''Tears of the Dragon'' () is a South Korean 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, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...

. It 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, ...

from November 24, 1996 to May 31, 1998 for 159 episodes. The series spans from the foundation of Joseon to the reign of

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 ...

. It's considered one of the best historical dramas in South Korea, reaching a viewership rating of 49%. It is also the first series based on historical researches on

Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...

Jeong Do-jeon Jeong Dojeon ( Korean: 정도전, Hanja: 鄭道傳, 1342 – October 6, 1398), also known by his pen name Sambong ( Korean: 삼봉), was a prominent Korean scholar-official during the late Goryeo to the early Joseon periods. He served as the firs ...

Plot

The series portrays the life of

Yi Bang-won 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 wa ...

(posthumously known as "Taejong"), the third king of Joseon and fifth son of its founder. It depicts him as being committed to the stability of the kingdom, a commitment that translates into affection and devotion towards his father and his heir (originally Taejong's first-born son, Yi Je), although these feelings are not reciprocated due to anger about the various assassinations and executions carried out by Taejong. The anger culminates in the retired Taejo's efforts to remove his son by backing the Jo Sa-wi rebellion and personally shooting an arrow at him during a reconciliation meeting. Taejong grows to become perpetually suspicious of those around him (especially his in-laws), resulting in

purge In history, religion and political science, a purge is a position removal or execution of people who are considered undesirable by those in power from a government, another organization, their team leaders, or society as a whole. A group undertak ...

s, a typical example being his execution of his wife's influence-peddling-but-loyal oldest brothers and naively-innocent youngest brothers. In disgusted response, his crown prince rejects the throne to become a playboy and his second-born son, Yi Bo, joins the

Buddhist Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...

priesthood, deferring the position to the third-born son,

Yi Do 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 ...

Cast

Kim Mu-saeng Kim Mu-saeng (16 March 1943 – 16 April 2005) was a South Korean actor. Early life and education Kim was born in the town of Daesan, Seosan in March 1943. He studied at Dongguk University in Seoul, beginning his career as a voice actor for Ton ...

as Yi Seong-gye/ King Taejo, first ruler of Joseon *Han Young-sook as

Queen Sinui Queen Sinui (Hangul: 신의왕후 한씨, Hanja: 神懿王后韓氏; 1337 – 21 October 1391), of the Cheongju Han clan, was the first wife of Yi Seong-gye (future Taejo of Joseon). She was the mother of King Jeongjong and King Taejong. She ...

, Taejo's first wife * Kim Young-ran as

Queen Sindeok Queen Sindeok (신덕왕후 강씨; 12 July 1356 – 15 September 1396), of the Goksan Kang clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the second wife and queen consort of Yi Dan, King Taejo; the first monarch of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. She was ...

, Taejo's second wife *Tae Min-young as Yi Bang-gwa/ King Jeongjong, second ruler of Joseon *

Yoo Dong-geun Yoo Dong-geun (born June 18, 1956) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his leading roles in the historical television dramas ''Tears of the Dragon'', '' Empress Myseongseong'', and '' Yeon Gaesomun''. He was also an adjunct professo ...

as Yi Bang-won/ King Taejong, third ruler of Joseon *

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 ...

Queen Wongyeong Queen Wongyeong (원경왕후 민씨; 29 July 1365 – 18 August 1420) of the Yeoheung Min clan, was the primary wife of Taejong of Joseon, and the mother of Sejong the Great. She was queen consort of Joseon from 1400, and was honored as Queen J ...

, Taejong's wife *

Kim Hye-ri Kim Hye-ri (born December 23, 1969) is a South Korean actress. Filmography Film Television series Variety show Awards and nominations References External links * * * * 1969 births Living people South Korean ...

as Royal Noble Consort Hyo, Taejong's concubine *

Lee Min-woo Lee Min-woo (hangul: 이민우; born July 28, 1979), also known mononymously credited as M as a solo artist, is a South Korean entertainer, known as a member of the South Korean boy band Shinhwa. Lee was the first Shinhwa member to debut a ...

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 ...

, Taejong's first son *

Ahn Jae-mo Ahn Jae-mo (born September 20, 1979) is a South Korean actor and singer. Ahn is best known for playing gangster-turned-politician Kim Du-han in ''Rustic Period'' (2002). He has appeared in other period dramas such as ''Tears of the Dragon'' ...

as Grand Prince Chungnyeong/

, fourth ruler of Joseon *Im Seo-yeon as

Queen Soheon Queen Soheon (소헌왕후 심씨, 12 October 1395 – 19 April 1446), of the Cheongsong Sim clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and queen consort of Yi Do, King Sejong and the mother of Yi Hyang, King Munjong and Yi Yu, King Sejo ...

, Sejong's wife *Kim Heung-gi as

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* * {{KBS, 1464 1996 South Korean television series debuts 1998 South Korean television series endings 1990s South Korean television series Korean Broadcasting System television dramas Korean-language television shows Television series set in the Joseon dynasty Television series set in Goryeo South Korean historical television series Television series set in the 14th century