''Emperor of the Sea'' (; literally "Sea God") is a South Korean

television drama series In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-gen ...

starring

Choi Soo-jong Choi Soo-jong (born December 18, 1962) is a South Korean actor. Choi made his debut in 1987 as a young actor in the TV soap opera ‘Love Tree’. He has appeared in movies, on television and as an MC for various award shows. He has received worl ...

, Chae Shi-ra, Song Il-kook،

Soo Ae Park Soo-ae (; born 16 September 1979), known mononymously as Soo Ae, is a South Korean actress best known for portraying Kim In-hae in the 2013 film ''The Flu'' and Oh Soo-yeon in the 2018 film ''High Society''. Soo Ae began her career on telev ...

and

Chae Jung-an Chae Jung-an (born Jang Jung-an on October 21, 1977) is a South Korean actress and singer. Philanthropy On March 11, 2022, Chae made a donation. millions to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfi ...

It aired on

KBS2 The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters. KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, a ...

from November 24, 2004 to May 25, 2005 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 51 episodes. The

period drama A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romance film, romances, adventure f ...

is based on

Choi In-ho Choe Inho (, 17 October 1945 – 25 September 2013) was a South Korean writer."최인호 " ...

's 2003 novel ''Hae-sin'', which depicts the life of

Jang Bogo Jang Bogo (787–841), childhood name: Gungbok, was a Sillan who rose to prominence in the Later Silla period of Korea as a powerful maritime figure who effectively controlled the Yellow Sea (West Sea), and dominated the trade between Silla, He ...

, who rises from a lowly slave to a powerful maritime figure who dominated the East Asia seas and international trade during the

Unified Silla Unified Silla, or Late Silla (, ), is the name often applied to the Korean kingdom of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, after 668 CE. In the 7th century, a Silla–Tang alliance conquered Baekje and the southern part of Goguryeo in the ...

Dynasty. The series was received extremely well, holding the number one spot in the ratings for majority of the weeks it aired. It was also exported to eight countries earning approximately in profits. The filming set in

Wando County Wando County (''Wando-gun'') is a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. It takes its name from the island of Wando, which is the largest island within the county and serves as the county seat. Wando island is perhaps most famous for Cheo ...

South Jeolla Province South Jeolla Province (; ''Jeollanam-do''; ), also known as Jeonnam, is a province of South Korea. South Jeolla has a population of 1,902,324 (2014) and has a geographic area of located in the Honam region at the southwestern tip of the Korean ...

also became a tourist attraction.

Plot

(

) rises from a lowly slave to the military commander of the sea during the

Dynasty. Along the way, he battles pirates, and engages in a heated rivalry with Madam Jami ( Chae Shi-ra), a Silla noble who squares off against Jang Bogo for trade rights in the South Sea.

Yeom Jang Yeomjang (염장, 閻長, ?-?), also mentioned as Yeommun, was a Silla general who is best known for assassinating Jang Bogo.Il-yeon: ''Samguk Yusa: Legends and History of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea'', translated by Tae-Hung Ha and Grafton ...

(

Song Il-gook Song Il-kook (; born 1 October 1971) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his role in the 2006 hit drama series ''Jumong'' as the titular character. Early life and education Song is the grandson of politician Kim Du-han, great grandson ...

), Jang Bogo's charismatic comrade, supports Jang in his ascension to become the "Emperor of the Sea." But Yeom Jang competes with Jang Bogo for the love of Lady Jung-hwa (

Cast

/Gungbok **

Baek Sung-hyun Baek Sung-hyun (; born January 30, 1989) is a South Korean actor. Career Baek Sung-hyun made his acting debut in the 1994 film ''I Wish for What Is Forbidden to Me'' when he was five years old. The child actor practically grew up onscreen, pla ...

as young Gungbok :Jang Bogo is an historical figure who virtually dominated the seas of the East Asia (hence name "Sea God" or "Emperor of the Sea") and international trade from

Tang Tang or TANG most often refers to: * Tang dynasty * Tang (drink mix) Tang or TANG may also refer to: Chinese states and dynasties * Jin (Chinese state) (11th century – 376 BC), a state during the Spring and Autumn period, called Tang (唐) b ...

China and Japan to the North China sea during the time of

Dynasty. :Gungbok starts from lowest social class as a slave on the docks of Cheonghae. Gungbok lost his mother to pirates when he was young. His father was a slave carpenter in Police Office of Cheonghae. Working hard in the rough dock, Gungbok soon masters the sea and has the knack of building ships. Faced with challenges, he becomes calmer and bolder. Both Gungbok and his mate Nyeon learn martial arts from certain Choi Moo-chang. Such abilities helped him to rise from a gladiator to a security guard, military head of Muryongun and then ambassador of Cheonghae. As a part of this, he eliminated the pirates by installing

Cheonghaejin Cheonghaejin (literally "Clear sea headquarters") was a major military headquarters and trading hub located on Wando island, South Jeolla province of South Korea, and established by Korean general Jang Bogo in 828 ACE during the Silla kingdom p ...

on Wando, which is a geographically important sea route. With his clever battle strategies, he is able to defeat the army led by Madam Jami and install the true ruler of Korea. However, even after repeated requests by the king, he refuses the high positions. After the king is assassinated by the cunning Kim Yang, he prepares the army to lead a final assault and remove the corrupt ministers appointed by Kim Yang. :At the end, Consul Jang Bogo is fatally stabbed in his office with a concealed knife by Yeom Jang. Jang Bogo accepts his death without any resistance, and his body is found at midnight by Nyeon, Choi Moo-chang and Jung-hwa. Even after his death, his army fights to the last man as a mark of respect. * Chae Shi-ra as Madam Jami :A Silla noble and businesswoman. She first plays a role in Lady Jung-hwa's destiny. But as the story progresses, her grudges towards Jang Bogo leads to her downfall, and her life ends in tragedy. * Song Il-kook as

/Yeom Moon **Hong Hyun-ki as young Yeom Moon :Raised by pirates, young Yeom Moon brandished short knives with remarkable skill and accuracy. Later in the story, he is captured by Jang Bogo, and receives the harshest punishment of branding as a pirate, and his forehead bears the burn mark. He is eventually released from prison by Kim Yang. For this, he trains Kim Yang's men in martial arts and leads the assault against Madam Jami's men, when they temporarily reconcile with Jang Bogo. He is later appointed the head of the king's bodyguards. With war looming against Jang Bogo, he visits Cheonghae to defuse the situation. He promises Kim Yang that if the need arises, he will assassinate him, provided Kim spares Jang Bogo's wife (daughter of Jang Bogo's trade master) and their new born child, Jung-hwa and the people of Silla. During their meeting, he tries his best to deviate Jang from his attack, but Jang has made up his mind to put an end to the ineffective and corrupt ministers in the king's council. In the end, he betrays Jang Bogo and kills him. He receives a jolt after the assassination, when Kim Yang launches an attack on Silla. Imprisoned by Kim Yang, he escapes from custody and helps Jung-hwa escape the massacre with Jang Bogo's child. He is killed by a shower of arrows fired by Kim Yang's army. *

as Jung-hwa ** Lee Yeon-hee as young Jung-hwa :Love interest of Jang Bogo and Yeom Jang for most of the series. The mere mention of her name is enough for Jang Bogo to abandon careful consideration (which is his ''modus operandi'') and act in a frenzied manner, without regards for the consequences.

Extended cast

* Kim Heung-soo as Jung Nyeon ** Ahn Jae-hong as young Jung Nyeon *

Park Yeong-gyu Park Yeong-gyu (born 28 October 1953) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in ''Attack the Gas Station ''Attack the Gas Station!'' ( ko, 주유소 습격 사건) is a 1999 Korean crime-comedy film directed by Kim Sang-jin ...

as Seol-pyeong *

as Lady Chae-ryeong *

Kim Ah-joong Kim Ah-joong (born October 16, 1982) is a South Korean actress, model and singer. She is best known for playing the main character in the romantic comedy '' 200 Pounds Beauty''. Education Kim graduated from Korea University with a master's degr ...

as Baek Ha-jin *

Lee Won-jong Lee Won-jong (born January 1, 1966) is a South Korean actor. Filmography Film Television series Variety shows Theater *''Blind'' (2010) *''The Masked Hut Murder Case'' (2022) - Nobuhiko Awards *2002 SBS Drama Awards: Best Supporting Act ...

as Choi Moo-chang *

Kim Kap-soo Kim Kap-soo (born April 7, 1957) is a South Korean actor. Since his acting debut in 1977, Kim has had a long career on the stage, in television dramas and film. In addition to acting full-time, he also has his own master class acting studio. F ...

as Lee Do-hyeong * Jo Dal-hwan as Lee Soon-jong ** Heo In-beom as young Soon-jong * Jung Sung-hwan as Chang-kyeom (Jung-hwa's brother) * Lee Hee-do as Mak Bong (Soon-jong's father) * Kang Sung-pil as Jong Dal *

Jung Ho-keun Jung Ho-keun (born September 28, 1964) is a South Korean actor and shaman, who mostly was a supporting actor in television dramas. In 2008, Jung played the leading role in a stage musical production of ''Hi Franceska'', adapted from ''Hello Fran ...

as Dae Chi * Park Jung-hak as Neung Chang * Go Do-young as Da Bok ** Lee Eun-hye as young Da Bok *

Kil Yong-woo Kil Yong-woo (born December 17, 1955) is a South Korean actor. In 2010, he played one of the main characters in the stage adaptation of the bestselling novel '' Please Look After Mom''. Filmography Film Television series Web series Var ...

as King Shinmu *

Seo Do-young Seo Do-young is a South Korean actor. Career Seo Do-young was a promising model before he began his acting career, appearing in numerous runways for the Korea's leading fashion designers as well as several foreign designer shows such as Gucci ...

as Moo Jin (Jung-hwa's bodyguard) * Choi Sang-gil as Cheon Tae * Kim Hyo-won as Yoo Ja-seong * Lee Jae-yong as Master Jo Sang-gil * Kim Hyung-bum as Tae-bong (Jami's security officer) * Do Ki-suk as Jang Seong-pil *

Bae Soo-bin Bae Soo-bin (born Yoon Tae-wook on December 9, 1976), is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the television dramas ''Brilliant Legacy'', ''Temptation of an Angel'', ''49 Days'', and '' Dong Yi''. He also starred in the films ...

as Kim Yang * Go Myung-hwan as Pan Sool (one of Master Yi's men) * Yeo Ho-min as Baek Kyung (Yeom Jang's subordinate) * Park In-hwan as Bogo's father (Eps. 1-2) * Seo Jin-wook *

Bae Seul-ki Bae Seul-ki ( ko, 배슬기, born September 27, 1986) is a South Korean singer and actress. She made her entertainment debut as a member of The Red, but has since become a solo singer. Career Debut Bae Seul-ki studied Theater and Film at San ...

* Lee Ji-eun * Seo Bum-yul * Jo Seung-yeon * Kim Byung-gi * Song Ji-eun * Seo Bum-shik * Baek So-mi * Kim Sung-hoon *

Shim Eun-kyung Shim Eun-kyung (born May 31, 1994) is a South Korean actress. She has starred in the box office hits '' Sunny'' (2011), ''Miss Granny'' (2014) and ''Fabricated City'' (2017), as well as television series ''Naeil's Cantabile'' (2014). In 2020, s ...

Ratings

The series was a huge success, gaining between 28.5 and 30.0% of viewers.

Awards and nominations

;2005

International Emmy Awards The International Emmy Awards, or International Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. Bestowed by the New York–based International Academy of Television Arts and Sci ...

*Drama series in the Asia, Africa and Middle East region - Final Round Nomination ;2005

KBS Drama Awards The KBS Drama Awards () is an awards ceremony presented by the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) for outstanding achievements in Korean dramas aired on its network. It is held annually on 31 December. The highest honor of the ceremony is the "Gra ...

*Top Excellence Award, Actor:

*Excellence Award, Actress:

*Excellence Award, Actor:

*Popularity Award, Actor:

*Best Couple Award:

and

;2006 1st

Seoul International Drama Awards Seoul International Drama Awards (), simply known as SDA, is an annual award ceremony based in Seoul, South Korea which honors excellence in television drama productions worldwide. Winners Grand prize (''Daesang'') Program Winners are given ...

*Runner-up, Best Series Drama *Best Cinematographer: Kim Seung-hwan

References

External links

*
''Emperor of the Sea''
at

KBS World KBS World is the Korean Broadcasting System's international broadcasting service. It consists of KBS World Radio, KBS World television channel and KBS Korea. History The foreign-language radio broadcast from KBS (before its restructure into a ...

* {{Works by Kim Jong-hak Production Korean Broadcasting System television dramas 2004 South Korean television series debuts 2005 South Korean television series endings South Korean historical television series Television series set in Silla Television shows based on South Korean novels Television series by Kim Jong-hak Production