Jumong (TV series)

Jumong (Korean: 삼한지: 주몽 편) is a South Korean epic television series that aired on MBC from 2006 to 2007, produced as the network's 45th anniversary special. Although initially planned for 60 episodes, MBC extended the run to 81 episodes because of the show's strong viewership. The story focuses on King Dongmyeong, the founder of the kingdom of Goguryeo.

The plot begins after Han China conquered Gojoseon in 108 BCE. The surviving tribes and city-states in Manchuria and the northern Korean Peninsula are harshly ruled as tributaries by the Han, who control the region through the Four Commanderies. Resistance leader Haemosu, head of the Damul Army, secretly works with Prince Geumwa of Buyeo to protect and rescue Gojoseon refugees. After being wounded in battle, Haemosu is saved by Lady Yuhwa of the Habaek tribe, and the two fall in love. Haemosu is later ambushed and captured by Han forces, falling off a cliff and presumed dead. Lady Yuhwa then seeks refuge in Buyeo, becomes Geumwa's concubine, and gives birth to a son, Jumong. Although everyone believes Geumwa is Jumong's father, Haemosu is his true father.

Twenty years later, Jumong is a weak and cowardly prince, overshadowed and scorned by his elder half-brothers Daeso and Youngpo. They are competing to inherit the Buyeo throne from their father, now King Geumwa. Because they think Jumong is Geumwa's son, they see him as a legitimate rival. Their mother's hatred of Lady Yuhwa deepens the feud. The brothers attempt to assassinate Jumong, which forces him to flee the palace. By chance, he meets his elderly, blind father Haemosu. Under Haemosu's secret training, Jumong becomes skilled in combat, though he does not know they are father and son. Meanwhile, Jumong grows close to Lady Soseono of the Gyeru trading clan in Jolbon. After Daeso and Youngpo assassinate Haemosu, Jumong learns the truth and vows to avenge his father and drive out the Han. He returns to Geumwa and leads the Buyeo army against the Lintun and Zhenfan Commanderies, but is reported missing in action and presumed dead after a battle injury. Daeso then seizes power in Buyeo by colluding with Xuantu Commandery and forces Soseono to marry him. Not knowing Jumong is alive, Soseono weds her trading partner Wootae. Jumong is rescued by the Hanbaek tribe and nursed back to health by Lady Ye So-ya, whom he marries. They return to Buyeo, where Jumong p