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Eight Days, Assassination Attempts against King Jeongjo

Eight Days, Assassination Attempts against King Jeongjo (Korean: 정조암살미스터리 8일; Hanja: 正祖暗殺미스터리 8日; RR: Jeongjoamsalmiseuteori 8il; MR: Chŏngjoamsalmisŭt'ŏri 8il; lit. Jeongjo Assassination Mystery 8 Days) is a South Korean television miniseries starring Kim Sang-joong, Park Jung-chul, Jung Ae-ri, Lee Seon-ho, and Hee Won. The series ran for 10 episodes, and was aired by CGV from November 17, 2007 to December 16, 2007. This show is placed in the context of the eight days procession organized in 1795 by King Jeongjo of Joseon to visit the tomb of his father at Hwaseong Fortress. This historic event was a huge one, involving 5,661 people and 1,417 horses.[1]

Eight Days, Assassination Attempts against King Jeongjo
Also known asEight Days Mystery of Jeongjo Assassination
Hangul
정조암살미스터리 8일
Hanja
正祖暗殺미스터리 8日
Literal meaningJeongjo Assassination Mystery 8 Days
Revised RomanizationJeongjoamsalmiseuteori 8il
McCune–ReischauerChŏngjoamsalmisŭt'ŏri 8il
GenrePeriod drama
Drama
Based onJourney
by Oh Se-yeong
Written byKim Won-seok
Directed byPark Jong-won
StarringKim Sang-joong
Park Jung-chul
Jung Ae-ri
Lee Seon-ho
Hee Won
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producerHan Chang-hoon
ProducersGo Jang-won
Kim Do-yeon
Ahn Sang-hwi
Lee Joo-hyung
Running timeSaturdays and Sundays at 23:00 (KST)
Original release
NetworkCJ CGV
ReleaseNovember 17 (2007-11-17) –
December 16, 2007 (2007-12-16)

Synopsis

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The screenplay is based on the novel Journey[2] (Korean: 원행; RR: wonhaeng; lit. a round trip) written in 2006 by Oh Se-yeong. The background of the action is the 1795 procession organized by King Jeongjo of Joseon for the 60th birthday of his mother, Lady Hyegyeong that also commemorated the 60th birthday of his deceased father,[3] the Crown Prince Sado. During the eight days period when the Court left the palace for the ceremony, the show introduces several assassination attempts against the King. A first one comes from the Moon In-bang's group (a millenarist sect). But this plot is used by the Noron Faction to pursue its own agenda, attempting an armed suppression against the Sipa Faction and the King as well.

Apart from the fictional elements, a major focus is placed on two historical sources. The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong[4] is extensively used during many flashback sequences relative to events that occurred before the death (1762) of Crown Prince Sado, while the official documents from the Joseon Royal Library are used for the current events: the "Wonhaeng Eulmyo Jeongni Uigwe" (Eulmyo=1795) for the procession itself, and the "Hwaseong Seongyeokuigwe"[5][6] concerning the Hwaseong Fortress as a whole.

This series is often referred as Eight Days, Mystery of Jeong Jo Assassination, a misleading translation since King Jeongjo won the 1795 confrontation and only died in 1800.[7]

Documents about the real-life 1795 procession

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The main document of the 1795 procession is an eight-panel screen, the Hwaseonghaenghaengdo Byeongpun. Nowadays, three copies of this screen exists: a sepia one,[8] a blue one and a colored one,[9] the King's copy. This last copy can be seen at Samsung Museum of Art Leeum and has been designated as Korean National Treasure 1430 in 2005-04-15.[10]

 
Tombs
화성성묘전배
 
Examinations
낙남헌방방
 
Banquet
봉수당진찬
 
Elders
낙남헌양로연
 
Seojangdae
서장대야조
 
Arrows
득중정어사
 
Procession
환어행렬
 
Bridge
한강주교환어
The Hwaseonghaenghaengdo Byeongpun

Map of the Hwaseong Fortress in the 1800 Uigwe.

 
Hwaseong Jeondo 화성전도

Cast and characters

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As described in the credits of the last episode, the drama involves the following characters:

. cast hg character hg real-life notes
01 Kim Sang-joong 김상중 Jeongjo 정조 1752–1800 King Jeongjo, the central character of the drama (r. 1776–1800).
02 Park Jung-chul 박정철 Jeong Yakyong 정약용 1762–1836 Silhak philosopher, coordinator of the Sipa, pen name Dasan.
03 Jung Ae-ri 정애리 Lady Hyegyeong 혜경궁 1735–1815 Consort of Prince Sado, mother of King Jeongjo. Hyebin. Daughter of Hong Bonghan.
04 Lee Seon-ho 이선호 Jang Inhyeong 장인형 Gichong Jang: recruited by Mun Inbang, as comrade Jang 장 동지.
05 Hee Won 희원 So Hyangbi 소향비 This lady with the nice hat, lover of Jang Inhyeong.
06 Park Chan-hwan 박찬환 Sim Hwanji 심환지 1730–1802 Minister of War, head of Noron faction.
07 Lee Dae-yeon 이대연 Mun Inbang 문인방 Rising Sun's ringleader. Moniker= Okpo Seonsaeng 옥포.
08 Jang Gi-yong 장기용 Hong Jaecheon 홍재천 Head of Daedong merchants, born Sangpil: recruited by Mun Inbang, as comrade Hong 홍 동지.
09 Park Su-hyeon 박수현 Choi Gisu 최기수 Gichong Choi, the King's bodyguard.
10 Jo Dal-hwan 조달환 Kim Chundeuk 춘득 Officer of the Royal Guards, bodyguard of Jeong Yakyong.
11 Kim Tae-hoon 김태훈 Kim Hanju 김한주 Nephew of Queen Dowager Jeongsun, link between Jeongsun and the Noron faction.
12 Kim Seong-gyeom 김성겸 Yeongjo 영조 1694–1776 Former King (r. 1724–1776).
13 Park Ung 박웅 Chae Jegong 채제공 1720–1799 Sipa leader, presented as Chef State Concilior.
14 Kim Gi-hyeon 김기현 Kim Jeongsu 김정수 Former leader of the Noron faction.
15 Kim Hui-jong 김희종 Queen Jeongsun 정순왕후 1745–1805 Jeongsun Wanghu of the Gyeongju Kim clan, Yeongjo's widow, Queen Dowager Jeongsun.
16 Jo Han-jun 조한준 Crown Prince Sado 사도 세자 1735–1762 2nd son of Yeongjo (from Yeongbin), late Prince Regent Jangheon 장헌세자, father of Jeongjo.
17 Yi Yong-hwan 이용환 Gu Myeongrok 구명록 Hidden son of Gu Seonbok, attending trainer of the Hunlyeondogam.
18 Hong Seung-il 홍승일 Jeong Han-gi 정한기 .
19 Jeong Yong-u 정용우 Hong Byeongsin 홍병신 Assistant Section Chief of the Ministry of War. E05, 09:50.
20 Na Jae-gyun 나재균 Hong Inhan 홍인안 1722–1776 1775 Left State Councilor: brother of Hong Bonghan.
21 Heo Gi-ho 허기호 Hong Bonghan 홍봉한 1713–1778 Father of Lady Hyegyeong, grandfather of Jeongjo.
22 Choe Geong-u 최겅우 Yi Gyeongmu 이경무 Ogunyeong: Hunlyeondogam commander.
23 Yi Yong-jin 이용진 Jo Simtae 조심태 Suwon Governor.
24 Kim Seong-il 김성일 Dong Jung-seo 동중서 Lord of Penghu.
25 Han Cheol-woo 한철우 Jang Son-yi 장손이 The sharpshooter.
26 Jeong Yong-ju 정용주 Jang Son-san 장손산 The specialist of underwater operations.
27 Song Yeong-jin 송영진 Hong Sanggung 홍상궁 .
28 Yi Ung-jae 이웅재 Hong Suyeong 홍수영 1755–1798 Oldest son of Hong Nakin. Recipient of the 1795 Memoir.
29 Hong Ae-bin 홍애빈 Princess Hwawan 화완옹주 1737–1808 Princess Hwawan, 3rd daughter of Yeongjo and Sado's mother.
30 Won Jong-seon 원종선 Sim Yiji 심이지 Ogunyeong: Sueo-sa daejang (commander).
31 Yi Hyeong-ju 이형주 Yi Hanpung 이한풍 Ogunyeong: Eoyeong-sa daejang (commander).
32 Park Yong-jin 박용진 Yi Myeongsik 이명식 Commissioner (Jejo) of the Royal Guards .
33 Oh Chang-gyeong 오창경 Yi Yugyeong 이유경 Jo Simtae's Deputy.
34 Park Jong-cheol 박종철 Yu Eonho 유언호 Member of the Noron faction.
35 Kim Geon-ho 김건호 Yun Si-dong 윤시둥 1729–1797 1795 Minister of the Right. (U-changseong·우찬성 ???).
36 Choe Min-seo 최민서 Sin Daehyeon 신대현 Ogunyeong: Chong-yung-sa commander.
37 Kim Yang-u 김양우 Gu Seonbok 구선복 1762 accusator of CP Sado: general executed E01.
38 Sin Dong-hun 신동훈 Mak-soe 막쇠 The cheokseodan pedler.
39 Kim Seung-hun 김승훈 Daedong gibsa 대동 집사 Daedong attendant.
40 Yi Jae-ug 이재욱 Bae Jeong-tae 배정태 .
41 No Ig-hyeon 노익현 Han Jang-bok 한장복 The Daedong spy at Hwaseong Fortress.
42 Jeong Na-on 정나온 Young jumo 젊은 주모 Tavern keeper.
43 O Seo-yeon 오서연 Han Mae 한매 .
44 Seol Ji-yun 설지윤 Cheongyeon Princess 청연공주 1754–1821 First daughter of Prince Sado and Lady Heongyeong.
45 Park Gun-woo 박긴태 Jeongjo (child) 어린 정조 Yi San, the Royal Successor, to become King Jeongjo.
46 Yun Yeong-min 윤영민 Jeong Bok 정복 The King's Eunuch, brother of Jeong Hugyeom.
47 Seok Myeong-sik 석명식 Hanju gimsa 한주 집사 Kim Hanju attendant.
48 Yang Jeong-hyeon 양정현 munjung (adult) 문중어른 .
49 Yi Dong-yeon 이동연 Hong Suyeong (child) 어린 수영 Hong Suyeong (child).
50 Kim Jin-hui 김진희 Hyegyeong (child) 어린 혜경 Hyegyeong (child).
51 Oh Hyeon-sil 오현실 Hyegyeong sanggung 혜경 상궁 Lady-in-waiting of Lady Hyegyeong.
52 Sin Gyeong-seon 신경선 Jeongjo sanggung 정조 산궁 Lady-in-waiting of King Jeongjo.
53 Byun Yang-ho Seo Yubang 서유방 Gyeonggi Governor, secretly helping the Noron faction
54 Son Yeong-gwon 손영권 Jeong Hu-gyeom 정후겸 1750–1776 Hwawan-ongju's adopted son
55 Han Hyeok-ju 한혁주 Kim Gwiju 김귀주 1740–1786 Queen Jeongsun's brother
  • When provided, birth and death years are given according to the real life of the character.

Artistic license

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  • The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong are in fact a collection of four different documents, written at different times, for different audiences. The description of the controversial behavior of Crown Prince Sado occurs in the 1805 Memoir,[11] ten years after the procession, and not in the 1795 Memoir.[12]
  • Mun Inbang 문인방 is described as linked to a peasant uprising in 1786 (byeongo 병오). In Jeongjo Sillok, the first mention of Mun Inbang is 1782-04-04 [13] and his trial is 1782-11-20 [14] under various charges, propagating Jeonggamnok among them.[14] Thereafter, Mun Inbang's name is only used to imply guilt by association, not to describe a prison escapee.
  • Hong Bonghan is described in the series as a Noron leader during both reigns of Yeongjo and Jeongjo, but he rather appears as a key Sipa in the Haboush's translation of the Memoirs.
  • In the real Court, the red robe was for the highest ranks, the blue for the intermediate ranks, and green for the lowest ranks. In the series, the blue dress is the uniform of the villains, while the red dress is the uniform of the "good ones". This helps the viewer to identify who's who, but this can also be a POV-시파 joke from the screenwriter.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Performance Information". Suwon-City: Travel & Tourism. Archived from the original on 2010-05-29. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
  2. ^ Oh Seyeong 2006.
  3. ^ Sagapyeon (사갑연): 60th birthday feast for the dead
  4. ^ Haboush 1996.
  5. ^ Chevalier 1898, p. 384-396.
  6. ^ Doo Won Choo 2010, p. I, 82-213.
  7. ^ Chung, Ah-young (9 February 2009). "Reformative King Jeongjo Was Not Fatally Poisoned". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 2016-01-06. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  8. ^ KCC (2013). "Hwaseong Haenghaeng" (in Korean). Korean Copyright Commission. Archived from the original on 2013-07-03.
  9. ^ KCC (2013). "Kim Deuksin Hwaseongneunghaengdo" (in Korean). Korean Copyright Commission. Archived from the original on 2016-04-10. Retrieved 2013-05-31.
  10. ^ "Royal Parade to Hwaseong Fortress". Cultural Heritage Administration. 2013. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
  11. ^ Haboush 1996, p. 241-336.
  12. ^ Haboush 1996, p. 49-137.
  13. ^ Jeongjo/10604004_003.
  14. ^ a b Jeongjo/10611020_001.
  15. ^ Chung, Ah-young (13 November 2007). "Renaissance of Joseon King Jeongjo". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2013-04-02.

Bibliography

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  • Oh, Seyeong (2006). Journey. 제목:원행; 저자:오세영; 출판사:예담. Yedam (Wisdom House). p. 315. ISBN 9788-9591-3167-9. (in Korean)
  • Haboush, JaHyun Kim (1996). The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong: The Autobiographical Writings of a Crown Princess of Eighteenth-Century Korea. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0520200555., 329 pages.
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