Gyebaek, or Kyebaek (died 20 August 660In Lunar calendar, he died on 9 July 660.), was a general in the ancient

Korea Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...

n kingdom of Baekje during the early to mid-7th century. Little else is known of his personal life—including the year and location of his birth.

The Last Battle

In 660, Baekje was invaded by a force of 50,000 from Silla, supported by 144,000 Tang soldiers. Gyebaek, with only 5,000 troops under his command, met them in the battlefield of Hwangsanbeol. Before entering the battlefield, Gyebaek reportedly killed his wife and children to prevent them from being enslaved if he lost. His forces won four initial battles, causing severe casualties to Silla forces. General Gyebaek fought very courageously and killed many Silla soldiers. However, in the end, exhausted and surrounded, Gyebaek's army was outnumbered and overwhelmed. Baekje's forces were annihilated in battle along with their leader Gyebaek.

Aftermath

Baekje was destroyed, shortly after Gyebaek's defeat and death at Hwangsanbeol. As

Neo-Confucian Neo-Confucianism (, often shortened to ''lǐxué'' 理學, literally "School of Principle") is a moral, ethical, and metaphysical Chinese philosophy influenced by Confucianism, and originated with Han Yu (768–824) and Li Ao (772–841) in t ...

philosophy became more influential in the later Korean Dynasties, Gyebaek was recognized by historians and scholars as exemplifying the Confucian ideals of patriotism and devotion to his king, Uija, and praised as such. Although not much else is known about Gyebaek's life, his actions leading up to his last battle are well known to many Koreans.

In Taekwon-Do

Gaebaek is the 12th pattern or hyeong in the International Taekwon-Do Federation form of the Korean martial art taekwondo. It is part of the criteria for the 1st Dan black belt. The diagram (I) represents his severe and strict military discipline.

In popular culture

* Portrayed by Park Joong-hoon in the 2003 film ''

Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield ''Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield'' () is a 2003 South Korean war comedy film directed by Lee Joon-ik. Its plot is about the Battle of Hwangsanbeol between Baekje and Silla in the 7th century. The film was the 8th most attended film of 2003 wit ...

'' * Portrayed by Jung Heung-chae in 2006–2007 SBS TV series '' Yeon Gaesomun'' * Portrayed by

Choi Won-young Choi Won-young (; born Choi Seong-wook on January 10, 1976) is a South Korean actor. Career Choi Won-young made his acting debut in 2002's ''Sex Is Zero'', and has since appeared in both film and television. But his most notable roles have be ...

in the 2009 MBC TV series ''

Queen Seondeok Queen Seondeok of Silla ( ko, 선덕여왕 ; 595~610 – 17 February 647/January 8, Lunar Calendar) reigned as Queen Regnant of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, from 632 to 647. She was Silla's twenty-seventh ruler, and its first re ...

'' * Portrayed by Lee Seo-jin and Lee Hyun-woo in the 2011 MBC TV series ''

Gyebaek Gyebaek, or Kyebaek (died 20 August 660In Lunar calendar, he died on 9 July 660.), was a general in the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje during the early to mid-7th century. Little else is known of his personal life—including the year and loca ...

'' * Portrayed by

Choi Jae-sung Choi Jae-Sung (born November 18, 1964) is a South Korean actor. Choi debuted with KBS TV drama series, ''Diary of a High School Student'' in 1984. Choi entered stardom through ''The Tree Blooming with Love'' and ''Lee Jang-ho's Baseball Team''. ...

in the 2012–2013

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, ...

TV series ''

Dream of the Emperor ''Dream of the Emperor'' () is a South Korean television series that aired on KBS1 from September 8, 2012 to June 9, 2013 on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:40 for 70 episodes. Plot Kim Chun-chu is the grandson of King Jinji, but when his grandfat ...

'' * Featured in '' Age of Empires II'' HD Edition * Portrayed in the 2021 webnovel titled ''Queen Jindeok'' by author Taiyang Dasheng

References

External links

Nonsan govt text about the battle
Gyebaek statueAnother Gyebaek statueGyebaek
on

Encykorea The ''Encyclopedia of Korean Culture'' is a Korean language encyclopedia published by the Academy of Korean Studies and DongBang Media Co. The articles in the encyclopedia are aimed at readers who want to learn about Korean culture and history, ...