(in any case since when did history become such an absolute truth closed to interpretation?? history is written by the victor u know its as biased as any fiction.. )

Actually, if you see it REALLY carefully, Kwang-whe can be Prince Gwanghae…

…under the shell of PRINCE YEONSAN (aka Yeonsangun).

See, the original story (Hong Gil-dong Jeon)’s timeline is under Yeonsangun…
…and if you see all the depictions of Kwang-Whe in the story, you can see also the trad. depictions of Yeonsangun:
-mentally unstable
-has many women (without even any mention of either Jang Nok-su or Kim Gae-si); Kwang-Whe had a palace “brothel”, right?
-killed off “opposition” (as the scene where he sees the ghosts of those he killed)

those are all I can remember, since I could not make heads nor tales at the other depictions (which are either more confusing, or is related to Gwanghaegun).

can u play that tv show once more in arirang

i agree with Tealeaf and Jolee, it’ll be much better if the writers had incorporate some of the facts into their characterization of Kwang Whe…

well of course its not accurate, its a fusion drama!
i mean, they have strobe lights and breakdancing in it. how accurate can it be?

Hmm..

I understand both sides. However, one must take into consideration the fact that Korean historical drama’s are usually based off of true historical facts. Therefore, to have this “new type” of drama must get under people’s skin. History is something that Koreans pride themselves on, hence, their many historical drama’s.. So I don’t find it all that surprising that some would be ubber critical and disappointed in the way the King is being portrayed.

Entertainment is entertainment, but when dealing with a historical figure, it can become insulting to some. It’s a sensitive issue–regardless of nationality.

I do think Hong sisters have taken the liberty on HGD legend too far. The original novel book HGD wrote by Heo writer in 16 century showed that the current King was really smart and capable too. The King was Not soo stupid, lunatic, disgusting and chicken whimpy head like the current King in the drama. The original book just showed that HGD with great marital art skills always escaping the traps from the King, but the King finally thought that HGD was talented, so even the king felt a little bit insulted to appoint HGD, the slave guy, to the general of War, but the King still did give HGD that high offical postion: at this point , you cannot deny that the current King was smart and knew how to use people for the greater good.
Anyone has watched the American movie “Catch me if you can” you know what I mean: great use of the skillful criminal guy for the greater good.
And one more thing: this drama is still offically classified as HISTORICAL comedy romantic drama.
So, I think the some Korean people have their right to critize the Drama for making the King looked bad.

I can’t criticize too much. I’m not even Korean, so I can’t say if they pushed poetic license…BUT…

I did feel the Hong sisters went too far with the opium and Merchant guy. It was a little bit too much. But then again, think of the parody thing. Probably people at that time and such with their stereotyping thought that was how the Chinese acted? (I don’t know. I don’t know the history so I could be wrong.)

Still, it’s a parody, and it’s very much fiction. Please keep that in mind. Also, like people have pointed out, it gives a twist in things. Think…What IF this guy had been a tyrant? What IF Chang Whe existed? How would history be altered? It’s not even taking a skeleton and adding flesh. Instead, it’s taking a skeleton, twisting it than adding flesh. It’s a totally new story altogether, and anyone seeing the show would know it’s a parody. It’s NOT a history drama. NOT IN ANY SENSE! But I think when watching something that’s CLEARLY not might to be historically accurate you might just want to enjoy the show. As long as the pieces shown fits the image of the drama and the characters seen so far (like characters don’t do off the wall stuff or too many coincidences as in melodramas) then I’m fine.

But I think it’s also to do with personal taste. I for one will always hate melodramas. Some people will always want to stay as close to the original thing as possible. And it depends on how much you care….Stupid example, but I’m a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I got all twisted whenever they left tiny little details out. I think I’m better at enjoying the final product now. Take it as the Hong sis being INSPIRED by their history, but played with all the possibilities in their mind.

Since IT IS AN ORIGINAL STORY then the writers have the excuses to
disregard histories that can be sensitive to some viewers?!

I for one am very offended by the plot in episode 16 showing Chinese official
as an opium pusher trying to poison Korean people. That was a slap in the
face to those with Chinese heritage and do know the real history!