Another sageuk (historical drama) has hit the silver screens, titled Deep Rooted Tree. The name of the drama comes from a poem (Yongbieocheonga) that says that trees with deep roots do not sway.
The drama takes place in a prosperous time - the era of King Sejong (played by Soong Joong Ki and older self by Han Suk Kyu), who invented the modern Korean writing system in the 15th century. A series of murders occur in Gyeongbok Palace that targeted scholars of the Hall of Worthies, an institute set up by King Sejong for scholarly research.
As Kang Chae Yoon (Jang Hyuk) investigates these cases and gets closer to the truth, he finds himself embroiled in a massive conspiracy behind the killings which involves a group of genius who are willing to risked their lives towards their cause/goals and secret powers who will interfere with the course of his investigations.
Kang Chae Yoon is a former slave turned royal guard. As a child, he is known as Ddol-Bok, and he protected his mentally retarded father from the teasing of other servants of the Queen's family. Later, Ddol-Bok 's father was arrested then beaten near death, dying in front of him and his childhood friend So Yi (Shin Se Kyung) was taken by Court Ladies. He was saved by Yi Do (young King Sejong) and swore to avenge his father's death before he became a soldier by a changed name.
Because of his father's death as child, Chae Yoon has grudge against the King and his childhood sweetheart, who became mute, was taken as a court lady. He doesn't know that So Yi and Dam are same person who he thought had died and reunited after discovering each other.
Meanwhile, King Sejong, who Ddol-Bok held a grudge against is the creator of Hangul. During his early years as king, Yi Do had a strained relationship with his father and harbored guilt for seeing people's suffering (including his wife's family) by his father's tyrannic rule.
While King Sejong (Yi Do) is played by 3 different actors, I felt that Soong Joong Ki portrayed him the best. As a child, he is a rude and arrogant person, as a young adult, he is demotivated and afraid of his father who uses him as a puppet. As a middle-aged man, he is eccentric and sometimes cold. Joong Ki's portrayal of Yi Do is that of a downcast and dispirited young man, and sometimes I can't help but compare how far he had improved since his last appearance in the other famous sageuk, Sungkyunkwan Scandal.
Will Chae Yoon a.k.a. Ddol-Bok manage to kill his saviour, King Sejong in the end? Find out by tuning in to ONE HD on ASTRO b.yond Channel 393 every Monday and Tuesday at 9pm!
The author is a sucker for sageuks, with Jewel in the Palace, Queen Seonduk, Sungkyunkwan Scandal and The Princess’ Man as her top favourites.
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