[LET'S GET TO KNOW] Korean Sageuks' and In What Order You Can Watch Them (Part 2)

The continuation ~ The Goryeo Dynasty 

The famous painting by King Gongmin

Goryeo (Hangul: 고려; hanja: 高麗 (918–1392), was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by King Taejo (of Goryeo) also known as Emperor Wang Gun, and overthrown by Yi Seong Gye (who became King Taejo of Joseon) with the help of his son Yi Bang Won (later king Taejong) and scholar Jeong Do Jeon in 1392. The name "Goryeo" later gave name to the modern exonym "Korea". 

There hasn't been a lot of dramas done in this time period. I don't know why, I guess nothing major happened, expect for when the Yuan Empire took over Goryeo and the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty which is pretty much what I'll cover in this blogpost, and it'll go quickly:

Goryeo:

Emperor Wang Gun (the founder of Goryeo)

The Iron Empress (Wang Gun's granddaugther)

Soldier

(and then the dramas that I think you should watch to get a good overall view on this dynasty will be marked with a *)

Empress Ki * (focuses a lot on the Yuan Empire and the struggle between Yuan and Goryeo, as well as the fall of the Yuan)

The Great Seer (If you're interested in seeing how life in Goryeo was for both the king and the citizens during Yuan's harsh rule, check out Empress Ki or Faith instead. I know Ji Sung is in it, but I personally don't recommend this drama) 

Faith * (It's a time-travel - supernatural drama, with not much historical accuracy except that you get a good introduction to who King Gongmin, Queen Nagook and General Choi Young were) It's not super important, but I watched it before Six Flying Dragons, and you got a better understanding of General Choi Young, why the government was the way it was and as well as who the old kings that are mentioned in SFD were)

A frozen Flower (It's supposed to be about King Gongmin and Queen Nagook and their relationship, but it adapted from a fictional point of view, it's involves mature content, nudity and homosexuality, just so you know. It's not accurate to history but it's still a highly enjoyable movie!

Six Flying Dragons *** (Yes three stars are needed! All biased feelings aside, this IS the most important drama to watch, after probably Empress Ki and Faith if you decide to watch those, of this dynasty! I dare say that if you skip this drama you are pretty much skipping on an essential part of korean history. Just watch it! It's epic! (Yeah, I'll leave it at that since I think unless you're a new reader, you probably already know how much I've fangirled and spammed about this particular drama xD oh and if you're feeling hesitant because of Shin Se Kyung, don't worry, I used to dislike her actinga  lot too, but in this....she blows minds! Her acting has improved so much! So yeah, if this is holding you back, mark my words, you won't face-palm whenever you see her on the screen)   

Shin Don (Set in the same time period as Faith, it follows the life of the rumoured father of King U, who was one of the last Goryeo kings. I haven't seen it myself but unless you're hardcore and want to know every detail about what went down between the Empress Ki - Six Flying Dragons time period, you can skip this one, especially since I haven't managed to find it with subs ._. it's quite an old drama). 

Jeong Do Jeon (I'd dare say this is a twin of Six Flying Dragons, but only focuses on the scholar Jeong Do Jeon and his backstory. Sadly I have only been able to find the first episode subbed, but if you're fluent in korean, go ahead and check it out! 

Empire of Lust (movie) 

Non-historically accurate drama, but still set in the time-period:

Shine of go crazy 

So yeah, in my opinion if you just check out Empress Ki, (Faith), (A frozen Flower) and Six Flying Dragons you'll pretty much get the full picture of the important stuff in this dynasty! I hope you enjoyed :3 If you have any questions you're more than welcome to post a comment down below or contact me through my mydramalist! I'll see you in part 3 where we'll jump right ahead into the Joseon dynasty ~  

End of part 2  

Link to part 1 (The three kingdoms) 

[LET'S GET TO KNOW] Korean Sageuks' and In What Order You Can Watch Them (Part 1)

Korean historical dramas: The Three Kingdoms

B.C – before Christ
A.D – After Christ (sometimes written as just numbers)

Quick historical backstory: Pre- and during the Three Kingdoms

Several tribes formed “The Gojoseon” (old Joseon) kingdom around 10th century BC. Gojoseon fell to an invasion by Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty of China in 108 BC (Emperor Wu of Han, 5^th emperor of the Han dynasty). During this time various tribal states emerged and built walls. As their political powers got stronger these tribal states developed into Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla – The three kingdoms of Korea. 삼국시대; (refer to the ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria, North-East China, for much of the 1st millennium. The Three Kingdoms period ran from 57 BC until Silla triumphed over Goguryeo in 668, which marked the beginning of the North and South States period of Unified Silla in the South and Balhae in the North. The earlier part of this period, before the three states developed into full-fledged kingdoms, is sometimes called Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea).

About this blog post and Sageuk dramas:

Not to long ago I got quite a few requests and questions about the topic in what order should I watch sageuks? This is a very interesting question because some of them are connected to each other, and based on real historical events while others are more fictional and can be watched whenever. So Instead of writing a super long essay in a private message on mydramalist to everyone individually, I decided to make a blog post about it. This way it won't only answer the question but it could also perhaps help everyone else who might be wondering the same thing.

I've categorized them based on kingdoms and then time period. Unless it's stated that something is a prequel or sequel to something, those dramas (which will be marked in in cursive letters) can be watched separately. But I still recommend to stick to the order for best historical accuracy. When a drama is written as "related to" another one, it means that you can either watch it right next to the other or watch them both at the same time (preferably. Because that way you'll get the full story).
If there is a link for the subbed episodes, it will be provided here as well. However not every drama will have a link. That doesn't mean that it doesn't exist, just that I'm not an all-knowing person and doesn't know of every kdrama online page in existence xD feel free to comment down below the links if you have them. It is very appreciated! :)
This list is in no way complete (first of all it's is only the first part in this blog-post series as I'll go from The three kingdoms all the way to the 1900's Korea) but I will also add dramas and movies to this list as they come out. It seems like 2016 will be full of sageuks' so when they start to air I'll add them to the list! Also, keep in mind that this is all a recommendation and doesn't serve as a MUST-DO in any way! I also have to note that I haven't seen all of these dramas. I also haven't followed this order as if it's set in stone, especially since some historical periods appeal to me more than others, but I've always tried to watch the prequel-sequel or related dramas in the order in which they are historically presented. Of couse if I can't find the subbed episodes then it can't be helped. I will also mark the recommendations with a *, it is dramas that I've seen and that I think you can watch if you don't feel like watching EVERYTHING xD. Well then, I hope this post will be useful or at least give you an overview on all the different kingdoms and historical time periods. If you've made yourself comfy on the chair and grabbed a bag of snacks ~ enjoy. Let's begin shall we?

In what order they should/can be watched:

Before anything, if you want to start from the very very beginning, I can recommend you to read the manhwa the bride of the water god. It's a fictional story based on korean history and mythology and it's about a woman who gets sacrificed by her village to the water god Habaek in order to become his bride. This is, according to an old myth the only way to calm down the angry Water God so that he'll let the rain fall again (and the villagers have been starving for 20 years or so because of drought). How is this relevant to Korean history you might ask? Well, according to legends Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo and also Korea's first king is said to be the grandson of the water god Habaek. Jumong's mom also makes an appearance in the manhwa and I have to add that besides the story, the drawing is flawless. It is one of the most gorgeously drawn manga/manhwas I've ever come across. So if you feel like that sounds like sometrhing for you, you can start by reading the bride of the water god, otherwise you can just jump right ahead into the first historical drama in this order:

Goguryeo:

Jumong * (First saeguk to watch. Founder of Goguryeo and therefore also the "father" of Korea)
The kingdom of the winds * (Sequel to Jumong and is about Jumong's grandson King Daemusin)
Ja Myung Go (Main character Prince Hodong is the son of King Daemusin. Sequel to The kingdom of the winds)

The Legend (Watch after Kim Soo Ro)

King Gwanggaeto the great

Yeon Gae Somun (Takes places before, during and after Sword of Flower)

Sword and flower Related to the drama Yeon Gae Somun as a fictional sequel. The main characters fathers' are King Yeongnyu and General Yeon Gaesomun - who were enemies)  

Silla:

Queen Seon Duk * (related to the dramas: Yeon Gaesomun and Ballad of Seo Dong).
The great King’s dream (Sequel to Queen Seon Duk)

Emperor of the Sea

Baekje:

King Geun Cho Go

Gye Baek

Ballad of Seo Dong (A love story between a princess of Silla and a prince of Baekje. Based on a folktale)

The King’s daughter,Soo Baek Hyang (fictional story)

Gaya:

Kim Soo Ro (Watch before the drama The Legend)

Balhae:

Dae Jo Yeong

Shadowless sword (movie)

Non-historically accurate dramas, but still set in this time-period:

Battlefield heroes

End of part 1 

[REVIEW] Northern Limit Line

Northern Limit Line (South Korea, 2015)

Title: 연평해전
Also known as: NLL-Battle of Yeonpyeong
Genre: Action, Military, War
Release Date: Jun 24, 2015

Battle of Yeonpyeong is about the battle between South Korean and North Korean patrol frigates that took place in 2002. It is a story of young soldiers who demonstrates courage and responsibility for the Republic of Korea. - Mydramalist

Overall Score: 10/10
Character Development: 9/10
Plot Development: 10/10
Acting: 10/10
Soundtrack: 9/10

[REVIEW] Seven Days

Seven Days (South Korea, 2007)

Title: 세븐 데이즈
Also known as: 7 Days
Genre: Crime, thriller
Release Date: November 14th, 2007

Ji Yeon is a sucessful lawyer and single mother to a seven-year-old girl. On her daughter's field day, she competes with other parents in a running race and almost comes in the first place. However, nowhere could she find the girl who's been watching and rooting for her mother to win. Later that day, she receives a phone call from an anonymous man, who tells her he has her daughter in custody and proposes a deal. To see her daughter alive, Ji Yeon needs to prove a convicted murderer not guilty on his second trial, only within a week. Source: MDL

Overall Score: 4/10
Character Development: 3/10
Plot Development: 3/10
Acting: 6/10
Soundtrack: 6/10

[NEWS] UPDATE! Park Shin Hye Accepts Role for the Movie 'Hyung'

'Hyung' finally sets its main cast

Not too long ago, Park Shin Hye got offered a role in the upcoming korean movie Hyung where EXO's D.O and Jo Jung Suk have already been confirmed as the main leads. It has now been revealed that the actress has accepted the role and the filming is set to start in October. The movie will hit theaters sometimes in 2016.

Source: Star News

[NEWS] Park Shin Hye in talks to starr in movie alongside EXO's D.O and Jo Jung Suk

Park Shin Hye might be back in movieland soon ~

 

On September 2, an inside source revealed that Park Shin Hye is currently in talks to join the movie Hyung (unofficial english title) which has already secured Jo Jung Suk and EXO’s D.O as the male main leads. Jo Jung Suk will be acting as the older brother named Doo Shik who serves a prison sentence due to committing fraud. Meanwhile, EXO’s D.O will portray a star judo athlete named Doo Young. He is on the national team, but suffers an injury right before an important competition. The unfortunate accident ends up changing his life irreversibly. If Park Shin Hye joins the project, she will be playing a character that treats D.O like a real younger brother and at the same time clashes and bickers with Jo Jung Suk's character.

Her agency SALT Entertainment has commented that they are discussing the role but that no final decision has been made.

The movie is set to start filming in October.

What do you guys think? Are you excited to see Park Shin Hye in a movie alongside D.O and Jo Jung Suk?

Source: Soompi