An exploration of the power struggles of the 9th century through the lens of a monumental television epic.
해신
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
This fifty-one-hour drama is a massive historical tableau that, leaning on
the solid pillars of a few authentic facts, carries the colorful and
ethereal superstructure of its fictional plot.
Let us look at the historical load-bearing elements:
First to be mentioned is the authentic portrayal of the era's regional power dynamics. We are in the late 8th century and the first half of the 9th century. Among the state formations of the Korean Peninsula, the mighty Koguryeo had ended nearly a hundred years prior, with part of its territory taken over by Chinese protectorates. Silla, located in the south, however, annexed the surrounding states, thereby extending its rule over a significant portion of the peninsula. Across the Yellow Sea, the Tang Dynasty held sway, where many Silla refugees had also settled. Most of them engaged in trade, and chronicles reported that their activities were constantly endangered by pirates seeking to plunder their goods. Silla people were considered easy prey for the slave trade conducted by pirates. The latter grew to such proportions that in 823, the Tang Emperor issued a decree banning it and ordering the return of those abducted to Silla. The internal affairs of the Tang Dynasty were also fraught with power rivalries and rebellions, which are likewise documented in historical sources, including the mention of the Yi Sa-do uprising. We also know that during this period, China was a much more open society than in later times; this resulted in a rich system of trade relations with distant Western regions of the world (Arabia, Tibet, etc.), the traces of which can be found in the drama through the depiction of caravans traveling the Silk Road and current market goods within the country.
From this alone, one of the drama’s attractions becomes clear: the portrayal of contemporary life touching upon bustling, colorful, and exotic locations. Besides the two main settings (Silla and the Shandong region of the Tang Empire), the story takes us to Dunhuang, which served as the gateway to the Silk Road, and the desert regions of the border garrisons. We learn about the strategic importance of the Grand Canal, the greatest achievement of Chinese technology at the time.
Directors Kang Il-soo and Kang Byeon-taek managed the series' massive budget
of approximately 11 million dollars well, punctuating the drama with lavish
spectacles alongside its consistently vivid and expressive imagery. We
witness countless duels, minor and major skirmishes, and large-scale battles
both on land and at sea. Standing out among them all is the desert clash
between Jang Bogo and Yeom Moon, an exceptionally well-composed, long battle
scene utilizing every imaginable contemporary and local tactical move, tool,
and camouflage. The chosen location—the Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark in
the Gobi Desert—creates breathtaking backdrops for all of this.
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(Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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(Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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(Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
Yet, perhaps the most exquisite part is the sight of authentically reconstructed merchant, naval, and pirate ships crossing the Yellow Sea and their engagements, through which the possibilities and difficulties of contemporary navigation, as well as the methods of local piracy, become understandable.
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
The protagonist, Jang Bogo, is a real historical figure whose life is documented by several authentic sources, notably originating from three different countries (Korea – Samguk Sagi and Samguk Yusa; China – The New Book of Tang; Japan – Shoku Nihon Koki). From these, we learn his approximate lifespan (787–841), his birthplace (Wando), his original name (Goongbok), and the major events of his life. According to these records, he was born the son of a seafarer and possessed exceptional martial arts skills. Since he had no chance of transcending the limitations of the caste system in Silla, he traveled to China with his companion, Jeong Nyeon, where he joined the army and took the name Jang Bogo. Through rapid promotion, they became high-ranking officers in the Wuning District (present-day Jiangsu). Two years after the Tang decree banning the slave trade, Jang Bogo returned to Silla, where he petitioned for the establishment of a fleet to protect merchants in the southern seas. Thus, in 828, the Cheonghae ("Clear Sea") Garrison was established on Wando Island, for which he also received permission to raise a ten-thousand-strong army. The force was essentially under Jang Bogo's own command, granting him exceptional military and political power; with his massive fleet, he dominated the trade between Tang, Silla, and Japan, and with royal authorization, he could negotiate independently with other countries. He strengthened the community of Silla merchants living in the Tang Empire—as mentioned in the drama—and even had temples built for them. He became so wealthy and powerful that he was able to intervene in Silla's internal conflicts over the throne, thereby drawing the resentment of the nobility, especially because he did so despite his commoner origins. Jang entered the political arena as a "kingmaker," helping his preferred ruler to the throne with the support of a five-thousand-man army, and perhaps even harbored dreams of founding a dynasty by marrying his daughter into the royal family. However, due to the resistance of the nobility, these plans failed. In revenge, Jang plotted a conspiracy which ultimately led to his death, as he was stabbed at his own garrison by a man named Yeom Jang (or Yeom Mun). Following his death, the garrison was dismantled. Consequently, from the perspective of the Silla Kingdom, Jang Bogo ended his life as a traitor despite all his previous merits. His reputation shifted more positively over subsequent periods; even the 13th-century Samguk Yusa, written during the Joseon Dynasty, spoke of him with appreciation, highlighting his intent to purify political life, and later, his activities for the sake of secure and independent maritime trade came to the fore.
The sources also mention Jeong Nyeon, depicted in the drama as Jang Bogo’s friend. They describe how they went to the Tang Empire together. Jeong Nyeon was excellent in martial arts and swimming, yet he is presented as a person close to but competing with Jang Bogo. He followed Jang Bogo to Silla much later, only after resigning from his position in Tang, where he participated in leading Jang Bogo's five-thousand-man army during the first succession struggle. Later, it is said that during his premiership, Jang Bogo entrusted the leadership of Cheonghae to Jeong Nyeon, though this information is not entirely verified.
Yeom Jang (formerly known as Yeom Moon), the drama's antagonist, was also a
real person. From the aforementioned sources, we know he hailed from
Mujinju, was a general and politician of the late Silla Dynasty, and likely
lived until 851 (thus, he probably had little to do with pirates). During
the first throne succession conflict in 838, Yeom Jang—described as brave
and agile—participated in leading a five-thousand-man army as General Jang
Bogo's subordinate, but later sided with the government. The
Samguk Yusa, however,
gives a detailed account of how Yeom, with the King’s approval and feigning
a request for asylum, sought out Jang Bogo, and describes the detailed
circumstances of the murder, including the dialogue between them. After the
assassination, Yeom Jang was appointed to one of the highest official posts
(Agan, the sixth of
the seventeen ranks) and subsequently participated in the process of
completely dismantling the garrison.
Kungp'a [Jang Bogo] led the general into an inner room, where they sat face to face. When they were alone, Kungp'a asked again:- What wind brought you here?- I have offended the King—Yeom Jang repeated—and therefore I have come to seek asylum under your command to escape death.- You are lucky—said Kungp'a.—Raise your glass! I drink to your health and your successful escape. When Kungp'a had been drinking decently, Yeom Jang suddenly pulled the long sword from the scabbard hanging at the rebel's waist and cut off his head with a single blow. When they heard this, all of Kungp'a's officers and men fell prostrate before Yeom Jang in fear and shock.Samguk Yusa, Book 2, Chapter 47
Kim Yang is also mentioned in the chronicles, which state he was of
royal descent. He indeed served as the governor of Mujinju and then
participated in its capture, leading the cavalry in Kim Woo-jing's army.
After the victory, he forbade personal retaliation against the losers.
Later, he rose to a high military rank. Historical sources praise him for
his insight but mention that he took no steps to aid Jang Bogo, perhaps
fearing the formidable power Jang Bogo possessed, which rivaled his own.
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Governors of Mujinju in the drama: Kim Chang-gyeom (Jung Sung-hwan)
– fictional character, Junghwa's brother; Kim Yang (Bae Soo-bin) –
real character, royal descendant. (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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The Inspector General and the Minister of War. (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
Although the succession and history of the constantly changing rulers are quite difficult to follow, the drama generally follows the main turns of real events. We encounter several kings among the characters:
- King Heungdeuk (826–838), who appears as Jang Bogo’s first supporter:
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| Park Sang-gyu (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| Shin Gwi-sik (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| Jang Ki-yong (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
- King Minae (838–839), formerly Kim Myeong (supported by Lady Jami in the drama):
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| Kim Joo-young (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| Kil Yong-woo (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
- King Munseong (839–857), son of King Sinmu, who ascended the throne as a child:
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| Kim Kyun-ha (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
Among the characters seen in the story, Yi Sa-do, who serves the Tang
but opposes them, is a real historical personality. He is considered a
descendant of Koguryeo, although this is not fully proven. The rebellion,
however, is a fact, as is the assassination attempt against the Tang Prime
Minister, who wanted to break the power of the Yi clan. Since Jang Bogo was
serving in the Tang army at the time, he also obstructed the realization of
Yi’s plans, and they might have even come into contact. The rebellion was
indeed eventually suppressed with the help provided by Silla.
These are roughly the historical cornerstones of the story, the walls of whose colorful plot were first envisioned by novelist Choi In-ho in his three-volume novel God of the Sea (해신), published in 2003. The publisher's description emphasizes that with this documentary novel, he actually did much more: after a thorough study of historical sources, he placed the figure of the protagonist—recorded as a traitor in Korean history—in a different light. He portrays Jang Bogo as a brave man striving to renew Silla's chaotic political life, who did not surrender to his fate even at the beginning. He became who he was through his own strength, rising to greatness as a humanist thinker and religious reformer (supporting Zen Buddhism), a globally-minded man who could look beyond national borders. He was made a loser by his own country's jealous nobility, who could not tolerate him in their ranks.
Despite the fact that most characters and a large part of the plot are products of the imagination, there are enough real elements in it for God of the Sea to approach the greatest historical dramas striving for authenticity; indeed, it could almost imperceptibly be placed among them.
Episodes 1–4: The Heroes' Childhood
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Heo In-beom (Soon-jong), Ahn Jae-hong (Jeon Nyeon), Baek
Sung-hyun (Goongbok),
Lee Yeon-hee (Junghwa), Hong Hyun-ki (Yeom Moon) child
actors/actress.
(Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
In this phase, the teenage actors take center stage, all flawlessly
breathing life into the future adult protagonists. However, Baek Sung-hyun
stands out among them with an energetic and natural performance as the young
Goongbok, and Hong Hyun-ki must be mentioned as the young Yeom Moon, who
manages to evoke the charisma of the adult character.
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Episodes 5–7: Mujinju: Lady Jami’s Empire 
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The merchant house of Lady Jami (Chae Shira) Jang Seong-pil (Do Ki-suk), Tae-bong (Kim Hyung-beom), Neung-chang (Park Jung-hak), Junghwa (Soo Ae), Dabok (Go Do-young), Mak Bong (Lee Hee-do), Lee Soon-jong (Jo Dal-hwan) (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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The merchant house of Master Seol (Park Young-gyu) Jeong Nyeon (Kim Heung-soo), Goongbok (Choi Soo-jong), Baek Ha-jin (Kim Ah-joong), Seol Chae-ryeong (Chae Jeong-an), Yoo Ja-sung (Kim Hyo-won), Jang Seong-pil (Do Ki-suk) (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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Merchant house of Master Jo (Lee Jae-yong) Cheon Du-man (Choi Woon-kyo), Choi Mu-chang (Lee Won-jong) (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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Merchant house of Master Lee (Kim Kap-soo) Pansul (Go Myeong-hwan), Dae-chi (Jung Ho-geun), Yeom Moon (Song Il-kook), Baek-kyung (Yeo Ho-min), Joong-dal (Kang Seong-pil) (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
While still in Mujinju, Yeom Moon kills the man who had set his sights on
Junghwa. Subsequently, Junghwa manages to learn commerce as an independent
woman, following Lady Jami’s model, and is tutored by Yeom Moon, who is
highly skilled in the field. Thus, Yeom Moon can draw close to his love,
whose feelings he continues to respect. No one knows that his first act upon
returning to China was to set out to rescue Goongbok—who had been sent to
the construction of a border fortress—though he did not succeed. Surviving
the cruel conditions, Goongbok eventually comes into the possession of
Master Jo, a Yangzhou merchant involved in the training and competing of
gladiators.
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
As an aside, I found the question intriguing: could gladiator matches have been held in China at that time? Theoretically, the Silk Road formed a connection with Ancient Rome, so they could have known of the games there, yet I found no mention of this on the internet. What I did find was the description of the lei tai, which meant a duel taking place on a platform built for that purpose, certainly existing as early as the Qin Dynasty. These could be lethal armed encounters, though they were more often unprotected fights resembling wrestling. Perhaps the author's imagination colored this form of entertainment into gladiatorial combat, and the cinematic execution made it resemble the ancient games known to us in its outward appearance.
After many turns, Goongbok and Nyeon end up in Master Seol’s merchant
house as the group’s bodyguards. Due to a rebellion breaking out in Silla,
Lady Jami is forced to stay in Yangzhou as Master Lee's guest, creating a
new field of conflict for the characters. Initially, the Jami-Lee alliance
enjoys unbroken success, but their methods later turn against them, causing
their downfall. To save herself, Lady Jami betrays Master Lee, who is forced
to flee Yangzhou, while Yeom Moon nearly loses his life in a duel with
Goongbok.
Long before this, Yeom Moon saves Goongbok’s life again, a fact known only
to Junghwa. The girl—recognizing their irreconcilable situation—seeks to
break up with Goongbok and, through a twist of fate, finds herself in a
position to marry Yeom Moon, accepting his honorable proposal. It becomes
clear to Goongbok that Yeom Moon is among those hated pirates to whom he
owes his misfortune; thus, the friendship between the two men ends, and they
become mortal enemies. The wounded Yeom Moon is ultimately saved from
Goongbok’s lethal blow by Junghwa. Consequently, suffering manifold losses,
Yeom Moon is forced to flee alongside Master Lee.
Episodes 19–25: The Yi Sa-do Rebellion
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| Yi Sa-do (Han Sang-hyuk) (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
However, the war ends with Yi Sa-do’s defeat. Master Lee must flee again, leaving everything behind, as must Lady Jami, who sneaks back to Silla. Yeom Moon rescues Junghwa from the attacked camp, dragging her away before Goongbok’s eyes. During the escape, however, he becomes separated from the woman, who simply vanishes.
This part concludes with an extremely interesting finale: Yi Sa-do gives a
thought-provoking piece of advice to Jang Bogo, who is at the peak of his
military success and considers himself a person of elevated thinking.
"I am a descendant of Koguryeo. Why do you think we speak the same language? Because we share the same blood. Yet, you still point your sword at your own blood? Blinded by the insignificant matter of the safety of Silla people living in China, you have lost sight of a greater goal. The Tang government will brand me a traitor, though I am not. This land belonged to Koguryeo; I merely tried to reclaim our land. Why did you become a Tang soldier and obstruct my great cause?! Listen to me well! No matter what purpose you fight for, you are just a Tang dog. Think carefully about who you are barking at!"
The author's distortion is obvious, through which we see the figure of Yi
Sa-do as more noble than in reality. At the same time, the double message is
important: a retrospective jab fueled by patriotism at China, a constant
threat throughout history, and the planting of a life-altering thought in
Jang Bogo’s mind. There is also a piquant edge to this, as in the light of
this thought, the good and bad sides seem to swap places: was Yeom Moon
instinctively on the right side then? And Lady Jami as well?
Episodes 26–33: Silla: Warfare Against the Pirates – Part 1
The story resumes two years later when Lady Jami, having quickly recovered,
arrives in Yangzhou once more as Silla’s envoy. Goongbok, who has since
taken the name Jang Bogo and left his military career, has learned the trade
and thwarts Lady Jami’s plans with his bold moves. By this time, every
faction has leveled up in their ambitions. With Master Seol's support, Jang
Bogo's goal is to build a bridgehead in Silla, defeat the pirates, and then
establish secure shipping routes toward China and Japan. Master Lee, having
retreated to an island, has shifted his focus to piracy, dominating the
region's waters and even defeating naval fleets. He seeks to bring the
southwestern waters under his control to expand further toward Japan and
China, and even aims to gain a foothold in political life. Lady Jami exerts
increasing power over the appointment of state officials servile to her.
After the fiasco in Yangzhou, she realizes that under Master Lee's
protection, she could secure a safe sea transport route toward the Silla
capital; therefore, she reconnects and allies with the pirate leader once
again. These ambitions naturally guarantee further conflictual situations
among the characters. New characters appear on the scene: an unknown
merchant group, which is soon revealed to be led by Junghwa, and her
supporter, Kim Woo-jing, the former regent.
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Merchant house of Junghwa, bottom left: Mujin (Seo Do-yeong) (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
Episodes 34–37: Yangzhou, Silla: Warfare Against the Pirates – Part 2
In Yangzhou, the leadership of Master Seol’s group and the title of Grand
Master are bequeathed to Jang Bogo. In the succession struggle raging within
the Silla royal court, Lady Jami and Master Lee side with the Inspector
General, while Jang Bogo and Junghwa support the Regent. Suddenly
recognizing the strategic importance of the location, everyone seeks to gain
a foothold in Cheonghae; Master Lee launches an attack to seize the area.
The Regent—successfully evading the trap set by Lady Jami—recommends Jang
Bogo to the King’s confidence, who then receives authorization to suppress
the pirates. A new governor is appointed to Mujinju, representing a new,
independent force. Jang Bogo’s growing power disintegrates the unity of the
pirates; left to his own devices, Master Lee finally loses his life. Yeom
Moon wages a desperate struggle for revenge, but his fight is hopeless, and
he eventually falls into Jang Bogo’s captivity, who imposes a cruel
punishment upon him.
Episodes 38–47: Yangzhou, Cheonghae, Seorabeol (Capital of Silla, modern-day Gyeongju): Succession Struggles
The story continues after a two-year hiatus. The King places Jang Bogo in a privileged position, granting him permission to establish a private army of ten thousand men. In the capital, the balance of power among those vying for the throne shifts rapidly; first the death of the Chancellor, then that of the King, rearranges the political landscape. Naturally, Lady Jami and Jang Bogo stand on opposing sides. Kim Yang appears as a new power player, alongside whom Yeom Moon also returns, now under the name Yeom Jang. Finally, the front lines are drawn between Lady Jami—who has temporarily placed a puppet king, Huigang, on the throne and is allied with Chancellor Kim Myung in the capital—and those at the Cheonghae base harboring the rightful heir to the throne, Kim Woo-jing (and with him, Junghwa). Jang Bogo, now married to Master Seol’s daughter, has taken in Kim Yang, who ostensibly submits to him but harbors secret plans of his own, with Yeom Jang in his service.
After the removal of the puppet king, Lady Jami seeks to have Kim Myung
recognized as ruler by winning over Silla-born officials within the Tang
administration. she exerts all her influence to paralyze Cheonghae's trade,
but Jang Bogo and Yeom Jang thwart her plans, making an attack on the base
seem inevitable. Changing their previous stance, Kim Woo-jing and Jang Bogo
decide to intervene in the power dynamics. Yeom Jang is granted the rank of
General within Jang Bogo's army.
Episodes 47–49: The War
According to Lady Jami’s plans, the Empire’s armies set out to attack
Cheonghae. Meanwhile, Jang Bogo’s army captures Mujinju. Lady Jami attempts
to use the captured Junghwa to achieve her goals, but she fails, as does her
decisive battle, since Jang Bogo proves to be the superior strategist. Kim
Yang and Yeom Jang play a major role in the victory; Lady Jami loses
everything.
Episodes 49–51: Power Vacuum, The Fall of Cheonghae
Kim Woo-jing ascends the throne as King Sinmu, but since this is solely due to Jang Bogo’s merit, the power ambitions of Kim Yang—appointed as Inspector General—remain unfulfilled. Within Yeom Jang, elevated to the post of Commander of the Royal Guard, newly acquired experiences clash with old vows, causing him to waver in his resolve. Consequently, he loses the trust of both his old and new allies. However, the King, who intends to appoint Jang Bogo to a court office, unexpectedly passes away, and his successor is his young son. Kim Yang grows increasingly brazen in his pursuit of power, threatening Jang Bogo with war against Cheonghae. As Junghwa also falls into danger, Yeom Jang volunteers to persuade Jang Bogo in order to avoid war. However, Kim Yang promises this only in exchange for Jang Bogo’s assassination—a promise he has no intention of keeping. Although Yeom Jang fulfills the task, Kim Yang attacks and dismantles the Cheonghae base regardless. Yeom Jang is left with no choice but to protect his love at the cost of his own life.
On the Main Characters and Acting Performances
Jang Bogo, formerly Goongbok (Choi Soo-jong)
From the very beginning, we come to know him as a restless character, unable to accept his preordained fate, refusing to surrender to the hardships life places before him. Initially, he is driven only by the desire to escape his past; however, the way Yi Sa-do confronts him with his actions simultaneously shames him, makes him reflect, and defines the future direction of his endeavors.
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
Yet, his political principles do not fit into the reality of his time, which ultimately turns him into a tragic hero. At one point, Yeom Jang says something profoundly thought-provoking to him: "Excessive humility is a form of pride"—and in my opinion, this is precisely where Jang Bogo outmaneuvers himself. By citing his adherence to principles, he comes into conflict with his own most important conviction: that he must not participate in the political rivalries of the court. In the drama, we receive a slightly skewed version of historical accounts, as if all of Jang Bogo’s ambitions for power appear so only because of the requests of others. However, this contradiction does not disappear even through this, nor does the "double standard" applied to certain smaller issues. For instance, he respects Master Jo while turning a blind eye to Jo’s past activities—gladiatorial games that caused the deaths of countless fellow slaves. Furthermore, while constantly preaching the principle of "embracing your enemy," he takes uncharacteristically cruel revenge on Yeom Moon. He holds it against Yeom for not breaking the emotional bond with his pirate foster father, while he himself clung to Master Seol with the same devoted loyalty (even if the moral standing of the two "father figures" is opposite, there is no difference in the emotions arising from the "child/disciple" position). There is no mention of how much of his actions were driven by romantic revenge, but later, his inexplicable trust toward Yeom seems tinged with a certain remorse.
Although endowed with a lifelong love in the spirit of romance, he appears moderate in this as well, actually doing little to change his beloved’s stance. He accepts the circumstances; thus, it is no wonder he ends up beside another woman, where the urge to conform to the expectations of his environment proves stronger than true love.
In Choi Soo-jong’s portrayal, Jang Bogo is a man of winning appearance and
excellent fighting spirit, capable of maturing into a charismatic leader
through much learning. However, excessive heroization and idealization do
not serve the character well. Although he is capable of expressing a wide
variety of emotions, he somehow seems distant, frozen in his own greatness.
Nevertheless, everything would be in place to count Choi’s performance among
the most memorable drama heroes, if his antagonist were not Yeom Moon/Yeom
Jang, brought to life by none other than Song Il-kook.
Yeom Moon, later known as Yeom Jang (Song Il-kook)
Perhaps the most contradictory antagonist we have ever seen. Bound by a
fatal attachment to the pirate leader who saved his life and raised him, as
a child he encountered nothing but a lack of love and teachings burdened
with cruel punishments. These seemingly matured him into an emotionless,
ruthless killer, but also into an excellent warrior and merchant. If Jang
Bogo has a noble appearance, then Yeom Moon radiates a regal aura; his
posture and every single movement are so majestic. He is a restrained,
taciturn character, from whose eyes sometimes infinite sadness, sometimes
infinite cruelty flows. In the first half of the drama, his developing
friendship with Goongbok and his love for Junghwa seem to bring the positive
half of his being to life; despite his misdeeds, he mostly appears extremely
captivating. It is an interesting cinematic solution that, despite being a
negative character, he regularly appears dressed in pastel-colored
clothes.
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
"Do you know how I feel right now? The thin thread I was desperately clinging to has snapped. I will fall into a bottomless well if I let go of that thread. Yet I... snapped it with my own hands."
Finally—albeit late—he confronts the fact that he has been exploited, and at least in the moments before his death, he stands on the right side.
One always feels that it would take only a single gesture from Junghwa to save Yeom Moon, who is an infinitely devoted and self-sacrificing lover. Two things make the woman unattainable for him: on one hand, the tragic offense he committed against her (though only he is aware of this), and the tact with which he handles Junghwa’s feelings for Jang Bogo. The phase of the story when Junghwa nevertheless ends up by his side as a "wife" represents the deepest hell for him, because he is only confronted with the fact that the emotional chasm between them is unbridgeable.
Song Il-kook’s performance is so powerful that we can use the turn of phrase: "he steals the show." Perfectly internalizing all the aforementioned traits, he transfigures into Yeom Moon. Precisely during the previously mentioned cohabitation, he shows something stunning: Junghwa’s offer to be his wife in exchange for Jang Bogo’s life shames the proud man to such an extent that his voice chokes with the internal passion of humiliation, and he begins to tremble in every fiber of his being. Compared to the vitality seen in the first half of the drama, it is worth observing how the entire character darkens in the second half—and I am not referring to the colors of the costumes, but to Song Il-kook’s facial expressions, his posture, and his gaze. For many episodes, he has almost no lines, yet we can follow his every thought and emotion precisely through these. Although the killing of Jang Bogo is a villainous act, in Yeom Jang’s eyes, it may have another reading: he is no longer driven by revenge, but truly by the prevention of a conflict that poses a danger to his country and people. This is why we can see it as if the remaining part of his soul dies along with Jang Bogo. Thus, it can even be permissible to view his death as a self-sacrificing, noble act. In summary: an infinitely tragic and lonely hero, who becomes fascinating precisely through the complexity of his character, and an unforgettable figure of the drama.
Incidentally, Yeom Moon was Song Il-kook’s first historical drama role, and he stated afterward that the filming was so strenuous that he seriously considered whether to accept the lead role of Jumong offered to him next. Fortunately, he made the right decision, as he thus gifted us with the greatest royal drama (and later its sequel, The Kingdom of the Winds).
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An example of the subtle difference in lighting used in the drama
to aid characterization: Jang Bogo is enveloped in a warm, almost radiant golden light, while a cold blue light casts a shadow across Yeom Jang’s face. (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
Junghwa (Soo Ae)
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
Lady Jami (Chae Shi-ra)
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
Kim Yang (Bae Soo-bin)
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
Still, I would add comments to a few of them:
Jeong Nyeon (Kim Heung-soo)
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
Jang Bogo’s Father (Park In-hwan)
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
Master Lee, the Pirate Lee Do-hyeong (Kim Kap-soo)
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| (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
The Annoying Characters, or the Presence of Fairground Theater
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| Lee Soon-jong (Jo Dal-hwan) and Mak Bong (Lee Hee-do) (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
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| Chun-tae (Choi Sang-kil) and Joong-dal (Kang Seong-pil) (Author’s screenshot from Emperor of the Sea.) |
The Emmy-nominated drama is also unique in that it escalates losses to the extreme, as if we were in a Shakespearean tragedy; hardly any survivors remain. For that part of the audience who constantly hopes for a happy ending, this is very taxing; therefore, they have categorized the drama among those not recommended for viewing. Let no one believe them if they do not want to miss out on a long-lasting, unrepeatable experience!
Disclaimer: All images used in this article from Emperor of the Sea are owned by KBS and are used here under Fair Use for the purpose of criticism and scholarly review.
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