Story of the First King's Four Gods TV Series, The at AsianDB

On Air: Sep 3, 2007 ~ Dec 6, 2007

Total Episodes: 24

This drama portrays the life of the 19th king of Goguryeo. Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo, establish Goguryeo with his Four Gods: Cheong-ryong (Blue Dragon), Baek-ho (White Tiger), Joo-jak (Phoenix), Hyeon-mu (symbolized as a turtle). The Japanese may know them as Seiryuu, Byakko, Suzaku, and Genbu. Jumong marries Soseono, who had a big part in the founding of Goguryeo. They have two sons, Onjo and Biryu. When the son of Jumong’s first wife came to Goguryeo in search of his father, and is named Crown Prince, Soseono takes her sons, Onjo and Biryu, South and establishs Baekje. This is how Baekje and Goguryeo were known as “brother countries”.

As time passed, the Four Gods secluded themselves from society and watched as Baekje and Goguryeo’s relationship worsened (worsened more mainly because Goguryeo’s king was killed in a battle between Baekje and Goguryeo).

One day, Ju-ahn, “Hyeon-mu” of the Four Gods, sees two stars sour up into the sky. Since one came from the palace in Baekje, it predicted the birth of “Su”, later known as King Ah-shin. The other star came from Goguryeo, prophesizing the birth of Dam-deok, later known as Gwang Gae Toh Dae Wang.

Realizing that his new master has come to the world, Ju-ahn awaits in the vast Manchuria with a young girl, Sujini, to see which of the two will be his master. Sujini was picked up as an orphan by Ju-ahn and considers Ju-ahn as her father.

Therefore, the story is on the Four Gods looking for their master, Gwang Gae Toh Dae Wang, who was an expert in tactics, the woman he loved (Sujini), who was also loved by the coldhearted King Ah-shin.

Who was Damdeok (Gwang Gae Toh Dae Wang)? He was the 19th king of Goguryeo (lasted from 37 B.C. to 668 A.D.). During the time of Damdeok, Goguryeo was the most powerful nation in East Asia (yes, even the Chinese dynasty couldn't defeat Goguryeo). At age 11, he was made the Crown Prince and became King when he was 16. In 396, he attacked Baekje (a nation Southwest of Goguryeo) and took over the northern area above the Han River. He defeated the many invasions made by the Yeon Dynasty (China) after 400 A.D. During his reign, the number of castles he took over numbered in the hundreds and villages numbered in the thousands. However, he died at an untimely age of 39.

Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo, establish Goguryeo with his Four Gods: Cheong-ryong (Blue Dragon), Baek-ho (White Tiger), Joo-jak (Phoenix), Hyeon-mu (symbolized as a turtle). The Japanese may know them as Seiryuu, Byakko, Suzaku, and Genbu. Jumong marries Soseono, who had a big part in the founding of Goguryeo. They have two sons, Onjo and Biryu. When the son of Jumong's first wife came to Goguryeo in search of his father, and is named Crown Prince, Soseono takes her sons, Onjo and Biryu, South and establishs Baekje. This is how Baekje and Goguryeo were known as "brother countries".

As time passed, the Four Gods secluded themselves from society and watched as Baekje and Goguryeo's relationship worsened (worsened more mainly because Goguryeo's king was killed in a battle between Baekje and Goguryeo).

One day, Ju-ahn, "Hyeon-mu" of the Four Gods, sees two stars sour up into the sky. Since one came from the palace in Baekje, it predicted the birth of "Su", later known as King Ah-shin. The other star came from Goguryeo, prophesizing the birth of Damdeok, later known as Gwang Gae Toh Dae Wang.

Realizing that his new master has come to the world, Ju-ahn awaits in the vast Manchuria with a young girl, Sujini, to see which of the two will be his master. Sujini was picked up as an orphan by Ju-ahn and considers Ju-ahn as her father.

Therefore, the story is on the Four Gods looking for their master, Gwang Gae Toh Dae Wang, who was an expert in tactics, the woman he loved (Sujini), who was also loved by the coldhearted King Ah-shin.

Bae Yong Joon as Haemosoo, Joomong, Damdeok (character of Great King Gwang-gae-toh)

Bae Yoog Joon will act 3 characters in the Legend / Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi . He will appear in the first and second episodes as Haemosoo, a descendant of Tangoon (Founder of Korea 5,000 years ago in a myth), and Joomong, the founding king of Kogooryeo in Tangoon Myth, and appears as the Great King Gwang-gae-toh, the main character from 5th episode.

The Great King Gwang-gae-toh, the person who had led renaisance of the Kogooryeo by expanding her territory in Manchuria, etc., has strong image of a conqueror. It might be difficult to find parts that coincide with tender image of BYJ. However, Director Kim Jonghak thinks that 'Damdeok is rather outstanding strategist rather than brave general to the extent he conquered other countries' castles from age of 16.

Moon So Ri as Seo Ki Ha

The Seo Kiha character Moon Sori is to act is a woman with fate in which she could not help but to become strong for the love she could not have. Inheriting blood-line of Honyeo (Tiger women) Tribe, who stayed as tiger while bear became a woman by going through enduring and suffering period in the Tangoon Myth, she has fate who cannot help but give in the seat of Queen to Woongneyo(Bear women) Tribe, and she is a woman of pathetic love who becomes a confronting BYJ rather than winning his love in the end.

Yoon Tae Young as Yeon Ho Gae

Yoen Hogae is the character that rivals Dam Deok acted by BYJ. Having both clever strategy and bravery, he becomes a rival to prince Dam Deok from youth period. He is the character who loved Seo Kiha (Moon Sori), woman priest, and having defected to China after Dam Deok ascent to King, he becomes general and threatens Dam Deok to the end.