K-Drama vs History: The Real Story Behind Korea's Epic "Goryeo-Khitan War" Series
The Real Story Behind K-Drama's "Goryeo-Khitan War"
Table of Contents
- The Drama That Brought Medieval Korea to Life
- Real History: The Goryeo-Khitan Wars (993-1019)
- Gang Gam-chan: The Scholar Who Became a War Hero
- Battle of Gwiju: Korea's Greatest Military Victory
- King Hyeonjong: The Young Ruler Who United a Nation
- What the Drama Got Right (And Wrong)
- Why This Story Still Matters Today
The K-Drama That Made Medieval Korea Cool Again
When KBS premiered "Goryeo-Khitan War" in November 2023, it wasn't just another historical drama—it was a bold attempt to bring one of Korea's most epic and underrepresented periods to mainstream audiences. Starring Kim Dong-jun and veteran actor Choi Soo-jong, the series chronicles the dramatic conflicts between medieval Korea's Goryeo dynasty and the mighty Khitan-led Liao Empire.
But here's what makes this drama fascinating: unlike many historical K-dramas that focus on romance and palace intrigue, "Goryeo-Khitan War" dives deep into actual military strategy, political maneuvering, and the brutal realities of medieval warfare. The result? A series that's both educational and edge-of-your-seat entertaining.
• Air dates: November 11, 2023 - March 10, 2024
• Episodes: 32
• Network: KBS2 (available on Netflix in select regions)
• Rating: 8.0/10 on IMDb
• Based on the novel "Sweet Rain in the Winter" by Gil Seung-soo
So how much of what you see on screen actually happened? Let's dive into the real history behind this epic tale of courage, strategy, and survival.
The Real History: When Medieval Korea Faced Its Greatest Test
The Goryeo-Khitan Wars weren't just any conflict—they were a series of three massive invasions that tested whether Korea would survive as an independent nation or become another conquest of the expanding Khitan Empire (known as the Liao dynasty).
The Setup: In 926 CE, the Khitans conquered Balhae, Korea's northern neighbor, and suddenly found themselves directly bordering the Goryeo kingdom. What followed was nearly three decades of diplomatic tension, broken treaties, and increasingly violent confrontations.
First War (993): The Liao dynasty launched an invasion against the northwestern frontier of Goryeo with a force that the Liao commander alleged to be 800,000 strong. This ended in a diplomatic settlement negotiated by the brilliant Korean diplomat Sŏ Hŭi, who convinced the Khitans to withdraw in exchange for Goryeo breaking ties with China's Song dynasty.
Second War (1010-1011): Everything changed when General Kang Cho of Goryeo led a coup against King Mokjong, killing him and establishing military rule. The Khitans used this as justification for a massive invasion, claiming to avenge the murdered king.
Third War (1018-1019): The final and most decisive conflict, culminating in one of Korea's greatest military victories at the Battle of Gwiju.
• First invasion: 800,000 Khitan troops (claimed)
• Second invasion: 400,000 Khitan troops
• Third invasion: 100,000 Khitan troops
• Korean casualties: Thousands killed, capital burned twice
• Final outcome: Complete Korean victory, lasting peace established
Gang Gam-chan: The 70-Year-Old Scholar Who Saved Korea
If there's one character the drama gets absolutely right, it's Gang Gam-chan (강감찬). Gang Gam-chan was born on 22 December 948 into a prominent aristocratic family in the hyeon of Geumju (now Gwanak District, Seoul), and his story is the stuff of legend.
The Unlikely Hero: Gang wasn't a career military man—he was a scholar, government official, and intellectual. He was a career scholar and government official, serving in a number of posts, including Prime Minister, and is best known for leading Goryeo's military to victory during the Third Goryeo-Khitan War.
The Legend Begins: A legend tells that on the day he was born a meteor fell toward his house, and an advisor to the king visited to find that a baby had just been born there, whom he predicted would become great and be long remembered. Whether true or not, Gang certainly lived up to this cosmic billing.
Political Wisdom First: During the first Khitan invasion in 993, Gang supported the use of negotiations, which was also supported by the king as the official decision. This shows Gang's preference for diplomacy over warfare—a trait that makes his later military success even more remarkable.
The drama's portrayal of Gang as a stubborn, principled old man who refuses to bow to political pressure? Historically accurate. Contemporary records describe him as someone who spoke his mind regardless of consequences—a trait that served Korea well during its darkest hours.
The Battle of Gwiju: David vs. Goliath, Medieval Korea Style
The climax of both the drama and real history is the Battle of Gwiju (1019), where Gang Gam-chan achieved what military historians call one of the most complete victories in medieval warfare.
The Setup: In 1018, Liao assembled an army of 100,000 troops to invade Goryeo. This was their final attempt to conquer Korea, and they were confident of success after two previous invasions had caused massive destruction.
Gang's Master Strategy: General Kang Kam-ch'an ordered a stream to the east of Heunghwajin to be dammed. When the Liao troops crossed the Yalu River, Kang Kam-ch'an opened the dam and attacked the enemy troops with 12,000 mounted troops, catching them by surprise, inflicting severe losses, and cutting off their line of retreat.
The Decisive Moment: As the battered Khitan army retreated north, Kang Kam-ch'an and his troops waited at Gwiju and engaged the approaching Liao army, annihilating most of them. Barely a few thousand Liao troops survived after the Battle of Gwiju.
• Khitan forces: 100,000 troops
• Korean forces: Estimated 200,000+ (including militia)
• Khitan survivors: "Barely a few thousand"
• Strategic impact: End of Khitan expansion ambitions
• Historical comparison: One of three greatest Korean military victories
The drama's depiction of this battle as a masterpiece of strategy rather than just heroic fighting? Completely accurate. Gang didn't win through superior numbers or equipment—he won through superior planning, timing, and understanding of terrain.
King Hyeonjong: The Reluctant Ruler Who Found His Courage
The drama portrays King Hyeonjong as a young, inexperienced ruler who grows into his role through the crucible of war. How does this match the historical record?
The Accidental King: King Hyeonjong, the last grandson of Taejo of Goryeo, became 1st 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 a rebellion by Kang Cho.
The Crisis of Leadership: When the Khitans invaded in 1010, Gang Gam-chan urged King Hyeonjong not to surrender and to flee southward from the burning capital. This wasn't cowardice—it was strategic thinking that preserved both the dynasty and the resistance.
Growing Into Power: King Hyeonjong unified Goryeo with his tolerance and leadership, and along with Kam Chan, his teacher in politics, and many other subjects, he managed to withstand 6 Khitan invasions.
The partnership between the young king and the elderly general that forms the drama's emotional core? Historically documented. Hyeonjong genuinely relied on Gang's counsel, and their collaboration became a model for civilian-military cooperation in Korean governance.
Fact vs. Fiction: What the Drama Got Right (And Wrong)
So how historically accurate is "Goryeo-Khitan War"? The answer is more complex than you might expect.
• Major historical events and their sequence
• Key personalities and their relationships
• Military strategies and battle tactics
• Political tensions and diplomatic negotiations
• The overall arc from crisis to triumph
The Good: The series tells the story of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo uniting Goryeo under his tolerant leadership by leading the war against the Khitans to victory, together with Gang Gam-chan, the King's political mentor and the commander-in-chief of the Goryeo army. This core narrative is historically sound.
The Problematic: Historical novel author Gil Seung-soo, who wrote the original novel which the series is based on, expressed his disappointment about the progression of the show after episode 16, since he was dissatisfied by the fact that it not only deviated from his novel, but also from actual Goryeo history.
The Timeline Problem: The drama compresses events that took place over nearly three decades into a more condensed narrative, which creates some chronological confusion but enhances dramatic pacing.
Character Development: While the major historical figures are portrayed accurately, some supporting characters and subplot details were created for dramatic purposes rather than historical accuracy.
Puah Ziwei of NME rated the series 5 out of 5 stars, claiming that "this well-written Korean historical series will keep you hooked its bloody tale of war and survival" while praising its "old-school sageuk charm and style."
Why This 1,000-Year-Old Story Still Matters Today
Why does a medieval Korean war story resonate with modern audiences? The answer lies in what this conflict represented: a small nation's determination to maintain its independence against overwhelming odds.
Lessons in Leadership: The partnership between Hyeonjong and Gang Gam-chan demonstrates how different types of leaders—the young visionary and the experienced strategist—can complement each other in times of crisis.
Strategic Thinking Over Brute Force: Gang Gam-chan's victories came not from superior numbers but from superior strategy. His use of terrain, timing, and psychology offers timeless lessons in how intelligence can overcome raw power.
Cultural Survival: In the Goryeo-Liao peace treaty formalized in 1022, the only terms stipulated were that the Goryeo king acknowledge their vassalage to the Liao and to release detained Liao envoys. Korea maintained its independence while acknowledging Khitan superiority—a diplomatic solution that preserved Korean sovereignty.
Modern Relevance: For Korean audiences, this story resonates with their country's modern experience of maintaining independence despite being surrounded by much larger powers. The themes of strategic thinking, national unity, and diplomatic finesse remain relevant in contemporary geopolitics.
Global Appeal: For international viewers, the series offers insights into medieval East Asian politics while telling a universally compelling story about underdogs who refuse to surrender.
Is "Goryeo-Khitan War" historically accurate?
The drama is largely accurate in its portrayal of major events, key historical figures, and the overall narrative arc. However, like most historical dramas, it takes some liberties with timeline compression and character development for dramatic purposes. The first 16 episodes are considered more historically faithful than later episodes.
Did Gang Gam-chan really defeat 100,000 Khitan soldiers?
Yes, the Battle of Gwiju (1019) is historically documented as one of Korea's greatest military victories. Contemporary records confirm that barely a few thousand Khitan soldiers survived out of an invasion force of 100,000. Gang Gam-chan's strategic use of dammed rivers and coordinated attacks is well-documented.
How does this drama compare to other Korean historical series?
Unlike romance-focused historical dramas, "Goryeo-Khitan War" emphasizes military strategy, political maneuvering, and authentic historical events. It's more comparable to "Six Flying Dragons" or "Kingdom" in its approach to Korean history, focusing on power struggles and survival rather than palace romance.
Why isn't this period of Korean history better known internationally?
The Goryeo period (918-1392) often gets overshadowed by the more famous Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) in popular media. However, the Goryeo-Khitan Wars were crucial in establishing Korea's territorial boundaries and independence, making them essential to understanding Korean history and identity.
