King Sejong, the fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, is one of the greatest and best-known kings in Korean history. Most celebrated for creating the Korean alphabet of Hangeul, the sage king is remembered as a ruler with deep compassion for his people and appointed commoners to high positions in his government during the strict Confucian Joseon period, which was characterized by rigidly hierarchical social structures. Indeed, the king made impressive achievements in society, politics, academics and science in the 15th century, which was a kind of golden period for Korea. Sejong is one of only two Korean kings who were posthumously honored with the title “the Great,” along with Gwanggaeto the Great from the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo in the 4th century. Little wonder King Sejong the Great has been a favorite subject of historical movies and dramas.

“The Great King Sejong” is one of those historical dramas airing on KBS from January through November 2008. The 86-episode TV series depicts the life and achievements of the respected king. Compared to previous historical soap operas that mostly portrayed conspiracy, betrayal, and court ladies caught up in jealousy and political intrigues in the palace, this drama highlights the leadership of King Sejong, who stressed unity and creativity. Most people assume that the king ruled a prosperous and peaceful nation. But the happy era wasn’t created overnight. To this end, the king must have overcome intense struggles, and in the course of doing so, he is believed to have buried bitter tears and grief within. Based on this belief, the producers of this epic drama brought greater focus to the continuous efforts and dedication of the king and his people who pursued a great cause of building an independent and powerful Joseon. The drama brings to the king to light as a “prepared leader” who spared no effort to cultivate himself from the time he was a prince. He believed one could gain a nation through the sword, but reign over the people through the pen. The invention of the written Korean language, Hangeul, shows the king’s ardent desire to make his people more educated by making it easier for them to become literate. He subscribed to the firm principle that the king must sympathize with people and serve for that purpose. And he did put the principle into action. The drama also draws attention to the king’s philosophy that a good government depends on how effectively a king can recognize and train talented people, and utilize them in administering state affairs. The king even embraced his political opponent Hwang Hui who had been resolutely opposed to crowning Sejong but later served as royal prime minister under Sejong’s reign. The king’s conviction that his nation needed talented people gave rise to great scientist and astronomer Jang Young-sil, who created a number of wonderful inventions, such as water clocks, armillary spheres, sundials and the world’s first rain gauge, and led the technological developments of the Joseon Dynasty.

The historical epic appealed to viewers, not only with its convincing portrayal of one of the most prominent kings of Korea but also by mirroring the public desire for the emergence of a new, ideal leader.