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“Jumong, Prince of the Legend” is a Korean historical period drama series that aired on MBC network from 2006 to 2007 as its 45th anniversary special. Originally scheduled for 60 episodes, it was extended to 81 episodes because of its popularity. (Wikipedia) “Jumong” has been broadcast in Iran, Turkey, Romania, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, Japan, Mongolia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Fiji, Malaysia, Philippines, Kurdistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, United States, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. In Korea, “Jumong” had an average viewership rating of 41.83% and ranked 1st from Episode 5 to 81. According to “The Korea Herald,” the most popular episodes of “Jumong” attracted over 90% of the Iranian audience. |
How I wrote these episode summaries with no spoilers
1. I assumed that you will be reading these summaries and watching the videos chronologically.
2. I narrated some of the main actions in each episode or series of episodes without revealing the plot’s twists and turns.
3. At the beginning of some summaries, I placed in a table a recap of the twists and turns of the previous episode (or series of episodes). But because you have already watched the video of the previous episode or series of episodes, they aren’t spoilers anymore.
I used this same structure in my synopses of “Six Flying Dragons,” “Dong Yi,” “The King’s Doctor,” “The Flower in Prison,” “Moonlight Drawn by Clouds,” “Rebel: Thief Who Stole People,” “Saimdang, Light’s Diary,” and “A Jewel in the Palace.”)
4. Take note, however, that I embedded videos of some selected scenes at the end of some synopses. The videos do not have English subtitles, but my descriptions of what the scenes are all about may contain spoilers.
Episodes 1-3
Haemosu is the leader of the Damul Army that’s fighting the tyranny of the Han Empire over the Ancient Joseon people. Helping him is his blood brother Kumwa, the Crown Prince of Buyeo.
Haemosu meets and falls in love with Lady Yuhwa, the daughter of the Habaek tribal leader. Soon, she becomes pregnant.
Buyeo’s High Priestess Yeo Mi Eul sees a vision of a three-legged crow and interprets it as an evil omen against Buyeo. Meanwhile, Buyeo’s Prime Minister warns the King that welcoming the Ancient Joseon refugees will anger the Han Empire. The King thus decides to betray Haemosu.
On the run, Haemosu meets Lord Yuntabal, who’s the leader of the Gyeruh nation and a prosperous traveling merchant. Lord Yuntabal finds out Haemosu’s real identity and decides to sell him to the Han Empire.
When Haemosu is captured by the Han Iron Army and taken to Hyunto, Kumwa and some survivors of the Damul Army rescue him. But as they’re escaping, Kumwa and Haemosu get separated.
Kumwa, who has also fallen in love with Lady Yuhwa, tries to persuade her to raise her baby in Buyeo. But the Prime Minister sends an assassin to kill Lady Yuhwa and her baby.
Note: Posted below are some videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Haemosu, Kumwa, and the Damul Army infiltrate the Hyunto capital.
As Kumwa and his men search for Haemosu, Yuhwa finds Haemosu floating on the river, and their romance begins.
Episodes 4-5
| Eps. 1-3 recap: Twenty years later ... Kumwa is now the Emperor of Buyeo, and Lady Yuhwa is his beloved concubine. He has told everyone that Jumong (Lady Yuhwa’s son with Haemosu) is his biological son. Emperor Kumwa has showered Lady Yuhwa with love but has neglected the Empress. Jumong, meanwhile, has grown up to be an easy-go-lucky guy who’s always harassing the court ladies, especially the shrine maiden Buyoung. Because of Emperor Kumwa’s neglect of their mother, his real sons — Prince Daeso and Prince Young Po — hate Jumong. |
Jumong ends up as a captive in the trade troop of So Seo No, Lord Yuntabal’s only child. So Seo No takes Jumong along with her to Haengin, thinking of selling him as a slave. But later on, her trade troop is double-crossed in a transaction with Haengin soldiers.
After returning to Buyeo, Daeso and Young Po report to Emperor Kumwa that they reached the Sacred Mountain and saw the Damul Bow. On the other hand, Jumong denies ever having reached the Sacred Mountain.
In fear after Jumong confesses what really happened at the Sacred Mountain, Lady Yuhwa asks her attendant’s brother, Musong, to teach Jumong martial arts and sword fighting. But Musong, who’s a former palace guard and now a prison director, turns out to be always drunk.
To gain Emperor Kumwa’s attention and favor, Lord Yuntabal introduces himself to High Priestess Yeo Mi Eul. Later, he visits her at the palace, with gifts of silk and rubies.
The director of Buyeo’s iron chamber, Mopalmo, makes a new sword that he claims is stronger than the Han sword. Emperor Kumwa quickly schedules a demonstration at the drill hall, and Daeso volunteers to test the new sword.
When Emperor Kumwa later dreams of Haemosu, he asks Yeo Mi Eul what the dream means. Although Yeo Mi Eul tells him that it’s only his deep friendship with Haemosu that caused the dream, Emperor Kumwa becomes determined to revive his goal of defeating the Han Empire.
Note: Posted below is a video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but I’ve written a short description of what the scene is all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Jumong finds out that So Seo No is a woman. If you listen closely to the Korean dialogue, Jumong talks down or informally (“ban-mal”) to So Seo No by using “ya” at the end of his sentences. Because she is the trade troop’s leader (and not knowing that Jumong is a prince of Buyeo), So Seo No expects to be formally addressed (“jon-daet-mal”) by someone using the formal “mida” or respectful “yo” at the end of that person’s sentences; she’s thus offended by Jumong’s informal way of talking to her. She answers Jumong back by talking down (using “ya”) to him. But since he is a prince, Jumong is offended, and the conflict escalates. (Watch these YouTube videos for more information on Korean formalities or politeness levels, honorifics, and “ban-mal.”) In contrast, So Seo No finds out in Ep. 10 that Jumong is a prince, and thus, as you can hear in the embedded video of a scene from Ep. 11, she speaks formally (respectfully) to Jumong using “yo” or “mida” at the end of her sentences.
Episodes 6-7
| Eps. 4-5 recap: In the Sacred Mountain, Jumong breaks the Damul Bow. Yeo Mi Eul confesses to the Prime Minister that she has locked up Haemosu in the secret cave-prison for the last 20 years. |
Jumong befriends Mopalmo, the director of Buyeo’s iron chamber; later, he asks Mopalmo to teach him how to make a sword.
Hyunyo’s new governor, Yangjung arrives in Buyeo; despite his past friendship with Emperor Kumwa, he demands that Buyeo must stop manufacturing steel swords. Emperor Kumwa orders the Prime Minister to shut down the iron chamber and to hide it from Yangjung’s men. But Jumong messes everything up.
Out on the capital’s streets, Jumong gets robbed by pickpockets, and later on, he’s attacked by several men.
In the prison, Haemosu listens with concern as Musong recounts to his men the story about Lady Yuhwa that he heard from a storyteller in the market.
Yeo Mi Eul calls Lord Yuntabal to the palace for a meeting with Emperor Kumwa. So Seo No tags along with her father, and as she wanders around the palace on her own, she meets Daeso.
Lord Yuntabal and his trade troop soon run into opposition from Dochi, a crafty and ruthless merchant who controls the black market in Buyeo.
Note: Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Jumong sneaks into the iron chamber, and after Mopalmo teaches him the basics of making a sword, Jumong begins working on his very first sword. But unknown to him, Naro is watching him and then reports him to Young Po.
Jumong gets scammed by the pickpockets (Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi).
So Seo No meets Daeso for the first time, and they fight.
Episodes 8-9
| Eps. 6-7 recap: After accidentally blowing up the iron chamber, Jumong is kicked out of the palace. On the streets, he gets scammed by a trio of pickpockets — Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi. Jumong survives an assassination attempt. Through Buyoung, he begins working at Dochi’s headquarters. There, he learns that Dochi has kidnapped So Seo No. |
Jumong ends up in the secret cave-prison where Musong hides him in a cell that has been occupied for the last 20 years by a blind, old man (whom he doesn’t know is his real father Haemosu).
In kindness, Jumong gives food and wine to Haemosu. In return, Haemosu shows him sword-fighting techniques that are unlike anything that Musong has taught him.
Learning where Jumong is hiding, Daeso, Young Po, and their men attack the prison. But at that same time, Emperor Kumwa and his entourage are also on their way there.
Note: Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Jumong meets (his father) Haemosu in the secret cave-prison.
Daeso, Young Po, and their men attack the cave where Jumong is hiding.
Episodes 10-11
| Eps. 8-9 recap: Emperor Kumwa gives important government positions to Daeso (foreign affairs) and Young Po (military training). He also gives them access to the iron chamber. Daeso is severely wounded, and Young Po confesses to Yeo Mi Eul and the Prime Minister that he and Daeso attacked the prison. In their mountain hideout, Jumong tells Haemosu that he is Emperor Kumwa’s third son. |
So Seo No tells Sayong to find out who Jumong really is; later, on Lord Yuntabal’s suggestion, she visits Daeso in the palace.
Kephil continues to befriend Mopalmo and later brings him to Lord Yuntabal.
Haemosu sends a letter to Emperor Kumwa, asking for a face-to-face meeting.
In their hideout in Mount Chungmoo, Jumong continues to train in swordsmanship, and Haemosu begins teaching him archery.
The Prime Minister warns Yeo Mi Eul (and Daeso later on) of the dire consequences for Buyeo if Emperor Kumwa and Haemosu ever meet again.
After finding out that Haemosu is hiding in Mount Chungmoo, Yeo Mi Eul goes there and pleads with him to leave Buyeo. But Haemosu insists on meeting Emperor Kumwa.
Note: Posted below is a video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but I’ve written a short description of what the scene is all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
As Jumong pleads with So Seo No to take Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi into her trade troop, Daeso arrives. Trying to gain So Seo No’s favor, Daeso asks her to help Jumong in any way she can. After asking So Seo No to leave, Jumong begs on his knees for Daeso to stop trying to kill him.
Episodes 12-13
| Eps. 10-11 recap: So Seo No finally finds out that Jumong is the third prince of Buyeo. On their way to meet Emperor Kumwa, Haemosu and Jumong are attacked by the Prime Minister’s men. The Empress tells Daeso that Jumong may possibly not be Emperor Kumwa’s real son. Yeo Mi Eul asks Haemosu to leave Buyeo to prevent another war with the Han Empire. When Haemosu tells her that he will leave Buyeo once he meets Lady Yuhwa, Yeo Mi Eul arranges a meeting between him and Lady Yuhwa. |
Besides sword fighting, Jumong learns archery from Haemosu.
Daeso and Young Po mobilize some 200 soldiers, and they march towards Jumong’s mountain hideout. At that same time, Emperor Kumwa and Lady Yuhwa are on their way there too.
Emperor Kumwa recalls Jumong to the palace to take care of his ailing mother. But even after returning to the palace, Jumong refuses to reveal to Emperor Kumwa who tried to kill him; he also tells Mopalmo to keep quiet about what’s happening in the iron chamber.
Emperor Kumwa realizes that it was Haemosu who had been training Jumong in martial arts, swordfighting, and archery. Determined to complete Haemosu’s mission against the Han Dynasty, he calls to an assembly all of the ministers, Yeo Mi Eul, the Empress, Daeso, Young Po, Lady Yuhwa, and Jumong.
The Empress and the Palace Emissary oppose Emperor Kumwa’s announcement; the Empress also immediately calls for her influential uncle (the leader of Sachooldo province) to ask Emperor Kumwa to change his mind.
Yeo Mi Eul, meanwhile, seethes with anger because Emperor Kumwa bypassed her authority as Buyeo’s High Priestess.
Note: Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Haemosu and Lady Yuhwa are reunited after 20 years; Haemosu learns that Jumong is his son.
Jumong learns archery from Haemosu, who tells him that a good archer must be accurate and fast.
Daeso, Young Po, and their 200 soldiers attack Haemosu.
Episodes 14-15
| Eps. 12-13 recap: Using overwhelming force and treachery, Daeso and Young Po kill Haemosu. After Haemosu’s death, Jumong drowns himself in gambling, women, and wine. Emperor Kumwa orders a competition between Daeso, Young Po, and Jumong so that he can choose who will be the Crown Prince. |
Daeso and the Prime Minister go to Hyunto to try and settle the conflict between Buyeo and the Han Empire. But Hyunto’s governor Yangjung dismisses them.
High Priestess Yeo Mi Eul confronts Emperor Kumwa about being left out in his decision-making. Rebuffed by Emperor Kumwa, she calls the other High Priestesses from all over Buyeo to a meeting.
On Dochi’s order, Buyoung delivers a letter to Lord Yuntabal’s headquarters, and there, she meets So Seo No.
Daeso returns from Hyunto, and So Seo No visits him in the palace.
When one of the High Priestesses reveals that the Damul Bow has been broken, Yeo Mi Eul brings into the palace Byuriha, a young but powerful mystic.
After meeting with Yeo Mi Eul, Mauryung (High Priestess of Sachooldo province), visits the Empress.
Jumong calls Mopalmo, Musong, Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi to a secret meeting.
Daeso and his men raid Dochi’s headquarters, and later, assassins attack Mopalmo and Musong.
Episodes 16-17
After Jumong tells her about a salt mountain in faraway Gosan, So Seo No tries to persuade Lord Yuntabal to allow them to go. But Sayong questions her about what she will do if a conflict arises between Gyeruh and Buyeo.
On their way to Gosan, bandits from Haengin attack So Seo No in her quarters. Sayong recognizes one of the bandits as an officer in the Haengin army unit that was led by Baemang, the man who tried to double cross them in a business deal. So Seo No begins thinking of aborting their trade trip to Gosan.
Meanwhile, in Buyeo, the conflict between Emperor Kumwa and Yeo Mi Eul escalates, and Daeso finds out that Jumong lied about not being able to reach the Sacred Mountain. To make matters worse, Hyunto governor Yangjung demands that Buyeo send 10,000 soldiers to reinforce the Han Empire in its war against the southwestern barbarians.
Jumong and his men (Mari, Hyubo, and Oi) decide to infiltrate the camp of the Haengin bandits and kill their leader.
Episode 18
Young Po finds out that Jumong has been captured by bandits and is about to be killed. He happily reports the news to Daeso and the Empress.
Buyoung also finds out about Jumong’s plight; she musters up her courage and enters the palace to warn Lady Yuhwa.
Lord Yuntabal orders Woo Tae and his men to rescue Jumong. Meanwhile, despite Kephil’s protest and the threat against her life, So Seo No decides to go to the bandits’ camp. But after she and Sayong arrive at the camp, they’re immediately captured and thrown into the stockade.
Episodes 19-22
| Ep. 18 recap: So Seo No successfully negotiates Jumong’s release. In Gosan, the High Priestess learns that Jumong is a descendant of the Habaek tribe. She has been guarding the salt mountain all these years so that she can give the mountain in gratitude to the Habaek tribe. |
Emperor Kumwa sends Jumong, along with General Heuk Chi, on a special mission to Hyunto. But conflict arises between Jumong and Oi over Buyoung.
Back in Buyeo, Jumong and Mopalmo focus on making steel swords that are as strong as the Han Empire’s swords. But Daeso orders Naro to spy on them.
While visiting Lord Yuntabal’s headquarters, Mopalmo and Musong meet Yuncheryung, Lord Yuntabal’s sister.
The Empress tries to widen the gap between Emperor Kumwa and Yeo Mi Eul, suggesting that High Priestess Mauryung should replace Yeo Mi Yeul. But when Yeo Mi Eul finds out about it, she summons Lord Yuntabal to the shrine.
So Seo No faces a dilemma when Daeso tells Lord Yuntabal that he wants to marry her. That night, she visits Jumong at his quarters.
Woo Tae tells Jumong that Dochi did not sell Buyoung to the Han slave traders.
Emperor Kumwa orders Daeso, Young Po, and Jumong to compete in a martial arts contest in front of all the ministers.
After the competition, Young Po kidnaps Buyoung; he also sends assassins to attack Yeo Mi Eul at the shrine.
Note: Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
So Seo No meets Lady Yuhwa for the first time. Jumong tells Lady Yuhwa about how So Seo No saved him not only from the Haengin bandits but also when he was on his way to the Sacred Mountain. After So Seo No leaves, Lady Yuhwa asks Jumong if he has given So Seo No the jade ring.
Emperor Kumwa rewards Lord Yuntabal, So Seo No, and Jumong. He tells Jumong that he can have anything he wants, which alarms the Prime Minister, Daeso, and Young Po. But Jumong says that the reward belongs to So Seo No. So Seo No impresses everyone when she doesn’t ask for riches but asks Emperor Kumwa for peace and friendship between Buyeo and her Gyeruh tribe.
Pressured by Daeso to marry him, So Seo No visits Jumong at his quarters at night. She tells him that she has already made up her mind to reject Daeso’s proposal, but she’s afraid of the consequences for Gyeruh. She asks Jumong, “Will you help me stand strong?” Jumong reminds her of what they promised each other when he was locked up by the Haengin bandits: “I will place my life in your hands.” He also tells her what Haemosu told him to always remember, that is, he cannot protect thousands if he cannot protect the person closest to him. He assures So Seo No that he will protect her and Gyeruh from Daeso.
Jumong practices for the martial arts competition.
Episodes 23-24
| Eps. 19-22 recap: After escaping from the assassins sent by Young Po, Yeo Mi Eul decides to leave Buyeo. |
In Dochi’s headquarters, Young Po tells Jumong his condition for releasing Buyoung.
Jumong decides to leave Buyeo in order to learn more about Haemosu and the Damul Army. He visits So Seo No but doesn’t tell her why he’s leaving.
Strange things begin happening in Buyeo — bloody water fills a well, and rock statues wail at night — frightening the people and prompting the priestesses to look for someone to blame.
Emperor Kumwa and his ministers are alarmed by the planned visit of the Han Dynasty’s Steel Officer to Hyunto and nearby commanderies. On the other hand, Lord Yuntabal sees it as an excellent opportunity for Gyeruh.
On their way to Hyunto’s capital, Jumong and his men (Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi) come across some Ancient Joseon refugees who have escaped from the work camps and are being pursued by the Han Iron Army.
Note: Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but the action or emotional scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Jumong says goodbye to So Seo No and gives her the jade ring that Haemosu gave to Lady Yuhwa.
Jumong and his men battle the Han Iron Army for the first time.
3. The first picture below shows Buyoung rushing to find Jumong after she was released by Dochi and Young Po (Ep. 23). The second picture below shows Dong Yi running to the thatched-roof house of deposed Queen Inhyeon in the drama “Dong Yi” (2010). These two scenes were shot on the same street; notice the house on the right and the mountain in the background. This exact location was also used in some scenes from “Yi San” and “Queen Seondeok.”
Read below for more information on the Samhanji Theme Park where “Jumong” was filmed.
Episodes 25-26
| Eps. 23-24 recap: Youngpo releases Buyoung after Jumong agrees to withdraw from the Crown Prince competition. |
After Daeso agrees to marry his daughter Yangsullan, Hyunto governor Yangjung strikes a deal for Buyeo to learn how to make steel swords. Daeso brings back to Buyeo several Hyunto blacksmiths and misleads Emperor Kumwa and the ministers by saying that the blacksmiths are Ancient Joseon migrants who have ecaped from Hunto’s iron chamber. The blacksmiths immediately make steel swords that are stronger than Buyeo’s swords.
High Priestess Suryong and the mystic Byuriha warn Lady Yuhwa that Jumong must leave Buyeo permanently, or else, he will die.
After returning from Hyunto, Lord Yuntabal and So Seo No find out that Young Po has raided their headquarters and taken their sensitive documents.
Young Po plans to use Jumong against Daeso so that he can be the Crown Prince.
Dejected by how the Hyunto blacksmiths easily made the steel sword that Emperor Kumwa has always wanted, Mopalmo decides to leave Buyeo and accept Lord Yuntabal’s offer to build Gyeruh’s iron chamber.
In Gyeruh, the chief of the Piryu tribe, Songyang, becomes offended when So Seo No presides over a meeting of the Jolbon tribal chiefs.
Episodes 27-28
| Eps. 25-26 recap: In Hyunto, Jumong meets So Seo No, but their meeting is interrupted when Daeso arrives at the inn. Later, based on Daeso's tip, the Han soldiers try to capture Jumong and his men,
Jumong reveals to Mari, Hyubo, and Oi that his real father is Haemosu. Emperor Kumwa appoints Jumong as commander of the palace guards. Later, Jumong brings Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi into the palace as royal guards. |
Jumong orders Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi to spy on what the Hyunto blacksmiths are doing.
Emperor Kumwa becomes concerned with how the people are frightened by the omens of disaster, but Jumong reminds him of the sad plight of the Ancient Joseon refugees.
After ending her pilgrimage, Yeo Mi Eul travels to Gyeruh with her entourage. Meanwhile, on her way back to Buyeo, So Seo No is ambushed by Songyang’s men.
Jumong begins planning to attack the neighboring nations of Jinbeon and Imdon to rescue the Ancient Joseon refugees.
Hyunto governor Yangjung orders his aide-de-camp to send more blacksmiths to Buyeo. On the other hand, Jumong continues to train the royal guards on how to fight the Han Iron Army.
Yangsullan visits Daeso in Buyeo, bringing with her Yangjung’s message for Emperor Kumwa.
With Emperor Kumwa’s approval, Jumong presents to the ministers his plans to wage war on Jinbeon and Imdon. But to oppose Jumong and Emperor Kumwa’s plans, the Empress enlists the help of Priestess Mauryung and her uncle Maga, one of the leaders of Sachooldo, a prominent and populous province of Buyeo.
So Seo No asks Lord Yuntabal to consider being the supplier for Buyeo’s needs in case of a war.
Note: Posted below is a video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but I’ve written short description of what the scene is all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
So Seo No visits Jumong at the palace and tells him that she will be at the battlefield for him. Jumong says no, but So Seo No says that she will die of a broken heart if she’s not with him. They embrace tenderly. (I just love this corny stuff!)
Episodes 29-30
| Eps. 27-28 recap: During the ambush, Woo Tae becomes gravely injured. So Seo No throws Songyang into prison and release him only after Yeo Mi Eul heals Woo-tae.
After confirming that Daeso agreed to marry Yangsulla in exchange for the Hyunto blacksmiths, So Seo No warns Jumong. |
Hyunto governor Yangjung activates the spies whom he sent to Buyeo and orders them to attack the palace.
Emperor Kumwa throws Daeso into jail and orders Jumong to investigate what really happened. While the Empress does all she can to save Daeso, Lady Yuhwa takes this opportunity to support Emperor Kumwa against his political enemies.
As Woo Tae recovers from his injuries, he returns to Buyeo and begins expressing his emotions for So Seo No.
Lord Yuntabal and So Seo No ask Emperor Kumwa to let their trade troop supply all of Buyeo’s military provisions, but the Palace Emissary (brother of the Empress) questions their ability to provide for Buyeo’s needs.
Finding out that Daeso’s blacksmiths produced less than one hundred swords and didn’t teach Buyeo’s blacksmiths, Emperor Kumwa recalls Mopalmo from Gyeruh.
As Hyunto governor Yangjung decides to send reinforcements to Jinbeon and Imdon, Songyang promises that his Piryu army will help fight against Buyeo.
Jumong continues to train Buyeo’s soldiers day and night, but he realizes that he needs more experienced horsemen to defeat the Han Iron Army.
Note: Posted below is a video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written a short description of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Hyunto governor Yangjung’s assassins (who have masqueraded themselves as blacksmiths) attack the Buyeo palace.
Episodes 31-32
While Jumong leaves with a hundred men as the advance unit, Daeso betrays Buyeo’s war plans to Hyunto governor Yangjung.
So Seo No and Sayong lead their supply troop to establish a forward base camp before Buyeo’s army arrives on the battlefield.
Shamans begin spreading the rumor that Buyeo’s people will all perish if the war pushes through.
Jumong and his advance unit find themselves trapped, while the Piryu army under Songyang attacks So Seo No’s supply troop.
Bad news reaches Emperor Kumwa – the Liaodong army is marching to reinforce Yangjung’s forces; when it reaches the battlefield, the Buyeo army will be outnumbered.
As Daeso sends Naro and his men to rescue So Seo No, Yeo Mi Eul offers her help to Lord Yuntabal.
A Damul Army veteran teaches Jumong about the explosive (“sotan”) that Haemosu and the Damul Army used. But Jumong’s men tell him that, with the defenses around Yangjung’s camp, their archers cannot come close enough to shoot fire arrows laden with the explosive.
Note: Posted below is a video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written a short description of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Yeo Mi Eul fails to convince Songyang to release So Seo No, but Jumong comes to her rescue.
Episode 33
Jumong and his archers wreak havoc among Yangjung’s soldiers, and despite being warned, Emperor Kumwa himself wades into the raging battle.
Daeso secretly informs Yangjung that Jumong has left the main Buyeo camp and is pursuing the Imdon governor.
In Buyeo, High Priestess Mauryung gets a vision of Daeso surrounded by bright lights. And in Gyeruh, the mystic child Byuriha receives a disturbing sign.
At the iron furnace, Mopalmo engages Musong in a sword fight and then prepares to go to the battlefield.
While helping tend to the wounded among the Buyeo soldiers, So Seo No receives news that disaster has stricken the Buyeo army.
Note: Posted below is a video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written a short description of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Jumong and his men rain havoc on Yangjung’s army by using kites loaded with “sotan” (the Damul Army’s explosive). Emperor Kumwa himself joins the battle.
Episode 34
| Ep. 33 recap: Jumong goes missing in battle, while Emperor Kumwa is critically wounded. As Jumong’s men and So Seo No desperately search the battlefield for Jumong, the Prime Minister urges Daeso to take command of the Buyeo army. |
With Jumong missing and presumed dead, Woo Tae urges Lord Yuntabal to leave Buyeo. On the other hand, Jumong’s men (Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi) decide to stay in the palace.
With the Prime Minister’s support, Daeso and the Empress seize power in Buyeo. Daeso wreaks vengeance against all of Emperor Kumwa’s loyal subjects, including Mopalmo.
The commander of the Liaodong army urges Yangjung to attack Buyeo, but Yangjung refuses.
Afraid that Daeso and the Empress might harm Emperor Kumwa, Lady Yuhwa begins taking care of him, day and night.
Despite being warned by her attendants and Priestess Soryung, Yeo Mi Eul goes to Buyeo and asks for So Seo No’s help in sneaking into the palace to see Emperor Kumwa.
Episodes 35-36
Daeso confines Lady Yuhwa to her quarters. He also gives Mopalmo a choice — make a steel sword stronger than the Han sword within five days or be executed. But having lost all hope over Jumong, Mopalmo simply mopes around the heavily-guarded iron furnace, despite Musong’s pleas for him to comply with Daeso’s order. He also refuses when Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi try to offer to help him escape.
After High Priestess Mauryung informs the Empress that Yeo Mi Eul could be in Buyeo, Young Po orders Dochi and his men to surround Lord Yuntabal’s headquarters and watch for any sign of Yeo Mi Eul. When Woo Tae and his men lead a closed palanquin out of the headquarters and head towards the palace, Dochi’s men attack them.
After threatening Lord Yuntabal and So Seo No, Daeso goes to Hyunto to fetch Yangjung’s daughter, Yangsullan. With the fates of her trade troop and Gyeruh’s people at stake, So Seo No faces a dilemma on whether to accept becoming Daeso’s concubine.
The mystic Byuhira sees in a vision that the three-legged crow has come back.
Emperor Kumwa begins to recover, and a civil war looms with his remaining loyal forces against Daeso and the ministers.
Episodes 37-38
| Eps. 35-36: Mopalmo escapes to Gyeruh. The chief of the Han-baek tribe finds Jumong floating on the river and saves him. His daughter Yesoya nurses Jumong back to health, but Sul-tak launches a rebellion to take over the tribe. With the help of the Sachuldo forces, Daeso seizes power in Buyeo. |
Yangsullan finds out that despite their marriage, Daeso is still obsessed with So Seo No; in anger, she reports it to her father Yangjung.
Rebuked by Yangjung, Daeso orders that Lord Yuntabal be arrested; he also orders Song-yang to take control of Jolbon.
Notes Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Mopalmo and Jumong’s men attack the Han Iron Army unit that’s taking Jumong to Hyunto.
Jumong and his men rescue Yesoya.
Lady Yuhwa tells So Seo No that as a mother, she cannot forget Jumong. She advises So Seo No to move on with her life.
Episodes 39-40
Jumong takes Yesoya to Buyeo, and later, he sneaks into the palace to see Lady Yuhwa.
Lord Yuntabal and his trade troop are welcomed back into Gyeruh by High Priestess Yeo Mi Eul and priestess Suryong. During a meeting with his staff, his sister Yuncheryung, and interim leader Yangtak, he announces that he is stepping down and appointing So Seo No as Gyeruh’s next leader. But Yuncheryung secretly opposes Lord Yuntabal’s plan, and she reaches out to Songyang.
So Seo No finally finds out that Jumong is still alive.
To gain Daeso’s favor, Songyang orders his soldiers to snatch Mopalmo from Gyeruh.
Jumong asks help from Lord Yuntabal to rescue Mopalmo, but Lord Yuntabal hesitates.
Note: Posted below is a video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but I’ve written a short description of what the scene is all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
So Seo No bids farewell to Jumong, saying: “I can’t afford to cling to the past and dwell in sadness. What’s the use of lamenting over our crossed fate? It won’t be easy to forget about us, but I’m going to try. Please give up on me and go on with your life.”
Episodes 41-43
| Eps. 39-40 recap: Jumong fails to rescue Mopalmo when Yuncheryung and Yangtak betray him. Acting on Daeso’s order, Jumong tells Mopalmo that he will kill him if he refuses to make the steel sword that Daeso wants. |
In anger, Young Po orders Dochi to gather warriors and comes up with a plan to kill Daeso without implicating himself.
In Gyeruh, So Seo No becomes suspicious of her aunt Yuncheryung’s loyalty and actions.
After Jumong rescues Yesoya again, their marriage is arranged by Lady Yuhwa and Emperor Kumwa. Yangsullan tells Daeso to hurt and humiliate So Seo No by inviting her to the wedding.
Acting on Daeso’s order, Jumong begins chasing down and rounding up the Ancient Joseon refugees to send them back to the Han Empire.
Note: Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but I’ve written short descriptions of what the scene are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Dressed as Gyeruh soldiers, Young Po’s men ambush Daeso, but Jumong comes to Daeso’s rescue.
With So Seo No watching, Jumong marries Yesoya.
Confused with Jumong’s change of heart towards the refugees that made his men abandon him, So Seo No consults Yeo Mi Eul. She’s reassured by Yeo Mi Eul who tells her that Jumong is Haemosu’s son and that he will soon leave Buyeo. Yeo Mi Eul also predicts that So Seo No and Jumong will get back together again.
Episode 44-45
| Eps. 41-43 recap: With Jumong’s apparent change of heart towards the refugees, Mari, Hyubo, and Oi abandon him. Jumong rescues Daeso from Young Po’s assassins, who are all dressed as Gyeruh soldiers. Out of gratitude to Jumong, Daeso sends Young Po instead to the Han capital; he also appoints Jumong as the commander of the entire Buyeo army. |
Because of Songyang’s burdensome demands for tributes, So Seo No thinks of using the Gosan salt mountain to take the pressure off
Gyeruh. She sends Woo Tae to talk with Jumong in Buyeo and orders Sayong to bring to her Baemang (the former bandit leader from Haengin).
With High Priestess Mauryung’s warning about the three-legged crow, the Empress warns Daeso to be careful about Jumong’s true intentions.
As Jumong prepares to leave Buyeo, he assigns different tasks to Mopalmo and Musong. But Yangsullan’s bodyguard begins following his every move; worse, Daeso tells him that Naro will now take over in bringing the refugees to the Han capital.
Yeo Mi Yeul tells Lord Yuntabal that she will soon be leaving Gyeruh.
As Emperor Kumwa and Lady Yesoya go on a vacation outside of the palace, Jumong sets his plan into motion.
Note: Posted below is a video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written a short description of what the scene is all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Jumong and his men wait for the last boat that will take them across the river, but Daeso and the Buyeo soldiers are closing in on them fast.
Episodes 46-48
| Eps. 44-45 recap: With Daeso chasing after them, Jumong and his men help the refugees to escape from Buyeo. Mopalmo and Musong have to leave Buyeo without Yesoya as she gets caught by Yangsullan while trying to escape from the palace. So Seo No craftily corners the supply of salt to Buyeo, and Daeso can’t do anything about it. |
Songyang mobilizes the soldiers from the three other tribes of Jolbon to attack Gyeruh. As Woo Tae and Sayong prepare their men to fight, So Seo No remembers Yeo Mi Eul’s prophecy.
Yeo Mi Eul moves from Gyeruh to Mount Bongye; she advises Jumong that he needs more capable men who will train and lead the migrants into becoming soldiers for the Damul Army.
After finding out that Jumong is hiding out in Mount Bongye, Daeso leads the Buyeo army to attack Jumong.
With more refugees streaming into Mount Bongye, Jumong and his officers worry about how to feed them all. Yeo Mi Eul suggests a solution that angers the Han Empire and threatens Buyeo.
In Buyeo, King Kumwa pleads with Daeso to release Yesoya from prison now that she’s pregnant.
The Prime Minister suggests to Daeso to use the devious plan that he and the late king used against Haemosu more than 20 years ago.
Note: Posted below is a video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written a short description of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Daeso leads his men into a narrow canyon leading to Jumong’s hideout. When the Han Iron Army hesitates, Daeso mocks them. As Mopalmo delivers steel-tipped arrows that can penetrate the Iron Army’s armor, men and women in the Mount Bongye hideout all help in making more weapons. Jumong prepares an ambush in two locations.
Episodes 49-50
| Eps. 46-48 recap: Keeping in mind Yeo Mi Eul’s prophecy about her and Jumong reuniting in the future, So Seo No accepts Songyang’s demands that Gyeruh demobilize its army and that Chansoo replace her as Gyeruh’s chief. And as Yuncheryung demands of her later, she begins to lead her trade troop again, although she’s already pregnant. Looking forward to the day when Gyeruh unites Jolbon, So Seo No asks Lord Yuntabal to start building a palace. With Yeo Mi Eul’s warning about how Haemosu was trapped by fake refugees, Jumong changes his plan on how to attack the Buyeo soldiers. Agreeing with Mari’s decision not to tell Jumong about Daeso’s threat, Yeo Mi Eul orders him, Hyupbo, and Oi to rescue Lady Yuhwa and Yesoyah. |
Emperor Kumwa threatens Daeso and then later pleads with the Empress to release Lady Yuhwa and Yesoya.
To warn Jumong to stay away from Buyeo, Lady Yuhwa sneaks her attendant Mudeuk out of prison.
After trading in Hwangryeong, So Seo No leads her trade troop into Buyeo. There, she finds out about Lady Yuhwa and Yesoya’s plight. Unsure about whether she’s doing the right thing, she sends Sayong with a secret map for Jumong.
Episodes 51-52
| Eps. 49-50 recap: Yesoya refuses to escape with Jumong because of Lady Yuhwa’s sickness. Jumong breaks a short sword into two and gives one half to Yesoya; their future child can use the broken sword to identify himself or herself to Jumong. |
With his soldiers and the Han Iron Army, Yangjung demands that the Changcheongok tribe must increase their production of iron ore.
While Jumong and his men have come to Changcheongok to expand the Damul Army’s power base, So Seo No and her trade troop are also there to secretly recruit mercenaries.
When Daeso refuses to heed her appeal to send soldiers to retake Joongsan from the Damul Army, Yangsullan vents her anger on Yesoya.
In Mount Bongye, Jumong organizes the Damul Army by designating the responsibilities of his officers. He also sends Mari and Hyupbo to talk to So Seo No in Gyeruh.
A solar eclipse engulfs Buyeo in total darkness, sending the ministers, the people, and even the priestesses into panic. In Mount Bongye, Jumong — who has never experienced an eclipse — cries out to Yeomieul why the sun has disappeared.
In Jolbon, Songyang finds out that Jumong has contacted So Seo No.
Daeso’s brutality reaches new heights. And misled by High Priestess Mauryung’s interpretation of the eclipse, he orders General Heukchi and the Buyeo army to attack Jumong and the Damul Army.
The Prime Minister tells Emperor Kumwa that he must be reinstated to the throne.
Note: Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Jumong and his men ambush Yangjung and the Han Iron Army.
A solar eclipse engulfs Buyeo in total darkness, sending everyone into panic.
Episode 53
| Eps. 51-52 recap: Yeomieul tells Jumong that the eclipse is a sign that his new nation will now be established. |
Yangsullan continues to humiliate Yesoya; meanwhile, in Jolbon, So Seo No visits Woo Tae in prison.
The Prime Minister imposes two conditions on Emperor Kumwa’s return to power. Later, he meets all of the ministers in secret.
While General Heukchi and his soldiers attack Sachooldo, masked men sneak into the prison and set Emperor Kumwa’s bodyguard free.
Episodes 54-55
| Ep. 53 recap: With Jumong’s Damul Army joining General Heuk Chi’s troops, Daeso is ousted from power. Emperor Kumwa invites Jumong and his officers to come to Buyeo. |
In Mount Bongye, the young mystic Byuriha warns Yeo Mi Eul about a dark cloud hanging over her.
Lord Yeontabal and So Seo No arrive in Buyeo and seek Emperor Kumwa’s help against Songyang.
After starving for several days in the capital’s streets, Young Po decides to go back to the palace and ask for Emperor Kumwa’s forgiveness. On his way there, however, the Prime Minister meets him with a warning.
When Jumong refuses to disband the Damul Army, Emperor Kumwa orders him and his men thrown into prison.
The Prime Minister releases the Empress and her brother from their confinement; meanwhile, in Gyeruh, Yuncheryung slaps a defiant So Seo No and orders Lord Yuntabal locked up in his quarters.
After being pressured by the Han emissary, Youngpo suggests to the Prime Minister and Emperor Kumwa that Jumong should be brought to the Han capital as a captive.
Finding out that Yeo Mi Eul has been kidnapped and that the Mount Bongye hideout is vulnerable to an attack, Jumong and his men decide to break out of prison.
Note: Posted below is a video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written a short description of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Jumong and his men escape from their jail cell in Buyeo, but they’re confronted by General Heuk Chi and the palace guards.
Episode 56
| Eps. 54-55 recap: The Prime Minister kills Yeo Mi Eul. Jumong and his men escape from Buyeo. Daeso and Yangsulllan are exiled by Emperor Kumwa to the remote eastern frontier garrison. |
While Jumong and his Damul Army continue to expand their territory by conquering other tribes and forming alliances with others, Buyeo suffers from famine and other disasters.
The Empress tries to make Emperor Kumwa lift Daeso’s exile, but at the eastern frontier garrison, Daeso leads a wasted life that angers Yangsullan.
When Songyang demands that Gyeruh increase its food tributes, Lord Yuntabal and So Seo No decide that it’s time to act. At night, they visit Woo Tae who has secretly been training hundreds of mercenaries.
When Songyang threatens Gyeruh by forming an alliance with Yangjung, So Seo No reaches out to Jumong for help.
Notes: Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Woo Tae and the Gyeruh mercenaries attack Songyang.
Jumong and So Seo No meet each other again after not having seen each other for several years. So Seo No asks Jumong to move his Damul Army to Jolbon, saying, “I will help you establish your nation.”
Episodes 57-58
| Ep. 56 recap: Woo Tae dies in the ambush against Songyang; So Seo No regains power in Gyeruh. Jumong’s officers become divided on whether to accept So Seo No’s proposal for an alliance between the Damul Army and Gyeruh. |
To seek guidance on how Buyeo can survive the famine, Emperor Kumwa goes to the Sacred Mountain to meet Priestess Bi Geum Sun.
After visiting Yangjung in Hyunto, Daeso goes back to Buyeo, even without Emperor Kumwa’s permission.
Embarrassed by the Empress, Yangsullan retaliates against Yesoya’s son Yuri.
In the Sacred Mountain, Priestess Bi Geum Sun tells Jumong that he’s the rightful owner of the Damul Bow. Later, through a prosperous, traveling merchant, Jumong begins researching what kind of nation Ancient Joseon was.
Emperor Kumwa is suddenly stricken with a wretched curse.
With Hyunto governor Yangjung joining forces with Songyang to attack Gyeruh and with Jumong still giving no answer to her proposal, So Seo No selects 50 of Gyeruh’s best warriors for a preemptive strike.
Note: Posted below is a video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also a written short description of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Daeso finds out that Jumong is in Hyunto; with his men and the Han soldiers, he lays siege to the inn where Jumong is staying.
Episode 59
| Eps. 57-58 recap: Inspired by the map showing the vast extent of Ancient Joseon’s territory that includes Jolbon, Jumong decides to move the Damul Army and join So Seo No in Gyeruh. |
As Jumong and the Damul Army march towards Gyeruh in Jolbon, a squad of Buyeo soldiers follow them from afar.
Jumong and his men (Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi) rush to Songyang’s headquarters to help So Seo No.
Episode 60
With the Han Iron Army and Yangjung’s 2,000 soldiers rushing to aid Songyang’s all-out attack on Gyeruh, Jumong and the Damul Army prepare to do battle.
While Emperor Kumwa gets ready for a heavenly rite for his curse to be lifted, Daeso and the Buyeo army attack Mount Bongye.
Using the map and other historical records from Buyeo’s library, Jumong shares with So Seo No his vision for regaining the former territories and glory of Ancient Joseon.
When Emperor Kumwa finds out about the alliance between the Damul Army and Gyeruh, he plans to send soldiers to help Songyang.
Lady Yuhwa decides to cut off completely her ties with Emperor Kumwa after she finds out that Jumong has joined forces with Gyeruh and when Emperor Kumwa said that Yesoya and Yuri are Buyeo’s hostages.
Note: Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Jumong rescues Chansoo and So Seo No when they get trapped in Piryu.
Jumong shares with So Seo No his vision of regaining the former territories and glory of Ancient Joseon.
Episodes 61-63
As the royal guards chase them, Lady Yuhwa, Yesoya, Yuri, and their attendant hurry to the border between Buyeo and Gyeruh. There, they meet and ask for help from the merchant who brought Jumong’s letter to them.
Daeso goes to Piryu to talk with Songyang about Buyeo’s offer to send its soldiers to help in the war against Gyeruh and the Damul Army.
With the famine becoming worse, people begin leaving Buyeo and crossing the border into Gyeruh. But with provisions needed for the coming war, Yuncheryung, Yangtak, and Kephil refuse to give out any more food for the refugees.
Remembering High Priestess Soryung’s words, Jumong tells Lord Yuntabal and So Seo No about how he plans to unite the five tribes of Jolbon. When Songyang demands that he must come to his Piryu headquarters alone, So Seo No and the Damul Army officers warn him about Songyang’s treachery.
Daeso sends to Gyeruh several spies to monitor the Damul Army and Jolbon; he also sends Bubbono, a highly-skilled Buyeo army officer, to infiltrate the Damul Army and kill Jumong.
Buyeo forms a strategic alliance with the Han Empire, and together, they impose a total blockade against Jolbon and prohibit all tribes from trading with Jolbon. Jumong thinks of using the Gosan salt mountain to secretly trade with Okjeo and Haengin, and Sayong volunteers to sneak out of the blockade and contact Baemang.
As food and other supplies become scarce, more problems arise when a plague hits Jolbon. In an emergency meeting with So Seo No and the Damul Army officers, Jumong proposes a way to break the blockade.
Note: Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but I’ve written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Jumong peacefully unites the five tribes of Jolbon. Together with So Seo No and the other tribal chiefs, he holds a blood compact to symbolize their unity; he also unfurls the Koguryeo banner for their new nation.
Mugol tests how good Bubonno is with his fighting skills.
Episodes 64-65
| Ep. 61-63 recap: Bubunno tells Daeso that he killed Jumong; Jumong then disappears from Jolbon, giving credence to Bubunno’s story. Jumong wants to use the Eupru pirates to sail south and get the provisions that Jolbon desperately needs. |
Daeso tells Buyeo’s ministers and the Sachooldo Jaegas that they should prepare for war against Jolbon. When the Prime Minister and General Heuk Chi disagree with his plans, Daeso tells them that Jumong is dead.
Daeso later goes to Hyunto to strike a deal with Yangjung for his planned attack on Jolbon. While there, he meets Young Po who has become good friends with Master Hwang, a relative of the Han Empire’s Prime Minister.
Lady Yuhwa asks Emperor Kumwa if the rumors about Jumong’s death are true. Later, she goes on a hunger strike to pressure Emperor Kumwa to release her, Yesoya, and Yuri.
When rumors spread among the Jolbon people that Jumong is dead, dissension breaks out with Songyang and the other tribal leaders walking out of their meeting with Lord Yuntabal.
Daeso meets with Songyang and asks him to stand down once Buyeo attacks Gyeruh.
When Daeso assigns him to lead a squad to spy on Gyeruh and the Damul Army, Bubunno takes the opportunity and asks Lady Yuhwa and Yesoya to escape with him.
As the blockade continues, Jolbon’s problems mount as the plague spreads from one tribe to another. Under the rain and snow, Jumong begins to hold a heavenly rite, seeking for answers.
Note: The first video posted below is from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but I’ve written a short description of what the scene is all about. The second video is from a YouTube channel that provides English subs and is available in 720 HD. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Jumong, So Seo No, and their officers break through one of Buyeo’s border outposts.
So Seo No has volunteered to go with the pirates on the dangerous voyage to the south to find food and other provisions for Jolbon; she assures Jumong that she will return unharmed.
Episode 66
| Eps. 64-65 recap: Yangsullan wants to take Yuri away from Yesoya and raise him as her own child. The pirate leader Bu Wi Yeom agrees to serve Jumong and help establish Koguryeo. Despite the inclement weather, he and his ships take So Seo No to the south to look for provisions for Jolbon. Jumong ambushes Daeso’s advance troops with fire arrows. |
Emperor Kumwa increases the pressure by ordering Daeso and Young Po to attack Jolbon’s border garrisons and massacre people in the outlying villages. He also sends the Prime Minister to ask Jumong to surrender.
Even after more than a month, SoSeo No hasn’t returned with Bu Wi Yeom and the Eupru pirates with food and other provisions. In desperation, Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi tell Jumong that they will infiltrate the Buyeo camp and kill Daeso.
Episode 67
| Ep. 66 recap: The blockade against Jolbon breaks when So Seo No and the pirates arrive with food and other provisions. |
As So Seo No meets with Emperor Kumwa, Sayong tries to see Lady Yuhwa.
Emperor Kumwa finally agrees to meet Jumong in a neutral place to talk about how the provisions offered by Jolbon can be transferred to Buyeo.
Before going back to the Han capital, Master Hwang tells Young Po to make sure that Emperor Kumwa and Jumong do not form an alliance between Buyeo and Jolbon.
Fearing for Jumong’s life, Lady Yuhwa, Yesoya, and Yuri escape from the palace.
Notes: The video posted below is from a YouTube channel that provides English subs and is available in 720 HD. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Lady Yuhwa’s final moments with Emperor Kumwa
Episode 68
| Ep. 67 recap: So Seo No secretly gives to Lady Yuhwa the map showing the escape route from the palace. Emperor Kumwa kills Lady Yuhwa. Yesoya and Yuri are taken captive to Hyunto by Master Hwang. |
With Lady Yuhwa’s death, Emperor Kumwa and Jumong both sink into despair. Lord Yuntabal and Jumong’s men fear for Jolbon’s future, while in Buyeo, the ministers propose that Daeso take over as regent.
Emperor Kumwa angers the Empress, Daeso, and Young Po when he orders that Lady Yuhwa be buried in the Sacred Mountain.
Despite the dangers, Jumong goes to the Sacred Mountain to pay his last respects to Lady Yuhwa.
Episodes 69-71
| Ep. 68 recap: Emperor Kumwa allows Jumong to pay his last respects to Lady Yuhwa. Priestess Bi Geum Sun gives to Jumong an Ancient Joseon armor and the secret code to making the lightweight and yet impenetrable armor. As Yesoya and Yuri are brought back to Master Hwang’s residence after they try to escape, Young Po arrives. With the new armor, Jumong rallies his officers and the Jolbon chiefs to attack Hyunto. |
Emperor Kumwa couldn’t care less about the coming Hyunto-Jolbon conflict, but the Prime Minister, the Empress, and Yangsullan urge Daeso to help Hyunto.
Young Po snatches Yesoya and Yuri from Master Hwang. He then goes to Jolbon and stuns Jumong by saying that Yesoya and Yuri are alive.
Oi and Mugol infiltrate into the Han forced labor camps, hoping to organize the Ancient Joseon refugees into a fighting force.
With the battle lines now drawn between the combined Jolbon forces and the Hyunto-Buyeo alliance, Jumong leads the advance guard to free the refugees and to attack the Hyunto capital.
Note: Posted below are videos from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but the action scenes speak for themselves. I’ve also written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Everyone in Jolbon prepares for the coming war with Hyunto — old men and teenagers helping Mopalmo with the weapons, the soldiers being trained, So Seo No and the women making arrows.
Jumong, the advance guard, and the refugees attack the Hyunto capital.
Episodes 72-73
| Eps. 69-71 recap: Jumong kicks Young Po out of Jolbon after Mari fails to find Yesoya and Yuri in Hyunto. Yangjung wants to use the refugees as human shields, but his plan backfires when Jumong and the advance guard rescue the refugees. Jumong then attacks the Hyunto capital, where he captures Master Hwang and Yangsullan. Yangjung and Daeso’s forces face a dilemma — to fall back and retake the Hyunto capital or to attack the Jolbon forces. When the planned ambushes against Jumong’s forces fail, Yangjung and Daeso are forced to retreat. But Jumong and the advance guard cut off their escape route, while So Seo No and the Jolbon forces attack them from the rear. |
Both Jumong and Youngpo search for Yesoya and Yuri, but they’re nowhere to be found. Rejected in Buyeo, Young Po decides to go to the Han capital.
In Buyeo, Yangsullan wants to get rid of the seriously-sick Emperor Kumwa so that Daeso can be enthroned.
An old man leads Jumong to the third and final treasure of Ancient Joseon.
Lord Yuntabal goes to the Han capital to negotiate a prisoner exchange — the captured Han nobles and Hyunto officials for the enslaved Ancient Joseon refugees.
The conflict on who will be Koguryeo’s monarch — Jumong or So Seo No — intensifies between the Damul Army officers and the Jolbon forces, with both sides just about ready to go to war against each other.
Note: The first and third videos posted below are from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but I’ve written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. The second video is from a YouTube channel that provides English subs and is available in 720 HD. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Because So Seo No loves Jumong, she wants him to reign as monarch. But Jumong’s and So Seo No’s officers and soldiers are just about ready to battle each other on this issue.
To solve the impasse, Jumong asks So Seo No to marry him so that they can rule Koguryeo together as Emperor and Empress. But at first, Jumong makes the mistake of not looking at So Seo No when he asks, “Will you marry me?” But on the second time around, Jumong finally looks into So Seo No’s eyes and repeats his proposal.
At the 4:33 mark, Lord Yuntabal tells So Seo No that she and Jumong should get married. When So Seo No protests that it cannot be a marriage for political convenience, Lord Yuntabal assures her that the gods have given her and Jumong a second chance at love.
At the 6:01 mark, Mopalmo pleads with Jumong that he should marry So Seo No.
Here’s the English-subbed video of Jumong’s marriage proposal to So Seo No. I just love this corny stuff! Mopalmo’s earnest plea for Jumong to marry So Seo No is at the 5:02 mark
As Jumong and So Seo No get married, Yesoya watches from afar.
Episodes 74-76
| Eps. 72-73 recap: Jumong and So Seo No preserve Koguryeo’s unity by getting married, thus becoming Emperor and Empress. Yesoya leaves with Yuri for parts unknown. |
So Seo No’s sons are now grown up, with Piryu the Crown Prince anxious to prove himself to the ministers and Onjo an eager apprentice to Mopalmo. They have both grown up knowing only Jumong as their father.
Koguryeo continues expanding its territories with its victory against Haengin. The ministers now urge Jumong to conquer North Okjeoh.
In a border village near North Okjeo, Yesoya has been living a destitute life, trying to raise Yuri as an educated young man. But, wanting to earn money, Yuri and his friends work as thugs for a North Okjeo smuggler.
Master Hwang is now governor of Liaodong; to help him against Jumong and Koguryeo, Young Po goes back to Buyeo, flaunting his enormous wealth. Rebuffed by Daeso, Young Po goes to North Okjeo and hires thugs to carry out his plan to drive Buyeo to an alliance with the Han Empire.
Jumong sends Oi to North Okjeo to find out what really happened to the Koguryeo trade troop that was led by Prince Piryu. While there, Oi sees Yesoya on the street.
When Emperor Kumwa abdicates in Daeso’s favor, Jumong decides to attend the coronation, despite objections from Koguryeo’s ministers.
As part of the coronation festivities, a martial arts contest is announced. Prince Piryu joins the contest and so does Yuri.
Yesoya tells Yuri that he can meet his father if he can find the proof inside Buyeo’s palace.
When Emperor Kumwa advises Daeso not to be blinded by his hate against Jumong, Liaodong Governor Hwang becomes alarmed with the possibility of a Koguryeo-Buyeo alliance against the Han Empire. But Young Po assures Governor Hwang that he will take care of Jumong once and for all.
Episodes 77-79
| Eps. 74-76 recap: Jumong finds out that Yesoya and Yuri are still alive. Koguryeo’s ministers and So Seo No begin thinking that Buyeo might revive its alliance with the Han Empire. They urge Jumong to immediately attack Buyeo. But Jumong wants to form an alliance between Koguryeo and Buyeo against the Han Empire. After Yuri wins the contest against Prince Piryu, Daeso appoints him as a trainee with the palace guards. While visiting Mount Chungmoo (where he trained with Haemosu), Jumong and his men are attacked by Young Po’s assassins. |
After Yuri finds the broken sword, Yesoya tells him that Jumong is his father.
In Koguryeo, Jumong and Yuri finally meet, and later, Jumong rescues Yesoya in Buyeo.
So Seo No finds out that Yesoya and Yuri are both alive and now in Koguryeo.
Just as So Seo No feared, the old conflict between the Jolbon forces and the Damul Army officers arises. Yuncheryung and Yangtak order Chansoo to watch Mari and Jaesa closely.
When Governor Hwang learns about the Koguryeo-Buyeo alliance, he throws Young Po and his tactician into jail.
Before starting the war against Koguryeo, Governor Hwang sends some highly-skilled warriors to infiltrate Koguryeo.
When Chansoo is held responsible for the Han warriors breaking into the palace, Yuncheryung and Yangtak plan to move against Jumong by playing on Prince Piryu’s fears.
Daeso deviously plays Koguryeo and the Han Empire against each other, thus receiving provisions from both. As part of his agreement with Jumong, he sends his blacksmiths to Koguryeo.
On Yuri’s suggestion, Jumong attacks a contingent of Han soldiers that’s led by Governor Hwang’s brother.
When So Seo No finds out that Yuncheryung and Yangtak have hired mercenaries, she mobilizes her troops.
Note: Posted below is video from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The video does not have English subs, but I’ve a written short description of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
Fire engulfs the quarters of the blacksmiths where Yuri has been sleeping.
Episodes 80-81
| Eps. 77-79 recap: Yuri escapes from the fire that burns down the iron chamber. Yuncheryung and Yangtak manipulate Crown Prince Piryu into staging a revolt against Jumong. |
In Buyeo, Yangsullan pressures High Priestess Mauryung to hold a heavenly rite cursing Jumong.
Caught in a dilemma between her love for Jumong and her responsibility to her sons, So Seo No sends Piryu and Onjo on a long and difficult journey.
When Governor Hwang sends assassins to attack Emperor Kumwa, Daeso agrees to form an alliance with Koguryeo against the Han. But Governor Hwang immediately attacks Buyeo.
Jumong and Daeso’s combined forces meet the Han armies on the battlefield.
So Seo No decides to step down as Empress and leave Koguryeo. But all the ministers — from the Damul Army and the Jolbon forces — protest her decision.
Note: The videos posted below are from the official MBC Classic YouTube channel. The videos do not have English subs, but I’ve written short descriptions of what the scenes are all about. (When you click the “Play” button, the video will open directly to the relevant scene.)
So Seo No foils the ambush set by Yuncheryung and Yangtak against Jumong.
Mogul’s final battle
Jumong pleads with his dearest friend Mopalmo to go with So Seo No as she leaves Koguryeo to begin a new life.
Historical backgrounders and other information
1. From “Imagine Your Korea, Visit Korea” (Jumong’s filming locations):
The drama’s filming location attracts more than 5000 tourists daily. The Buyeogung Palace, and Buyeo period scenes in Jumong are mostly filmed in Samhanji, the theme park in Naju. Samhanji Theme Park is about 148,762 square meters in size, and is a large film set which costs almost 20 billion won to build. The authentic looking castle walls and the castle, the tile-roofed houses, and the surrounding natural environment all come together to create an amazing location.
The cave from which Haemosu was rescued by Jumong and was taken care of in is a famous destination for migratory birds located at Hwangmaesan Mountain. Haemosu trains Jumong in martial arts at this location, and the two characters share some good memories as teacher and student. The final death scene of Haemosu was also filmed here on the wide grassy field, where it is especially beautiful on the mountaintop.The armies of Jumong, Byeoldongdae and Cheolgigun, fight fierce battles at the Seolmaejae Natural Park located at Yumyeongsan Mountain. This is also the filming location for the scene where Jumong falls into a pit.
2. Free download HD wallpapers of “Jumong
3. From “Iranians hooked on Korean TV drama” (2009)
Visiting family members as often as possible is a well-established tradition in Iranian society. Usually nights are spent sipping freshly brewed tea and eating fresh fruits and salted nuts. This goes on for long hours into the night, especially in summertime when children and college students are free from school schedules.
Things have changed, however, since state TV started broadcasting a Korean TV drama called “Jumong.”
Now, in many homes after dinner, whole families race to huddle around the TV. Photos of the main characters grace everything from stationary to serving trays. Fans have set up blogs and forums to exchange news and discuss episodes.
4. From “Jumong actor thrills Iranian fans”
5. From “Jumong: founder of Goguryeo Kingdom is man of legend, history” (Korea.net, Gateway to Korea):
MBC aired a drama based on Jumong in 2006, simply called Jumong. They eliminated most of the traditional mythology, making his biological history fully human instead of divine, and focused mainly on Jumong’s role in resisting the Han Chinese and uniting the ancient Gojoseon people under a new empire, Goguryeo.
History, however, is never without controversy. Because Goguryeo expanded into what is now China, Chinese researchers are now claiming that Goguryeo history belongs to China, not Korea. After founding the Northeast Project in 2002, Chinese researchers have since claimed that the people of Goguryeo should actually be classified as ancient Chinese, and that the kingdom of Goguryeo has no direct relation to the later Korean dynasties of Goryeo, Joseon, or any other Korean nation.
6. From “The Soseono Masterpost” (L.J. Writes)
Soseono (pronounced so-suh-no. 소서노 [召西奴]; 66 B.C.- 6 B.C.) was a part of the founding of two kingdoms in ancient Korea, Goguryeo and Baekje. She was the queen of the first king of Goguryeo and the mother of the first king of Baekje, but according to some she was far more than a wife and mother of founders but a founder and even ruling queen in her own right. The purpose of this post is to reconstruct the life of this remarkable woman based on reliable historical information.
In the year 37 B.C. the kingdom of Goguryeo was founded. Soseono would have been twenty-nine years old at this time, and Chumo twenty-two. This is one reason historians tend to give weight to the daughter-of-Yeontabal record that states she was a widow, since it strains suspension of disbelief that a woman in her late twenties was unmarried in the first century B.C.
In the second-princess-of-Jolbon record, Chumo inherited his father-in-law’s kingdom because the king of Jolbon had no sons. Under the Soseono-daughter-of-Yeontabal record, this founding was due in great part to the wealth and power of Yeontabal’s house and Soseono’s support in addition to Chumo’s considerable leadership and martial prowess.
No matter which record you believe, though, two things are clear: First, Chumo was able to found his kingdom due to the influence and power of his second wife and her house. Second, he greatly expanded the power and territory of whatever kingdom or tribe he inherited through a series of conquests.
7. Relevant videos
Finding Balance in Korean Sword Making
Korean Swordsmanship: Joseon Martial Arts
Haidong Gumdo demonstration
8. From “Which 2007 dramas were the most watched?” (Dramabeans):
And as the drama with the highest recorded viewership in 2007, we have Jumong’s March 6 episode (55.9%), averaging a 45.5% for its entire monster run.
9. From “How Korean dramas hook global viewers” (The Korea Herald)
Korean period dramas have had people of diverse nationalities take an interest in Korean traditional culture, costume, food and landscape, eventually attracting a growing number of tourists to Korea.
Korean dramas are very popular in East Asia and Southeast Asia, where Asians viewers easily relate to the Asian traditional values and features of a hierarchical society that are depicted in Korean dramas.
“Jumong” music videos and OST
Jumong and Kingdom of the Winds - Memories of Love (Eng sub)
Jumong Dear Heaven with Lyrics Final Episode
Insooni - Heaven, please (Jumong Original Soundtrack)
Ending Theme [Full Song] (Jumong Original Soundtrack)
Jumong OST - Sarang Ei Giyuk (Lyrics In Description)
Lessons in photography from “Jumong”
Lessons in photography: selective or differential focusing, shallow depth of field, compressed or stacked perspective. (In this heartbreaking scene from Episode 40, So Seo No says goodbye to Jumong. Thinking that Jumong had been killed in battle, So Seo No married her bodyguard to escape Prince Daeso’s harassment.)
Lessons in photography: rack focus, selective or differential focusing, compressed or stacked perspective. (In this scene from Episode 73, Jumong asks So Seo No to marry him in order to preserve Koguryeo’s unity.)
Lesson in photography: high angle shot
Lesson in photography: low angle shot (from Ep. 67 when Emperor Kumwa kills Lady Yuhwa)
Lessons in photography: rim lighting, shooting at night, direction of light (from Ep. 65 when So Seo No volunteers to go with the pirates on the dangerous voyage to the south to find provisions for Jolbon)
Lessons in photography: line of direction, focus on the eyes (from Ep. 65)
Lesson in photography: linear perspective
Lesson in photography: natural frames
Lesson in photography: conveying depth through overlapping forms (from Ep. 62 during the blood compact and unification ceremony between the Damul Army and the Jolbon tribes)
Lesson in photography: silhouette (from Ep. 64 when Jumong, So Seo No, and their officers break through the Buyeo army blockade)
Lesson in photography: odd-numbered groups are easier to shoot
Lesson in photography: local frame
Lesson in photography: low angle shot or low angle point of view (from Ep. 73 when Jumong proposes to So Seo No)
Lesson in photography: conveying depth through overlapping forms
Lessons in photography: color temperature, emotional content of color, red is a dominant color
Lesson in photography: compressed or stacked perspective
Lessons in photography: diagonal lines, converging lines
Lessons in photography: patterns, diagonal lines, conveying depth through overlapping forms
Lesson in photography: high angle shot
Lesson in photography: high key lighting
Lesson in photography: low key lighting
Lessons in photography: conveying depth through light and shadow, line of direction
Lessons in photography: scale, linear perspective, red is a dominant color
Lesson in photography: aerial perspective (from Ep. 76 after Emperor Kumwa abdicates in favor of Daeso, and he goes on a personal voyage of repentance)
Lesson in photography: color temperature
Lessons in photography: diagonal lines, conveying depth through overlapping forms
Lesson in photography: partial frame (from Ep. 67 when Emperor Kumwa kills Lady Yuhwa)
Lessons in photography: focal point of interest, shallow depth of field (from Ep. 67 when Emperor Kumwa kills Lady Yuhwa)
Lessons in photography: visual weight and balance, aspective view
Lessons in photography: sidelighting, line of direction, focus on the eyes, conveying depth through light and shadow
Lesson in photography: shallow depth of field
Lessons in photography: shooting at night, sidelighting, backlighting (from Ep. 79 when fire engulfs the quarters of the blacksmiths where Yuri has been sleeping)
Lesson in photography: linear perspective
Lesson in photography: low angle shot (low angle point of view)
Lesson in photography: odd-numbered groups are easier to shoot (from Ep. 51 during So Seo No’s trade trip to the Changcheon tribe)
Lessons in photography: Dutch tilt (Dutch angle), natural frames
Lesson in photography: conveying depth through overlapping forms
Lesson in photography: low angle shot or low angle point of view (from Ep.7 during the first meeting between So Seo No and Yeo Mi Eul)
Lessons in photography: low angle shot, Dutch tilt or Dutch angle (from Ep.7 during the fight between So Seo No and Daeso)
Lesson in photography: odd-numbered groups are easier to shoot
Lesson in photography: odd-numbered groups are easier to shoot
Lesson in photography: rule of thirds
Lessons in photography: foreground blur, differential or selective focusing (from Ep. 8 when Jumong finds out that Dochi has captured So Seo No)
Lesson in photography: direction of light (from Ep. 8 when Jumong begs So Seo No to believe him and to escape from Dochi’s headquarters)
Lessons in photography: high key lighting, sidelighting
Lessons in photography: low key lighting, sidelighting, direction of light (from Ep. 28 when So Seo No visits Jumong at the palace and tells him that she will be at the battlefield for him)
Lessons in photography: low key lighting, sidelighting, direction of light (from Ep. 28)
Lesson in photography: conveying depth through overlapping forms (from Ep. 12 after Mari, Hyupbo, and Oi become bodyguards for Lord Yuntabal’s troop)
Lessons in photography: linear perspective, shallow depth of field, background blur
Lesson in photography: Dutch tilt (Dutch angle)
Lessons in photography: sidelighting, center the dominant eye
Lessons in photography: golden hours, rule of thirds, armature of the 1.5 rectangle (from Ep. 12 when Lady Yuhwa reunites with Haemosu after 20 years)
Lessons in photography: high angle shot (high angle point of view), strong vertical lines
Lessons in photography: linear perspective, aerial perspective (from Ep. 12 when Haemosu bids a final goodbye to Jumong, before he’s attacked by Daeso and Young Po)
Lessons in photography:aerial perspective, strong vertical line
Lessons in photography: foreground blur, partial frame (from Ep. 11 when Jumong asks So Seo No to take his men into her trade troop, and Daeso arrives)
Lesson in photography: partial frame
Lesson in photography: bokeh or the aesthetic quality of the blurred areas (from Ep. 19 after the banquet when So Seo No is asked by Naro to meet Daeso)
Lessons in photography: diagonal lines, patterns (from Ep. 19 during the banquet honoring Jumong, So Seo No, and Lord Yuntabal)
Lesson in photography: high angle shot
Lessons in photography: high angle shot, background blur
Lessons in photography: linear perspective, background blur
Lesson in photography: natural frames
Lessons in photography: diagonal lines, shooting odd-numbered groups is easier
Lessons in photography: partial frame, sidelighting
Lesson in photography: shooting against the light
Lessons in photography: background blur, compressed perspective
Lessons in photography: foreground blur, linear perspective (from Ep. 23 when So Seo No thinks that Jumong quit the Crown Prince competition because of Buyoung)
Lesson in photography: high key lighting (from Ep. 21 during the martial arts competition)
Lesson in photography: light and shadows
Lesson in photography: low angle shot or low angle point of view (from Ep. 21 during the martial arts competition)
Lessons in photography: golden hours, conveying depth through overlapping forms
Lessons in photography: partial frame, compressed or stacked perspective
Lesson in photography: shooting against the light
Lesson in photography: strong verticals
Lesson in photography: natural frames
Lesson in photography: shallow depth of field
Lessons in photography: shallow depth of field, compressed perspective
Lessons in photography: compressed perspective, high key lighting, shallow depth of field
Lessons in photography: shallow depth of field, background blur (from Ep. 28 when So Seo No meets Daeso and Yangsullan in the Buyeo palace)
Lessons in photography: rim lighting, sidelighting
Lessons in photography: foreground blur, background blur
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