Cast & Characters :
Kim Sang-kyung as King Sejong (1397-1450)
His name is Yi Do and Prince Chung-nyeong
He was born as the third son but named as the crown prince although he didn't mean to take away the birth right of his older brothers.
He is a lonely king. Maybe all kings are meant to be lonely. He has to constantly make decisions which may determine one's destiny and make or stop a war.
The image of King Se-jong is a person standing alone amid the cold winter winds.
How would have the king felt? When he could protect his close friend and aide from the political rivals and watch him die; when he had to sleep with another woman against his will to keep his wife from being cast out of the palace; when his decision to make peace with a neighboring country resulted in many deaths of his people; when he had to bow his head low to the powerful for the benefit of the country… How often would he have sighed and shed tears?
Nonetheless, he is not a lonely person. He has his wife So-heon by his side. She tells him that she will never, ever doubt or blame him even if she is cast out of the palace. He has his loyal ministers, who are willing to risk their lives to protect the king. He has his people who he should take care and love. Above all, he is not lonely because he has a dream to make Joseon into a beautiful country where each and every one will live happily and be thankful to born there.
He knows the power of dreams. If he keeps the dream by himself, it will be a mere dream. He knows that if he shares with others then they can realize the dream together.
"The people need the letters that correspond to the language to write and read. I will name the letters "Hun-min-jeong-eum," the sounds of right teachings to the people. Joseon can become the most powerful nation. To become a cultural power and influence the others is more meaningful than expanding the territory with the sword. When Joseon becomes the cultural power, all nations and people will learn Korean language and Hangul. Then, the spirit of the country will spread out through the world."
Lee Hyun-woo as Prince Choong Nyeong (later Sejong)
Kim Yeong-chul as King Taejong (1367-1422)
The fifth son of King Tae-jo and became the third king of Joseon
He is a strong man. He can kill anyone with a stroke if one threatens the Joseon's kingship.
He does not know a defeat or regret. He never bends his will. He mercilessly killed his friend Jeong Do-jeon, his in-laws, and the respected statesmen of the former Koryeo dynasty Jeong Mong-ju because they were a hindrance to the new country.
But at the same time, he is weak. He believes that strength is power and to rule and order is all there is to politics. "For all who draw the sword will die by the sword," one cannot have power and strength forever. If the edge of one's sword becomes rusty and blunt, one will lose power.
Maybe, he did not know or ignored that a leader's strength comes from his influence rather than from his sword. King Tae-jong was a military man in spirit. He overly trusted in his own charisma and resoluteness.
However, his aggressive leadership may be necessary. He became the king when the country was founded less than ten years ago. He faced crisis every second of his life. The palace was the jaw of death and fierce jungle. He did not have the patience to wait and let the ministries take root and work. He put all ministries under his direct order. He did not allow any opposition. As the king of a newborn kingdom, maybe it was necessary for him to be strong and aggressive.
Choi Myung-gil as Queen Won Kyeong (Sejong's mother)He does not know a defeat or regret. He never bends his will. He mercilessly killed his friend Jeong Do-jeon, his in-laws, and the respected statesmen of the former Koryeo dynasty Jeong Mong-ju because they were a hindrance to the new country.
But at the same time, he is weak. He believes that strength is power and to rule and order is all there is to politics. "For all who draw the sword will die by the sword," one cannot have power and strength forever. If the edge of one's sword becomes rusty and blunt, one will lose power.
Maybe, he did not know or ignored that a leader's strength comes from his influence rather than from his sword. King Tae-jong was a military man in spirit. He overly trusted in his own charisma and resoluteness.
However, his aggressive leadership may be necessary. He became the king when the country was founded less than ten years ago. He faced crisis every second of his life. The palace was the jaw of death and fierce jungle. He did not have the patience to wait and let the ministries take root and work. He put all ministries under his direct order. He did not allow any opposition. As the king of a newborn kingdom, maybe it was necessary for him to be strong and aggressive.
Lee Yoon-ji as Queen So Heon
Nam Ji-hyun as young Princess Shim (later Queen So Heon)
Park Sang-min as Prince Yang-nyeong (1394-1462)
He is King Tae-jong's first son, Yi Je
He is a natural leader with his outgoing personality and fluent speech skills.
At the age of ten, he was named as the crown prince. He served as his father's close aide. From early on, he was trained under his uncle Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil, influential statesmen.
He is like his father. He will risk his life to save his loyal servants but mercilessly punish those who stand up against him.
He is a conqueror. He has his father's boldness and military skills. Maybe that's why he cannot trust his father fully.
In the fifth year of King Tae-jong's reign, the king got angry at Jeong Do-jeon, who proposed to conquer Yodong despite the king's opposition. Prince Yang-nyeong believed his father punished his friend and teacher Jeong Do-jeong out of anger.
Prince Yang-nyeong was too young to understand the world dynamics and diplomacy. He did not have the diligence and fervor to study diplomacy and foreign languages. So, he could not understand why his brother Prince Chung-nyeong was studying hard to learn Chinese.
When Ming's envoy was visiting Joseon's palace, the crown prince recklessly provoked the envoy and put the bilateral relations at risk.
He is well versed in his rights as the prince but ignorant of his duties. He does not know how hard he has to try to prove himself as the rightful king. Thus, his brother, instead of him, succeeds King Tae-jong.
At the age of ten, he was named as the crown prince. He served as his father's close aide. From early on, he was trained under his uncle Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil, influential statesmen.
He is like his father. He will risk his life to save his loyal servants but mercilessly punish those who stand up against him.
He is a conqueror. He has his father's boldness and military skills. Maybe that's why he cannot trust his father fully.
In the fifth year of King Tae-jong's reign, the king got angry at Jeong Do-jeon, who proposed to conquer Yodong despite the king's opposition. Prince Yang-nyeong believed his father punished his friend and teacher Jeong Do-jeong out of anger.
Prince Yang-nyeong was too young to understand the world dynamics and diplomacy. He did not have the diligence and fervor to study diplomacy and foreign languages. So, he could not understand why his brother Prince Chung-nyeong was studying hard to learn Chinese.
When Ming's envoy was visiting Joseon's palace, the crown prince recklessly provoked the envoy and put the bilateral relations at risk.
He is well versed in his rights as the prince but ignorant of his duties. He does not know how hard he has to try to prove himself as the rightful king. Thus, his brother, instead of him, succeeds King Tae-jong.
Lee Joon as teenage Prince Yang Nyeong
Lee Chun-hee as Jang Yeong-sil
Extended Cast :
Lee Jung-hyun as Yi Sun
Kim Gab-soo as Hwang Hee
Jung Dong-hwan as Jo Mal-saeng
Lee Dae-yeon as Choi Hae-san
Jun Hyun as Lee Cheon
Choi Jong-won as Ha Ryoon
Hwang Bum-sik as No Hee-bong
Park yeong-ji as Park Eun
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