List of Korean Historical Dramas (1981-2002)

[ohdarlin]

choko said:

Recently, Both Korean and Japanese historians DENY that the woman in that picture is Empress Myoung-sung.

related article 1 (in Korean)
related article 2 (in Korean)

yes, i agree. i watched the drama and they says that though the queen loves to take photo, none of her pictures can be found today. nevertheless, there are many pictures that claimed to be the queen and the purpose is to insult the queen. llike the one above.

[moreshige2]

I wonder what korean society would be like if the nation still retained its royalty.

[florel]

kwoonie said:

Oh dear...I forgot about Hur Jun. Actually Hur Jun was the 2nd historical drama. I got to watch it and it was good too. So that makes Toji the 3rd. Toji spans 3 generations though.

Kwoonie, you are luckier than me.
I couldn't see any of them. I'm so sorry of this unfortunate situation that I'm collecting infos about Korean historical dramas that I have missed since 1995.

I know a little bit about China because I listend a Chinses history class in university (general history not so profound). And when I was young, Hong Kong movies were very popular. On the other hand, I didn't know well about Japan because most of Japanese cultural productions were prohibited in Korea when I was young and I was not interested in Manga genre about which Korean kids had had a contact often with "pirate" versions. Only recently I learned a little bit about Samurais when I watched "The Immortal Yi Soon Shin". (Thanks to KBS and to this forum !) But I know quite nothing about other Asian countries. So I hope they also would make their own historical dramas and movies which could gain international fame. I'm curious of everything. And.. of course I should read more books to escape from my ignorance. ;D

(Oh, Kwoonie, I just read on DJG board that you are Chinese. Sorry for thinking that you're Malaysian. But, in fact, I had a doubt if you were a Chinese because I heard that DJG was very popular in Chinese communities in the whole world. )

cyuser said:

what's with that huge heart shaped thing on her head .. most be very uncomfy.

I found the name of that stuff here (in Korean).

Its name is "Tuh Gu Ji Muhri". Since 1779, it was made of wood in order to lighten the wig's weight.

moreshige2 said:

I wonder what korean society would be like if the nation still retained its royalty.

Koreans should have paid more taxes for the useless royal family.
I'm republican, so I'm happy that Korea is a Republic. ;D


Now I'm viewing "Seoul 1945". Which strikes me is the fact that the social caste existed yet until 1930's-1940's.

In the drama, a Korean aristocrat woman, who was a servant but obtained a noble status (viscountess) under the Japanese regime, intended to kill a maid when she was angry of her. It really shocked me. Along with newbie nobles, the ancient Yang Ban class always continued to exist even though they lost some powers. Only the Korean War swept everything and since then all people became veritably equal.

If the monarchy and the aristocrat class had been retained until now ? I'm quite sure that there would have been a revolution ! Koreans are rebellious people. ;D

[kwoonie]

Hi Florel. So unfortunate you weren't able to watch those historical dramas. I'm looking forward to watch more in the future - the storylines are so much more interesting and gives us a glimpse of life back then. To me, Hong Kong movies and dramas are becoming boring and lack interesting plots. I'm more selective when watching these.

Japanese dramas were so much of a hit just few years back here but the Korean wave has really made most Korean dramas popular. Unfortunately, our stations do not produce much historical dramas, nor are there many historical movies neither.

Oh by the way, I am Malaysian. You are not incorrect. :)I'm a Malaysian of Chinese descent. DJG is definately popular with a lot of Malaysians - be they of Chinese, Malay or Indian descent. DJG has definately gain worldwide fame and popularity. I guess it's really because of DJG's character and the twists and turns of the plot.

I was wondering, the "tuh gu ji muhri" - would you know what is the weight of the wig before it was replaced by wood & how much lighter it became once it was replaced by the wood. It really looks huge.

[florel]

kwoonie said:

I was wondering, the "tuh gu ji muhri" - would you know what is the weight of the wig before it was replaced by wood & how much lighter it became once it was replaced by the wood. It really looks huge.

About 17th - early 18th century, an aristocratic woman died because her neck was broken under the weight of her marriage wig. It's said that it was about 10kg ! Chosunese woman wore palace ceremonial costume when they got married. So I guess "tuh gu ji muhri" made of real hairs was also about 10kg. Perhaps they used light wood instead because long real hairs were very heavy.

I heard that the wig of Sang Gung Ladies in the drama is about 3-4kg, so the poor actresses suffered from headache.

I cannot imagine how one could live under that uncomfortable condition.


It's surprings that DJG is popular everywhere in the world. I must watch it !!! Absolutely !!!

[kwoonie]

Oh Florel, you really absolutely must watch DJG. You won't regret it and you'll probably be like all of us DJG fans! ;D You'll be able to see why we all become "so attached" to DJG's cast.

My oh my - 10kg . For those who were able to carry that weight on their heads, hats off to them.

[cyuser]

florel OH COME ON!! Dae Jang Geum is probably the best historical K drama that was ever made and you haven't seen it?!!


I envy you!! I wish I can erase DJG memories and rewatch it again

/cy (never watch same drama twice) user

[florel]

okay, guys, I will try to join in the international Jang Geum fan club sooner or later. ;D

BTW, let me continue...




********************

31) Im Kuhk-Chung (SBS, 1996-1997)

- producer : Kim Han-Young
- writers : Kim Won-Shik, Yoo Dong-Yoon (AOW)
- original novel : Hong Myung-Hui, "Im Kuhk Chung"


- Mid 16th century.

- Im Kuhk-Chung (? - 1562) was a Chosunese Robin Hood under the reign of King Myung-jong. He started his activity in 1559 in Hwang-hae, Kyung-ki, Kang-won provinces. Arrested and executed in 1562. (Cf. It's the time of Admiral YSS's youth. In IYSS, Im Kuhk-Jung's name is mentioned one time, in Episode 16. ).


- Hong Myung-Hui (1888-1963) is novelist and politician of North Korea. He was born in Goe-san, Chung-chong province (South Korea) and died in Pyung-yang (North Korea).

His famous and unique novel "Im Kuhk Jung" is estimated as the best realist novel in Korea. It was written during the Japanese occupation period, from 1928. Incomplete.



casting

- Im Kuhk-Jung : Chung Heung-Chae

- Wun Chong (fictional) : Kim Won-Hee
- Gap (fictional) : Ahn Yeon-Hong (Akai/Hong in "IYSS")

- Yi Jang-Gon : Kim Byong-Se (Emperor Myung-jong in "AOW")
- Gat Ba Chi : Lee Jung-Gil
- Prince Yeon-san : Yu In-Chon (King Sook-jong in "Chang Hui-bin 1982")
- King Myung-jong : Lee Hyo-Jung (Hideyoshi in "IYSS")
- Queen Mun-jeong : Kim Cheong
- Monk Bowu : Kim Hak-Chul (Pak Sul-Hee in "EWG")
- Yun Won-Hyung : Park Geun-Hyung
- Chung Nan-Jung : Park Seon-Young
- Nam Chi-Geun : Kim Heung-Ki (Chung Jung-Bu in "AOW")


... and a bunch of bandits who were certainly more important than kings, military commanders and ministers in this drama.




I guess this photo is from the drama.



- The drama "Im Kuhk Jung" received Grand Prix Awards in 1996-1997.


I'm really sorry that I missed this drama.

[cyuser]

florel said:

- Im Kuhk-Chung (? - 1562) was a Chosunese Robin Hood under the reign of King Myung-jong. He started his activity in 1559 in Hwang-hae, Kyung-ki, Kang-won provinces. Arrested and executed in 1562. (Cf. It's the time of Admiral YSS's youth. In IYSS, Im Kuhk-Jung's name is mentioned one time, in Episode 16. ).

Sounds like Hong gil-dong or Jang gil-san story.

[florel]

cyuser said:

florel said:

- Im Kuhk-Chung (? - 1562) was a Chosunese Robin Hood under the reign of King Myung-jong. He started his activity in 1559 in Hwang-hae, Kyung-ki, Kang-won provinces. Arrested and executed in 1562. (Cf. It's the time of Admiral YSS's youth. In IYSS, Im Kuhk-Jung's name is mentioned one time, in Episode 16. ).

Sounds like Hong gil-dong or Jang gil-san story.

Their respective stories were also dramatized by SBS : Hong Gil-Dong in 1998 (16 episodes) and Jang Gil-San (or Chang Gil-San) in 2004 (50 episodes).


Hong Gil-Dong Homepage

wizard.sbs.co.kr/template/wzdtv/wzdtv_FormProgramIntro.jhtml?programId=V0000231655&menuId=4


Chang Gil-San Homepage

tv.sbs.co.kr/jang/



Are they specialist about good bandit leaders? lol
They said that "Hong Gil-Dong" is based on Huh Kyun's famous novel. But highly doubtful if it would be a serious historical drama. It seems to be rather a commercial action period drama (please correct me if I'm wrong. My window cannot read some Korean letters in pop-up fenestre, so I'm not able to check its content.)

Even for those who don't rigourously distinguish differences between Shi Dae Geuk (period drama) and Sa Geuk (historical drama), it's difficult to call SBS's "Hong Gil Dong" as a "Dae Ha Drama". So I didn't include it into my list even though Hong Gil-Dong was a historical personnage in early 15th century. On the other hand, "Chang Gil-San" is in the list.

(Cf. examples of Dae Ha Drama : EWG, DOE, IYSS, Seoul 1945, etc. etc.)

I also exclude some Shi Dae Geuk (period dramas) such as the famous "Damo" and the legendary "Secret Inspector (Am Hang Uh Sa ; 1981-1984, MBC)" along with its recent remake "Inspector Park Moon Soo (2002, MBC)". These choices are a little bit arbitrary. But I will limit my research on historical dramas and a few of period dramas belonging to "Dae Ha drama" genre.

[cyuser]

Hong gil-dong isn't real person. He's Korean version of Robin hood.
Come on florel ... I'm surprised that you had to look up info about Hong gil-dong. Every Korean knows who Hong gil-dong is.

[florel]

Hi Cyuser, I also had thought that Hong Gil Dong was a fictional person. But very recently, I read several articles which wrote that Korean scholars found out he was a real figure who was originated in Jang-Seong (Cholla province) and active during Yeon-san's reign (so late 15th - early 16th century, not early 15th c. - I correct myself). This argument was presented in 1997 by Professor Seol Seon Kyung of Yonsei University (Korean literature Department). I cannot get Korean books so I'm sorry that I cannot read his book and only heard these new infos only from web.


Sources about Hong Gil Dong as a historical personage.

region2001.kccf.or.kr/newnew/zZIP04-01-12.htm
(in Korean ; Jang Seong County web page)

They say that Hong's name is mentioned several times in the Royal Annals (Shillok). I didn't verify Shillok with my own eyes, because I'm so occupied with other works. I guess I can trust on them.

[florel unlogged]

Jang-seong County made also Hong Gil Dong homepage in English. They have more interesting stuffs.


www.jangseong.jeonnam.kr/english-2004/menu3/sub1-1.asp


Gil-Dong Hong is the first hero of the people who represents Korea. At the same time, he was a hero of a fictitious novel and a real person who once existed in history. In history, he was recorded as a traitor or robber, but in the novel, he led Hwalbindang with the ideology of Equality against feudality and built an ideal country (Yuldo of Okinawa).

According to the investigation, Gil-Dong Hong was born as a son of a nobleman in the middle of the 15C, but because of the national law that prohibits the son of a concubine from entering into government position, his future way to succeed was blocked. After organizing Hwalbindang by uniting people who were treated unequally by the upper classes in discouragement and anger, he lived a practical life that actualized social justice.

While being suppressed by the feudal government of Chosun, he was captured by the government troops, but he escaped leading his party and advanced to Okinawa, Japan, and he became the leader of a civil rights movement who represented the voice of the people as in Chosun.

Till now, the historical substance of Gil-Dong Hong has been falsified, but now Gil-Dong Hong recovered from the fictitious hero of novel to a real person in history, and from a traitor or robber to a hero. In the southernmost island of Japan, Okinawa, far from Chosun by 3000 ri on boat, there is a monument that cherishes Gil-Dong Hong, the leader of the Civil rights movement.

[donilpark]

cyuser said:

Hong gil-dong isn't real person. He's Korean version of Robin hood.
Come on florel ... I'm surprised that you had to look up info about Hong gil-dong. Every Korean knows who Hong gil-dong is.

Hm, I thought it was a pretty well-known fact among Koreans that he was a real historical figure? You know, about how he might have gone to Okinawa to become a King there and stuff. Of course he probably couldn't use magic like in the novel.

He is mentioned in the Annals of Chosun Dynasty alright, as florel says.

%EA%B8%B8%EB%8F%99" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sillok.history.go.kr/inspection/inspection.jsp?mState=2&mTree=0&clsName=&searchType=a&keyword=%ED%99%%EA%B8%B8%EB%8F%99

(don't know how to make a link better... copy the whole thing and delete the space between yellow and white parts, or just go to sillok.history.go.kr/main/main.jsp and search for his name)

According to the records of the Annals, he was not a chivalrous thief but a vicious robber that terrorized people. Bias on the part of the government?

[CY USER]

This is a news to me .. When I was young I heard tales of Hong and read novels about him ...
I'm sure I'm not only one who thought Hong was a fictional figure.
I mean almost everyone knows Hong from the novel .. how would that make a well known fact that he was a historical person?

Thanks for providing good infos, Florel and Donilpark.