The Enduring Appeal of Early Joseon Dynasty Dramas: A Look Back at “Tears of the Dragon”
Table of Contents
By Archnetys Editorial team | Published:
Exploring the past context and enduring popularity of dramas set during the tumultuous transition from Goryeo to Joseon, with a focus on the epic series “Tears of the Dragon.”
The ‘Yeomal Cho’ Period: A Fertile Ground for Historical Dramas
The period known as ‘Yeomal Cho,’ marking the twilight of the Goryeo dynasty and the dawn of Joseon,continues to captivate audiences. This era, characterized by political upheaval and the clash of old and new orders, provides a rich backdrop for storytelling. The collapse of established norms and the struggle to forge a new nation offer compelling narratives that resonate even today.
While numerous dramas and films have explored this period, the KBS series Tears of the Dragon
stands out as a monumental achievement. Aired over 159 episodes from November 1996 to May 1998, the drama delved into the complex power dynamics and personal sacrifices that shaped the early Joseon dynasty.
Crafting historical dramas requires a delicate balance between fidelity to historical events and the need for creative storytelling.As historian Yoon Dong-wook notes, historical dramas should be careful about testimony. If you don’t care about the testimony, there is a controversy. There is such a danger. While doing well in history, the realm of creation should enter. Therefore, there is almost no historical drama that deals with the stem of history.
There is such a thing. Well, historical dramas should be careful about testimony. If you don’t care about the testimony, there is a controversy. There is such a danger. While doing well in history, the realm of creation should enter. Thus, there is almost no historical drama that deals with the stem of history.
Yoon Dong-wook
This challenge explains why many historical dramas focus on specific events or figures, allowing for dramatic interpretation while remaining grounded in historical context. The key is to engage viewers without sacrificing the integrity of the past.
“Tears of the Dragon”: A Blockbuster Production
Tears of the Dragon.(Image: KBS1)
Tears of the Dragon
boasted a stellar cast, including Kim Moo-saeng as Lee Sung-gye, Yoo Dong-geun as Lee Bang-won, and Choi Myung-gil as Queen Won-kyung. Their performances brought depth and nuance to the historical figures, captivating audiences and earning critical acclaim.The drama’s scale was equally impressive, with a production cost of ₩16 billion (approximately $12 million USD at today’s exchange rates), 7950 cast members, and 50,000 extras.
The Legacy of Joseon Dramas
The Joseon Dynasty, spanning five centuries, holds a significant place in Korean history and culture. As reporter Park Hyo-young observes, The country of Joseon has been in place for 500 years, and the beginning of Joseon is very interesting, so it seems that a lot of dramatization. Even tho it is indeed 30 years ago, it can be said that it is filial piety in the history of the entire blockbuster drama in Korea.It’s just a history drama.
The king of historical dramas is actually Choi Soo -jong, and Yoo Dong -geun is also enormous. In any case, the Joseon Dynasty is now regarded as a state of the country just before Korea. Gojong’s Korean Empire feels a bit like a sinus, and it is hard to say that the Provisional Government has the right sovereignty. The country of Joseon has been in place for 500 years, and the beginning of Joseon is very interesting, so it seems that a lot of dramatization. Even though it is indeed 30 years ago, it can be said that it is filial piety in the history of the entire blockbuster drama in Korea.It’s just a history drama.
Park Hyo-young
The dynasty’s rich history, filled with political intrigue, social change, and cultural achievements, continues to inspire filmmakers and television producers. Dramas set during this period offer a glimpse into Korea’s past, fostering a sense of national identity and pride. The enduring popularity of series like Tears of the Dragon
is a testament to the power of historical dramas to connect with audiences on a deep and meaningful level.
The Contentious Genesis of Joseon: Power, Bloodshed, and the Making of a Dynasty
By Archnetys News Team | Published:
A Kingdom Forged in Conflict: The Rise of Joseon
the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty was far from a peaceful transition. It was a period marked by intense political maneuvering,familial strife,and outright bloodshed. At the heart of this tumultuous era were two central figures: Lee Seong-gye, the dynasty’s founder, and his ambitious son, Lee Bang-won, later known as King Taejong. Their complex relationship and ruthless pursuit of power shaped the very foundation of Joseon.
Lee bang-won: architect of Power, Master of Intrigue
lee Bang-won’s contribution to the establishment of joseon cannot be overstated. He was instrumental in strategizing and executing the plans that led to the dynasty’s creation. Though, his methods were frequently enough brutal. As Yoon Dong-wook notes:
Lee Bang-won was power-oriented…he did not hesitate to bury blood in the process of holding power… he was sincere to remove all other candidates because he had to do it.
Yoon Dong-wook, Historical Analyst
This ruthlessness stemmed from his desire to secure the throne. Having played a pivotal role in establishing the dynasty, he believed he was entitled to inherit it. The emergence of other potential heirs, notably a younger brother, fueled his determination to eliminate any competition, setting the stage for a bloody power struggle.
The Price of Kingship: Bloodshed and consolidation
The ensuing conflict resulted in a period of intense violence and political purges. While Lee Bang-won ultimately seized the throne, his actions left a dark stain on his legacy. Despite the initial chaos, the early years of Joseon saw significant consolidation of power. Jeong Do-jeon,a key advisor,laid the intellectual and ideological groundwork for the new state. Following a brief reign by King Jeongjong,Lee Bang-won ascended to the throne as King Taejong,ruling from 1400 to 1418. His reign was crucial in solidifying Joseon’s identity,a legacy further built upon by his successors,King Sejong the Great and King Sejo.
According to historical accounts,the tension between Lee Seong-gye and Lee Bang-won reached a breaking point when the latter seized power,causing immense distress to the dynasty’s founder.
The Royal Family: Ambition, Abdication, and Incompetence
The dynamics within the royal family were complex and frequently enough fraught with tension. The story of Grand Prince Yangnyeong, the eldest son of Taejong, offers a contrasting perspective. while he was initially the crown prince, he was eventually removed from his position, paving the way for his younger brother, Prince Chungnyeong (later King Sejong), to become the heir apparent.
Some historians suggest that Yangnyeong deliberately acted in a manner that would disqualify him from the throne, recognizing his brother’s superior abilities and suitability for leadership. As Park Hyo-young points out:
When an incompetent guy is greedy and takes up the throne, he likes to play… and becomes a tyrant and is not the worst. It is incompetent to see only Chinese forests, but you can see the king’s ruins that are only in playing and eating.
Park Hyo-young, Historian
This perspective highlights the potential dangers of placing an unqualified individual on the throne, emphasizing the importance of competence and dedication in leadership. The consensus among historians is that a ruler’s primary duty is to govern effectively and prioritize the well-being of the nation. Neglecting these duties in favor of personal indulgence can have disastrous consequences.
The Enduring Legacy of a turbulent Beginning
The early Joseon Dynasty was a period of immense upheaval,characterized by coups,purges,and familial conflicts. The tensions between Lee Seong-gye and lee Bang-won, the story of Yangnyeongdaegun’s abdication, and the overall struggle for power all contributed to the dynasty’s complex and frequently enough brutal origins. These events, while tragic, ultimately shaped the course of Korean history and laid the foundation for the Joseon Dynasty’s long and influential reign, lasting over five centuries.
the proportion of Gentiles is doubled. At that time, the viewers’ reactions were eager when the actor Lee Dong -geun’s’ Lee Bang -won acting ‘rose. Consequently, it was a Lee Bangwon one tool drama.Imagine it. The actor who was called the master of the historical drama before Choi soo -jong starred in the power of power. For reference, there is an original novel by park Jong -hwa. It would be more interesting if you read it before you run.
| reporter Yoon Dong -wook: It’s a full legend drama. The historian enthusiasts must watch again. |
| Reporter Park Hyo -young: If you haven’t seen it, you can see it as a YouTube summer head, and there are all the first parts in the wave. You can see it as a grass. |
| Reporter Yoon Dong -wook: When I listen to it, I would like to see it as a YouTube summer.It is a 159 episode of the drama, so it is difficult for peopel who are familiar with content consumption patterns these days. So if you look at the summary first, I hope you will run it. But at that time, OTT or YouTube did not develop as it is indeed now, and isn’t it drama in the 90s? So it’s a time when the TV was absolute, so it’s an unconditional main shooter! |
Not to mention the world history, but even if korean history is only a lean, the newly rising forces are not one or two of the cruel things that are cruel and confused at the timing of the founding and establishment of the nation. Of course it’s fun and interesting. If so, what is so interesting in the history of history in the early Joseon Dynasty? There is a reason why there is a lot of drama.
This period, which is about 100 years, is about 100 years old if it is narrow, and it was a time when the fate of whether Joseon, which has the most impact on korean history, breaks the start tape.As a result, there were a lot of dynamic incidents, and at the same time, the big structure and flow flowed, and the rule of rule and vision competition between the Kwonmunsa and Shinjinsa loans were fierce. There was a fierce struggle in the two areas of civilian and independence, and the process of bloody purge and defense was also rolled. If the exaggeration was added, it was no less than the spring and Autumn Dynasty, where the thinkers of the discipleship were active 2500 years ago. In the times, the timing of the middle of the Middle Ages is very rich and overly detailed. Therefore, there are many factors that will involve drama inventiveness. The Korean version of the Spring and Autumn is a national era. The fierceness of the Cold War and also the ‘thermal war’ without the large -scale war scenes of too much production costs was more than ever.
Above all, there are few people who can only be described only as absolute evils or absolute lines, and they are three -dimensional enough to have a clear fruit fruit like the Gentiles. “Once there are a lot of political forces in the early days of the end of the year, middle -aged men are overwhelmed by these political forces,” he said. “It’s so fun to see this political fight.
| Reporter Park hyo -young: The same thing is just happening. |
| Reporter Yoon Dong -wook: This is very fun, so there’s not a lot of war gods, so it’s good for dramas. When dealing with war gods, the production cost is too high. For example, dramas and movies dealing with the korean War were very high in production.Of course, if you solve the war well, you can see the high cost of high cost, but if you fail, it will follow a huge damage. However, the material itself is guaranteed to be a relatively low cost, but it is perfect for historical dramatization. of course, the desire to take the war details can be satisfied with the desire to take the war detail. |
| reporter Park Hyo -young: It truly seems that the characters holding the tilted consideration and the last persuasion to establish Joseon are contrasted. |
| reporter Yoon Dong -wook: At the beginning of the year, the forces who want to respect Goryeo like chung Mong -ju, like Lee Seong -gye, form a composition. Go with a single heart. Here, something makes viewers empathetic. Although it seems that the Lee Seong -gye, which has to destroy Goryeo, seems to be right, it is cool to keep the loyalty to the end like Chung Mong -ju. |
| Reporter Park Hyo -young: The characters are also very interesting. |
| Reporter Yoon Dong -wook: He is a tower two -person who can be picked up from Yeo -jeon and Lee Bang -won. I want to choose these two rather than Lee Seong -gye.Lee Bang -won is politically cruel and pursuing and eliminating the silence, but now Bangwon is only purified that he needs. Remove the sword randomly, but only remove silence. First of all,the purpose of occupying and strengthening the kingship is,but in fact,the Gentiles are good at national rule. It was very free to those officials or people who could not threaten themselves. There is a charm that is too contrasting with people and cancer. He was purged by Lee Bang -won, but he held his hand and founded Joseon. |
in relation to the column of the popular culture of Popular Culture, Jung Soo -jin, a columnist written in 2019, said, “I dare to say that it is my standard, but there is no big historical drama that goes beyond my standards.” You can see how great the drama is just by reading the description of the columnist.
A political narrative that shows how heavy and severe the king’s place is by drawing the people who are in the place of the dragon, the dragons, and the heroes of the dragons. In the background of the fall of Goryeo and the founding period of joseon, they coveted and followed power, and eventually tasted the vanity of power.
Personally, the highlights are considered to be a dramatic reconciliation between Lee Seong -gye and the rich man, but the stories after the extended are also exciting. The downfall of Queen Wonkyung (actor Choi Myung -gil), who helped her husband Lee Bang -won to help him to make him king, and the father of Lee Min -woo (Lee Min -woo), who felt disillusioned with his father’s bloody conflict, finally became a abandoned, and the entourage of the Gentiles who held power but soon fell out of power. Chungnyeongdae -gun (Ahn Jae -mo), who becomes Sejong, and so on. Kim Mu -saeng, Kim Heung -ki, Yoo Dong -geun, Choi Myung -gil, and Kim Young -ran, Lee Min -woo, ahn Jae -mo, Jung Tae -woo, Lee Jae -eun, Ahn Yeon -hong, Song Yun -a, and Ha Ji -won.