Season 1
32 listed episodes · First aired November 11, 2023
Season overview
The series focuses at the beginning of the 2nd Goryeo-Khitan War in 1009 and the end of the 3rd Goryeo-Khitan War in 1019; and the recognition of King Hyeonjong by the Liao king in 1022. The Khitan Empire, also known as the Liao dynasty, was a great power at the time, and Goryeo was an emerging state. As King Mokjong left no heirs from being preoccupied, King Hyeonjong, the last grandson of Taejo of Goryeo, became first in line for succession. King Hyeonjong, who had been away from politics and living as a monk, ascended to the throne at 19 years of age due to the rebellion by Kang Cho. The young king faced an invasion by a Khitan army of 400,000 men because of it. Kang Kam-chan, a loyal subject, helped the king during the two wars. The king eventually unified Goryeo with his tolerance and leadership. And Kang Kam-chan annihilated the Khitan army at the Battle of Gwiju in 1018.
Episodes
Queen Dowager Cheonchu wishes her own son to become the next crown prince. However, Mokjong is not happy with how Kim Chi Yang, the Right Senior Executive, and Queen Dowager are trying to take over his place as he is de…
E2Episode 2Court Lady Choi threatens Prince Daeryangwon to take the food Queen Dawager has prepared for him. Prince Daeryangwon quickly runs away from the temple and hides himself in Mount Samgak. Court Lady Choi orders the men to…
E3Episode 3Kang Jo, Northwest Temporary Government Officer, sets off for Gaegyeong with a crucial mission. However, deep within his thoughts, he grapples with the realization that Goryeo's very existence is at stake if the current…
E4Episode 4Caught in the crossfire between those gearing up for war and those working to prevent it, the puppet king, Wang Sun, and Kang Gam Chan form the front line of those seeking to avert conflict. On the opposing side, Kang J…
E5Episode 5The ministers struggle to dissuade the Khitan envoys as Prince Daeryangwon expected. He believes that Khitan is using the Palace Head Secretary's treason to justify the war. Therefore, Prince Daeryangwon summons Kang Jo…
E6Episode 6Details The battle between Goryeo and Khitan begins in the middle of the night, and the people of Goryeo shiver with fear. With 400,000 soldiers, Khitan attacks Heunghwajin for seven days straight, but they are unable …
E7Episode 7The Emperor of Khitan is infuriated as he loses the first conquest expedition he is leading. He starts advancing south with his army towards Samsuchae to destroy Goryeo's main force. Therefore, even though Officer Yang …
E8Episode 8The spearhead commander of the Khitan army launches an attack and captures Kang Jo. The emperor of Khitan threatens Kang Jo and the captured generals to become vassals of Khitan. Meanwhile, Hyeonjong receives the news t…
E9Episode 9Hyeonjong sends Deputy Minister Kang to Khitan's camp as an envoy to relay his message. However, the commander of Khitan's army does not trust his words and decides to hold him back in their camp. Furthermore, Deputy Ma…
E10Episode 10E11Episode 11As the Khitans advance southward, Kang Gam Chan urges Wang Sun to consider a strategic withdrawal for a greater purpose. Wang Sun's unwavering loyalty to his people clashes with the stark reality of limited options. Wit…
E12Episode 12Kang Gam Chan makes a critical decision to stay back in Gaegyeong, sacrificing himself to create a window for Wang Sun's escape. Despite Kang Gam Chan's noble sacrifice, Wang Sun encounters unforeseen dangers at every s…
E13Episode 13The realization of the hardships encountered by those south of Gaegyeong leaves Wang Sun with a sense of emptiness. The difficulties they face highlight his shortcomings as a king, evoking a deep sense of disappointment…
E14Episode 14As his people turn against him, Wang Sun bears the weight of shame for not living up to their expectations as their emperor. Entrusting them with his fate, he seeks to ease the suffering of his people. Ha Gong Jin, foll…
E15Episode 15Upon reaching Gongju, Wang Sun receives a warm welcome from Kim Eun Boo, the governor, and one of his daughters. Wang Sun discerns a hidden agenda in the daughter's intentions but soon recognizes her potential as someon…
E16Episode 16Yang Kyu throws himself into the Khitan army to rescue prisoners, fully aware that this might be his last battle. As expected, he and the remnants of his forces find themselves pitted against the Khitan army in overwhel…
E17Episode 17In the face of opposition, Wang Sun remains unwavering in his commitment to overhaul the core issues haunting Goryeo, aiming to fortify the nation and spare his people from the ravages of war. Nevertheless, dissenters a…
E18Episode 18In the face of strong opposition, Wang Sun persists in pursuing his goals, alongside Kim Eun Boo. Kang Gam Chan, while sharing Wang Sun's ultimate objective, disagrees with his approach and goes to great lengths to pers…
E19Episode 19The queen consort seeks to punish Kim Eun-bu while the king is away from the palace. But guilt leads Kang Gam-chan to attempt to spare the commander.
E20Episode 20With Kang Gam-chan's help, Wang Sun succeeds in launching reforms. However, the local governance is unhappy, and Kang Gam-chan faces the consequences.
E21Episode 21Wang Sun puts his life on the line during an intense confrontation with regional lords to bring about reform in Goryeo's regional domain. With Kang Gam Chan's return to the royal court, Wang Sun secures a reliable ally.…
E22Episode 22The Khitans demand that Goryeo cede its territories to prevent another war, turning a tribute issue into a crucial decision for Goryeo. With time running out, conflicting opinions emerge, and amidst this urgency, Kim Eu…
E23Episode 23Wang Sun prepares for battle while Kim Eun Boo, risking his life, attempts to provide Wang Sun with updates on the Khitans' situation. Meanwhile, during this critical moment, military officials in Goryeo decide to oppos…
E24Episode 24On the edge of the northeastern border and lacking battlefield expertise, Kang Gam Chan encounters a looming confrontation with the unyielding Jurchens. Meanwhile, Wang Sun overlooks the insubordination displayed by mil…
E25Episode 25Amidst Goryeo's financial struggles, Kim Hoon and Choi Jil launch a rebellion, citing the seizure of military officers’ properties as their justification. Wang Sun, lacking sufficient guards for protection, finds himsel…
E26Episode 26Kim Hoon and Choi Jil threaten the lives of Wang Sun's vassals, compelling him to order the soldiers heading to Gaegyeong to retreat. With circumstances turning against Wang Sun, he faces a dilemma, torn between doing w…
E27Episode 27Wang Sun successfully pursues and apprehends Park Jin, but he is constrained by his own lack of authority. He subsequently seeks to persuade Kim Hoon, who is engaged in a dispute with Choi Jil, to quell the uprising. Me…
E28Episode 28The vassals, having received Wang Sun's directives, ready themselves to suppress the rebels at Seogyeong. Although Wang Sun, accompanied by the rebels, eventually reaches Seogyeong, those expected to execute his command…
E29Episode 29Wang Sun eradicates the rebel faction and prepares for war against the Khitans. In 1018, the final and decisive battle between Goryeo and the Khitans draws near. With Kang Gam Chan leading the Goryeo army as its command…
E30Episode 30The Khitan Army's maneuvers raise suspicion as they actively evade engaging with the Goryeo forces and persistently advance solely southward. Recognizing their strategic intent, Kang Gam Chan advises Wang Sun to conside…
E31Episode 31Accompanied by his remaining soldiers, vassals, and the people of Goryeo, Wang Sun ventures beyond the fortress boundaries with the intention of minimizing the suffering of his people. Meanwhile, Kang Gam Chan clashes w…
E32Episode 32The culmination of the war sees Goryeo emerging triumphant over the Khitans. Kang Gam Chan's return is a scene of jubilation, with the citizens of Gaegyeong celebrating his victory. Yet, Wang Sun, undeterred by the mome…