Post by ajk on Mar 29, 2012 1:04:05 GMT -5
I've had a chance to get a look at the first episode in advance of the Friday view date. For other history novices like me who watch it, here's a little bit of historical background that will help you settle in. No spoilers; just some information that predates the episode and sets the scene for the beginning of the series.
QSD is set in the kingdom of Shilla, during the "Three Kingdoms" period. Shilla occupied the southeast part of the Korean peninsula; Baekje occupied the southwest, and Goguryeo (remember Dae Joyoung?) was to the north. The series begins in the year 572 AD, when Jinheung was Shilla's king. Jinheung rose to the throne in 540 (but was only seven years old at the time and so his mother initially acted as regent).
Prior to 572, the borders of the three kingdoms had been shifting because of shifting alliances. Jinheung had allied Shilla with Baekje in 551 and attacked Goguryeo, successfully acquiring valuable territory to their north--including the Han River. Goguryeo had taken the Han valley from Baekje in 475; Baekje reclaimed the valley, and Shilla acquired the upper Han to the east. But then Shilla secretly changed allegiances, allying with Goguryeo and attacking Baekje in 553, conquering the Han valley for itself.
Which didn't sit well with Baekje, can you blame them. Baekje struck back at Shilla the following year, but not only was the attack a failure, Baekje's King Seong was killed in the process. So the series starts with lingering animosity in the air.
I think that's sufficient, but if anybody else wants to add anything that will prove useful, please do.
QSD is set in the kingdom of Shilla, during the "Three Kingdoms" period. Shilla occupied the southeast part of the Korean peninsula; Baekje occupied the southwest, and Goguryeo (remember Dae Joyoung?) was to the north. The series begins in the year 572 AD, when Jinheung was Shilla's king. Jinheung rose to the throne in 540 (but was only seven years old at the time and so his mother initially acted as regent).
Prior to 572, the borders of the three kingdoms had been shifting because of shifting alliances. Jinheung had allied Shilla with Baekje in 551 and attacked Goguryeo, successfully acquiring valuable territory to their north--including the Han River. Goguryeo had taken the Han valley from Baekje in 475; Baekje reclaimed the valley, and Shilla acquired the upper Han to the east. But then Shilla secretly changed allegiances, allying with Goguryeo and attacking Baekje in 553, conquering the Han valley for itself.
Which didn't sit well with Baekje, can you blame them. Baekje struck back at Shilla the following year, but not only was the attack a failure, Baekje's King Seong was killed in the process. So the series starts with lingering animosity in the air.
I think that's sufficient, but if anybody else wants to add anything that will prove useful, please do.
