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The Great Queen Seondeok: A Legendary Ruler's Rise to Power
Episode 1: A Royal Beginning
In the first episode of the KBS historical drama "The Great Queen Seondeok," we are introduced to a young girl named Seondeok, who would one day become one of the most legendary rulers in Korean history. The episode sets the stage for Seondeok's journey to the throne, showcasing her early life, her family, and the circumstances that shape her destiny.
The episode begins with a glimpse into the life of Seondeok, played by actress Yoon Sun-ji as a young girl, and her family. We see Seondeok's father, King Cheonjo of Silla, and her mother, Queen Wongyeong. The royal family is shown to be kind and just, loved by their people.
However, as Seondeok grows older, she faces challenges and obstacles that threaten her family's rule. The episode hints at the complexities of Silla's relationships with neighboring kingdoms, particularly the rival kingdoms of Baekje and Goguryeo.
As Seondeok navigates the complexities of royal life, she demonstrates intelligence, courage, and determination. Her character is shaped by her experiences, and we see glimpses of the strong leader she will become.
Key Takeaways from Episode 1
What to Expect in Future Episodes
As the drama progresses, we can expect to see Seondeok face numerous challenges and struggles as she navigates the complexities of royal life. Her relationships with her family, allies, and enemies will be crucial in shaping her reign.
The drama will likely explore themes of power, loyalty, and identity, set against the backdrop of Silla's rich history and culture. With its engaging storyline, strong characters, and stunning costumes and sets, "The Great Queen Seondeok" promises to be an epic and unforgettable viewing experience.
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The first episode of the historical drama The Great Queen Seondeok
(2009) sets the stage for a decades-long power struggle in the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla by introducing the formidable Lady Mishil and a world-altering prophecy. The Reign of King Jinheung the great queen seondeok ep 1
The story begins during the final days of King Jinheung, the 24th ruler of Silla. He is old and sickly, realizing that his end is near. His most powerful ally—and secret threat—is Lady Mishil, the "Seju" (Guardian of the Royal Seals) and leader of the Hwarang warriors.
The King's Final Request: Before he dies, King Jinheung gives Mishil a piece of advice: "Fate does not make a ruler, the people do".
The Secret Order: Knowing Mishil's immense ambition, the King leaves instructions for her to retire to a Buddhist temple after his death. He also secretly orders his loyal guard, Sulwon, to kill Mishil if she refuses to obey. Mishil's Power Play
Instead of following the King's wishes, Mishil uses her influence to seize control.
Betrayal: She ignores the order to retire and instead helps Prince Geumnyun (the King's second son) take the throne as King Jinji, bypassing the King's designated successor, his grandson Baekjeong.
A New Prophecy: Meanwhile, the legendary Hwarang field marshal Munno hears a prophecy: Mishil's reign will only end when "the seven stars of the Northern Dipper become eight". The Fall of King Jinji Mishil’s alliance with King Jinji is short-lived.
Rejected Ambition: After four years, Mishil gives birth to a son and demands that King Jinji name her his Queen and their son his heir.
The Abandonment: When King Jinji refuses, Mishil ruthlessly abandons her own child and orchestrates the King's removal from the throne, finally installing the original successor, King Jinpyeong. The Ominous Warning
The episode concludes with a looming threat to the new King Jinpyeong. A prophecy states that the royal bloodline will end if a king has twins—specifically, no male descendants will be born once twins arrive in the royal family. This prophecy becomes the focal point of the series as the birth of twin princesses, Deokman and Cheonmyeong, approaches. Queen Seon Deok: The First 5 Episodes - Kaede + Jun
Opening Scene:
A storm rages over the Silla palace in Seorabeol (Gyeongju). Inside the royal chambers, Queen Maya goes into a difficult labor. The royal shaman, Lady Mishil, watches from the shadows of the corridor, her face unreadable.
Act One – The Prophecy & The Birth
King Jinheung, on his deathbed, summons the celestial diviner. The diviner delivers an omen: “The king’s blood will bloom twice in one night. But the second blossom will wither before dawn… unless hidden in the earth.”
The Queen gives birth to twin daughters. In Silla’s sacred bone-rank system, twins are considered a bad omen—especially two princesses. Mishil, who secretly desires the throne, whispers to the King’s council: “The younger twin carries a curse. She will bring chaos to Silla.”
The King orders the younger twin to be taken away and killed.
Act Two – The Sacrifice
The infant is handed to a loyal eunuch, Seolwon. Unable to kill the child, he leaves her in a small wooden box on the bank of the Nam River, attaching a jade pendant bearing the royal phoenix. A village woman (a silkworm farmer) finds the crying baby and raises her as her own, naming her Deokman.
Act Three – The Growing Shadow
Seven years later.
In the palace, the surviving princess, Cheonmyeong, grows up bright and kind, unaware she had a twin. She is trained in courtly arts but notices Mishil’s growing power. Mishil has become the King’s chief advisor, secretly controlling noble houses through fear and seduction.
In the countryside, Deokman is a wild, curious girl who solves math puzzles with pebbles, climbs trees to read the stars, and asks endless questions about the capital. Her adoptive mother tells her she was a “foundling by the river.” The Great Queen Seondeok: A Legendary Ruler's Rise
Act Four – The First Meeting
Deokman sneaks into a royal procession passing through her village to see the “shining people.” She bumps into Princess Cheonmyeong, who is in disguise to observe commoners. The two girls—identical but unaware—talk briefly. Cheonmyeong is drawn to Deokman’s sharp mind. Deokman is fascinated by Cheonmyeong’s pendant: a jade phoenix, identical to the one hidden in Deokman’s clothes.
Act Five – Mishil’s Discovery
Mishil’s spies report a village girl who resembles the princess. Mishil sends assassins to the farm. That night, Deokman’s adoptive mother is killed. Before dying, she whispers: “Go to the palace… Your name is not Deokman. You are a princess of Silla.”
Deokman escapes into the forest with the jade pendant.
Final Scene – The Road to Seorabeol
Deokman, bruised and tear-streaked, looks toward the distant palace spires glowing in the sunrise.
Voiceover (adult Deokman): “They said I was the forgotten twin. The cursed one. But curses are just stories told by the afraid. And I… I will write a new story.”
Cut to black.
Title card: THE GREAT QUEEN SEONDEOK
This episode establishes the twin birth, Mishil’s villainy, the sacrifice, and the first spark of destiny—grounding Seondeok’s future rise in loss, intelligence, and resilience.
The first episode of the 2009 historical drama The Great Queen Seondeok
establishes the intense political power struggle in the Silla Kingdom during the late 6th century. Plot Summary The Dying King's Order
: King Jinheung (24th ruler of Silla), nearing death, commands his royal consort Lady Mishil
to retire to a Buddhist temple and leave the court after he passes. ’s Betrayal
: Instead of following the order, the ambitious Mishil hides the King's death from the court to secure her power. The Assassination Plot
: King Jinheung had secretly ordered his men to kill Mishil if she disobeyed his final decree. Mishil manages to thwart the assassins, further cementing her dominance. Political Maneuvering
: Mishil uses her influence to help install the next king while setting the stage for her lifelong rivalry with the royal family. Prime Video Key Characters Introduced Lady Mishil (Ko Hyun-jung)
: The primary antagonist, a highly influential royal consort and leader of the Hwarang. King Jinheung (Lee Soon-jae)
: The legendary 24th ruler of Silla whose death triggers the conflict. Munno (Jung Ho-bin) : A legendary Hwarang warrior and field marshal. Prince Baekjeong (later King Jinpyeong) Seondeok's family and upbringing play a significant role
: The young grandson of King Jinheung and the father of the future Queen Seondeok. Where to Watch You can watch the full series on platforms like Rakuten Viki Amazon Prime Video recap of the prophecy
involving twins that is introduced shortly after this episode? The Great Queen Seondeok - Episode 1 | Rakuten Viki
"The Great Queen Seondeok" Episode 1 sets the stage for one of Korea's most beloved historical dramas by focusing on the high-stakes political maneuvering within the Silla Kingdom. The episode serves as a gripping prologue, establishing the central conflict between the royal family and the formidable, ambitious Lady Mishil. The Rise of Mishil
The episode begins with the death of King Jinheung. Before he passes, he entrusts Mishil with his final decree: she must become a nun and leave the palace. However, Mishil, who has spent years consolidating power through her beauty and intellect, has no intention of following these orders. Instead, she hides the decree and uses her influence over the military and the court to install a successor who will serve her interests. This immediately establishes Mishil not just as a villain, but as a brilliant political strategist who essentially holds the throne in her hands. The Prophecy and the Twins
The core tension of the episode revolves around the birth of King Jinpyeong’s daughters. According to a grim prophecy, if a King has twin daughters, the "holy bone" (the royal bloodline) will end, and the kingdom will fall. When Queen Maya gives birth to twins, the King is horrified. To protect his family and his throne from Mishil—who would use the twins as an excuse to seize power—the King makes the agonizing decision to send the younger twin, Deokman, away in secret. Themes of Power and Sacrifice
The premiere highlights the theme of legitimacy versus raw power. While the King holds the title, Mishil holds the actual control. The episode also introduces the theme of sacrifice; the King must give up his child to save his kingdom, a choice that sets the entire narrative in motion. Conclusion
Episode 1 is a masterclass in world-building. It transforms a historical setting into a tense political thriller. By the end of the hour, the stakes are crystal clear: a child has been exiled, a powerful woman has usurped the court's influence, and the fate of Silla hangs on a hidden identity. It perfectly prepares the audience for Deokman’s eventual journey from an abandoned princess to the first female ruler of Korea.
King Jinheung’s opening line ("A king does not cry") is immediately subverted when he weeps for his lost daughter. The episode argues that true leadership is not about suppressing emotion, but about channeling it into action. Jinheung’s weakness (his mercy) becomes Deokman’s strength (her life).
The first episode does not waste time on side plots. Immediately after the birth, the political machinery grinds into action. The villain of the piece—Princess Mishil (played with iconic menace by Go Hyun-jung)—is introduced, though she lurks in the shadows for most of the pilot.
Mishil is the real power behind the throne. She is a concubine with a network of spies (the Hwarang warriors). In Episode 1, she orchestrates the assassination of the loyal general Lee Hwa-don, who is the only man who knows the truth about the twin prophecy.
Why does this matter? Because Lee Hwa-don’s dying words—whispered to a young boy (who will grow up to be the famous general Kim Yushin)—set the entire plot in motion: "Find the lost princess. She will be the sword of Silla."
In one of the most emotional sequences of the pilot, the queen orders a loyal court lady, Lady Sohwa, to take the infant Deokman out of the palace under the cover of night. The baby is wrapped in a royal blanket, and Lady Sohwa is given one instruction: "Run. Do not let anyone know she is royal. Let her live as a commoner."
As Sohwa flees through the rain-soaked forests, the episode cuts between the crying baby and the grieving queen. The cinematography is stark—the warm, golden interior of the palace contrasts violently with the cold, blue, muddy exterior of the escape.
The Twist: The king, King Jinpyeong, secretly knows of the escape. He does not stop it. He cannot protect the child openly, but he allows her to live. This moral ambiguity—rulers bound by politics rather than parental love—defines the show.