Air Date:  November 11, 2023 – March 10, 2024

Episodes: 32

Where to Watch: Viki

Genre: Historical Military Drama

Starring: Kim Dong Jun and Choi Soo Jong

A young man rises from humble beginnings to become the King of Goryeo during a tumultuous time of war with the Khitans of the Liao Dynasty.  With the help of one honest and out-spoken official, he will try to find a way to free his country from foreign rule and protect his people at the same time.  But the price of war will sit heavily on his conscious and he will learn the difficulties of leadership and the burden of sacrifice.  Together, the King and his military commander will devise a strategy in the hopes of bringing peace to their tired nation and ending a 26 year old war.

Hyun Jong is a kind and compassionate young man with a playful nature.  But when he moves to the palace, he is forced to mature quickly.  Luckily, he never loses his compassion, although he is often called to make difficult decisions that weigh on him because of it.  His journey from innocent youth to wise and determined king is a story of growth and resilience.  I loved the humanity Lee Dong Jun brought to this role.  The focus on the king’s relationships and personal struggles really allowed the actor to give a heartfelt and emotion-filled performance.  

Kang Kam Chan refuses to back down from what he believes is right, much to his wife’s constant chagrin.  His history as a scholar and his ability to see beyond the obvious war strategies of the time, give the Goryeon army the edge that they need to outmaneuver the Khitans.  His unwavering determination allows him to continue when others would have tired and given up.  I loved Choi Soo Jong in this role.  He played Kang Kam Chan with a charming bravado that always felt more like righteous pereseverence than arrogance.  And he was rough enough around the edges to make a convincing military hero.  

I enjoyed Queen Wonseung’s character as a pleasant contrast from the staunchly noble, royalist Queen Wonjeong.  She was independent and intelligent, and the support she showed the King was a nice touch.  It seemed fitting that they avoided overly-romanticizing their relationship, while making it feel mature and genuine.  I also appreciated her respect for Queen Wonjeong, even when she didn’t deserve it.  

With 32 episodes, this drama gets a chance to develop the characters slowly and thoroughly.  While these lead characters are heroes whose names appear in the annals of history, it was fun to see them also as real people,  husbands, and insecure leaders.  And while I love a good love story, I was intrigued by a drama that referred to romance only in passing, but took great detail to discuss military strategy and war-time operations,  

I felt like they kept teasing some interesting backstory for General Xiao Pai Ya.  He and Kang Kam Chan seemed to have some significant history.  True, they would end up going head to head as the military leaders, but I kept expecting some interesting background for the enemy General.  I was disappointed when nothing really surfaced.  

I know that these anniversary sageuks are a celebration of not just the network but Korean history, and that the Khitans are supposed to be seen as the villains in this story, but I felt like they were portrayed very unflatteringly.  While the Korean army was disciplined, noble, and brave, the Khitans were really treated as true “barbarians”.  I’m all for villanizing the “bad guys’, but it seemed like this drama lacked a bit of finesse in this department.  Even the Khitan leaders seem one-dimensional and uninteresting.  

‘Korea-Khitan War’ ends with Hyun Jong and Kam Chan managing to finally outsmart the Khitans and lead their troops to victory.  More important than the victory itself is the fact that it ushers in a long period of peace for Goryeo.  The peace offer itself is a bold move that shows wisdom, maturity, and the valuable experience Hyun Jong and Kam Chan have earned together.  They are able to use their victory to bolster a strong sense of neutrality with all their neighboring nations and resilience among themselves. 

And with that, Kam Chan is finally able to retire quietly and live out his life in peace.  Hyun Jong, now a father and successful ruler, would spend the rest of his reign reaping the benefits of all he had endured. The final  scene shows him paying tribute to all those who helped him pave the way for his victory by having him walk through a procession of the cast members who had passed away.  I was happy to hear that this event ushered in 150 years of peace, not just in Goryeo, but much of East Asia.  But I was sad to see that this seemingly young and healthy King only lived to the age of 40.   

‘Korea-Khitan War’ is a historical drama created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of KBS Network. It is based off a novel by Gil Seung Soo called  “Goryeo-Khitan War: Sweet Rain in The Winter”.  It focuses on the King and his close relationship with his military commander. These anniversary dramas are known for their large budgets, epic style, and all-star cast, and this one is no exception.  With 32 total episodes, the characters and the story are well-developed and engaging, and the battle scenes are impressive in scale and cinematic style.  The drama not only showcases the strategic military maneuvers but also delves into the personal lives and struggles of the characters. This duality makes the series both entertaining and thought-provoking.

But the warning at the beginning of the drama should be a red flag for all history buffs.  While based on historical fact, there is plenty of artistic license taken.  The author himself has expressed adamant concern that, especially in the second half of this drama, the departure from both the historical facts and the original text are glaring.  But if you don’t mind your historical entertainment laced with a considerable amount of “fiction”, this one is a touching story about love, friendship, and the price of leadership.  I give ‘Korea Khitan War’ and 8 out of 10 ramen.  

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