[Drama 2011] Gwanggaeto, The Great Conqueror 광개토태왕

[daunte29]

Here's a short 5 min clip from ep 73 where DD pays his respects to the deceased Murong Chui.

I didn't notice it the first time around but somehow this very badly orchestrated scene (actually downright disrespectful & insulting) shouldn't have been even passed by KBS higher-ups.

If KBS is making a historical drama about royalty, then they should insist on at least 90% accuracy of royal customs and practices, granted that in the ancient 3 Kingdoms era, there's hardly any written royal protocols the way the later dynasties manage to record everything in detail, each and every royal protocol practised within the palace, including the disposal of the royal chamber pot (I no kid you).

So what am I dismayed about? Even though I'm not an expert in royal protocols? But for nearly 4 decades, I've watched enough dramas & films from Korea, Japan, & China to at least be familiar with basic royal customs.

Notice that when DD bows deeply and then gets down on his knees and (supposedly) puts his forehead to the ground, CUSTOMARILY THREE TIMES, ALL his posse behind him (with the noticeable absence of Seol Ji) merely stand and just lower their heads..

That is a NO-NO. If your own king gets down on his knees, everyone including the mosquitos, should follow suit. There are no ifs or buts or exceptions when it comes to dramatizing royal practices.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nh1aqbYQj8

I did like the orchestral music used when DD did his kowtowing x3 - very stately & martial.

The other thing which suddenly jumped into my mind was how come the two princes (and all the Houyan officials) are not dressed in mourning clothes?

I remember the earlier episodes when they staged the funerals for DD's father and Sagal, everyone was wearing white - are we to assume that just because the Houyans may be paganistic (but in that scene they still place a memorial tablet for MC), they therefore don't mourn and still wear their normal colorful robes and even more dazzling headbands?

Mind you, the Houyans did build magnificent tombs for their kings and so it doesn't stand to reason that the Houyans didn't have at least some form of mourning period rituals.

This next clip below shows the sudden appearance of Seol Ji just before they head out to quell the riots at the Goguryeo migrants' settlement..... just slide your cursor to around 2:20, and freeze frame .... she's on the right of your screen, 'hiding' way behind there because she came late. Even more so because her taxi driver's vehicle navigation system didn't have the proper coordinates for 'Houyan Palace" and he had to call KBS for directions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxifJyneae4

[Guest flydolesqueue]

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[Guest whodat]

Which is this new enemy nation that entered the mix? The guys with the pony-tails.

[Moosegender]

I hate the cinematography of this show. Nothing but close ups.

[Guest DJG]

I hate the cinematography of this show. Nothing but close ups.

The director and the writers need to be flogged.

My only hope at this point is that when this travesty is over. Another channel will give this topic the proper treatment it deserves, a few years from now.

[watchumlots]

Tell us what you notice when you observe the two long tables below.... the purple colored one for DD and the green colored one for Murong Xi

Doesn't it strike you they came from the same interior designer and indeed even the decor of the two rooms look eeriely sinilar..... right down to the flipchart just beside and behind the kings

*quoted image*

OMG!  Using the EXACT SAME SET while swapping out the table cloth (or digitally re-coloring it) is really cheaping-out!  The calligraphy screen has been removed.  The 'drapery' is the same.  The screens on either side of the 'throne' are the same.  The lamps are the same.   It is similar to the image in the Sunday newspaper, the one for children, where the two images are contrasted and you are supposed to find the n differences.  Hilarious!  

One more question:  Why when someone is stabbed, either with a sword or a knife, they spurt (fake) blood from their mouth?  It is really gross and not very realistic.  Also when scenes show people vomiting, it's always spewing the same gross whitish liquid?  What is with the (not so) special effects in the Korean TV/movie industry? Was the majority of the budget on this production spent refashioning bedspreads and drapes into those fancy costumes?   

[daunte29]

Speaking of close-ups, just take a look at Houyan's General Fengba's elephant-size ears.

No doubt he thoroughly deserves to be nicknamed DUMBO for his long history of trying to kill or outsmart Damdeok. That's the KBS version.

The real Feng Ba later became Emperor Wencheng of Later Yan dynasty, and he was said to have had more than 100 sons, but after his death in 430, his brother and successor Feng Hong (Emperor Zhaocheng) had them all executed.

You like my big ears? Screencaps 2 & 5.

[daunte29]

KBSW Ep 74.... Damdeok pledges eternal protection for Goguryeo migrants living in Houyan who apparently have been persecuted to no end and because his snarl doesn't have the power to part mountains and lead his flock to safety, he slices his palm and donates blood to the Houyan soil.

Are the writers now trying to make Damdeok a 'savior' to his migrants living in enemy land? More than a just a grand conqueror, he takes time off to micro-manage and helps a father take revenge against the castle lord who raped his daughter.... and he does it by executing a 'sting' operation or if you prefer, a con-job on Fengba & Murong Un.

If you didn't find that scene dumbfounding enough, then think again.... What rights or power does Damdeok have on Houyan soil? Since the migrants already have had 'their farmlands' been taken away by Houyan, their men tortured or randomly killed, and the women ravished by the insatiable castle lord.... why not just pack their bags and scamper back to Goguryeo? What's stopping the thousands of migrants by making a mass exodus back to Goguryeo?

More silliness from TWO highnesses:

Murong Bao on at least two occasions reminds DD: THEY (the Goguryeo migrants) AREN'T GOGURYEO CITIZENS, THEY ARE HOUYAN CITIZENS. YOU CAN'T TELL US WHAT TO DO.

MB is obviously right, thanks to the writers. Then here's where the writers try to be over-smart:

DD: I'M GOING TO HAVE ALL THE GOGURYEO MIGRANTS SURRENDER TO BEIWEI. THAT WILL MAKE MAGOSEONG & THE NEARBY LAND BEIWEI TERRITORY. .... IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THEY LIVE ON BEIWEI LAND OR HOUYAN LAND.

If it was so easy for the migrants to surrender (Houyan) land which doesn't belong to them in the first place, why don't the migrants walk over to the other side of the map and 'surrender' themselves to Goguryeo?

To me, this doesn't sound logical even in the context of diplomacy/sovereignty in those ancient times.

DD: BEIWEI WILL HAVE NO REASON TO REFUSE THEIR SURRENDER.

Again I beg to differ - why would Beiwei help Goguryeo migrants, even if they were friendly to Goguryeo? Or even paying tribute to DD?

The Beiwei have no more rights than Damdeok to assimilate land which doesn't belong to them. To do that, Beiwei would have to go to war with Houyan.

Now why would Beiwei go to war with Houyan over a few thousand Goguryeo migrants? Does THAT make sense to any of you reading this?

All these 'big talk' in enemy territory to press for autonomy for his people living in a foreign land? Why should the Houyan listen to this gorilla? Does that make Damdeok a 'great' king or does it make him sound like a bully with a pea brain?

What's even more ludicrous is that the writers made Murong Bao tremble with fear when DD mentioned the idea involving Beiwei? How many times have we seen Murong Chui launch attack after attack on Goguryeo, even right from ep 1 itself?!! Does MB now think Houyan is a pushover for another dynasty to punch?

What makes Murong Bao think the Beiwei would even listen to Goguryeo and do as DD says? MB himself could also send an envoy that same day and make counter-offers to Beiwei in order to establish cordial relations between Houyan-Beiwei and negate DD's unworkable plan for good.

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A more plausible dialogue between Murong Bao & DD would be something like this:

DD: LIS-TEN CAREFOOLLY BECAUSE I VILL SAY TIS ONLY VONCE. DE NIXT TIME ANY OF MY MIGRANTS IS HARMED, HURT OR TORTURED, OR FORCED TO DO SOMETING AGAINST THEIR WILL, I WON'T HESITATE TO COME GALLOPING ACROSS OUR BORDER WITH MY 50,000 CAVALRY & ONE PRETTY BODYGUARD AND THEN I VILL ATTACK ANY HOUYAN PERSON, ANIMAL AND UGLY TREE I SEE. YOU GOT DAT?

MB: THAT WOULD START ANOTHER WAR BETWEEN OUR TWO PEACE-LOVING NATIONS. ARE YOU READY TO DIE EVEN BEFORE YOUR SON IS BORN?

DD: READ MY THIN BUT SEXY LIPS - I'M GOING TO ENSURE PEACE BY CHOPPING YOU UP INTO PIECES AND YOUR TOMBSTONE WILL SAY: RESTING IN PIECES.

SON? MY PALACE DOCTOR SAYS I HAVE TO TAKE A BLUE PILL IN ORDER TO BE MANLY ENOUGH TO SATISFY MY YAKYEON. BECOS YAKYEON, SHE CHANGES INTO A WILD BUNNY ONCE WE GET UNDRESSED AND WHEN MORNING COMES, SHE STILL WANTS MORE.

NOW I DAMDEOK AM A CONQUEROR OF NATIONS, NOT WOMEN. I CAN RIDE MY HORSE FOR DAYS BUT I CAN'T DO THAT TO MY WOMAN FOR THAT LONG. HENCE THE WONDER BLUE PILL. AND LOTS OF RAW GINSENG TO POWER-UP MY MALE LIBIDO.

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What about Goguryeo migrants living elsewhere in that vast region?

When they dial 911 or shine a bright light into the night sky, will Damdeok gallop over to a neighboring nation and tell its king:

YOU BETTER NOT HURT OR HARM OR VIOLATE ANY MALE OR FEMALE GOGURYEONS LIVING IN YOUR COUNTRY. I WON'T HESITATE TO COME GALLOPING ACROSS OUR BORDER WITH MY 50,000 CAVALRY & ONE PRETTY BODYGUARD AND THEN I VILL ATTACK ANY PERSON, ANIMAL AND UGLY TREE I SEE. YOU GOT DAT?

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Having displayed exemplary conduct as a king on a condolence visit to a neighboring nation, and at the same time increasing the hatred from the Houyans without even lifting his sword, doesn't Damdeok realize that his actions and words would EVENTUALLY put his cute sister Damjoo in mortal danger?

Damdeok kneels and cries he couldn't do more to protect his migrants in Houyan (what a wuss! or if you prefer: Ah, an emo-king) but he should anticipate that the now-angry Houyans are going to find out who spilled the beans about their plans?

Princess Damjoo: Don't blame my idiot brother Damdeok for not protecting me when Houyan finds out who's been snitching.... blame it on the KBS writers.... I think the writers, not the Houyans, are planning to kill me off.

[daunte29]

I hate the cinematography of this show. Nothing but close ups.

You are certainly right. Close-ups of full face shots are necessary but this director & his cinematographer overuse it, and keep doing it all wrong & out of habit.

There are close-ups done by bad directors with one-shot objective and then there are some good directors who use close-ups to enhance the emotions the actors are trying to portray.

Allow me to show what I mean by using fan-made music videos from other past sageuks... my intention is NOT to generate opinions on the merits or demerits of the actors involved or the drama itself but to illustrate what words can only do in a limited way.

A picture is worth a thousand words but a well-timed, well-planned close-up shot can convey emotions beyond words.

The first one is from Queen Seon Deok.... as you can clearly see in this montage, the director too loves close-ups on occasions but notice how it's done... there is still subtle movement within that close-up frame, be it slight head movement, a glance with the eyes and more than once, this director uses the technique of eyes meeting eyes and then the resulting emotions conveyed to viewers speak volumes.

Additionally this director hardly uses the direct frontal close-ups that we see so very often in GTGC and instead he uses the angled close-ups - this captures the actors' side profiles as well, instead of only the face, and gives an heightened sense of dramatic effect.

Actress Lee Yo Won is masterful in many scenes involving only her eyes doing the 'talking', especially the ending scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfWcTMZlK5E

Earlier sageuks didn't use as much close-ups as more recent sageuks do - so for example this montage from Yisan hardly has any close-ups and yet, no one would complain that the viewer didn't feel close enough to feel the actors' emoting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvvkpVOrw6o

The last 2 clips below are from Empress Chun Chu - this first one here shows the beginning of the misuse of close-ups (in particular Chae Si Ra with her medusa wig flying behind her) but if you're patient enough, observe THROUGH THE CLOSE-UP SHOTS the vibrant bright colors and beautiful costumes in the pavilion scene and again right AFTER the preview and then when the credits roll, the few ending scenes featuring CLOSE-UPS of the lovely Kim So Eun and the panoramic magnificent country landscape scenery, which we never see in Gwanggaeto.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGJKovK4-7E

This last one shows a fight scene involving Chae Si Ra and some baddies in weird masks that might have come straight from Tarsem Singh's Immortal movie set.

Around 0:44 you'll see that the baddy-warriors are riding horses which are PARTIALLY adorned with some semblance of armor or the proper term 'Barding'.

From 1:54 when the baddies are chasing CSR to the magnificent mountaintop, you can see more clearly that their horses are adorned with 'costume' armor/barding.

Then a cut-scene comes to show the younger Empress, played by Kim So Eun, being literally taken for a ride, and she ends up being dropped at around the same identical location site where King Sejong drama filmed the scene under the tree overlooking the valley below. I do believe KBS location scouts are really content in copying each other.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJE52bfCnQU

[Guest DJG]

^ Most of the problems with this drama is due to the budget. KBS has chosen not to invest in this drama. Thus you have no horses, limited extras, lack of variety in the sets etc. The close ups are needed because, if they show the surroundings it will be even more obvious that our conquering warriors are always in the same place all the time.

The low budget is also the reason why the battle scenes can't be properly reenacted or do not fit the pattern of the time. Frankly, this drama reminds me of the kind of low budget sageuk, SBS or some minor cable channel would have put out, circa 6-7 years ago. Considering KBS1 is the national channel and runs the pro-family shows and sageuks, I do not know why they chose Gwanggaeto, to be the drama to cheap out on.

I am still annoyed, especially, when I think of what could have been, with this drama, how this could have been a great epic drama. There were glimpses of hope in the beginning, but things started to go off the rails, right around when Damdeok's brother chose to have himself killed for no reason.

[Guest faradie]

I have watched a lot of sageuks and I am labelling this the worst. Being a 2011-12 production one would have thought that it would be better but no, this one takes the prize for overkill, bad acting, bad script and poor decor

[daunte29]

^^ Here's the thing.... the only other two but in actual fact only one, current sageuks to challenge GTGC every weekend are God of War/Soldier and Queen Insoo.

Since Queen Insoo is produced & aired by a cable channel, its ratings therefore are not 'nationally' reflective as those produced by KBS, SBS or MBC.

However judging by their own ratings over other shows on the same cable channel, the ratings for Q I have dropped since ep 4 to below 1%. Even Eunjung undressing and showing lots of skin for her bed scene couldn't excite viewers.

For me, I have a chronic aversion to Chae Si Ra so that's that.

The ding-dong ratings for GTGC still lies between position 4-8 in the top 20 TV shows over the weekend, and that's comparable to past sageuks produced by KBS.

As for GOW/Soldier, its ratings are anywhere from position 13 - way out of the top 20 with single digit ratings most of the time. Its highest position was position 10 for ep 7.

For me, I too have an aversion to GOW lead actor & one of his leading actress whose names I shall not mention.

So it looks like there are still many loyal domestic fans for GTGC. Including me because I still find some moments which are too funny for words, especially because they are just trying so hard to portray historical people who are long dead and have insufficient reliable records.

Some of you may already know that GTGC replacement in May is Mr Dae Joyoung (Choi Soo Jung) playing King Taejong Muyeol. This itself hasn't raised any interest for me until I hear who his co-stars are, especially the ladies.

Judging by current trends, one or two young kpop idols might get the casting call, but after so many years watching KBS sageuks, I'm now looking for nothing else but pure unadulterated over-acting, and the ever-famous startled-dog look which each commander has to show the camera one by one in full face close-ups.

[Moosegender]

Maybe the budget for this is limited because they spent all the dough in Geunchogo. Now that drama was certainly a looker.

[daunte29]

I just caught part of the variety show Let's Go Dream Dream 2 on KBSW and I was surprised to see King Asin playing penalty shootout with 15 other celebs.

Indeed Asin (Park Jung Chul, 3rd from left in screencap below) was among a team of 5 which included Murong Bao (Im Ho, 1st from left) & Mo Duru (Lim Dae Ho, 2nd from right) plus Sun Woo Jae Duk, Bae Do Hwan. Not sure if the last two ever made cameos on GTGC but the team unluckily didn't manage to reach the semis.

But it's good to see some cast members taking part in a KBS variety show.

Here'a a raw clip that shows Murong Bao & Asin in action; Murong Bao came late for the recording due to his filming schedule.

To watch MB just arrived, slide the cursor to 3:53, to watch Asin, slide it to 5:25. At 5:42, the MCs are joking that Mo Duru looks like Maradona. At 6:36, Mo Duru takes his penalty followed by Murong Bao.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72Awkk5BlmQ

[watchumlots]

Princess Damjoo: Don't blame my idiot brother Damdeok for not protecting me when Houyan finds out who's been snitching.... blame it on the KBS writers.... I think the writers, not the Houyans, are planning to kill me off.

I am laughing so hard, it is difficult to type!  With the cinematography consisting of head shots so overblown the actor's pores look like swimming pools, it is easy to focus on things like ears half the length of someone's head.  Plus, those STUPID expressions the actors make, and HOLD for an eternity or two:  fake surprise (eyes wide open, mouth slightly agape), feigned anger (eyes squinted, upper lip in snarling position), or my personal favorite: wistfullness (eyes slowly fill with fake tears, lips slightly separate, now HOLD.... HOLD... HOLD...)

There is so much craziness and herky-jerky plot movement, I can't tell a Houyan from a Mohican,a Klingon from a Goguryeon, a Han from a Yin-Yang, or a Beiwei from a Pei Wei.  They all have crazy hair, crazy clothes, and crazed expressions. "Pey-ha!  What do we do now?" or "Hurry!  We have to tell the king!"  What king?  Which king?  And WHERE is that lame-richard simmons king?  In one shot he's on a horse. Then he's on a boat.  Now he's at the top of the fortress.  The kings in this series are either instigating or falling-for a double-down, double-back, improbable strategy that backfires!  Everyone is either frantically galloping around on frothy-mouthed horses or calmly sitting at a long conference table. Do we barge into a conference or hop on a horse to tell Peh-ha ---  what now?  I think the minions are running around looking for the elusive plot.  And they look like Keystone Kops doing it. Poor Pey-ha, he doesn't know what to do because the writers didn't give him a plot. Watching this series, I cannot conceive how this guy got "Great" in his posthumous title. Perhaps upon hearing of Damdoek's death his minions said "GREAT!" and it was thought to be a comment on his abilities? 

Wonder if the production company is reading this thread? Let's hope.  I suggest they give the horses a break, let them eat a little hay, drink a little water.  Tell the soldiers to have a seat, nosh a rice ball or two, sharpen those swords that most certainly must have dulled from all the clanking and slashing.  Polish and remove the dents from their armor. And please, please, perform some personal grooming; a little water, a little soap, employ a comb.  That should give the writers time to read about P-L-O-T-S.  

Every weekend when my husband walks in to see what I'm watching, the screen is filled with big heads yelling, swords clanging, blood spurting, and horses charging. He asked how I could enjoy watching so much violence and noise? Told him there is no 'implied sex like K-drama implied sex, there should soon be a 'bed scene' between one of the hot girls and one or more of the dirty, sweaty guys, sit and watch. After 30 minutes  he said "I can't take any more of this" and left.  He couldn't take more than 30 minutes of GGTG when I have been waiting and watching for more than 70 hours !!!  He may be right, it may be time to stop.  But then I would not have so much fun with everyone on this thread.

[Guest DJG]

^ your comments made my day. I was in a foul mood, but your post made me laugh so hard. So thank you. The posts on this thread is why I am still hanging on.

Ha, let me reread again.

[dramafreak-13]

^ Most of the problems with this drama is due to the budget. KBS has chosen not to invest in this drama. Thus you have no horses, limited extras, lack of variety in the sets etc. The close ups are needed because, if they show the surroundings it will be even more obvious that our conquering warriors are always in the same place all the time.

 

Just a show that they just didn't care when making this drama.  Rehashed costumes, production settings, cartoony acting, if the production doesn't care, why should the viewer.  Also, the drama is way too long

Lee Tae-gon was terribly miscast for the role. Listening to him trying to be all kingly is painful.  The charisma sounds forced, nothing about it sounds natural about it at all.   Funny how he has to make the facial expressions of a 12 year old because he can't emote properly.   Outmatched by his peers he is.  How did he win that award again?  Bribery is at work of course.  Those judges aren't dependable at all....

Do you know why I make a deal out of this?  For the Koreans, Gwanggaeto is a important figure of history who made Korea one of the most powerful countries in Asia.  He is significant to Korea's legacy.  This drama just exploits his name like a weasel exploiting children, and is an insult to history.  Don't bother with that "its just a drama" garbage, because its a hackneyed cheap argument.   

I will give the drama this though.  The change with Gao Yun is actually pretty clever, and Damdeok's personality traits are about right.  Good death glare too.  But, the drama I think was never meant to be made.

[daunte29]

The director and the writers need to be flogged.

My only hope at this point is that when this travesty is over. Another channel will give this topic the proper treatment it deserves, a few years from now.

I really liked reading all the various points by dramafreak-13, DJG & watchumlots.... thank you one & all.

As DJG said, those guilty of producing this drama and insulting the glorious past of the real Gwanggaeto should be stripped and flogged, or flogged then stripped.

But I fear this drama may yet unleash its horse-poop on many more unsuspecting overseas viewers later when KBS releases the DVD/Bluray boxsets with multiple subtitle options, and for those with HD & 3D LED TVs, man oh man you're gonna be able to see pores on the faces and eyeliner on men the way you've never seen before....in amazing 3D & razor-sharp HD.

My advice is that if you do watch this series again on Bluray and in full 3D, please keep your precious pets away from the screen... they might end up with nightmares of the Damdeok kind and/or suffer partial brain damage after that - your usually quiet chihuahua starts barking everytime Damdeok or Asin appears and your pet tortoise might even set a new sprint record.

It may get even worse. In 2007, the same company that produced and made NANTA a global sensation, staged a musical version of Dae Jang Geum or Jewel in the Palace. Since then, nobody even dares mention that there ever was a musical version.

Can you imagine Gwanggaeto being made into a 2-hr musical version? Hmm... on second thought it might not be worse off than this KBS drama version - with some kpop stars thrown in wearing fake facial hair and using motorised horses, the kids might actually find it ...err.. interesting.

And for the all-important fight scenes, they might switch to using Star Wars type light sabers, with humming sound and sparks flying here & there.... and if you replace Ha Muji with a korean version of Jedi Grand Master Yoda, using korean chipmunk as the model... what can possibly go wrong?

DD: IT'S TRUE ASIN. YOUR MOTHER WAS MY MOTHER TOO. I WAS BREAST-FED EVERY DAY & NIGHT WHILE YOU HAD TO DRINK MILK SQUEEZED FROM OUR VERY OLD COW AND THAT EXPLAINS WHY YOU HAVE SO MANY ANGER ISSUES.

I HATE TO SAY IT BUT HA MUJI INSISTS WE ARE BROTHERS DUE TO THE WAY WE EACH LOVE BANGING ON THE LONG TABLE AND SNARLING LIKE A TIGER ON STEROIDS FOR THE KBS CAMERAS. AND JUST BEFORE DOYEONG DIED IN MY MUSCULAR ARMS, SHE TOLD ME WE BOTH HAVE IDENTICAL BIRTHMARKS IN A PART OF OUR BODY WHICH CANNOT BE SHOWN ON TV.

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As DJG also said, a remake of this drama sometime in the near future might help undo the damage done by KBS to the real Damdeok. I'm wishing and dreaming of perhaps a joint-production between North Korea, China & a South Korean TV network or cable channel.

Then we can have actual shots of the Goguryeo tombs lying around North Korea & parts of China, and using China's huge resources and cheap labor, we can build authentic forts and train scores of stunt horses clad in armor. CGI & digital effects can help replicate a 50,000 strong cavalry.

Korean actors will play the Goguryeo & Asin & Silla factions while the Houyans & Khitans will be played by chinese actors who will speak in their native dialects/languages for added authenticity.

However given the geopolitical climate presently, my dream will probably not come true.

Speaking of not coming true, this tall chubby fella below from KBS Gag Concert team who usually plays the barbarian on Gamsu Castle skit, could be borrowed by KBS later to play Gwanggaeto's heir, Jangsu. His cameo appearance for just a few episodes may well jack up its currently healthy ratings even more and if you also include his newly chosen queen, wow that might just fetch phenomenal ratings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVuomEF0ww8

The pretty princess IU was so shocked at the sight of her newly-found husband she refused to look up (desperately shaking her head) even when commanded to do so by his royal highness.

[watchumlots]

@Dante29:  OMO!  Say it ain't so!  Gwanggaeto The Musical!! 

If we thought Damdoek's minions looked silly on film, imagine them on-stage, singing and dancing.  Would they be dancing ballet, or modern dance, or maybe tap?  Imagine guys in fake armor and tights?  Men in tights rushing in on tip-toes singing "paaaaay - haaaaah"  

What would the horses look like?  Would they be two-guys-under-a-blanket style horses, or Lion King stage production style horses?  If it is a low-budget production, maybe they would use sticks with little stuffed horse-heads? 

How to stage the Klingons, Houyans, Pei Weians, Mohicans, and Oaxacans charging and chasing, stabbing and slashing, spurting fake blood?   They would be running from one side of the stage to the other.  All those conference room scenes could be staged with a lit background and a table.  The actors would assume fake-sitting positions around the table. More men in tights rushing in on their tip-toes...

Now that I think about it, if Gwanaggaeto is staged, I will fly to Korea just to see it.  I will remember this crappy series and all my 'friends' on Soompi, and wonder if any of them are in the audience too.  If you are, please come to my defense when the ushers try to hustle me out because I can't stop laughing.

[watchumlots]

Which is this new enemy nation that entered the mix? The guys with the pony-tails.

I think they are Oaxacans, imported directly from Mexico.  If not, maybe they were recruited from PF Chang's.  PF Chang's seemed to have some fake clay warriors stacked around, they could have stir-fried some life into them, sent them to Gwanggaeto-land.  Is Gwanggaeto anything like guacamole?  If so, that would explain the interest of the Oaxacans.