Scarlet Heart: Ryeo / Moon Lovers: Wang So or Emperor Gwangjong

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Lee Joon Gi plays Wang So / Emperor Gwangjong

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📷 📷 📷 Lee Joon Gi (Wang So / Emperor Gwangjong)

Lee Joon Gi plays the lead role of Prince Wang So (The Fourth Prince) or Emperor Gwangjong in the Korean adaptation of the popular Chinese novel, ‘Bu Bu Jing Xin’. Wang So also has a moniker, ‘Wolf Dog’.

The drama, which is retitled, ‘Moon Lovers’ or ‘Scarlet Heart: Ryeo’ is slated to be broadcast starting from 30 September 2016.

Many people may be familiar with the history of the Chinese and their culture, but not many are aware of Korean history nor its culture.

The drama would probably be infused with many aspects of Korean history and culture, so those who want to understand and learn more about the Koreans should watch the drama.

It would be more fun if one knows about the history before one watches the show.

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WANG SO (925 – 4 July 975) (50 years)  EMPEROR GWANGJONG 4TH MONARCH OF GORYEO (Reign: 13 April 949 – 4 July 975) (26 years)

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Lee Joon Gi plays 'Wang So' or 'Emperor Gwangjong'

Wang So, the fourth son of King Taejo (Wang Geon) and Queen Sinmyeongsunseong, succeeded his brother, Wang Yo (The Third Prince) in  949 at the age of 24 as the fourth king of Goryeo. He ruled over Goryeo Dynasty for 26 years until his death in 975.

Wang So had two consorts, Daemok, his half-sister, and  Gyeonghwagung, his niece. He produced two male and three female offsprings, all  with Empress Daemok.

Wang So decided that his Korean era name should be Junpung. He also proclaimed himself as the Emperor and declared that he was independent of other countries. He became Emperor Gwangjong.  The implication was it ended the subservient tributary relationship with China. Gwangjong’s successors were also known as Emperors.

When Wang So or Gwangjong came to throne in 949, he discovered that he had ascended to a position that was wobbly. But, Wang So was no softie. He had fought valiantly alongside his father, Taejo and Gung Ye when they revolted against the Silla queen and together, they conquered Baekje and Goguryeo.

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Emperor Gwangjong’s reign can be divided into three periods.

1. The Laying of a Firm Foundation for the Kingdom

    (949-955)

2. The Consolidation of Power (955-955)

3. The Purge (955-975)

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THE FIRST PERIOD

THE LAYING OF A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR THE KINGDOM

(949–955)

TAEJO

At the early stage of Goryeo, the kingdom was filled with a plethora of powerful and disparate royal clans whose leaders acted like independent warlords, each with a local power base in his home region. Some of them  were military leaders who had helped Taejo to establish the Goryeo Kingdom but they were ambitious adversaries and were trying to wrest the control of the government. The growing dissension and animosity against Wang So cast a shadow over his rule.

JEONGJONG

Gwangjong realised that his predecessor, King Jeongjong, had been unable to substantially strengthen the throne nor reduce the power of his various royal in-laws, including Wang Gyu and Pak Sul-hui. Jeongjong wanted to move his capital to the newly constructed fortress at Pyongyang but could not do so because he lacked the support of the Gaegyeong elites.

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HOW DID WANG SO TRIUMPH OVER HIS ENEMIES AND LEGITIMISE HIS RULE?

At the beginning of his reign, Wang So was said to have maintained a mild, passive and cautious attitude towards the nobles and court officials.

Gwangjong realized that his first priority was to lay a firm foundation for the kingdom and create a strong and stable government.

‘ZHENGUAN ZHENGYAO’

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Recognizing the many similarities between his situation and that of Taizong of the Tang Dynasty (626 – 649), who had ascended the Chinese throne after helping his father to found the Tang Dynasty, Wang So studied how to get the upper hand in the struggle for  power by reading ‘Zhenguan Zhengyao’, a Chinese compendium on statecraft.

It was written in a Question and Answer format which proposed ideas on ‘How An Emperor Should Act’. It was based on the reign of Emperor Taizong and written in 708-710 by Wu Jing. From this book, Wang So acquired many ideas on how to create a stable government.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORT

Not everyone is cut out to be an emperor. It takes someone special to be one. That special someone must be: Driven, Passionate, Tough, Smart and Shrewd.

But without support, all these amount to nothing. Therefore, Wang So cultivated and drummed up the support of the public by supporting Buddhism.

THE HISTORIAN

CHOE SEUNG-RO

Choe Seung-ro, a historian who served as Prime Minister to the first six Goryeo kings, including King Taejo, wrote a book criticizing Gwangjong, but he did admit that the first eight years of Gwangjong’s reign had been peaceful, because he ruled wisely and did not mete out harsh punishments, and his policies, including his punishment and reward system, were just and fair.

THE SECOND PERIOD

THE CONSOLIDATION OF POWER

(955–959)

In order to strengthen and consolidate his power, Wang So, an aggressive reformer, implemented drastic reforms to centralise his government. Through centralisation, he would be able to quash, eliminate or reduce the power of his political rivals. His support was drawn mainly from Ssang Gi and the Chinese whom he brought into his court.

THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION (THE ERADICATION OF SLAVERY)

In 956, he passed the law to emancipate slaves so as to broaden his support. Slavery at that time began with wars. During the conflicts among the various warring clans, many prisoners were captured and were compelled to be slaves in the estates of their captors.

Gwangjong restored the slaves to their previous status as ordinary commoners. It was a political masterstroke as the eradication of slavery gained him the support of the former slaves.

The destruction of the system of bondage and servitude inevitably weakened the power of the local lords and their power bases.

Gwangjong also increased the tax revenue on their estates.

He, in effect, weakened the warlords’ powers and reduced their income, thus rocking the warlords’s power to their foundation.

THE NATIONAL CIVIL SERVICE  EXAMINATION SYSTEM

Selection Of Government Officials  Regardless Of Social Status Or Origins

Furthermore, in 958, he initiated a system of national civil service examinations based on that of Imperial China to select government officials  from among the most talented and intelligent candidates, regardless of their social status or origins.  

The system influenced by Confucianism helped shape the Gorgyeo intellectual, cultural and political life. Individuals from low social status could move to political prominence through success in the examinations.

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📷 Confucius

📷 Painting: An Imperial Examination in China

Previously, government appointments had been made based on family connections, birth, social status, and nepotism rather than on merit, allowing many inept and ineffective people to move easily to top positions, thus perpetuating the class system.

One important positive feature of the civil service examinations was it ensured a bureaucracy that would remain stable through regime changes. This examination system led to the emergence of thesadaebu class that comprised educated bureaucrats whose status and power would be limited to one generation unlike that of the traditional aristocracy.

The system continued in use for 90 years, until 1894.

THE PROTECTED APPOINTMENT SYSTEM

However, to allay the fears and stem the rumblings of discontent and displeasure of the loyal vassals who had rendered meritorious service to the Wang Clan during the founding of the kingdom, Gwangjong created a protected appointment system.

Under this system, one of the offsprings of the loyal and supportive vassals was appointed to a government post without having to pass the civil service examinations.

THIRD PERIOD

THE PURGE

(959–975)

Aggravated by his aggressive reforms and his confrontational attitude, the members of the powerful clans were driven to revolt.

Gwangjong was extremely shrewd and struck first to prevent a coup.  He purged those who did not give him their unstinting loyalty and support, especially the ineffective and rebellious officials from the powerful clans.

In this period of persecution, Gwangjong created a climate of fear within the political realm. A shadow fell over the Gorgyeo Kindom. Many who were intransigent were imprisoned or exiled. He also settled scores with enemies by execution, and this included Prince Heunghwa and Prince Gyeongchunwon.

OBSESSION WITH BUDDHISM

Gwangjong’s reign was characterised by his overwhelming obsession with Buddhist activities, rituals, and public projects which drove the kingdom into debt.

He appointed the Buddhist monk, Hyegeo, to the post of ‘Most Reverend Priest’ and Danmun as ‘The King’s Teacher’.

He also established state examinations for Buddhist monks to regulate their qualifications. The best ranks were ‘The Great Seon Mentor’ for the Zen Buddhists and ‘The Patriarch’ for the non-Zen Buddhists.

THE HISTORIAN CHOE SEUNG-RO

Choe Seung-ro, the historian who served as Prime Minister to the first six Goryeo kings, criticized Gwangjong for driving the kingdom into debt by being too obsessed with Buddhist activities, rituals, and public projects.

He declared that the first eight years of Gwangjong’s reign had been peaceful, because he ruled wisely.

He argued that Emperor Gwangjong was misguided in his Buddhist beliefs. He became a tyrant and spent money lavishly.

During the last sixteen years of his reign, he implemented and maintained a policy of oppression and persecution. He executed those who opposed his policies of centralization.  Old retainers, veteran generals and even their entire families were sentenced to death.  Gwangjong relied on the support of the Buddhist temples to fight against them.

But what was shocking was Gwangjong tolerated corruption.

Later in his life, Emperor Gwangjong began to build numerous Buddhist temples.

Historians speculate that perhaps his policies of exterminating prominent enemies and rivals might have haunted him and that he might have repented, and wished to assuage his burden of guilt and also appease those who had harboured resentment against him.

DEATH

Emperor Gwangjong fell seriously ill one day in July 975 and died a few days later. He was 50 years old. Gwangjong was succeeded by his eldest son, Gyeongjong.