KBFD currently has two historical series — “Roots of the Throne” at 7:45 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and “Jeong Do-jeon” at 9:25 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays — which take place during the same time period.
In “Jeong Do-jeon,” Jeong Do-jeon helps Gen. Yi Seong-gye overthrow the Goryeo dynasty, thus establishing the Joseon dynasty. The program focuses on Jeong becoming an influential scholar and politician, and forming the new Joseon dynasty as Gen. Yi becomes the first king of Joseon, King Taejo.
“Roots of the Throne” focuses on the fifth son of Gen. Yi Seong-gye, Yi Bang Won, who became the third king of Joseon, King Taejong. Jeong Do-jeon and Yi Bang Won are archrivals, and Yi Bang Won kills Jeong on his way to becoming king. Under Yi Bang Won’s influence, his older brother became the second king of Joseon, King Jeong Jong, but only for a moment. It is Yi Bang Won’s third son who becomes King Sejong the Great, who is famous for creating the Korean alphabet, Hangul. It is during this period that Buddhism changed to Confucianism.
”Jeong Do-jeon” has a headstart in broadcast, so its historical timeline is ahead of “Roots of the Throne.”
I hope this helps with the confusion for many who have been emailing me.
This week’s synopses
“The Legendary Witches”
Episodes 7 and 8
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Sooyin’s cellmates discover she was the daughter-in-law of Shinhwa Group when she throws a pastry at the chairman. Mio’s son reaches 18 months and can’t stay in jail with her anymore. She sends him away in tears. Boknyo is finally released after 30 years.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Won-jae threatens Tae-san that what he did to Sooyin was a fraud. Young-ok is transferred to cell No. 10, and nobody is happy. Boknyo visits Chairman Ma’s house.
“Roots of the Throne”
Episodes 3 and 4
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Bang-won finds Heo Kang, one of Jeong Do-jeon’s students, among the Confucian students. Heo Kang tells Bang-won to enter Sungkyungwan if he wants to become like Jeong Do-jeon. Bang-won decides to stay in Gaegyeong. Boonyi and Ttang-sae ask Jeong Do-jeon about the song he sang.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Ttang-sae leaves to find his mother but meets Gil Sun-mi and hears shocking news. Mu-hyul’s grandmother asks Hong Dae-hong to take Mu-hyul as his student.
“The Town, the Uninvited”
Episodes 3 and 4
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Woo-jae has a busy night looking for Ga-young. Woo-jae gets a big lead from the shaman living across from So-yoon’s place regarding Hye-jin’s case. So-yoon finds out her sister’s remains are not with her parents and decides to look for her.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: So-yoon finds Yoo-na’s phone at her place and goes to rescue Yoo-na. The Young Lady is arrested as a suspect in Hye-jin’s murder case. Woo-jae finds another lead while questioning the Young Lady.
“Identical Affairs”
Episodes 17 and 18
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Hae-gang begs Jin-eon to help her protect the people she loves from him. Baek Seok is furious when he sees the two of them together. Hae-gang goes to the hospital when she hears Tae-joon was in a hit-and-run accident and bumps into Gyu-nam.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: When Jin-eon finds out Hae-gang tricked him to go to the dinner with Seol-ri’s family, he announces that he has no intention of marrying Seol-ri, that he’s still in love with his wife. Enraged, Seol-ri tears down Hae-gang’s room. Baek Seok tells Jin-eon that Hae-gang is dead. Yong-gi returns from China with Woo-joo, her daughter.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
