Seo Dong Yo 薯童谣

Seo Dong Yo 薯童谣 (The Ballad of Seo Dong) is one of the best dramas I've ever watched so far. It was produced by the same Director & Script Writer of Dae Jang Geum (大长今). Many people may be put off, knowing that it is a 55-episode Korean historical drama. But once you have started, you won't regret that you did.

The story took place in the Paekche Kingdom (18 B.C. - A.D 660), which is during the Han Dynasty of Korea, where Paekche (百济), Shilla (新罗) & Koguryo (高句丽) are known as the Three Kingdom of Korea. Seo Dong was the forbidden child of King Wideok (威德王) of Paekche, and was forced to live a poor life with his mother, Yeon Ga Mo (燕嘉谋).

Yeon Ga Mo (燕嘉谋) & King Wideok (威德王)

As the young Seo Dong became notorious in the village, Yeon Ga Mo decided it is time to send him to Prof. Mokrasu (木罗须博士) at Paekche Taehaksa (百济太学士), the royal institution of Science & Technology, to receive proper education. Both Yeon Ga Mo & Prof. Mokrasu were actually lovers, but Yeon Ga Mo left him because of Seo Dong's undisclosed father.

Prof. Mokrasu (木罗须博士)
A wise scientist of Paekche Taehaksa (百济太学士)

Due to the inner war for the Paekche's throne, Prof. Mokrasu was framed of the crime of armed rebellion. He escaped to Shilla (新罗) with a few members of the Taehaksa. During his escape, Yeon Ga Mo was killed by the army of Paekche, and he brought Seo Dong together with him to Shilla. At Shilla, they live with false identities and crafted things to sell to the palace of Shilla. That was where Seo Dong met Princess Seon Hua for the first time.

Young Seo Dong met Princess Seon Hua (善花公主)
- the 3rd daughter of King Jin Pyeong (真平王)

He was nicknamed Seo Dong (薯童) as the "child who sells yam" by Princess Seon Hua. His real name was Jang (璋).
Without knowing who his father was, the pendant (night-glittering gem ) was the only clue to his true identity.

Jo Hyun Jae (赵显宰) as Seo Dong / Jang (璋)
From being a commoner and falling in love with the princess of the rivalry nation, to being the diligent and brilliant apprentice of the wise scientist, and the Commander of his own army, finally the 3oth King of Paekche - King Mu (武王).

Lee Bo Young (李宝英) as Princess Seon Hua (善花公主)
She abandoned the title of a Princess, her family and her country. She became a goods trader in the rivalry nation all because of her love for Seo Dong.

Besides the beautiful love story between Seo Dong & Princess Seon Hua, the intriguing parts of the drama include the mystical prophecy of the incense, the pursuit of Science & Technology, and the Art of War.

And of course, the rivalry for love & the King's throne.

Ryu Jin (柳镇) as Sataek Giro (沙宅己楼)

Giro was the Hwarang (花郎) of Shilla. He made a deal with King Jin Pyeong, to win the hand of Princess Seon Hua, he will steal the Paekche's Book of Skills (百济神技). The book is only available to the Professors in Taehaksa. In order to accomplish his mission, Giro lived as a spy at the Taehaksa of Shilla under Prof. Mokrasu for 10 years and finally obtained the title of a Professor.

After discovering the love between Seo Dong and the princess, he hated Seo Dong very much, and the war between them begins. Giro is the worst enemy of Seo Dong. Both of them are as smart as each other. In whatever plans Seo Dong had in mind, Giro was the one who could guess it and provide counter plans.

29th King of Paekche - Bu Yeo Seon (夫余宣) & his loyal follower Heuk Chi Pyeong (黑齿平)

Bu Yeo Seon was the son of King Wideok's brother. He killed King Wideok (威德王) & Aja Taeja (阿佐太子) for the throne. He is also the one who tries to find and murder King Wideok's 4th son - Seo Dong.

Aja Taeja (阿佐太子)
Seo Dong's eldest brother, whom he very much respected

Princess Wu Yeong (优永公主)
Bu Yeo Seon's sister, who also loved Seo Dong and saved him several times from danger.

Maek Do Su (脉度水技工)
The happy-go-lucky technician in Taehaksa.
He is the funniest character in the drama, just like the role he played in Dae Jang Geum (大长今) as Jang Geum's foster father. Seo Dong was responsible for the death of his eldest son. In contrary, he treated Seo Dong as his own son.

Mo Jin (毛津技师)
The best lady engineer in Taehaksa. She loved Prof. Mokrasu and was jealous that he still could not forget Yeon Ga Mo even though she was dead. She was strict in maintaining disciplines of Taehaksa and was the best in emergency awareness & preparedness, which saved their lives several times.

Beom Ro (范虎) - Maek Do Su's youngest son. He blamed Seo Dong for his brother's death, but became Seo Dong's best pal after he learnt to forgive.
Eun Jin (恩贞) - Mo Jin's daughter, who had a crush on Seo Dong and Seo Dong's loyal supporter. Like her mother, she was skilled in embroidery and jewelery.