Mar 19, 2012  The Great Queen Seondeok(선덕여왕) 1회 EP01 2009/05/25 MBC TV Republic of Korea 북한산 비봉에 올라 신라를 바라보고 호연지기한 진흥왕. Episode 1: The Great Queen Seondeok EN 100%. Korea King Jinheung ascends to Bukhansan and looks over at Silla proudly. Misil prevents the assassins of Baekje from attacking King Jinheung.

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Queen Seondeok of Silla (Korean: 선덕여왕Korean pronunciation: [sʌn.dʌk jʌ.waŋ]; c. 595~610 – 17 February 647/January 8, Lunar Calendar)^{[citation needed]} reigned as Queen Regnant of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, from 632 to 647.^[1] She was Silla's twenty-seventh ruler, and its first reigning queen. She was the second female sovereign in recorded East Asian history and encouraged a renaissance in thought, literature, and the arts in Silla.^[2]In Samguksagi, Queen Seondeok was described as 'generous, benevolent, wise, and smart'.^[3]

• 2Reign
• 4Legends

Succession to the throne[edit]

She was the daughter of King Jinpyeong and Queen Maya of Silla. She had two siblings, Princess Cheonmyeong and Princess Seonhwa (although Seonhwa's existence is controversial due to the discovery of evidence in 2009 that points to King Uija's mother as being Queen Sataek and not Seonhwa as indicated by historical records), it is unsure whether she was the first born or Cheonmyeong, however, it is widely believed that Princess Cheonmyeong was older than her.

Because King Jinpyeong had no son whom he could pass the crown to, he began to consider his son-in-law, Kim Yongsu (husband of Princess Cheonmyeong) as his successor - after recognizing his achievements for the country. When Princess Deokman heard of it, she made a plea to her father, asking him to give her a chance to compete for the throne, insisting that she too has the right to compete for the throne as much as Kim Yongsu has. Seeing her determination, the King gave her the chance to prove herself worthy of the throne. Although it was not unusual for women to wield power in Silla (Queen Sado also served as a regent for King Jinpyeong), the thought of having a female ruler sitting on the throne was still unacceptable for most of them. Therefore, Princess Deokman had to prove herself in order to gain the trust and support of her people. Eventually, she succeeded, and was named as King Jinpyeong's successor – a decision that wasn't accepted by everyone, and as a result; some officials planned an uprising in order to stop her from being crowned. On May of 631, Ichan Chilsuk (이찬 칠숙) and Achan Seokpum (아찬 석품), planned a rebellion. But, their plan was discovered and suppressed early on and as punishment, Chilsuk was beheaded in the market place along with his entire family. Seokpum was able to escape and run all the way to the Baekje's border. However, he started to miss his wife and decided to return after exchanging clothes with a woodcutter. He was arrested by the soldiers that were waiting for him at his house, and was executed later on.

Reign[edit]

In January, 632, Queen Seondeok, became the first queen of Silla. As a ruler, Queen Seondeok's primary concern was the livelihood of her people. Right after she was crowned, she appeased her people by letting them know of her policies as a new ruler. She sent royal inspectors throughout the Silla kingdom in order to oversee the care and needs of the widows, widowers, orphans, poor and elderly, who had no family to support them. During that same year, she sent a diplomat to pay tribute to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, and inform him about Silla's new ruler. However, Emperor Taizong of Tang refused to acknowledge Seondeok as a ruler because she was a woman.

In the second year of Queen Seondeok's reign, Cheomseongdae, an astronomical observatory, was built to help the farmers. She also announced a whole year of tax exemption for the peasants and reduced the tax for the middle class, through this act of kindness, the queen won the people's support and her position was strengthened against the opposition of the male aristocracy. In June of the same year, Queen Seondeok sent a diplomat to pay tribute to the Tang Emperor again; however, Emperor Taizong still refused to acknowledge her as a ruler.

According to Samguk Sagi, in March, 636, the queen became ill and no amount of prayers and medicine worked. In March, 638, a large stone on the south side of the mountain moved on its own, and seven months later, Goguryeo attacked the mountain valley. The next year, the sea water on the eastern part of the Silla kingdom turned red, which caused all of the fish living in it to die. These events made the people anxious, and some of them considered them as bad omens portending the Silla kingdom's downfall.

In 642, Uija of Baekje personally led a campaign against Silla, and conquered 40 fortresses in the western part of Silla. General Yunchung conquered the strategically important Daeya Fortress with 10,000 men and executed the daughter and son-in-law of Kim Chunchu.^[4][5] In 643, Baekje and Goguryeo conquered Danghang Fortress, blocking an important sea route to the Tang dynasty.^[6] Because of this, Queen Seondeok sent a diplomat to the Emperor of Tang and asked for assistance. The Emperor gave her three proposals. First, he would attack the Liaodong and carry out a naval campaign on the west to occupy the Baekje. Second, the emperor would provide thousands of Tang uniforms and army flags in order to help Silla soldiers disguise themselves as Chinese troops. Third, he would send a male royal of Tang descent to serve as a new king of Silla, as, according to him, Silla faced constant threat because their enemies didn't fear them due to their having a female ruler. The diplomat returned to Silla, unable to tell the Queen of the proposals that the Tang Emperor had offered.

At that point of crisis, Queen Seondeok sent for the well known Buddhist monk, Jajang, who had been studying under the great Buddhist masters of the Tang Dynasty for seven years. Monk Jajang returned to Silla in 643. He advised the queen and her counselors to build the great nine-story pagoda for the dual purpose of blocking foreign invasions and calming her people. After careful consideration, the queen decided to accept Jajang's proposal, seeing it as necessary to overcome the crisis that they were facing at that time. However, during her meeting with her royal subjects, she learned that they were strongly against it due to concern for the state of the royal treasury, knowing that the construction of the pagoda would bring a heavy tax burden on her people. But the queen still decided to continue with the plan with the firm belief that a work of religious devotion would bring her people together and show her people that Silla was still far from ruin. She told her royal subjects to 'tear down her palace and use its bricks and timbers, if they think they lack the funds'. After two years, the pagoda was finally completed; it was called Hwangnyongsa (meaning 'Imperial Dragon Temple') and was considered the tallest temple in East Asia at that time. During that same year, Queen Seondeok appointed a nobleman named Bidam to the highest position in the court (Sangdaedeung).

During the reign of Queen Seondeok, the first foundation for unifying the three Kingdoms under Silla was laid. A series of attacks and raids by the combined forces of Baekje and Goguryeo had brought the kingdom to a point of crisis. The queen decided to form an alliance with the Tang Dynasty. She was ridiculed at first, however, after seeing the growing strength of Goguryeo, the Emperor of Tang, finally accepted her offer.

Bidam's rebellion[edit]

On February 8, 647 (January 8, lunar calendar), Queen Seondeok faced her biggest challenge when several of her highest officials started a rebellion against her. They were led by Bidam, who asserted that: 'The female king failed to rule the country, therefore women should stop ruling'. Bidam had strong political influence in the court, and thus created the biggest rebellion in Silla's history. It was a big problem for Queen Seondeok at that time, since most of her soldiers had been sent to different parts of the Silla kingdom to defend it from potential foreign invasions.

According to a famous anecdote about Bidam's rebellion, on the night of Bidam's rebellion, Queen Seondeok's health had deteriorated sharply due to illness, and a star fell near the Queen's residence. Bidam, who saw the star, claimed it was a sign of the queen's impending downfall, to encourage his superstitious followers. The queen, who heard of the event, became fearful and anxious, but Kim Yushin calmed her by telling her not to worry, for he had a plan to suppress the rebellion. He then flew a huge kite with a burning scarecrow attached to it, to make it appear that the star was back in its place. Bidam's followers saw this, and became greatly discouraged.

The rebellion was eventually suppressed by Kim Yushin and Kim Alcheon. According to Samguk Sagi, Bidam and his thirty followers were executed on January 17, 647 (lunar calendar).

The rebellion therefore lasted for fewer than 10 days, and failed in its goal to replace Queen Seondeok with a male ruler.

Death[edit]

Queen Seondeok died on February 17, 647 (January 8, 674 in the lunar calendar) shortly before Bidam's rebellion was completely suppressed. There is no known record identifying the exact cause of her death, but Queen Seondeok was known to have had an unspecified illness shortly prior to her death, and this illness is most commonly theorized as the cause of her death. Some historians state it is also possible she died partly out of shock that Bidam had instigated a rebellion against her. Queen Seondeok was buried in a tomb on Nangsan, one of the sacred mountains in Gyeongju.^[7] After Queen Seondeok's death, her cousin was then named as the next female ruler of Silla, and became Queen Jindeok.

Buddhism and astrology[edit]

Like her father, Queen Seondeok was also drawn to Buddhism. Silla built many temples, pagodas, and Buddha statues during her reign. One of the famous temples that was built during her time was the temple of Hwangnyongsa. According to ancient architectural records, the pagoda was 68 or 80 meters in height, making it one of the tallest structures in East Asia at the time. The pagoda represented the earnest wish of Queen Seondeok and the Silla people, to protect the country and bring the three kingdoms of Korea under one ruler. It was an offering to the Buddha, in hope that these wishes would be fulfilled.The queen often visited the Hwangnyongsa temple to pray for the wisdom and strength to save Silla from danger.

Bunhwangsa, Oseam, Sangwonsa, Yeongmyosa, Tongdosa, Woljeongsa, Baekdamsa, and Magoksa were also built during her reign.

She built the 'Star-Gazing Tower,' or Cheomseongdae, considered the first dedicated observatory in the Far East, which helped farmers at that time. The tower still stands in the old Silla capital of Gyeongju, South Korea and is the oldest surviving observatory in East Asia.

Husband[edit]

According to Hwarang Segi, Queen Seondeok had three husbands.

1. Kim Yongchun - was a child of King Jinji and Princess Cheonmyeong's brother-in-law. He served as an official during King Jinpyeong's reign and served as a Sangdaedeung for Queen Seondeok.According to the story: King Jinpyeong ordered Kim Yong Chun to become Princess Deokman's consort - in hope that a son will be born in their union rather than entrusting the kingdom on a woman. But they failed to conceived a child and so, Kim Yong Chun asked the king to allow him to retire as Princess Deokman's consort. The king agreed to his request but asked him to assist Princess Deokman once she took over the throne. He went on to marry Princess Cheonmyeong later on, in order to fulfill his brother's dying wish.

2. Ulje - He served as an official during King Jinpyeong's reign and as a Sangdaedeung for Queen Seondeok.

3. Lord Heumbahn - was said to be one of King Jinpyeong's brothers.

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According to Samguk Yusa,she married her uncle Galmunwang Eum, one year after she was crowned.

However, it is widely believed that she didn't let herself be wed in order to avoid political conflicts, hence the next female rulers after her (Queen Jindeok and Queen Jinseong) weren't married as well.

Legends[edit]

Peony flowers and painting[edit]

Emperor Taizong of China once sent the queen a painting of three peony flowers in red, purple and white, along with its actual seeds. When the queen had the seeds planted in her garden, she made a remark that 'even though the flower was pretty, it probably does not have much fragrance'. Her words were then proven to be correct when the flowers bloomed, wilted and died, without giving off any scent. People were surprised that she had known of it, and asked her about it. She explained it thus: 'The painting showed no butterfly or bees beside the flowers. When he sent me this gift, Emperor Taizong was mocking me for not having a husband.'The peony flower doesn't have any scent, which is why butterflies weren't interested on it — implying the reason why she doesn't have a husband was probably because no man was interested on her. [Not being married was seen as something negative for one's character and status during those days].It is said that, the temple Bunhwangsa (Fragrance of the Royal Temple) was built as a response to the mockery.

Another version of that story tells that when Queen Seondeok was seven years old, her father King Jinpyeong received a box of peony seeds and a peony painting sent by Emperor Taizong of Tang. When she saw the painting, she commented that even though the flowers are pretty, it must not have much fragrance because no butterflies or bees were around them. Peonies, therefore, are equated with her wisdom and insight.

Croaking Frogs and Jade Gate[edit]

Five years after her enthronement, the queen caused wonder among her people by defeating an invading enemy force with the help of frogs. Near the banks of Seongjin river in the capital city, there was a temple called Yeongmyosa. In the temple grounds was a pond named Okmun (Jade Gate). On a certain day in winter, a number of frogs gathered together at the pond and began to croak loudly for several days. When this strange phenomenon was reported to the queen, she immediately ordered two of her generals to lead 2,000 of her best soldiers to the western suburb of the city, and to look for a valley named Yeogeungok (Cradle of Life). She added that an enemy force would be found there lying in wait, which they would be sure to take by surprised. The two generals led their armies at the western suburb, found the valley the queen had mentioned, which lay near Mt. Bu, and destroyed not only the detachment of 500 Baekje soldiers they found there, but also a force of 1,200 reinforcements which came later to aid them.

Her bewildered subjects asked the queen how she had foreseen the Baekje invasion simply because of the croaking of frogs. The queen explained, 'A group of angry frogs signifies an army. Jade Gate is an expression for a woman's chastity. Woman is one of the meanings of Yin, which also has the meaning of white, and the white color stands for the West. So I knew that an army was lying in the West. As we say, a man is supposed in some sense to die during the act of creating new life. Since the Baekje army was hiding in the valley known as the Cradle of Life, I knew that it would be easy to defeat them.' Everyone who heard of the queen's reasoning was amazed at her insight.This shows that the queen was well-versed in the philosophy of Yin and Yang, and interpreted all the icons correctly. It is also remarkable to see the queen's reference to the symbolic 'death' of the male during the act of love. The queen openly dealt with the topic in front of her male courtiers, which also showed the queen's boldness.

The second is an account of her death. Some days before she died, Seondeok gathered her officials and gave the order 'When I die, bury me near the Doricheon (忉利天, 'Heaven of Grieved Merits')' which in Buddhism refers to a certain level of Heaven. When asked where the Doricheon was, she replied that it was on the southern side of Mt. Namsan. Decades after her death, the thirtieth king Munmu of Silla constructed Sacheonwang-sa (四天王寺 'Temple of the Four Heavenly Kings') in her tomb. Then the nobles realized that one of the Buddha's sayings, 'Dori-cheon is above the Sacheonwang-cheon', was accomplished by the queen.However, rather than prediction, some historians think of it as her last wish; which implicate her hardship as a queen. Queen Seondeok received so much jealousy and prejudiced for being a woman during her lifetime as a queen. So this may have been her way to show her desire to be reincarnated as a man in Doricheon in her next life.

The Legend of Jigwi (지귀)[edit]

There was a man named, Jigwi, who lived near the border of Goguryeo. One day, he went to Seorabeol and saw the queen who was passing by while on a visit to the capital city. He was mesmerized by her beauty and fell deeply in love with her — completely disregarding the difference between their age and social status. He stopped eating and sleeping and did nothing but call out the queen's name all day, he eventually lost his mind. The people who saw him couldn't help but sympathize over the young man's passionate and unrequited love.One day, Queen Seondeok went to visit a Buddhist temple to pray. As she was passing by, Jigwi appeared while calling out the queen's name as usual. The queen's guard thrust him aside which greatly stirred the onlookers who lined up on the street to see the queen. When the queen asked one of her attendants about the commotion, her attendant told her that there was a man who tried to approach her and was apprehended by the royal guards. The queen wondered on why did they stopped the man from seeing her, the attendant told her about Jigwi, who admired her greatly. The queen's heart was touched upon hearing what happened to Jigwi, and the queen asked her attendant to let Jigwi follow her retinue to the temple, much to the surprise of the crowd and delight of Jigwi, who danced for joy. While the queen was praying inside the temple, Jigwi had to wait outside while sitting underneath a pagoda. However, the queen took a long time to come out of the temple and so, Jigwi got bored and fell asleep. When the queen finally emerged, she noticed Jigwi who was sleeping behind the pagoda. She asked her attendants to be quiet so as not to disturb the sleeping young man. While on her way, she stopped by and stared at Jigwi for a while, then removed her bracelet and placed it gently on Jigwi's chest to let him know of her presence. After she gone back to the palace, Jigwi woke up and saw the bracelet that she left for him. He was overwhelmed with joy and love for the queen, that his whole body turned into a fire. The fierce flames of his love burned down the pagoda and Jigwi himself. Although in some versions state that Jigwi burned down himself and the temple to express his burning passion for the queen.

In another version of the story, Jigwi was chased out by the palace guards for calling out the queen's name every day. However, Jigwi didn't stop and still kept on calling out the queen's name. The guards finally got tired of chasing Jigwi day by day and ended up beating him until he could no longer move. Jigwi spent his last breath by calling out the queen's name for the last time. Soon, his soul became a fire spirit and burned down the pagoda and people's houses. The people who were scared of Jigwi's wrath asked the Queen for help; in order to calm them, she made a talisman and ordered them to put it in front of their house to block away Jigwi's fire spirit.

In a modern version of the story. Jigwi fell in love with Queen Seondeok, whom he met every night through her dream. In her dream, he appears as a handsome Hwarang, who gave her predictions and solutions for the crises she faced as a ruler. Through Jigwi's assistance, Queen Seondeok overcame many problems. They meet each other in a bridge in her dream, but suddenly Jigwi stopped appearing in her dreams. The queen started to wonder what happened to the man in her dreams and started to miss him and so she went to the bridge where they used to meet in her dreams. But Jigwi was nowhere to be found, and instead, the one she saw was a sleeping beggar. The queen didn't recognize him as the same man who appeared in her dream but still, she decided to leave her bracelet on the chest of the sleeping man. When Jigwi woke up, he was overwhelmed with love and longing for the queen, that his heart turned into a fire that spread through his whole body. The fire flew to heaven and then rain started to fall, which ended the drought in Silla.

The story of this ordinary man who dared to love someone so high above himself, and the queen, who choose to understand the devotion of her lowly subject, soon became a legend and became popular, even to their neighboring country.

Family[edit]

• Father: King Jinpyeong (眞平王 진평왕 567–632)
• Mother: Kim Bokhilgu, the Lady Maya^[8] (金福肹口 摩耶夫人 김복힐구 마야부인, dates unknown)
• Siblings:
  • Princess Cheonmyeong (天明公主 천명공주, dates unknown),^[9] 1st or 2nd daughter
    • Kim Yongsu (金龍樹 김용수 578–647),^[10] Princess Cheonmyeong's husband,^[11] 13th Pungwolju.
      • Kim Chun-chu (金春秋 김춘추 604–661), 18th Pungwolju; later King (Taejong) Muyeol (太宗武烈王 태종무열왕).
  • Princess Seonhwa (善化/花公主 선화공주, dates unknown),^[12][13] 3rd daughter^[14][15] (There is constant debate over her identity.)
• Cousin: Kim Seung-man (金勝曼 김승만), only daughter of Gukban (國飯 국반)^[16][17] & Lady Wolmyeong of the Park clan (月明夫人朴氏 월명부인 박씨);^[18] later Queen Jindeok

Media[edit]

• Portrayed by Lee Ae-jung in the 2005 EBS TV series Jump
• Portrayed by Lee Hyun Jung in the 2006-2007 SBS TV series Yeon Gaesomun
• Portrayed by Lee Yo-won and Nam Ji-hyun in the 2009 MBC TV series Queen Seondeok.
• Portrayed by Park Joo-mi, Sun Joo-ah and Hong Eun-hee in the 2012–2013 KBS1 TV series The King's Dream.
• She is the leader of the Korean civilization in the Civilization VI expansion Rise and Fall.
• Featured in Sheri Holman's Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars, Korea, A.D. 595.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

1. ^Il-yeon: Samguk Yusa: Legends and History of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea, translated by Tae-Hung Ha and Grafton K. Mintz. Book One, page 57. Silk Pagoda (2006). ISBN1-59654-348-5
2. ^Silla Korea and the Silk Road by Koreasociety
3. ^Hwang, Kyung Moon (2016). A history of Korea : an episodic narrative (2nd ed.). London. p. 20. ISBN9781137573568. OCLC963173954.
4. ^대역죄인, 역사의 법정에 서다 (in Korean). 책우리. 2009. pp. 56–57. ISBN9788993975017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
5. ^'대야성 전투'. 문화콘텐츠닷컴. Korea Creative Content Agency. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
6. ^신라와 백제의 관계. 문화콘텐츠닷컴 (in Korean). Korea Creative Content Agency. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
7. ^Lee, Soyoung; Leidy, Denise Patry (2013). Silla: Korea's Golden Kingdom. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 25. ISBN978-0300197020.
8. ^Her royal name is influenced by Śākyamuni's mother's name
9. ^Posthumously known as the Empress Dowager Munjeong (文貞太后 문정태후).
10. ^Posthumously known as the Great King Munheung (文興大王 문흥대왕).
11. ^Princess Cheonmyeong is Kim Yong-chun's 1st wife; he had 3 other wives (two of them were her sisters Queen Seondeok when she was still Princess Deokman, and the other was Princess Cheonhwa); as well as having 3 lovers.
12. ^(in Korean)Princess Seonhwa at Doosan Encyclopedia
13. ^According to the Memorabilia of the Three Kingdom, she is the wife of Baekje's King Mu and mother of Uija.
14. ^However, theories based on the History of the Three Kingdoms suggest that she was the wife of King Dongseong and some theories say that she wasn't even a princess but a daughter of a wealthy noble.
15. ^(in Korean)Princess Seonhwa at The Academy of Korean Studies
16. ^Also known as Gukgian (國其安 국기안); youngest brother of King Jinpyeong.
17. ^Granted the title of Galmunwang (葛文王 갈문왕) in Jinpyeong's first year (579), and was known as Galmunwang Jin'an (眞安葛文王 진안갈문왕).
18. ^Also known as Lady Ani (阿尼夫人 아니부인)

Sources[edit]

• Lee, Bae-yong (2008). Women in Korean History. Ewha Womans University Press.
• Wollock, Jennifer G. (2011). Rethinking Chivalry and Courtly Love. Praeger.

External links[edit]

Queen Seondeok (Korean: 선덕여왕; Hanja: 善德女王; RR: Seondeok Yeowang) is a 2009 South Korean historical drama produced by MBC for their 48th-founding anniversary, starring Lee Yo-won, Go Hyun-jung, Uhm Tae-woong, Kim Nam-gil and Park Ye-jin. It chronicles the life of Queen Seondeok of Silla.^[1] It aired on MBC from 25 May to 22 December 2009 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 62 episodes.^[2]

The viewership ratings for the show topped TV charts almost every week during its run, peaking at 44.7 percent.^[3] It swept the 2009 MBC Drama Awards; actress Go Hyun-jung's performance and subsequent grand prize win received near-universal acclaim.^[4]

• 2Cast

The Great Queen Seon Deok

Synopsis[edit]

The series begins at the end of King Jinheung's reign and continues until the end of Queen Seondeok's reign. Deokman was born as one of the twin daughters of King Jinpyeong and Queen Maya, but due to a prophecy, King Jinpyeong had to send his daughter away from the palace with the help of his clumsy but loyal servant Seohwa, in order to save Queen Maya from being ousted by Mishil, whose ambition was to become Queen. Seohwa raised Deokman as if she were her own, but a turn of events eventually led Deokman into finding out her real identity - only to be abandoned once again by her family in order to save the throne from Mishil's hand, with the exception of her twin sister Cheonmyeon, who ended up losing her life while trying to help Deokman escape. Out of hatred, Deokman set out to take back what was taken from her and avenge her sister by bringing Mishil down and becoming the first female king of Silla with the help of her trusted friend, Yushin and troubled rogue Bidam who she loved, and ultimately led a rebellion near the end of her reign because of an misunderstanding.

Cast[edit]

Main[edit]

• Lee Yo-won as Princess Deokman, later Queen Seondeok^[5][6]
  • Nam Ji-hyun as young Deokman

A charismatic, yet solitary ruler: She was known as the first female ruler in Korean history. Deokman was born as the twin sister of Princess Cheonmyong and had a close brush with death as a baby due to the attempted assassination by Mi-shil, who had ambitions for the throne. A loyal servant named So-hwa rescued her by fleeing the kingdom with her. She loves to be around people, but after becoming a queen, she lost the liberty to trust them as sincerely and innocently as she once did. As ruling queen, she is deeply lonely and filled with despair. Yet she must hide her true feelings and stand on her own to be reborn as a true king.^[7]

• Go Hyun-jung as Lady Mishil^[8][9][10]
  • Uee as young Mishil

Archenemy of Queen Seondeok: A Royal concubine who will stop at nothing in order to achieve her dream of becoming a Queen. She rose to power as a result of her relationships with prominent rulers and officials. She was concubine to three successive Silla kings: King Jinheung, King Jinji and King Jinpyeong. She was the wife of Lord Sejong (the prime minister), the lover of General Seolwon and the mother of Bidam.

• Uhm Tae-woong as Kim Yushin^[11][12][13]
  • Lee Hyun-woo as young Kim Yushin

The invincible warrior forever remembered by history: With a grand vision of unifying the three kingdoms under Silla's rule, he aligns himself with Princess Deokman who puts her complete trust on him. He became an invincible warrior, admired by all in the capital. He earns a well-deserved place in history, the very thing that Bidam desires.

• Kim Nam-gil as Bidam^[14][15][16]
  • Park Ji-bin as young Bidam

The glorious downfall of a tragic hero: Bidam inherits the life of Misil, and their story comes to an end. The tragedy of his mother's life comes full circle and he becomes the wretched hero of the same fate. Ultimately he gains nothing he desires - not a place in history, Silla nor Deokman - and ends up forgotten by history, recorded only as the instigator of a mutiny. He is loved then hated, he gains power only to lose it, he earns the trust of people and then loses that trust. He will crash and burn, and his end will be tragic and glorious.^[7]

Supporting[edit]

• Park Ye-jin as Princess Cheonmyeong
  • Shin Se-kyung as young Cheonmyeong
  • Kim Yoo-jung as 10-year-old Cheonmyeong

Princess Cheonmyeong was Princess Deokman's twin sister, as the first born daughter, King Jinpyeong choose her to stay in the palace in belief that she was the destined child who will bring Mishil down someday. She grew up fearing Mishil which led to her living a life out of politics. She fell in love and married King Jinji's son Kim Yongsu but one day, Kim Yongsu was nominated as a possible candidate for the throne but had to prove himself worthy of it which in the end caused him his death. Believing that Mishil had her hand on his death, she set out gathering allies in order to bring Mishil down one day. She was the first person to find out about Deokman's real identity and did everything she can in order to help her sister which costs her life.

• Yoo Seung-ho as Kim Chunchu (later King Taejong Muyeol)
  • Jung Yun-seok as young Kim Chunchu

Ruler of the next age and ruler of the Three Kingdoms: This series began with Misil's age, continues through Deokman's age, and will end at the start of Chunchu's age. This precocious genius will find his own footing alongside Deokman, Yusin and Bidam, and gain power in his own way. Ultimately he will be the one to uphold the dream that began with the late King Jijeung and unify the Three Kingdoms.^[7]

• Lee Seung-hyo as Kim Alcheon
  • Ho Hyo-hoon as young Kim Alcheon

He is most well known as Deokman's staunch supporter and bodyguard. He was initially cold and looked down on Kim Yushin and the Yonghwa Hyangdo. Deokman earns his respect during war with Baekje, and then his loyalty later on. He is Yushin's war comrade and close friend. Along with Yushin, he is with Deokman until her final days.

• Jung Ho-bin as Gukseon Munno

The 8th leader of Hwarang warriors and the Gukseon. Along with Misil, Seolwon, and Sadaham, they were the people who King Jinheung trusted the most during his era. He helps rescue young Princess Deokman from the palace to protect the royal house. He also took care of Bidam, per request of King Jinji. He is later killed by Yeomjeong while compiling the Geographical Survey of the Three Kingdoms, after Yeomjeong learns that he planned to give the books to Yushin.

• Jo Min-ki as King Jinpyeong
  • Baek Jong-min as young Jinpyeong
  • Kang San as child Jinpyeong

Deokman and Cheonmyeong's father. He was a weak king. He was placed on the throne after Misil dethroned King Jinji.

• Yoon Yoo-sun as Queen Maya
  • Park Soo-jin as young Maya

King Jinpyeong's wife, mother of Deokman and Cheonmyeong. She is extremely devoted to her husband. In her early days, Misil tried to murder Maya after Maya witnessed the Hwarang putting makeup on their faces. Misil then tried to take Maya's place as queen, however, Munno saved Maya, and her twins, from falling to her death.

• Seo Young-hee as Sohwa

Maidservant to Jinpyeong and Maya, foster mother of Deokman. She brought Deokman to the desert and raised her there, until Chilsuk found them. She 'died' once in the desert trying to save Deokman. She dies a second time in an attempt to protect Deokman also.

• Im Ye-jin as Lady Manmyeong

Jinpyeong's older sister; Kim Yushin's mother, and Kim Seohyeon's wife. She had eloped with Kim Seohyeon in her younger days. Her princess status was not restored until the Queen Mother had forgiven her.

• Jung Sung-mo as Kim Seo-hyun

Manmyeong's husband; Kim Yushin's father. He is of Gaya descent, and on the hwabaek council.

• Park Jung-chul as Kim Yong-su

King Jinji's eldest son; Princess Cheonmyeong's husband. He was originally named heir after Princess Cheonmyeong's three younger siblings die (because of the prophecy), and he goes out to war to prove himself. However, he is killed because of Misil.

• Do Yi-sung as Kim Yong-chun

King Jinji's 2nd son, a government minister; Princess Cheonmyeong's ally and confidante. He was a pungwolju (prior to Hojae), and later served on the hwabaek council. He remains loyal to the royal house and becomes Deokman's ally later on.

• Shin Goo as Eulje

Senior government minister, friend to King Jinpyeong. He does everything he can to protect the royal house, even if it meant trying to kill Deokman. He is later stripped of his titles by King Jinpyeong.

• Jung Woong-in as Misaeng

Mishil's younger brother; the 10th leader of Hwarang warriors.^[17] He was also a father to over 100 children.

• Dokgo Young-jae as Sejong

Mishil's husband, the Prime Minister and 6th leader of Hwarang warriors

• Jeon No-min as Seolwon

Mishil's lover, the Minister of Defense and 7th leader of Hwarang warriors.

• Kim Jung-hyun as Hajong

Mishil and Sejong's son, a government minister and the 11th leader of Hwarang warriors

• Baek Do-bin as Bojong
  • Kwak Jung-wook as young Bojong

Mishil and Seolwon's son, a Hwarang commander

• Song Ok-sook as Seori

Chief mudang of Shilla, an old friend of Mishil and Misaeng

• Ahn Gil-kang as Chilsook

Formerly a Hwarang, agent of Mishil. He was given the task to find the lost twin. 15 years later, he found Deokman in the desert.

• Lee Moon-sik as Jookbang

A con artist who rips off the young Deokman and later joins Yu Shin's Hwarang

• Ryu Dam as Godo

A con artist who rips off the young Deokman and later joins Yu Shin's Hwarang)

• Kang Sung-pil as Santak

Seokpum's, and later Bidam's, aide-de-camp

• Joo Sang-wook as Wolya

Last prince of Gaya and the leader of the Bokya. He was adopted by Kim Seohyeon, and then replaced Yushin as Yonghwa Hyangdo's leader. Yushin earns Wolya's loyalty after letting the Gaya refugees stay on the Kim family's private land.

• Jung Ho-keun as Seolji

Kayan commander; he is loyal to Wolya.

• Choi Won-young as General Gyebaek
• Jun Young-bin as Gok Sa-heun
  • Jung Hyung-min as young Gok Sa-heun
• Park Young-seo as Daepung
  • Lee Suk-min as young Daepung
• Go Yoon-hoo as Hojae

The 14th leader of Hwarang warriors (pungwolju), later a council member of the hwabaek.

• Hong Kyung-in as Seokpum
  • Noh Young-hak as young Seokpum

Commander of a Hwarang loyal to Misil. He comes from a poor family, but Misil gives him his elevated status--this is why he is so loyal to Misil.

• Kang Ji-hoo as Imjong
  • Kim Seok as young Imjong

Commander of a Hwarang loyal to Kim Yong-choon

• Seo Dong-won as Deokchung
  • Lee Do-hyun as young Deokchung
• Jang Hee-woong as Bakui
  • Seo Sang-won as young Bakui
• Lee Sang-hyun as Piltan
  • Kim Tae-jin as young Piltan
• Kim Dong-hee as Wangyoon
  • Choi Woo-sung as young Wangyoon
• Ryu Sang-wook as Dae Nam-bo
  • Kim Sang-bin as young Dae Nam-bo

The most prominent of Misaeng's sons, a Hwarang commander

• Choi Sung-jo as Seonyeol
  • Oh Eun-suk as young Seonyeol
• Kim Dong-soo as Hyeopseong
• Moon Ji-yoon as Siyeol
  • Shin Tae-hoon as young Siyeol
• Jung Hye-sun as Lady Man-ho

Jinpyeong and Manmyeong's mother

• Park Eun-bin as Boryang

Bojong's daughter; Kim Chunchu's wife

• Qri as Youngmo

Hajong's daughter; Kim Yushin's wife

• Mametkulovs Mansur as Mr. Cartan

Queen Seon Deok Episode 20

Roman, possibly Jewish, trader who teaches Latin to the young Deokman

• Seo Kang as Yangkil
• Oh Yeong-soo as Wolcheon abbot

Cameos[edit]

• Lee Soon-jae as King Jinheung (ep 1)
• Im Ho as King Jinji (ep 1)
• Park Jae-jung as Sadaham (ep 13)

Mishil's first love

Ratings[edit]

• In the table below, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

Filming location[edit]

It was filmed on location at MBC Dramia in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Other historical dramas such as Dong Yi, Moon Embracing the Sun and Jumong were also filmed there.^[20]It was filmed at the Shilla Millennium Park^[21] in Gyeongju.

Artistic license[edit]

The series adopted significant artistic license regarding the portrayal of historical events, so as to accommodate the dramatic storyline. Notably, the reign of King Jinpyeong was compressed by over two decades such that in the series, Queen Seondeok was born within a year of his coronation (her actual date of birth is unknown). Accordingly, the preceding King Jinheung's reign was extended by a similar period, with him being depicted as an elderly man at his death. This allowed for Mishil and other prominent figures during Jinheung's reign to be involved in events concerning the Queen during her time as Royal Princess, even though there is no evidence to suggest what sort of interaction the two had, if any.^[22][23] Artistic license was used to imagine her as being of a similar age to Kim Yushin and Bidam, though again, it is not clear historically if this was the case. Another major change was in the date of her death: Bidam's execution and Kim Alcheon's appointment to his post were ordered by Jindeok of Silla, ten days after Queen Seondeok's death. Queen Jindeok is not mentioned in the series. More subtly, the real Seondeok likely never left Silla (stories concerning her childhood in the palace survive) and did not know Latin.

Plagiarism controversy[edit]

Queen Seon Deok Ost

On 31 December 2009, Kim Ji-young, an obscure playwright and representative of Great Works Ltd., a culture content company, filed a plagiarism lawsuit against MBC and screenwriters Kim Young-hyun and Park Sang-yeon, saying they ripped off her script for Seondeok, Queen of Mugunghwa, an unperformed musical she said she wrote in 2005. Kim argued that the development of the story and conflict between characters were similar to her play, including discord between two major female characters, Seondeok and Mishil; a romance between Deokman and General Kim Yushin; and the story of the young Deokman wandering through a desert. The MBC drama contains all of these plot twists, which are not based on history but which Kim says she invented. Kim said she shared some of her scripts with the Korea Creative Content Agency to attract investment in the musical, and believed that's how the content was leaked.^[24] Kim asked for ₩200 million in compensation and an injunction banning the broadcast of the soap opera. The injunction was turned down and Queen Seondeok ran from May to December 2009, but the copyright infringement case continued.

The MBC network and the series' writers maintained they did not know of the existence of Kim's play.^[25] MBC had copyrighted its script in May 2008. After Kim requested for an assessment by experts, the Seoul Southern District Court asked Seoul National University's Center for Law & Technology to investigate. In a process called a 'script autopsy,' the center first identifies similar content in the two scripts. At that point, university historians confirm historical facts regarding the characters and plot, and differentiates them from literary creations. Afterward, the center makes an appraisal based on copyright laws, then the court makes the final adjudication.^[26] In February 2011, the SNU Center for Law & Technology confirmed the plagiarism.^[27]

In December 2012, the High Court ruled in favor of plaintiff Kim Ji-young that Queen Seondeok was a work of plagiarism, and fined MBC ₩200 million (US$186,000). In its ruling, the court stated that though the characters and the details were in fact different, 'the overall plot was the same' and it is 'most probable that the network relied on the script and plot of the musical to produce their drama.'^[28] Furthermore, any additional reruns on cable TV and internet, and the making of DVD and related books were banned.^[29]

Awards[edit]

2009 Grimae Awards^[30]

• Daesang: Kim Geun-hong, Park Hong-kyun
• Best Actress: Lee Yo-won

2009 MBC Drama Awards^[4]

• Daesang/Grand Prize: Go Hyun-jung
• Top Excellence Award, Actress: Lee Yo-won
• Top Excellence Award, Actor: Uhm Tae-woong
• Excellence Award, Actor: Kim Nam-gil
• Golden Acting Award, Supporting Actor: Ahn Gil-kang
• Golden Acting Award, Supporting Actress: Seo Young-hee
• Best New Actor: Yoo Seung-ho, Lee Seung-hyo
• PD Award: Shin Goo
• Best Young Actress: Nam Ji-hyun
• Writer of the Year: Kim Young-hyun and Park Sang-yeon
• Best Couple Award: Kim Nam-gil and Lee Yo-won
• Viewer's Favorite Drama of the Year: Queen Seondeok

2010 Korea Producers & Directors' (PD) Awards

• PD Award, Acting category: Go Hyun-jung

2010 46thBaeksang Arts Awards^[31]

• Daesang/Grand Prize, TV category: Go Hyun-jung
• Best New Actor, TV category: Kim Nam-gil

2010 37th Korea Broadcasting Awards

• Best Actress: Go Hyun-jung

2010 5th Seoul International Drama Awards^[32]

• Best Series Drama
• Outstanding Korean Drama category - Outstanding Korean Actress: Go Hyun-jung
• Outstanding Korean Drama category - Outstanding Korean Screenwriter: Kim Young-hyun, Park Sang-yeon

International broadcast[edit]

• The drama aired in Sri Lanka from July 2015 on Rupavahini, under the title ජනහිතකාමී රැජිණිය - Janahithakami Rajiniya.^[33]
• The drama aired in Thailand from April 2010 on Channel 3, under the title ซอนต็อก มหาราชินีสามแผ่นดิน (sxn t́xk mh̄ā rāchinī s̄ām p̄hæ̀n din).^[34] and re-aired in same name starting on 20 October 2015 on True4U.^[35]
• The drama aired in Vietnam from July 17, 2010 on VTV1, under the title Thiện Đức nữ vương.
• The drama aired in the Philippines from January 4 to August 13, 2010 on GMA Network, under the title Queen Seondeok.^{[citation needed]} It re-aired on GMA News TV on December 10, 2018 after 8 years.
• The drama aired in the United States (dubbed in Mandarin) during two different frames
  • KTSF from 2009-2010
  • Sino TV in 2011

References[edit]

Queen Seon Deok Episode 13

1. ^Han, Sang-hee (9 May 2009). 'New Epic Drama to Bring Rivalry, Love to TV'. The Korea Times. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
2. ^Yoon, Ina (30 December 2009). 'REVIEW: Queen Seon-deok - Final episode'. 10Asia. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
3. ^Kim, Lynn (23 December 2009). 'TV series Seon-deok makes proud exit'. 10Asia. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
4. ^ ^abPark, So-yeon (31 December 2009). 'Ko Hyun-joung wins grand prize at MBC Acting Awards'. 10Asia. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
5. ^Lee, Ga-on (8 June 2011). 'INTERVIEW: Actress Lee Yo-won - Part 1'. 10Asia. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
6. ^Lee, Ga-on (8 June 2011). 'INTERVIEW: Actress Lee Yo-won - Part 2'. 10Asia. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
7. ^ ^abchttp://www.hancinema.net/queen-seondeok-writer-park-sang-yeon-says-season-3-will-focus-on-the-individuals-21353.html
8. ^Han, Sang-hee (3 August 2009). 'Supporting Roles Stealing Spotlight'. The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
9. ^'Ko Hyun-jung Talks About Changes On Screen and Off'. The Chosun Ilbo. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
10. ^Choi, Ji-eun (4 November 2009). 'Mi-shil does not raise her voice: A look into Ko Hyun-jung's character from TV series Queen Seon-deok'. 10Asia. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
11. ^Choi, Ji-eun (4 November 2009). 'Kim Yu-shin has zero versatility: A look into Uhm Tae-woong's character in TV series Queen Seon-deok'. 10Asia. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
12. ^Choi, Ji-eun (11 January 2010). 'INTERVIEW: Actor Uhm Tae-woong (Part 1)'. 10Asia. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
13. ^Choi, Ji-eun (11 January 2010). 'INTERVIEW: Actor Uhm Tae-woong (Part 2)'. 10Asia. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
14. ^Choi Ji-eun, Wee Geun-woo (4 November 2009). 'INTERVIEW: Kim Nam-gil from Seon-deok (Part 1)'. 10Asia. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
15. ^Choi Ji-eun, Wee Geun-woo (4 November 2009). 'INTERVIEW: Kim Nam-gil from Seon-deok (Part 2)'. 10Asia. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
16. ^Choi Ji-eun, Wee Geun-woo (4 November 2009). 'INTERVIEW: Kim Nam-gil from Seon-deok (Part 3)'. 10Asia. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
17. ^Choi, Ji-eun (4 November 2009). 'Mi-saeng loves his sister: A look into Jung Woong-in's character in TV series Queen Seon-deok'. 10Asia. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
18. ^TNmS Multimedia HomepageArchived 28 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine(in Korean)
19. ^AGB Nilson Media Research HomepageArchived 19 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine(in Korean)
20. ^Lee, Cin Woo (16 March 2012). 'Beyond Seoul: 19 reasons to explore Korea'. CNN Go. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
21. ^Shilla Millennium Park
22. ^Sohn, Byung-woo (June 2011). 'The Historical Drama Queen Seondeok: Imaginary Memory of an Ancient Heroine'. The Review of Korean Studies Volume 14 Number 2. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
23. ^Szczepanski, Kallie. 'Queen Seondeok of Korea's Silla Kingdom'. About.com - Asian History. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
24. ^Kim, Jeen-kyung (19 January 2010). 'MBC refutes Seondeok plagiarism allegations'. Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
25. ^'Writer Kim Yeong-hyeon of Queen Seon-deok, 'I am not a thief''. Hancinema. 26 December 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
26. ^Shim, Seo-hyun (8 November 2010). 'Profs playing plagiarism detectives'. Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
27. ^'SNU confirms plagiarism for Queen Seondeok drama'. Korea JoongAng Daily. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
28. ^Sunwoo, Carla (27 December 2012). '2009 MBC drama work of plagiarism'. Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
29. ^'Drama Queen Seon Duk Is Found Guilty of Plagiarism Three Years After Its Broadcast'. Soompi. 25 December 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
30. ^'So Ji-sup, Lee Yo-won Named Best Actors'.
31. ^Kim, Lynn (29 March 2010). 'Ko Hyun-jung, Haeundae win grand prize at PaekSang Arts Awards'. 10Asia. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
32. ^'The Slave Hunters Wins Seoul International Drama Award'. KBS Global. 24 August 2010. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
33. ^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on 26 June 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
34. ^'เรื่องย่อ ซอนต็อก มหาราชินีสามแผ่นดิน Queen Seon Deok'. Kapook.com. 16 August 2015.Thai: ภาษาไทย
35. ^'The Great Queen Seondeok ซอนต๊อก มหาราชินีสามแผ่นดิน'. dara.truelife.com. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.Thai: ภาษาไทย

Queen Seon Deok Episode 1

External links[edit]

• Queen Seondeok official MBC website(in Korean)
• The Great Queen Seondeok at MBC Global Media
• The Great Queen Seondeok on IMDb
• Queen Seondeok at HanCinema

Queen Seon Deok Episode 58