[Drama 2014] KBS - Jeong Do Jeon 정도전

[WingLiner]

Ratings (Nielsen Korea): Very Good Times rated 24%;  "Jeong Do Jeon" came in second with 18.9%. "Jang Bo Ri is Here!" and "Good Day" rated 17.4% and 7.3% respectively. Meanwhile, SBS "Endless Love" rated 6.7% and MBC "Hotel King" rated 9.7%.
"Jeong Do Jeon" Pitch and Roll


Lee Seong Gye declared subjugation to Jeong Do Jeon.
On the 48th episode of the KBS 1TV "Jeong Do Jeon", Jeong Do Jeon (Jo Jae Hyun) claimed conquest and was demoted to the northeast.
A letter and a drink was delivered to Jeong Do Jeon in the name of Song Heon while he was in military training. Song Heon was a devotee of Lee Seong Gye (Yoo Dong Geun). Jeong Do Jeon was excited about the letter and quickly opened it.
Lee Seong Gye wrote, "I wrote this letter myself. It's not fun being the king and I am in despair after losing my queen, but my energy came back when Sam Bong mentioned conquest. I sent him away to the northeast to keep him quiet. Come back now. Let's join forces".
Jeong Do Jeon cried from reading this letter.
Credits: Hancinema, dt.co.kr

[WingLiner]

Why North Korea fears South Korea's drama Jeong Do Jeon?
- Editorial Writer Koh Mi Seok (mskoh119@donga.com)

"Jeong Do Jeon" is a historical drama currently being aired by the KBS. At the drama website, Jeong Do Jeon, a politician in the early Joseon Dynasty, is introduced as "the outsider, abandoned by the Koryo Dynasty, who was reborn as a revolutionist from the bottom of pyramid." The drama is one of the most popular dramas in South Korea these days, shedding new light on the life story of Jeong who planned a new dynasty amid turbulent times of a transition from the Koryo Dynasty to the Jeseon Dynasty.
"Jeong Do Jeon" boom seems to have spread to North Korea. The North Korean regime is known to have ordered the national defense agency to thoroughly block illegal distribution of the drama within the country. While it is not a surprise that the North prevents its people from watching South Korean dramas, it is unprecedented to specify a certain drama. North Korea experts say the reason the "modern dynasty country" fears "Jeong Do Jeon" is because the drama contains a dynastic revolution that it bans.
West German people watching East German TVs played a decisive role in the unification of Germany. When President Park Geun Hye visited Germany in March this year, Lothar de Maiziere, who was the last leader of East Germany, said, "I knew enough of West Germany since I watched West German TVs. There was a joke that East German people were looking towards West Germany from 8 o'clock."  East German government strictly clamped down on its people watching West German TVs between 1952 and 1971, but tolerated it afterwards and allowed free viewing from 1980. This was a political judgment to soothe the public's complaints on belief that there is no risk of regime collapse as well as considering that there is no way to completely control TV watching.
Jeong belatedly restored government post in King Gojong era when Joseon was declining. His dream was to enable all people become the owner of the country. It would be too much to expect that a single drama would bring change to the world's most closed society. It would be sufficient if leaders in South Korea who have the freedom to watch TV to learn from Jeong the mind to respect the public. People will obey to a leader who wins their heart, but will turn their back to the leader if he or she fails to do it.
Source: DongA Ilbo (http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2014052938208)

[Guest antman10]

I only have one more episode to go. I have to say, even after 59 episodes, it has still been way too short for me! I know I'm going to cry on the last episode. I was secretly hoping all along that someone invented the time machine in the meantime and went back to change history so that Jeong Do Jeon was NOT killed. But without Lee Bang Won as king, there wouldn't have been King Sejong, Lee Bangwon's son.........grrr. This makes me want to watch "Great King Sejong" again so badly. I know That series really touched my heart. I recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed sageuk so far. It will not disappoint! (And it is chronogically the following historical period)

All that aside, I am excited to hear about a "Ryu Seong Ryong" series. In case you didnt know, not only was he a brilliant scholar, he was also a close friend of Lee Soon Shin. (You may recall him from Immortal Lee Soon Shin) That reminds me of the upcoming movie "Roaring Currents"...

[WingLiner]

"Jeong Do Jeon" successfully ends at episode 50 and 19% in rating. It's really nice that the final episode has wrapped everything neatly according to history and fulfilling the characters' thoughts. Moreover, this is the best historical drama so far this year and it has received many positive comments from viewers.
I'll be looking for some historical info which have been covered and some newspaper articles providing considerable viewpoints about this drama. On the other hand, we will be welcoming another historical 6 months thereafter.
"Jeong Do Jeon" Jo Jae Hyun talks about "the people" until death
Jo Jae Hyun never withdrew his intentions.
On the final episode of the KBS 1TV "Jeong Do Jeon", Lee Bang Won (Ahn Jae Mo) told Jeong Do Jeon (Jo Jae Hyun), "Take back what you said about politics. Then I will accept everything you say. If you lose your pride then you can achieve great work. Isn't this a good chance for someone like you?"
Jeong Do Jeon replied, "This isn't because of pride. Do you know what they call all the Jeong's, the Cho's, the Choi's, the Kang's and Park's? They call us 'the people' ".
"The king is brought by the skies but the king's aid is created by the people. A country ruled by the aid is closer, more beneficial and safer. The people own the country. The king is merely a tool for the people. This is why I can't be your slave."
Lee Bang Won sneered at Jeong Do Jeon. Jeong Do Jeon was just a dangerous character who had to be killed when the time came. In the end, Lee Bang Won killed Jeong Do Jeon whom his father Lee Seong Gye (Yoo Dong Geun) respected and followed.
Credits: Hancinema, Newsen

[Guest antman10]

Is that your translation? I see you've been really hard at work. II forgot it was 50 eps , not 60. I finished the series once and for all.It has been a true masterpiece. No words to describe it.The ghost of  Po-eun just killed me when he comforted JDJ in his last moments. I really missed authentic sageuk for a while now, and this made myyear. Have you seeen King Geunchogo or Gwangeto by any chance?

[WingLiner]

antman10

said: Is that your translation? I see you've been really hard at work. II forgot it was 50 eps , not 60. I finished the series once and for all.It has been a true masterpiece. No words to describe it.The ghost of  Po-eun just killed me when he comforted JDJ in his last moments. I really missed authentic sageuk for a while now, and this made myyear. Have you seeen King Geunchogo or Gwangeto by any chance?

[WingLiner]

"Jeong Do Jeon" Original soundtracks released, 110 minutes, including 42 tracks.

Jeong Do Jeon: Finally Stepping Into Joseon Dynasty
- by kooriyuki (June 18th)
We’re finally there. A good 20 episodes (+/- a few episodes) from where I last blogged about this drama. I read about this hilarious piece of article of how the promotional poster for Jeong Do Jeon is like L’s Death Note – characters on the left of poster are all dead. While it’s true, the arrangement is such that characters on the left are from the Goryeo dynasty, while thsoe on the right are those belonging to the founding of Joseon dynasty. Jo Jae Hyun, the actor behind our titular character, jokes that he shouldn’t have sat near the Goryeo people. But we know that his end is nearing. Soon. Which means Show should be wrapping up soon?


At Episode 40, Joseon is finally founded. This means for nearly 20 episodes, 4 years passed in the historical timeline. After the death of Lee In Im (Park Young Gyu), we saw King Woo’s (Park Jin Woo) further descend into paranoia, as he prevents Choi Young (Seo In Seok) from meeting the army heading for Wihwado, to fight Ming China over territories. The war which never took place, was ordered by King Woo, and what was portrayed in Show was Choi Young advised him to do so. This move violated Goryeo’s long-standing rule of not attacking its neighbors, thus giving Lee Seong Gye (Yoo Dong Geun) and his supporters reasons to accuse Choi Young of misleading King Woo, and also to remove King Woo subsequently.


King Woo was forced to abdicate, and his son, young King Chang was placed on the throne. Jeong Do Jeon continues to consolidate his power, by seeking out politicians who share the same “people first”  political views, and finds his supporters in Jo Jun, Nam Eun, and some others. While he continues his mission, it further distances him from his long time friend, Jeong Mong Ju (Im Ho), who believes in the monarchy first. Po Eun (Jeong Mong Ju’s pen name) says of Lee Seong Gye, “You’re only a servant (of the monarchy). You shouldn’t think of how to improve people’s lives! That’s not something a servant does.”


Here, we see where Po Eun and Sambong (Jeong Do Jeon’s pen name) differs; the former believes that all court officials and ministers should only aid the King, while the latter believes that the people has the power to change a King if he is not up to the expectations. I’d say that the political ideals of Sambong already exhibits signs of socialism, which is rather advanced given he lived more than 700 years ago. It was especially heartbreaking to see the lengths through which Po Eun would go, to protect his beliefs, despite being friends with Sambong for more than 40 years. He ordered the arrest and Sambong and his factions, and almost executed them, had it not be Lee Seong Gye who swooped in to save the whole lot of them.


While Sambong’s ambition of a dynastic revolution attracts Lee Bang Won (An Jae Mo), the fifth son of Lee Seong Gye, I’m pretty sure his reasons for supporting Sambong for making his father King of a new dynasty were not altruistic. This is particularly evident at Episode 41 and 42, where he was practically dying to become the Crown Prince, simply because he believed he contributed the most among all the sons, in paving the road for Lee Seong Gye to become the new King.


Despite both Sambong and Lee Seong Gye telling Lee Bang Won to not kill Po Eun, who was standing in the way of the revolution, he took matters in his own hands and ordered his bodyguard and some other assassins to get rid of Po Eun. Till the end, Lee Bang Won believed had he not killed Po Eun, the revolution would never take place, and Sambong would have been executed. While he was not wrong, his action ired Sambong and his father. I suppose this also signify the end of amicable relationship between Lee Bang Won and Sambong, especially when Sambong did not support the idea of him becoming the Crown Prince.
What’s in store of us next, as someone said that history is the biggest spoiler of sageuks, would be the death of Queen Shindeok (Lee Il Hwa), Lee Bang Won’s plotting to get rid of Sambong and his faction (with the help of Ha Ryun), and the subsequent First Strife of Princes. I’m sad Show is coming to an end. It was definitely an awesome ride.
Credit: https://nekosdrama.wordpress.com/2014/06/18/jeong-do-jeon-finally-stepping-into-joseon-dynasty/

[Guest antman10]

Oh , its good to hear youre learning korean. I can see Immortal Lee Soon Shin had a special place for you. How about great King Sejong, by any chance?

[WingLiner]

antman10 said: Oh , its good to hear youre learning korean. I can see Immortal Lee Soon Shin had a special place for you. How about great King Sejong, by any chance?

[WingLiner]

Just a bit off topic 
Upon the recent news I've received, Jeong Do Jeon's writer - Jeong Hyun Min stated that he wanted his next traditional historical to be about the heroic Sambyeolcho Rebellion protesting the Mongols colonial policy of king Wonjong of Koryo in 1260. Sambyeolcho moved from capital Gaegyeong to Ganghwa and finally Tamna island, nowadays Jeju, due to constant assaults from Koryo-Mongols allies; however, they were eventually supressed after 3 years active. I really hope KBS will consider this project and make it in 2016, after "Ryu Seung Ryong" (a fixed project for 2015, and it can't be changed suddenly).
You can read more about the Sambyeolcho Rebellion here:
Part 1: http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1339Part 2: http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1393

[WingLiner]

Regarding the Wihwado Retreat

Wihwa Island is historically famous for the decision of General Yi Songgye in 1392 to there turn back his army southward to Kaesong in the first of a series of revolts that eventually led to the establishment of the Joseon dynasty.
Position: 
*Wihwado is a river island in the Yalu river, lying on the border between North Korea and China. It now belongs to North Korea, due to ethnic Koreans living on the island at the time of the 1962 border treaty.
* Wihwa Island is historically famous for the decision of General Yi Songgye in 1392 to there turn back his army southward to Kaesong in the first of a series of revolts that eventually led to the establishment of the Yi Dynasty.
Brief biography of Choi Young, Lee Seong Gye's war against Choi Young and the first step of Joseon's foundation.
When Lee In Yim took full control of power on September of 1374, Kim Gu Yong, Lee Soong In, Jeong Dojeon, Kwon Geun, and Jeong Mong Ju tried to impeach Lee In Yim for his pro-Yuan policies. Choi Young and Ji Yoon allied with Lee In Yim to exile them. 
On 1380, Choi Young defeated Japanese pirates to become the Chief of Navy. He returned to the capital after suffering from a disease and became a Vice Chancellor to enter the political scene for the first time in his career. He eventually became the Chancellor on 1384. On 1388, Choi Young executed Yeom Heum Bang and Im Kyonmi, who were members of Lee In Yim's faction, and banished Lee In Yim. 
When Ming notified Koryo of their occupation of Koryo territories that were located northwest of Cheolryeong, Choi Young insisted that Koryo should go to war against Ming. King Wu accepted Choi Young's insistence, ordered a repair of fortresses across the nation, and placed an army along the border between Ming to prepare for a possible invasion from Ming. 
King Wu then married Choi Young's daughter to assure Choi Young's protection. Lee Ja Song was executed for strongly opposing the war. When Count of Liadong Wang Deming notified Koryo that the territories belonged to Ming, King Wu evacuated his Crown Prince and family members to Hansung(Seoul), left Wu Hyeonbo in charge of Gaegyung (capital city), and prepared for war in Seohae Province with Choi Young.
When King Wu arrived in Bongju after leaving the capital, he called Choi Young and Lee Seong Gye to make an order of Yodong(Liadong in Chinese) Invasion. Lee Seong Gye opposed the war for 4 reasons :
1. A small country cannot fight against a big country2. Military draft in the middle of summer would interrupt farming.3. There was a possibility of a Japanese invasion while most of the army were in Yodong.4. Possibility of plague due to the rainy season during summer
When King Wu ignored Lee Seong Gye's opinion, Lee Seong Gye insisted that they should at least delay the invasion until fall. Wu and Choi Young didn't accept this proposal, either. King Wu then went to Seogyung (Pyongyang), ordered a military draft from all over the nation including Buddhist monks and construction of a bridge at the Amnok River. A portion of the army was left in Gyeonggi Province in case of a possible Japanese invasion. 
On August, Choi Young was appointed as the Total Commander. Jo Minsu and Lee Seong Gye were appointed as Vice Commanders. 50,000 men were drafted and 21,682 horses were mobilized for the war, but a rumor of mobilizing 100,000 soldiers was spread to scare the enemy. 
Hong In Gye and Lee Ui returned after a first attack on Yodong, but the rest of the army could not go forward any longer due to the high rise of Amnok River. Lee Seong Gye and Jo Minsu asked for permission to withdraw, but King Wu and Choi Young sent eunuch Kim Wan to award them with gold, silk, and horses in order to encourage them. When Lee Seong Gye and Jo Minsu asked for another permission to withdraw, Choi Young did not allow their request again. Lee Seong Gye and Jo Minsu withdrew without permission as a result. 
When Choi Yu Gyung notified King Wu of the news, Wu returned to Gaegyung and ordered Choi Young to repress them. LSG and Jo Minsu sent a messenger to King Wu and warned that there would be a civil war if Wu doesn't punish Choi Young. King Wu fired Lee Seong Gye and Jo Minsu from their positions upon hearing this, appointed Choi Young as the Chancellor, Wu Hyeonbo as the Vice Chancellor, ordered for a repression of the revolt, and promised a huge award and a high government position to a person that captures Lee Seong Gye and Jo Minsu.
Lee Seong Gye ordered Yu Mansu to attack the Soong In Gate while he attacked the Seon Ui Gate. Both of them retreated after losing to Choi Young. Jo Minsu attacked following their failture, but he retreated after a loss as well. However, Lee Seong Gye and Jo Minsu eventually made it through the gate, which led Choi Young's army to retreat inside the palace. The palace was captured soon after Choi Young's retreat. 
Choi Young was captured by Kwak Chungbo and exiled. Jo Minsu and Lee Seong Gye dethroned King Wu, enthroned Chang to take control of power, and ordered the government officials to wear Ming style uniform to prevent an invasion from Ming. Choi Young was first exiled to his hometown of Goyang, moved to Happo (today's Masan), and then to Chungju before he was brought back to Gaegyung to be executed on December of 1388. 
Source: http://deiner.proboards.com/thread/9901/jeong-dojeon-historical-info-spoiler (Post #7)

[WingLiner]

One more for today: 
WIHWADO BENEFITS CHINA SECOND TIME BUT LEAVES KOREA DIVIDED
by Leonid Petrov, The University of Sydney
Last week, North Korea announced to the world that it would make its two islands, Hwanggumphyong and Wihwado, a visa-free zone for foreigners. A special law has been adopted in the DPRK to attract foreign investors and give them preferential treatment in the payment of tariffs, taxes and land use. Will this recent change in policy rescue the North from poverty and change things for the better?
[Those who are familiar with Korean history will remember the Wihwado Retreat (위화도 회군) of the 14th century. In 1388, General Lee Seong Gye of the Koryo kingdom was ordered to march north with his army and invade the Liaodong (old name: Yodong) peninsula, which was under the control of Ming China. However, when his troops reached Wihwado Island in the estuary of the Amnok (Yalu) River, General Lee suddenly changed his mind. With the support of high-ranking government officials and the army, Lee Seong Gye decided to return to the capital, Kaesong, and trigger a coup d’état. He toppled the Koryo King and ascended the throne himself as King Taejo, the founder of Joseon Dynasty.
King Taejo’s change of heart comes to mind in the context of the situation. In an effort to turn the tide of its economic development, North Korea selected the islands of Wihwado and Hwanggumphyong as the future site of the country’s Special Economic Zone with China. Although the move goes against the grain of North Korea’s traditional tendency to isolate itself, the islands lie at the mouth of the Amnok River, which has served as a natural border between the two countries since the time of Lee Seong Gye. Its location, just opposite the cities of Sinuiju on the DPRK side and Dandong on the PRC side, adds strategic importance to this historic place. In June 2011, a start-up ceremony took place on the island in recognition of the DPRK-China joint development and operation project.]
The executive decision to develop the abandoned islands into a thriving industrial park had been made by the North Korean leader Kim Jong Il who frequently visited China to solicit economic aid and investment. Soon after his demise in December 2011, his son and successor, Kim Jong Un, called upon the citizens of the DPRK “to actively do business with China” and “bring in as much cash profit as possible”. As such, the commercial importance of Wihwado and Hwanggumphyong Economic Zone has only increased, raising speculations that it would be turned into the playground of capitalism for North Korea’s centrally-planned and autarkic economy.
The earlier experience of joint development and cooperation in the Rason (Rajin-Seonbong) Economic and Trade Zone showed that neighbouring China was keen on aggressively investing in infrastructure and manufacturing sectors provided they could be guaranteed an upper hand in competition against Russian, Japanese or South Korean investors. China’s access to the East Sea (Sea of Japan) is cut short by the 17 kilometre-long DPRK-Russian border, rendering the industrial base of Jilin and Heilongjing landlocked. On the contrary, the Wihwado and Hwanggumphyong Economic Zone, located at the mouth of the Yalu (Amnok) River, which flows into the Yellow (East) Sea, seems to be a more attractive option for China.
Beijing has once thwarted North Korea’s plans to set up a Special Economic Zone in Sinuiju, where Pyongyang intended to create a new Hong Kong or Macao. The Chinese billionaire, Yang Bin, was appointed by Kim Jong-il as the governor of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region in 2002. That same year the DPRK government enacted a new economic policy on wage and pricing systems based on self-accounting management, known as the “July 1 Measures”. To the North’s dismay, China was not impressed by the prospects of having another Hong Kong on its northeastern frontier and quickly arrested Yang Bin for tax evasion. The message was clear: any development close to China’s borders must be endorsed by Bejing.
This time, Hwanggumphyong and Wihwado Economic Zone is the product of a Sino-North Korean administrative and trade agreement. Even the recent announcement that foreigners would be granted visa-free access and enjoy tax breaks still manages to provide China with full control over the movement of people and capital within its territory. Pyongyang’s official news agency, KCNA reported that, “upon presentation of passports or other equivalent documentation, foreigners and vehicles may enter or leave the zone through the designated route without a visa.” It also promised that “customs duties will not be levied on materials brought into the zone for processing, or on finished goods.” China’s control of the surrounding geography means that Chinese investors and manufacturers will have an upper hand in trade.
North Korea is in no position to bargain. Pyongyang’s dependence on Beijing is growing as international sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes make it increasingly difficult for the North to access international markets and credit. The impoverished country is striving to revitalise its economy through foreign investment in its economic zones. Since China has already invested about US$3 billion in developing port facilities and roads in the Rason Economic and Trade Zone, Beijing might decide to funnel significant capital to the Hwanggumphyong and Wihwado Economic Zone too. But will this contemporary “Wihwado Retreat” rescue the North Korean economy?
Beijing would love to see Pyongyang follow its example by introducing market-oriented reforms, but North Korea simply cannot come to terms with granting its population the many freedoms necessary to make such a reform successful. Even the Chinese-style reform of the late 1970s required some basic liberties (freedom of movement, information, association, etc.). This is simply impossible in the conditions of an ongoing Korean War, in which North Korean society is continuously fed lies by the regime and inherently fears interaction with the rest of the world, particularly, South Korea. If Pyongyang decides to initiate reform, Chinese-style or otherwise, it would inevitably and quickly lead to the collapse of DPRK’s political regime. Therefore, the very word “reform” is a taboo in North Korea.
The DPRK leadership genuinely wants to modernise the country’s economy but does not want to change its social and political life. Pyongyang is constantly searching for shortcuts that could boost its dysfunctional economy without having to conduct a systemic reform. The new North Korean leader, despite of his young age, is surrounded by conservative older family members and elites who have no visionary plan for developing the country. Setting up tiny special economic zones, which would generate foreign exchange without bringing about any change to the rest of the country, is a preferable way forward. As a result of this half-hearted policy, the ordinary North Koreans will eat and dress better; they might even own PCs and mobile phones, but they will continue to live in the same paranoid state of fear and dependency on the Great Leader’s decisions.
The visa-free regime and tax holidays, which are promised for the Wihwado and Hwanggumphyong Economic Zone, are simply measures to lure a handful of random foreign investors and should not be seen as a sign of change in the economic thinking of Kim Jong-Un. Neither reform nor economic liberalisation is on the cards because either of these would immediately jeopardise domestic stability. The zones of economic cooperation are reluctantly permitted by the North Koreans with apprehension that possible ideological contamination might cost more to the regime than economic benefit.
Given the circumstances of the ongoing inter-Korean conflict, the sustainable development of the North Korean economy is impossible. The regime is locked in a security dilemma and is reluctant to experiment. Only peaceful co-existence and economic collaboration between Seoul and Pyongyang would remove fears and re-build trust. Increased inter-Korean cooperation, where the plentiful resources of the North are complemented by the cutting-edge technologies from the South, is capable of bringing North Korea back from its prolonged socio-economic crisis. Such collaboration would also enhance the powerhouse of South Korea, opening new markets beyond the Military Demarcation Line and linking the trans-Korean railway to the Eurasian continent.
Source: http://leonidpetrov.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/wihwado-benefits-china-second-time-but-leaves-korea-divided/

[WingLiner]

Presumably, upon the triumph of the historical film about famous battle of Myeongnang, "The Roaring Currents", KBS will be re-airing the edited version of "Immortal Lee Soon Shin" with only 30+ episodes from September 1st until "The Book of Corrections" featuring Prime Minister Ryu Seung Ryong starts in early January, 2015.
Congratulation on the "roaring" successful of "The Roaring Currents" in both Korea and international release, especially the United States. If you interest, let's visit:
http://forums.soompi.com/discussion/2023835/current-movie-2014-the-admiral-roaring-currents-the-most-watched-film-of-all-time-in-korea/p6

[WingLiner]

Have Korean forgotten their poetic sensibility?
By Kim Seong-kon, a professor of English at Seoul National University, is editor of the literary quarterly “21st Century Literature.” ― Ed.
In medieval Korea, poetry was often a medium of correspondence among learned men. People addressed each other in poetry and conveyed messages metaphorically in terse four or five-line poems or three-line sijo. The recipient of the correspondence would also reply with a poem. How poetic were our ancestors’ lives in those days! Westerners may find it hard to understand, but the power of poetry was so potent in Korea that it could remit one’s debts at times and even prevent war at other times. 
When General Wu of the Sui Dynasty in China invaded Korea in A.D. 612, Korean General Ulji Mundeok sent a short poem to persuade him to withdraw. After reading the poem, the Chinese general surprisingly decided to give up the campaign and pull back his troops to China. The anecdote is so famous because a short poem prevented the seemingly inevitable, imminent war. The famous poem was as follows: Your unfathomable strategies reached heavenYour intricate calculations penetrated the earthWinning so many battles alreadyYou should know when to stop and withdraw.
It was neither a petition nor a threat, neither praise nor criticism. The message was so intricate and metaphoric that one could hardly understand the underlying meaning. Yet the Chinese warrior understood the poem and acted accordingly. It is amazing that even warriors used to address each other in poems. Perhaps Wu did not have a choice at that time except to pull back his troops due to the lack of supplies. Nevertheless, it was the poem from the Korean general that prompted him to make the final decision. 
Another example of poems that resulted in historic events is the two famous poems exchanged between Lee Bang Won and Jeong Mong Ju. In 1392 the faltering Koryo Dynasty was challenged by the House of Lee that later founded the Lee Dynasty. Lee Bang Won, who later became the third king of the Lee Dynasty, invited Jeong Mong Ju, a minister of the Koryo Dynasty, to a feast to test his loyalty to the falling Dynasty. Then Lee recited the following poem to Jeong: 
What difference does it make, this way or that?The tangled vines of Mt. Mansu in profusion grow entwinedWe too could be like that, and live together a hundred years.
(translated by Inez Kong Pai)
To this tempting sijo poem, Jeong Mong Ju improvised the following in sijo, too:
Though I may die, die a hundred times Though my bones become dust and my spirit is gone How could my everlasting loyalty to the lord be swayed?
Listening to this poem, Lee Bang Won gave up on Jeong Mong Ju. On his way back home, Jeong was ambushed and killed by assassins dispatched by Lee. Before the tragic incident, Jeong’s mother advised her son not to change his loyalty, once again through poetry. 
Do not go near a flock of crows, my white craneAngry crows will be jealous of your white feathersAnd will stain your spotless body washed in the clean river. 
In those days, Korean women also used poems to express their feelings to their beloved ones. Hwang Ji Ni, the most celebrated gisaeng (courtesan) of the 16th century, composed exquisite love poems. Since she was so charming and attractive, all the men fell in love with her as soon as they laid eyes on her, except a man named Byeok Kye Su (“crystal-clear water”). So Hwang, whose pen name was Myongwol (“bright moon”), wrote a celebrated love poem, playing with their symbolic names:
O crystal clear water in the green mountain, do not boast of your speedOnce you reach the sea, never can you turn back againHow about stopping by, while the mountain is full of the bright moon? 
Another famous love poem was written by Im Je, the famous playboy in the 16th century. Visiting the celebrated gisaeng Han Wu (“cold rain”), Im Je confessed his desire to stay overnight metaphorically in a poem:
Clear was the northern sky, and I came without an umbrellaNow a snowstorm hits the mountain and rain falls in the fieldSoaked in cold rain, I must sleep icy cold tonight.
Then the warm-hearted, beautiful Han Wu replied also in sijo:
Why sleep icy cold, my dearest oneWhen we have this comfortable honeymoon bed here?Soaked in cold rain, you deserve warm sleep tonight. 
These days, such intricate poetic sensibility seems to have disappeared from our society. Unlike our delicate ancestors who practiced restraint, we have become too direct, too blunt, and too hasty. We no longer send poems to our beloved ones or to our enemies. Instead of sending poems, we ask rather bluntly, “Are you with us or not?” And to our boyfriend or girlfriend, we ask directly, “Do you love me or not?” or “Can I stay over?” Dismayed by our hostile society that lacks decorum, we often miss those good old days when people communicated with each other in poems.
Source: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20111101000868
* You can read more about "sijo" here:  http://tarigwaemir.dreamwidth.org/232810.html

[Felicia Soh]

Huge thanks to @mannschaft for your awesome contribution in this thread. I can't wait for the next KBS production on the "The Book of Corrections", hope this will be as successful as Jeong Do-jeon. Love this kind of genre and though it's going to be a long wait, it's worth waiting.

[WingLiner]

Thank you very much @Felicia Soh. I'm glad you are here with us.
I'm happy that "Jeong Do Jeon" is successful with 20% in ratings in Korean TV and eventually draws lots of attention to true historical drama. However, traditional historical dramas are still outnumbered by the fantasized ones in both production scale and international release respectively. The reason is, traditional historical dramas are under strict laws of copyright and its official English subtitles aren't publicity distribution, except for licensed TV and DVDs.
A little more on "The Book of Corrections" (Jing Bi-rok). There aren't any confirmed casts for now, once there are 3 or more official confirmed casts, I'll open a thread for this drama.
Director: Kim Sang Hwi (Comrades, The King's Dream)Writer: Baek Woon Cheol (Mighty Chilwu, Suspicious Housekeeper)Broadcasting date: Saturday, Jan 3rd, 2015Number of episodes: 50 (expected)Episode's length: 50 minutes (expected)
Synopsis:  Based on "Jing Bi-rok", written by Yoo Seong Ryong, the story of what happened at Jojeong between the Japanese Invasion (Imjin War) and the Battle of Noryang where General Lee Soon Shin was killed. 
Notes: One of the ROKS guided missile destroyer Seo-ae Yoo Seong Ryong (Sejong the Great-class) was manufactured in 2011 and was named after him.

[WingLiner]

"Annals of the Joseon Dynasty" to be translated
The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty (National Treasure No. 151) will be translated into English by the year 2033, with the National Institute of Korean History at the helm.
The documents are detailed annual records on national affairs, diplomatic affairs with neighboring countries, the economy and the daily lives of the kings and royal families. The documents comprise 2,077 volumes and were written over a period of 472 years throughout the reign of 25 kings during the Joseon era, which ran from 1413 to 1865. Translation of the ancient documents is expected to take more than two decades at least.
The National Institute of Korean History, a governmental organization, has secured a budget of 500 million won ($434,500) for the first phase of the project this year. The institute estimates that it will need about 40 billion won until the project is completed in 2033. 
The documents were translated from the original Chinese into Korean in 1993.
With this project, the documents may be translated directly from Chinese into English, rather than from the Korean, which some believe will produce a more accurate translation of the texts. Translators may also translate the Korean text into English to expedite the process, but some have discouraged this because errors have been discovered in the translated Korean text.
If the job were to be done directly from Korean to English, the speed of the entire process would largely depend on how many English-speaking experts with specializations in reading ancient Chinese texts could be found.
The institute plans to start the translation work in 2014.
First, however, the institute will do a test translation of assorted sections of the text to gauge the amount of time that will be needed for the translation work.
During this time, the institute will also work to standardize the names of places, people or things that recur throughout the document in order to make the translation work easier.
“Because the language in the annals changed during the 472 years the text was written, we need standards to make the translation process run smoothly,” said Park Han Nam, a research fellow at the institute. 
The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty are considered a treasure trove of Joseon-era history. Since the records of latter period of Joseon Dynasty are seen as having been compromised by foreign pressure or titled without the word “Joseon,” only the records from Taejo (1335-1408), the first king of Joseon, to Cheoljong (1831-1863), the 25th king, are included within.
The need to translate the document into English arose after they were entered into UNESCO's Memory of the World in 1997. 
The original text and the Korean language translation are available on the National Institute of Korean History Web site (www.history.go.kr). The English translation will also be posted on the site when complete in 2033. 
By Lee Sun Min, Ha Hyun Ok [summerlee@joongang.co.kr]
Sources: http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2947100

[WingLiner]

Seems like we've had enough texts For today final post, we'll be skimming through some nice drawings.
Because the site below only has direct links, I'm afraid they will be lost so I upload them to another host so to preserve the pictures.
Jeong Mong Ju


Lee Saek


Lee Soong In


Lee Jo Nyun


Lee Po


Noble woman


King Gongmin's artworks:
Koryo nobles




Koreans dressed up as Mongolian while being Yuan's colony


Yoon Jae Shin


Re-post from:  http://deiner.proboards.com/thread/9728/kbs-jeong-dojeon-2014?page=2

[Felicia Soh]

Your effort and invaluable posts in this thread is very much appreciated @mannschaft.  You are the most ideal thread starter for the upcoming historical drama Please keep up the wonderful work.

Btw, I was hoping the writer for JDJ, Jeong Hyun-min will be involved in "The Book of Corrections" - his writing and history knowledge is awesome.  I hope the writer for TBOC will not disappoint us.

[WingLiner]

Thank you very much! I'll be more innovative in historical aspects! ><
Writer Jeong Hyun Min's first historical was "Freedom Fighter Lee Hoe Young", including 5 episodes and its storyline was a mix of drama and documentary, featuring actor Ahn Jae Mo as Kimura Junpei (a Japanese reporter who stated Lee Hoe Young as a "terrorist"; however, he eventually recognized Lee's effort to save Korea from being Japan's colony). 
*Ahn Jae Mo once again took part in Jeong Hyun Min new historical "Jeong Do Jeon" as Lee Bang Won (future Joseon's King Taejong). =D>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Fighter,_Lee_Hoe-young
On the other hand, writer Baek Woon Cheol hasn't experienced true historical yet, he wrote "Mighty Chilwu"; however, this drama was fictional as it talked about a neglected guard at work, but a nighttime mystic hero fighting for justice. The current project "The Book of Corrections" might be his first traditional historical. 8->
This is the best, very best news of today!
“Jeong Do Jeon” Sweeps Prizes at Korean Broadcasting Awards
The energy spent in perfecting KBS 1TV’s drama “Jeong Do Jeon” has paid off as it beat out several other popular series, variety shows and educational programs at the 41st Korea Broadcasting Awards.
On September 3rd in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, “Jeong Do Jeon” took home three prizes, including the Grand Prize (Daesang), top producer’s prize (awarded to Kang Byung Taek), and top writer’s prize (awarded to Jeong Hyun Min) – the most of any show at the ceremony.
“Jeong Do Jeon” is a historical drama that was broadcast on KBS 1TV from January 4th to June 29th. Rather than a story of contemporary society, “Jeong Do Jeon” told a tale about the chaotic times between the end of Korea’s Koryo and the beginning of its Joseon dynasty. Moreover, Jo Jae Hyun (Jeong Do Jeon), Yoo Dong Geun (Lee Seong Gye), Park Young Kyu (Lee In Yim), Im Ho (Jeong Mong Ju), Seon Dong Hyuk (Lee Jiran), An Jae Mo (Lee Bang Won) and countless other actors and actresses helped bring the story to life with their charismatic performances.
The Korea Broadcasting Awards were founded in 1973 to encourage creativity and excellence in broadcasting. This year’s panel of 22 experts from various fields handed out a total of 30 “best picture” prizes and 25 individual prizes.
Repost from:  http://www.soompi.com/2014/09/03/jeong-do-jeon-sweeps-prizes-at-korea-broadcasting-awards/
More (with pictures): http://beatuscorner.com/winners-from-41st-korea-broadcasting-awards/