real history of Goguryo

[moreshige2]

Hey, since we need to differentiate between real history and the drama, I'll start this thread. So let's post all the real history here. I'm learning this period of history as I watch this drama. To the historical purists: so what if the drama diverges from history? We've had this debate with Yi Soon Shin. As long as the drama doesn't stray from the spirit of the real history then I don't mind it. The twists and turns of this drama makes the stories come alive. And so far there hasn't been any shifts from the main events of Goguryo between 663 and 668 AD.

I guess the purists may fear first-time viewers will tend to mistake this drama as true history. I'm sure people on this board has more common sense than that. So to some of the Koreans/Asians on this board who would know more of the history, we should not correct the rest of this board with an attitude of indignation. Understand that many posters here have no knowledge of East Asian history, let alone ancient history.

[JP Paulus]

Moreshige2, Thanks for this thread, and the positive tone you're setting.

i actually do prefer having the drama be as close to real history as possible. What i appreciated about Emperor Wang Guhn was that the narration would explain what historically happened, and what was changed for dramatic effect (such as the death of Goongyae)

But i enjoy the dramas as they are, but love seeing it match up with real life (like seeing how General Gom, who i think is a very goo dguy, will have a special leadership role, according to history)

[origami]

You should start here. It reads like a novel:

www.koreanhistoryproject.org/Ket/C02/E0201.htm

[sunmoon]

Thanks for the link! I'm hooked on the story and am now trying to read up old history books to find out what really happened. Its such a rich culture! Impressive.