TV station: MBC
Producer: Kim Jong Hak
Writer: Song Ji Na
Music Director: Joe Hisaishi
Computer Graphics : WETA
No. of Episodes : 24

About Dam-deok (Gwang Gae Toh Dae Wang)

He was the 19th king of Goguryeo (lasted from 37 B.C. to 668 A.D.). During the time of Dam-deok, Goguryeo was the most powerful nation in East Asia (yes, even the Chinese dynasty couldn't defeat Goguryeo). At age 11, he was made the Crown Prince and became King when he was 16. In 396, he attacked Baekje (a nation Southwest of Goguryeo) and took over the northern area above the Han River. He defeated the many invasions made by the Yeon Dynasty (China) after 400 A.D. During his reign, the number of castles he took over numbered in the hundreds and villages numbered in the thousands. However, he died at an untimely age of 39.

Storyline

Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo, establish Goguryeo with his Four Gods: Cheong-ryong (Blue Dragon), Baek-ho (White Tiger), Joo-jak (Phoenix), Hyeon-mu (symbolized as a turtle). The Japanese may know them as Seiryuu, Byakko, Suzaku, and Genbu. Jumong marries Soseono, who had a big part in the founding of Goguryeo. They have two sons, Onjo and Biryu. When the son of Jumong's first wife came to Goguryeo in search of his father, and is named Crown Prince, Soseono takes her sons, Onjo and Biryu, South and establishs Baekje. This is how Baekje and Goguryeo were known as "brother countries".

As time passed, the Four Gods secluded themselves from society and watched as Baekje and Goguryeo's relationship worsened (worsened more mainly because Goguryeo's king was killed in a battle between Baekje and Goguryeo).

One day, Ju-ahn, "Hyeon-mu" of the Four Gods, sees two stars sour up into the sky. Since one came from the palace in Baekje, it predicted the birth of "Su", later known as King Ah-shin. The other star came from Goguryeo, prophesizing the birth of Dam-deok, later known as Gwang Gae Toh Dae Wang.

Realizing that his new master has come to the world, Ju-ahn awaits in the vast Manchuria with a young girl, Sujini, to see which of the two will be his master. Sujini was picked up as an orphan by Ju-ahn and considers Ju-ahn as her father.

Therefore, the story is on the Four Gods looking for their master, Gwang Gae Toh Dae Wang, who was an expert in tactics, the woman he loved (Sujini), who was also loved by the coldhearted King Ah-shin.


Cast

Bae Yong Joon as Haemosoo, Joomong, Damdeok (character of Great King Kwang-gae-to)

He will appear in the first and second episodes as Haemosoo, a descendant of Tangoon(Founder of Korea 5,000 years ago in a myth), and Joomong, the founding king of Kogooryeo in Tangoon Myth, and appears as the Great King Kwang-gae-to, the main character from 5th episode.

The Great King Kwang-gae-to, the person who had led renaisance of the Kogooryeo by expanding her territory in Manchuria, etc., has strong image of a conqueror. It might be difficult to find parts that coincide with tender image of BYJ. However, Director Kim Jonghak thinks that 'Dam Deok is rather outstanding strategist rather than brave general to the extent he conquered other countries' castles from age of 16. He told that he would like to depict 'Dam Deok' in such image in the 'TWSSG'

Moon So Ri as Seo Ki Ha

The Seo Kiha character Moon Sori is to act is a woman with fate in which she could not help but to become strong for the love she could not have. Inheriting blood-line of Honyeo(Tiger women) Tribe, who stayed as tiger while bear became a woman by going through enduring and suffering period in the Tangoon Myth, she has fate who cannot help but give in the seat of Queen to Woongneyo(Bear women) Tribe, and she is a woman of pathetic love who becomes a confronting BYJ rather than winning his love in the end. Miss Moon will appear born of the Honeyo Tribe, and will be scouted by ???? Nation that confronts Kogooryeo and then sent back to Kogooryeo as a spy, confronting Mr. BYJ.

Yoon Tae Young as Yeon Ho Gae Rival of Damdeok (BYJ)

Yoen Hogae is the character that rivals Dam Deok acted by BYJ. Having both clever strategy and bravery, he becomes a rival to prince Dam Deok from youth period.

He is the character who loved Seo Kiha(Moon Sori), woman priest, and having defected to China after Dam Deok ascent to King, he becomes general and threatens Dam Deok to the end.

Lee Ji Ah as Suzini

Suzini is Scarlet Phoenix who came to posess power of fire by Hwangwoong in Mythology Portion, and she is an reincarnation of Saeo, who is a woman of Hwangwoong as well as a woman of Woong Tribe. Scarlet Phoenix Saeo, who came to possess power to rule fire as she received from Hwanwoong a ruby necklace where power of fire, that was taken from Kajin, is confined in, is a chracter who provides momentum for Hwanwoong to seal Four Gods as she manifested as Black Scarlet Phoenix in a war against Ho Tribe, and who came to beautiful yet heart-breaking love with Hwanwoong. She will reincarnate into Suzini in Kogooryeo Period.

Lee Philip as Woonsa

'Cheoro' , a reincarnation of Woonsa who has power to rule wood as Guardian God in Orient, is lord of castle at Kwangmi Castle, who came to possess spiritually holy object of Blue Dragon by his father when he was young and has live in ugly appearance for a long time.

Oh Kwang Rok as Hyeon-go

'Hyeon-go', an incarnation of Black Turtle who possesses power to rule water as the head among Four Gods, became head of villiage at Keomeul at young age as indicated by cane, a spiritually holy object of Black Turtle. Since he found new-born baby 'Suzini' inside burnt home of 'Haessi when he was little, he raises Suzini despite objection from people around him.

Park Sang Myun as Jumoochi

White Tiger 'Joomoochi' , who has power to rule iron as a reincarnation of Poongbaek, is a character with dauntless personality in spirit of fighting with fists if he does not have weapon, and with teeth if his fist is cut off. As much as his dauntlessness, he also has warm-heart. He has blunt personality who cannot express outside although he likes Dalbi who are totally in charge of housekeeping in Damdeok Force. He reveals sense of his presence as he fights in war theaters helping Damdeok as supply corps of Malgal.

Character Map


Review

Unlike Jumong, The Legend is not your typical historical drama with only 24 episodes. The location plus the costume that was being used was great. As for the graphics and special effects, the first two episodes was not quite impressive with the effects that was being used. But for the rest, it was great. About the cast, the actors and actresses played beautifully on this series, they contributed and dedicated much work and acts, especially Bae Yong Jun, who really acts natural and great (i cant say anything more about BYJ, cause he is so GREAT as in super), and Lee Ji Ah, whose a newcomer and a first timer, was did a great job too. Well, the only negative thing that i can tell about this series was i just hope the director, writer and crew, lengthen the story more, cause i can tell they rushed the story when it came to episode 23, some parts are were like storytelling, as if they wanted to end the series. But overall, it was a great series to watch. I really recommend this.

This was a great series to watch, I recommend others to watch it. Bae Yong Jun looked so natural playing his role.

Sujini is my favorite character hence the username haha

Archery is sooo much fun. Another thing I like about her...
I seriously thought that she would end up being the black pheonix wow

i heard that they will do TWSSG 2, dont know if the casts are still the same, i just hope BYJ are still in this series.

where can i watch the series?

if twssg got part 2 then we shall fly there again to watch the filming maybe hahaa


Soo JiNi is very pretty in real person ... her character in the show displays a very dare to love dare to hate kind of person ...and i especially like dam duk's young son he was so adorable and cheerful..

Director Kim's Interview "The King will be back"

Director Kim's TWSSG did not finish telling a lot of stories … the King will be back

"We have not finished, right? Maybe in our hearts, it will never finish."
After the last scene of TWSSG was finished, Director Kim did an OK signal, all the actors and staff cheered together. (From TWSSG special episode).

From the start of planning until the end of filming, the long three years journey was finally over. He said loudly, "TWSGG had not finished."

Talk around the show was still active till the year end reward ceremony, it did not cool down.
In order to ask about the director’s meaning…
Went to his office in 狎鸥亭洞 (ps : I am not familiar with locations in Seoul), where he was busy preparing for the next show during the whole of winter.

Director Kim answered,
"Yes. Someone was telling me, "You can now relax"
But for me, I did not feel that it was over.
Showing in Korea may be finished, but, overseas showing has just started.
To us, TWSSG is a drama that is not finished"

He also said, when 黎明の瞳 (ps : guess it's one of Director Kim's movie?) and "Hour Glass" were finished, I really felt a great relieve from my shoulder, I was feeling happy. But I am not used to face with finishing of TWSSG.
"Original estimated to be a relax conversation, but for me, it is a drama in progress."

-omitted-

Director Kim spoke about planning of "Part 2"
"In the last episode, Damdeok walked into the light, a lot of audience thought he was dead.
Actually not, it was just a symbol of disappearance of the heavenly force, the King was not dead.
However, there is no mention about the King is alive, activity of four gods, and the ambitious Hwacheons gang etc, hence there is plan to proceed with the content of part 2.
Now preparing scripts enough for 16 to 20 episodes.
New story will start from countries around Koguryo, and describe the active appearance of Damdeok and Four Gods."

Director Kim said,
"Now, we are still waiting for a suitable time, the exact filming program has not been decided. Will wait until health condition gets better, then I will think carefully about issues of Part 2."
This was the explanation.

i love the CG!!! its flawless,it's really a world class.although the story is different from Jumong being much of a fantasy you will still gonna love to watch each episode.

Bae Yong Jun a great actor!

thanks for your comment TUT, btw, if your from Phils you can watch TWSSG on GMA 7 starting March 24 replacing Coffee Prince

Yes, I've seen it in the commercials too. Can't wait to watch it. Thanks for all the informations.