''The Great King, Sejong'' () is a 2008

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...

n historical

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite television, satellite, or cable television, cable, excluding breaking news, television adverti ...

depicting the life of the fourth monarch of

Joseon Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

, Sejong the Great (played by

Kim Sang-kyung Kim Sang-kyung (born June 1, 1972; ) is a South Korean actor. He is known for his leading roles in '' Memories of Murder'' (2003) and ''May 18'' (2007). Two of his films directed by Hong Sang-soo, '' Tale of Cinema'' (2005) and '' Ha Ha Ha'' ( ...

). Considered one of the greatest kings in Korean history, Sejong created

Hangul The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, . Hangul may also be written as following South Korea's standard Romanization. ( ) in South Korea and Chosŏn'gŭl in North Korea, is the modern official writing system for the Korean language. The let ...

, the Korean alphabet. The series aired on KBS from January 5 to December 7, 2008 on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:30 for 86 episodes. Episodes 1 to 26 aired on

KBS1 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, ...

, and episodes 27 to 86 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 ...

Plot

Born as the third son, Chungnyeong was far from ascending the throne. His early years were turbulent as Joseon faced political tensions from both within and abroad. Eventually, the young prince finds himself living in a private residence outside of the palace and experiences the everyday life of commoners until he is a young man. After his ascension to the throne, Chungyeong (now called

King Sejong Sejong of Joseon (15 May 1397 – 8 April 1450), personal name Yi Do (Korean: 이도; Hanja: 李祹), widely known as Sejong the Great (Korean: 세종대왕; Hanja: 世宗大王), was the fourth ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. Initial ...

) stabilizes the newly born country and gives rise to a blooming culture. In the process he invents

, the Korean writing system.

Cast

Main

as Grand Prince Chungnyeong /

King Sejong the Great Sejong of Joseon (15 May 1397 – 8 April 1450), personal name Yi Do ( Korean: 이도; Hanja: 李祹), widely known as Sejong the Great ( Korean: 세종대왕; Hanja: 世宗大王), was the fourth ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. Initi ...

**Kim Do-hyun as child Grand Prince Chungnyeong ** Lee Hyun-woo as young Grand Prince Chungnyeong * Kim Young-chul as

King Taejong Taejong of Joseon (13 June 1367 – 8 June 1422), personal name Yi Bang-won ( Korean: 이방원; Hanja: 李芳遠), was the third ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea and the father of King Sejong the Great. Before ascending to the throne, he ...

; Sejong's father *

Choi Myung-gil Choi Myung-gil (born November 11, 1962) is a South Korean actress. Choi received several Best Actress awards for her portrayal of a proprietress who rents out her comic book shop as an overnight shelter in the 1994 film ''Rosy Life'' (also know ...

as Queen Wongyeong of the Yeoheung Min clan; Sejong's mother * Park Sang-min as

Grand Prince Yangnyeong Grand Prince Yangnyeong (Hangul: 양녕대군, Hanja: 讓寧大君, 1394–1462) was a former Crown Prince of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the first son and fourth child of King Taejong and his wife, Queen Wongyeong. Yangnyeong was the ...

; Sejong's first brother ** Jung Chan-woo as child Grand Prince Yangnyeong ** Lee In as teenage Grand Prince Yangnyeong *

Lee Jung-hyun Lee Jung-hyun (born February 7, 1980), also known by her occasional stage name Ava, is a South Korean pop singer and actress. She was first recognized for her acting abilities with award-winning role in her first film and has been solidified as ...

as Royal Noble Consort Shin of the Cheongju Kim clan; Sejong's concubine *

Lee Yoon-ji Lee Yoon-ji (born March 15, 1984) is a South Korean actress. After making her acting debut in the sitcom '' Nonstop 4'', Lee has starred in the television series '' Pure 19'' (2004), ''Princess Hours'' (2006), ''Dream High'' (2011), ''The King 2 ...

as Queen Soheon of the Cheongsong Shim clan; Sejong's wife **

Nam Ji-hyun Nam Ji-hyun (; born September 17, 1995) is a South Korean actress who successfully transitioned from being one of the industry's premiere child artists to an acclaimed lead, well-loved for her roles in ''Queen Seondeok'', ''Suspicious Partner' ...

as young Lady Shim

Supporting

People in
Joseon Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

=Royal household

= *

Lee Sang-yeob Lee Sang-yeob (born May 8, 1983) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for starring in the sitcom ''Living Among the Rich'' (2011–12), the melodrama '' The Innocent Man'' (2012), the period drama ''Jang Ok-jung, Living by Love'' (2013), an ...

as Crown Prince Yi Hyang; Sejong's first son **Oh Eun-chan as child Crown Prince Yi Hyang **Kang Bit as young Crown Prince Yi Hyang *Seo Joon-young as Grand Prince Suyang; Sejong's second son **Choi Min-ho as young Grand Prince Suyang *Yoo Seo-jin as Lady Kim, Grand Princess Consort Suseong of the Gwangsan Kim clan; Yangnyeong's wife **Yeo Yoon-jung as young Lady Kim *Ahn Shin-woo as

Grand Prince Hyoryeong Grand Prince Hyoryeong (Hangul: 효령대군, Hanja: 孝寧大君; 6 January 1396 – 12 June 1486), personal name Yi Bo (Hangul: 이보, Hanja: 李補), was the second son and fifth child of King Taejong of Joseon and his wife, Queen Wongyeong ...

; Sejong's second brother **Seo Hyun-bin as child Grand Prince Hyoryeong **Yoo Tae-woong as young Grand Prince Hyoryeong *Kwon Sung-hyun as Lady Jeong, Grand Princess Consort Yeseong of the Haeju Jeong clan; Hyoryeong's wife *Yoon Young-joon as Prince Gyeongnyeong; Sejong's fourth brother **Noh Young-hak as young Prince Gyeongnyeong *Baek Seung-do as Grand Prince Seongnyeong; Sejong's sixth brother **Joo Young-min as child Grand Prince Seongnyeong *Joo Da-young as Princess Jeongso; Sejong's first daughter **Kim Ji-won as child Princess Jeongso *Lee Joo-hyun as Princess Jeongui; Sejong's second daughter *Yeo Min-joo as Crown Princess Sun of the Haeum Bong clan; Yi Hyang's second wife *Han Shi-hoon as Grand Prince Anpyeong; Sejong's third son **Kang Han-byul as child Grand Prince Anpyeong *

Yoon Se-ah Yoon Se-ah (born January 2, 1978) is a South Korean actress best known for her roles in '' The City Hall'', ''Wife Returns'', ''A Gentleman's Dignity'', ''Stranger'', '' Sky Castle'', and '' Snowdrop''. Yoon was paired with Korean-French-Canadian ...

as Royal Noble Consort Hyo of the Cheongpung Kim clan; Taejong's concubine *Kang Kyung-heon as Cho Gung-jang; Jeongjong's concubine *Jo Sun-ok as Royal Noble Consort Ui of the Andong Kwon clan; Taejong's concubine *Noh Young-guk as King Jeongjong; Sejong's second uncle *Jung Doo-hong as King Taejo; Sejong's grandfather

=New supporters

= *

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 Chief State Councillor

Hwang Hui Hwang Hui (8 March 1363 – 28 February 1452) was a politician of the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, who came from the Jangsu Hwang clan and once served as prime minister of the Joseon dynasty from 1431 to 1449. Biography Hwang Hui was an offi ...

*Ahn Dae-yong as Maeng Sa-sung *

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 Yun Hoe *

Jo Sung-ha Jo Sung-ha (; born August 8, 1966) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his supporting roles in '' The Yellow Sea'' (2010), '' Helpless'' (2012), and '' Korean Peninsula'' (2012) and '' The K2'' (2016). Filmography Film Television ...

as Yi Su *Sun Dong-hyuk as Choe Yun-deok *Lee Jin-woo as

Jeong In-ji Jeong In-ji (; December 28, 1396 – November 26, 1478) was a Korean Neo-Confucian scholar, historian who served as Vice Minister of Education or Deputy Chief Scholar (Head of Office for Special Advisors) during the reign of King Sejong the Gre ...

*Lee Sung-min as Choe Man-ri *Kim Young-ki as Byeon Gye-ryang *Lee Byung-wook as Kim Jong-seo *Lee Dal-hyung as Shin Jang *

Kwon Yul Gwon Yul (; December 28, 1537 - July 6, 1599) was a Korean Army General and the Commander-in-chief (도원수; 導元帥) of the Joseon Dynasty, who successfully led the Korean forces against Japan during the Japanese invasions of Korea (임진� ...

Shin Suk-ju Shin Suk-ju ( ko, 신숙주, hanja: ; August 2, 1417 – July 23, 1475) was a Korean politician during the Joseon Dynasty. He served as Prime Minister from 1461 to 1466 and again from 1471 to 1475. He came from the Goryeong Shin clan (고령 ...

*Oh Yong as Jung Chang-son *Yoon Ki-won as Uhm Ja-chi

=Old supporters

= *Kim Ki-hyun as Yu Jung-hyun *Jung Dong-hwan as Jo Mal-saeng *Kim Ha-kyun as Heo Jo *Kim Jung-hak as Kim Mun

=Others

= *

Lee Chun-hee Lee Chun-hee (born February 19, 1979) is a South Korean actor. Career Lee Chun-hee made his acting debut in the movie '' A Good Lawyer's Wife'' in 2003 and has since starred in several big screen roles such as '' The Aggressives'' (2005), ''Thr ...

Jang Yeong-sil Jang Yeong-sil (; ; 1390 – after 1442) was a Korean mechanical engineer, scientist, and inventor during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). Although Jang was born as a peasant, King Sejong allowed Jang to work at the royal palace. Jang's inven ...

*Jun Hyun as Yi Cheon *Lee Dae-yeon as Choe Hae-san * Choi Jong-won as

Ha Ryun Ha Ryun (January 22, 1348 – November 24, 1416), also spelled as Ha Yun, was a Joseon politician and Neo-Confucian scholar, educator, and writer. He served as Chief State Councillor during the reign of King Taejong from 1408 to 1409, from 140 ...

*Park Young-ji as Park Eun *Choi Sang-hoon as

Shim On Shim On (1375 – 18 January 1419) was a Korean politician. He was the Chief State Councillor of the Korean Joseon from September 1418 to December 1418 and the father of Queen Soheon and father-in-law to King Sejong. He is known for his treason c ...

; Sejong's father-in-law *Jung Heung-chae as Kang Sang-in *Choi Joo-bong as Kim Han-ro *Kim Eung-soo as Min Mu-gu, Sejong's first maternal uncle *Lee Kyung-young as Min Mu-jil, Sejong's second maternal uncle *Kim Hyung-il as Min Mu-hyul, Sejong's third maternal uncle *Lee Woo-suk as Min Mu-hoe, Sejong's fourth maternal uncle *Kim Joo-young as Yi Suk-beon *Park Sang-jo as Yi Jong-mu *Jang Ki-yong as Yi Soon-mong *Lee Won-bal as Park Sil *Hwang Bum-shik as Noh Hee-bong

People in
Ming The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last orthodox dynasty of China ruled by the Han peop ...

*Oh Seung-yoon as the Emperor Jeongtong **Kim Jin-sung as child Jeongtong *Go In-bum as Eunuch Hwang Eom *Lee Dae-ro as Eunuch Wang Jin *Kim Hak-chul as Huang Chan * Jeong Yu-mi as Da-yeon *Ha Yong-jin as Hae Su, Huang Chen's commander *Shim Woo-chang as Yeo-jin

People in
Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificati ...

*Kim Yong-soo as Wang Ahn *Kim Myung-kon as Ok Hwan *Kim Seung-wook as Jeon Haeng-su *Jung Ui-gap as Mu-bi *Moon Chun-shik as Jeon Il-ji *Choi Sang-kil as Jang Chil-sang *Park Yong-soo as Han Young-ro

People in
Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

*Bae Sung-woo as Pyung Do-jun *Jang Se-jin as Jong Jung-sung *Seo Jin-won as Jong Jun *Park Jung-woo as Jung Wu *Lee Jong-goo as General Gu Ju

People in Jurchen

*Shin Dong-hoon as Yi Man-ju *Bang Hyung-joo as Dong Maeng-ga *Ham Suk-hoon as Ah-woo, Dong Maeng-ga's older brother

*Lee Il-jae as Kim Do-ryun *Lee Jung-hyun as Yi Seon *

Cha Min-ji Cha Min-ji is a South Korean actress. She is known for her roles in dramas such as ''Queen of Mystery'', ''How to Be Thirty'' and ''Oh My Ladylord''. She also appeared in movies ''The Cat Funeral ''The Cat Funeral'' () is a 2015 South Korean f ...

as Dam-yi *Kim Bo-mi as Court Lady Han *Jo Byung-ki as Sa-ddo *Jo Min-joon as Park Kyum *Kang Ji-hu as Pung-gae *Won Jong-rye as

Kisaeng Kisaeng (Hangul: 기생, Hanja: 妓生, RR: ''Gisaeng''), also called ginyeo (Hangul: 기녀, Hanja: 妓女), were women from outcast or slave families who were trained to be courtesans, providing artistic entertainment and conversation to men ...

Nyu; Jang Young-shil's mother *Ahn Hae-sook as Lady Ahn of the Sunheung Ahn clan; Sejong's mother-in-law *Kwon Sung-hyun as Yi Kyung-sook *Sun-Hak as Oh Mak-ji *Jung Jong-hyun as the head of Ikisima *Kim Sun-eun as Tong-sa *Kim Seung-hoon as Yamata *Jo Jae-wan as Jang Won *

Oh Yeon-seo Oh Yeon-seo (, born Oh Haet-nim []; June 22, 1987), is a South Korean actress, singer and model and is best known for her roles in television dramas '' My Husband Got a Family'' (2012), '' Jang Bo-ri is Here!'' (2014), ''Shine or Go Crazy'' (201 ...

as Eori *Kim Hong-pyo as Yi Soon-ji *Seol Ji-yoon as Toegi-chunwol *Lee Han-gal as Kang-hwi

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Great King Sejong, The Korean Broadcasting System television dramas 2008 South Korean television series debuts 2008 South Korean television series endings Sejong the Great Korean-language television shows Television series set in the Joseon dynasty South Korean historical television series