King Sejong the Great (2008)
An epic Korean historical drama chronicling the visionary reign of King Sejong and the birth of Hangul.
King Sejong the Great - Series Information
- Original Title: 대왕 세종
- First Air Year: 2008
- Last Air Year: 2008
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (50 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 86
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: January 5, 2008 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: KBS1
- Alternative Titles: The Great King Sejong (US), Daewang Sejong (KR)
- Production Companies: KBS
- Production Countries: South Korea
King Sejong the Great - Plot
"The Great King, Sejong" is a full-scale political drama describing how King Sejong and his loyal retainers cooperate and contrive to make his dynasty a better place. While King Sejong was on the throne, the Joseon Dynasty enjoyed increasing prosperity. The drama shows the dramatic processes of how so many new cultural heritages have been devised. At that time, "Hangul", the native phonemic alphabet system for Korean language was first invented and introduced. Before it was made, Chinese characters had been used for a written communication, which makes it extremely difficult for ordinary people to learn and use. "Hangul" is easy to learn for its simple and scientific principles. Other than "Hangul" itself, there had been so many cultural heritages during his regime including a rain gauge, a sundial, an hourglass to name a few. Also, King Sejong's pragmatic diplomacy is concentrated in the drama. Then, the Joseon Dynasty was facing a powerful Ming dynasty of China, and King Sejong demonstrates the essence of pragmatism with dignity.
Where to Watch King Sejong the Great
Looking for where to watch King Sejong the Great?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
King Sejong the Great - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kim Sang-kyung
- Kim Yeong-cheol
- Kim Kap-soo
- Lee Won-jong
- Lee Chun-hee
- Seo Jun-young
- Oh Yeon-seo
- Lee Hyun-woo
- Nam Ji-hyun
- Lee In
Writers
- Kim Tae-hee
King Sejong the Great - FAQs
Is King Sejong the Great based on a true story?
The series is rooted in real history. King Sejong (1397–1450) was one of Korea's most celebrated monarchs, and the events depicted — including the creation of Hangul and the invention of scientific instruments like the rain gauge and sundial — are grounded in documented historical records from the Joseon Dynasty.
What is King Sejong the Great about?
Set during the 15th-century Joseon Dynasty, the drama chronicles King Sejong's transformative reign alongside his loyal retainers. It highlights landmark achievements including the invention of Hangul, Korea's native alphabet, as well as advances in science, culture, and pragmatic diplomacy with the powerful Ming Dynasty of China.
Where can you stream King Sejong the Great?
Streaming availability for King Sejong the Great varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your country, including any subscription, rental, or purchase platforms currently carrying the series.
Why is the creation of Hangul significant in the drama?
Before Hangul, ordinary Koreans relied on complex Chinese characters for written communication — a system largely inaccessible to common people. The drama portrays King Sejong's determination to create a simple, scientific alphabet that anyone could learn, making literacy achievable for all and cementing his legacy as a cultural revolutionary.
Who are the main actors in King Sejong the Great?
Kim Sang-kyung leads the cast as King Sejong the Great, with Kim Yeong-cheol portraying his father King Taejong and Kim Kap-soo as Prime Minister Hwang Hui. The ensemble also includes Lee Won-jong, Lee Chun-hee as inventor Jang Yeong-sil, Seo Jun-young, Oh Yeon-seo, and Nam Ji-hyun.
How many episodes does King Sejong the Great have?
King Sejong the Great ran for a single season comprising 86 episodes, each approximately 50 minutes long. The series aired on KBS1 in South Korea throughout 2008, offering an expansive and detailed portrait of one of Korean history's most consequential reigns.
What are similar shows to King Sejong the Great?
Fans of this series often enjoy Tree with Deep Roots (2011), which directly explores the creation of Hangul, Six Flying Dragons (2015) for its Joseon political intrigue, and Dong Yi (2010) for its rich period atmosphere. My Country: The New Age (2019) and The Red Sleeve (2021) are also strong picks.
How did King Sejong the Great handle diplomacy with China?
A compelling thread throughout the series is Sejong's navigation of relations with the dominant Ming Dynasty. Rather than submission or confrontation, the drama portrays him as a pragmatic statesman who balanced Joseon's sovereignty with diplomatic realism — asserting Korean identity while maintaining stability on the peninsula.
More About King Sejong the Great
Explore further details and official listings for this series.