 |  Running out of stories from the Joseon Kingdom, Korea’s major TV networks have turned their eyes to the ancient Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo (57 BC-668 AD), Baekje (18 BC-660 AD), and Silla (57 BC-935 AD). MBC started its TV drama “Jumong” on May 15, which focuses on the foundation of Goguryeo.
On the other hand, SBS’s “Yeon Gaesomun” portrays the fall of Goguryeo, the most powerful kingdom of the Three Kingdoms Period. Yeon Gaesomun was a general who led Goguryeo soldiers to fight against China’s Tang Dynasty (618-907), and successfully defended his country.
The first episode, aired on July 8, showed the historical battle between Goguryeo and the Tang Dynasty at Ansi Castle, where 100,000 Guguryeo people lived. In 645, the Chinese king and his army headed to Ansi Castle. The Chinese and Goguryeo soldiers fought 6-7 times a day for 90 days. The battle is known as the “Battle of Ansi Castle.”
During the fierce battles, the Chinese king lost one of his eyes. He got shot in his left eye by an arrow. However, he was not afraid. He kept fighting without his one eye. When Yeon Gaesomun rushed in to kill the Chinese king, the Chinese soldiers sneaked their king out of the bloody battlefield.
Despite its popularity, this TV epic causes controversy since it combines historical facts and figures with fictional plots. According to a government-approved history textbook, Yeon Gaesomun did not fight at Ansi Castle. In fact, Yang Man-chun, the lord of Ansi Castle, defeated hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers. Deeply moved by Yang’s courage and loyalty, the Chinese king sent 100 rolls of silk to Yang. |
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