EBS to air Wang Geon special starting November 9

The fourth installment of the "Korean History Figures with Deongi and Kwaengi" series will air on EBS1 for two weeks starting November 9. The program follows the time-traveling clay figures as they witness how Wang Geon overcame a crushing defeat in 927 to eventually unify the Later Three Kingdoms in 936.

The fourth installment of the EBS series "Korean History Figures with Deongi and Kwaengi," titled the Wang Geon edition, will air for two weeks starting Monday, November 9, at 6:30 PM on EBS1. Wang Geon was the figure who established Goryeo and finally unified the Later Three Kingdoms amidst the chaos where various local gentry fought for power. However, Wang Geon's path was not always one of victory; his journey contains a story of "inclusion" that was stronger than the sword, as he rose again after a crushing defeat that nearly cost him his life.

The series follows the time travel of Silla clay figures Dungi and Kwaengi, who awaken in a museum and arrive at their fourth destination: the Later Three Kingdoms era approximately 1,100 years ago. This was a period of turmoil where Gyeon Hwon and Gung Ye established their own kingdoms to contend with Silla. After barely escaping a battlefield filled with flaming arrows, Dungi and Kwaengi meet a young Wang Geon, a boy from a local gentry family in Songak known for maritime trade. Having become a general under Gung Ye, Wang Geon makes a name for himself by leading naval forces to defend Geumseong (now Naju). However, the tyranny of Gung Ye, who claimed to read minds through "Gwanseombeop," intensifies, eventually leading to false accusations against Wang Geon. The series explores how Wang Geon overcame these great crises to establish the new nation of Goryeo.

Even after becoming king, Wang Geon faced major trials. In 927, he suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Gyeon Hwon's Later Baekje army at Gongsan (now Palgongsan in Daegu). During this battle, Wang Geon's general Sin Sung-gyeom lost his life to protect Wang Geon, who barely managed to escape alive. Yet, Wang Geon did not crumble from the defeat. He retrained his troops, cared for the starving people, and joined hands with local gentry from various regions. Three years later, he joined forces with local gentry in Gochang (now Andong) to decisively defeat the large army of Gyeon Hwon.

Meanwhile, Sin Geom, the eldest son of Gyeon Hwon, imprisoned Gyeon Hwon in Geumsansa Temple and ascended to the throne. After escaping Geumsansa Temple, Gyeon Hwon headed to Goryeo, where his lifelong rival, Wang Geon, was located. Rather than rejecting Gyeon Hwon, whom he had once pointed swords at countless times, Wang Geon welcomed him warmly. In the same year, King Gyeongsun of Silla voluntarily entrusted the thousand-year-old Silla to Goryeo. In 936, Wang Geon marched out alongside Gyeon Hwon, defeated Sin Geom's Later Baekje army at Illicheon (now Gumi in Gyeongbuk), and finally unified the Later Three Kingdoms.

By following the lives of Dungi, Kwaengi, and Wang Geon, viewers can witness the moment Goryeo began and the process of the Later Three Kingdoms becoming one through "inclusion." The program also includes interesting historical facts, such as the history embedded in place names still used today like "Naju" and "Andong," and the story of how Wang Geon expanded his influence through marriages with various local gentry families. The series follows Wang Geon's deliberations and courage to achieve the great task of unification from a child's perspective. The fourth time travel journey of Dungi and Kwaengi to the Later Three Kingdoms 1,100 years ago will be available on EBS1 on weekdays at 6:30 PM from November 9 to November 20.

Read the original (Korean)