of the Hwacheon clan in the last episode. And its destruction means the death of the King of Jushin and the unsummoning of the Heavenly power.

The Blue Dragon
The Blue Dragon
  • Blue Dragon (청룡/Cheong-Ryong): The ruler of the East and the guardian of the clouds, hence the alternative name Unsa (운사/雲師: Cloudmaster).

Its heavenly artifact is a bluish stone that looks slightly like a shellfish. It is said to activate when "The King of Jushin feels 'cold mercy' in his heart." When activated, it can weaken the power of the wielder of fire. It was also shown to speed the healing of its master when in physical contact with him.

The White Tiger
The White Tiger
  • White Tiger (백호/Baek-Ho): The ruler of the West and the guardian of the winds, hence the alternative name Pungbaek (풍백/風伯: Windleader).

Its heavenly artifact is a white twisted piece of metal. It awakens when "The King of Jushin feels 'pure courage' in his heart."

The Black Turtle-snake
The Black Turtle-snake
  • Black Turtle-Snake (현무/Hyeon-Mu): The ruler of the North and the guardian of the rain, hence the alternative name Usa (우사/雨師: Rainmaster).

Its heavenly artifact is a black cylinder that is usually shaped as a long twisted walking stick. It awakens when "The King of Jushin feels 'dark rage' in his heart." When it awakens, the time stops along with everything other than its master and the King of Jushin, enabling the leader of the Four Guardians to identify the King.

The Dark Phoenix
The Dark Phoenix
  • Crimson Sparrow (주작/Jujak): The ruler of the South and the guardian of the fire. It is not a subordinate of Hwanung, and was portrayed as becoming evil when its 'host' is engulfed with anger. Unlike its actual incarnation, it controls fire, resembling Bonghwang (봉황) more than Jujak.

Its heavenly artifact is a large red gem orb. It awakens when "The King of Jushin feels 'burning passion' in his heart." It glows in red when activated.

For the first time in Korea, a king has been associated with the Four Gods. King Gwanggaeto is generally considered as one of the greatest rulers in the history of Korea. The Four Guardians were found engraved in his tomb (as in any other king's), inspiring the drama.

[edit] Casts

Major Casts

  • Bae Yong Jun (배용준) as Damdeok / Hwanung
  • Moon So-ri (문소리) as Seo Giha / Gajin
  • Lee Ji-ah (이지아) as Sujini / Se-o
  • Oh Kwang-rok (오광록) as Hyeon-go
  • Choi Min-soo (최민수) as Daejangro(Leader) of Hwacheon Clan
  • Yoon Tae-young (윤태영) as Yeon Hogae
  • Park Sang-won (박상원) as Yeon Garyo

Other casts

  • Park Seong Min (박성민) as Saryang
  • Philip Lee (이필립) as Cheoro
  • Park Sung-Woong (박성웅) as Jumuchi
  • Lee Da-Hee (이다희) as Gakdan
  • Yoo Seung-Ho (유성호) as young Damdeok
  • Park Eun-Bin (박은빈) as young Giha
  • Oh Seung-Yoon (오성윤) as young Hyeon-go
  • Shim Eun-Kyung (심은경) as young Sujini
  • Kim Ho-Young (김호영) as young Hogae

[edit] Ratings

The film started with a rating of 21.6%, making it 3rd highest drama rating.

  • 1st: 21.6 (3rd)
  • 2nd: 27.7 (1st)
  • 3rd: 28.3 (1st)
  • 4th: 33.3 (1st)
  • 5th: 33.1 (1st)
  • 6th: 25.3 (1st)
  • 7th: 33.0 (1st)
  • 8th: 26.4 (2nd)
  • 9th: 29.3 (1st)
  • 10th: 28.6 (1st)
  • 11th: 29.7 (1st)
  • 12th: 30.2 (1st)
  • 13th: 30.4 (1st)
  • 14th: 29.0 (1st)
  • 15th: 31.0 (1st)
  • 16th: 31.0 (1st)
  • 17th: 31.9 (1st)
  • 18th: 31.5 (1st)
  • 19th: 32.8 (1st)
  • 20th: 32.1 (1st)
  • 21st: 33.4 (1st)
  • 22nd: 32.9 (1st)
  • 23rd: 34.6 (1st)
  • 24th: 35.7 (1st)

Note: Seoul only

Source: tnsmk.co.kr

[edit] Awards and Nominations

  • MBC Won, Best Drama
  • MBC Won, Highest Award 대상 (Bae Yong Jun)
  • MBC Won, Populartiy Award (Bae Yong Jun)
  • MBC Won, Popularity Award (Lee Ji Ah)
  • MBC Won, Best New Actress (Lee Ji Ah)
  • MBC Won, Best Couple Award (Lee Ji Ah and Bae Yong Jun)
  • MBC Nominated, Top Excellence in Acting 최우수상 (Choi Min Soo)
  • MBC Nominated, Best New Actor (Lee Philip)
  • MBC Nominated, Popularity Award (Choi Min Soo)

[edit] International Broadcasting

[edit] Philippines

[edit] References

[edit] External links