Six Flying Dragons (2015)
A grand Korean historical epic charting the birth of the Joseon dynasty through six unforgettable lives and one defining ideological clash.
Six Flying Dragons - Series Information
- Original Title: 육룡이 나르샤
- First Air Year: 2015
- Last Air Year: 2016
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 50
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: October 5, 2015 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: SBS
- Alternative Titles: 六龙飞天 (CN), Roots of the Throne (US), Yookryongi Nareushya (KR)
- Production Companies: ANDu Entertainment
- Production Countries: South Korea
Six Flying Dragons - Plot
The ambitious success stories of 6 people surrounding Prince Lee Bang Won, and the ideological and political conflict between Prince Lee Bang Won and Jung Do Jeon, the man instrumental in helping King Taejo establish the fledgling Joseon nation.
Six Flying Dragons - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a sense of the epic scale awaiting you:
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Six Flying Dragons - Cast & Crew
Writers
- Kim Young-hyun
- Sang-yeon Park
Main Cast
- Yoo Ah-in
- Kim Myung-min
- Shin Sae-kyeong
- Byun Yo-han
- Yoon Kyun-sang
- Cheon Ho-jin
- Jeong Yu-mi
- Park Hyuk-kwon
- Min Sung-wook
- Lee Jun-hyeok
Six Flying Dragons - FAQs
Is Six Flying Dragons based on a true story?
The series is rooted in real history. It dramatizes the founding of the Joseon dynasty in 14th-century Korea, drawing on the lives of actual historical figures including Yi Bang-won — who became King Taejong — and the reformist scholar Jeong Do-jeon. The writers take creative liberties with fictional characters woven around these real events.
What is the ideological conflict at the heart of Six Flying Dragons?
The drama's central tension pits Yi Bang-won's ruthless pragmatism against Jeong Do-jeon's idealistic vision of a scholar-led constitutional monarchy. Both men want a strong Joseon, but their incompatible philosophies — one driven by royal power, the other by institutional governance — make a collision inevitable and utterly compelling to watch.
Where can you stream Six Flying Dragons?
Six Flying Dragons is available to stream on Rakuten Viki, both with a subscription plan and with ads on the free tier. Availability may vary depending on your region, so check Viki's local catalogue for the most up-to-date viewing options.
Who plays Lee Bang-won in Six Flying Dragons?
Yoo Ah-in portrays Lee Bang-won, the fiercely ambitious prince who will eventually become King Taejong of Joseon. His performance — layered with charisma, menace, and vulnerability — is widely considered one of the finest in Korean television history, earning him major acting awards at the time of broadcast.
How was Six Flying Dragons received by critics and audiences?
The series earned widespread acclaim for its sophisticated writing, morally complex characters, and grand production scale. Viewers praised the dynamic between Yoo Ah-in and Kim Myung-min as electrifying. It is consistently ranked among the best Korean historical dramas ever produced, celebrated for treating political philosophy with rare seriousness.
Is Six Flying Dragons connected to another K-drama?
Six Flying Dragons serves as a spiritual prequel to the acclaimed 2011 SBS drama Tree with Deep Roots, which is set during the reign of King Sejong — a descendant of Yi Bang-won. Both series share the same writing duo, Kim Young-hyun and Park Sang-yeon, and explore overlapping themes of power and nation-building.
Did Six Flying Dragons win any awards?
The series collected numerous accolades across South Korea's major awards ceremonies. Yoo Ah-in won the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the SBS Drama Awards, and Kim Myung-min took home the Top Excellence Award. The show also received recognition for writing, direction, and its outstanding ensemble cast.
What are similar shows to Six Flying Dragons?
If you enjoyed Six Flying Dragons, My Country: The New Age and Bloody Heart offer similarly intense political drama set in the Joseon era. Captivating the King and Under the Queen's Umbrella are also strong picks for fans of palace intrigue. For a lighter historical tone, Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung is a charming alternative.
More About Six Flying Dragons
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