The Legend (2007 South Korean TV Series)
The Legend, originally titled Taewang Sasingi (Korean: 태왕사신기), is a South Korean fantasy historical drama that aired on MBC from September 11 to December 5, 2007. The series, which spans 24 episodes, blends historical elements of the Goguryeo Kingdom with Korean mythology.
Plot Summary
The narrative begins with the myth of Hwan-ung, the Son of God, who descends to Earth to establish the nation of Jyusin. During this era, two tribes—the Tiger Tribe and the Bear Tribe—compete for dominance. The story follows a complex love triangle involving Hwan-ung, Ga-jin of the Tiger Tribe, and Sae-oh of the Bear Tribe. Following a tragic sequence of events involving the loss of a child, Hwan-ung seals his four divine followers—the White Tiger (Baekho), the Blue Dragon (Cheongnyong), the Black Turtle (Hyeonmu), and the Phoenix (Jujak)—into artifacts, prophesying that a future king will awaken them to rule Jyusin.
Thousands of years later, the prophecy begins to unfold during the era of the Goguryeo Kingdom. Crown Prince Dam-deok, played by Bae Yong-jun, navigates a dangerous political landscape, often feigning weakness to survive palace conspiracies. As he matures, he discovers his destiny and the identities of the four guardians, leading to a conflict against the Hwacheon Group and his rival, Yeon Ho-gae.
Main Cast
- Bae Yong-jun as Dam-deok
- Moon So-ri as Seo Gi-ha
- Lee Ji-ah as Suzini
- Yoon Tae-young as Yeon Ho-gae
- Choi Min-soo as Dae Jang-ro
The series also features performances by Yoo Seung-ho (young Dam-deok), Park Eun-bin (young Seo Gi-ha), Shim Eun-kyung (young Suzini), and Oh Gwang-rok (Hun Go).
Production
The series was directed by Yoon Sang-ho and Kim Jong-hak, with a screenplay written by Song Ji-na. The production is noted for its high-budget fantasy elements and integration of traditional Korean historical settings with mythological themes.
