Queen Seon Deok was the 27th monarch of Silla before the unification of the three kingdoms namely Silla, Baekje and Goguryeo. Queen Seondeok became the sole ruler of Silla from 634 to 647. She was the first of three female rulers of the kingdom, Jindeok and Jinseong of Silla.
Portrait of Queen Seon deok as portrayed by actress Lee Yo Won
Before she became queen she is known as Princess Deokman. Queen Seon Deok was the second daughter of King Jinpyeong and Lady Maya. Unlike the story in the famous korean drama Queen Seon Deok, Deokman was not Princess Cheonmyeong’s twin sister but rather her younger sibling.Second of the 3 crown princess of Silla during King Jinpyeong (their father ) reign from 579 to 632.
In the Queen Seon Deok drama, There were twin sisters Princess Deokman and Princess Cheonmyeong with three sibling boys born after them but these boys eventually died to fulfill an ancient prophecy “Eochul Ssangsaeng, seonggol namjin ” that should the king gives birth to twins the sacred bone lineage will be broken. Princess Cheonmyeong also died and Princess Deokman became the only legitimate successor to the throne. In real life, history tells that Princess Deokman’s selection to be King Jinpyeong’s successor was not only that the king has no sons but because of her possessed extraordinary charm and wit. Queen Seon Deok‘s leap to the throne was made possible because it was said that she had perceived intelligence even when she was still young as a princess. It might be that her father foresaw her ability to rule.
Queen Seon Deok’s reign was a violent one. Wars and uprisings were prevalent during the period of her reign.
At the beginning of the New Era the Korean Peninsula was divided into three kingdoms – Koguryo (Goguryeo) in the Northern part, Paekche ( Baekje )- in the South-Eastern, and Silla – in the South-Western one. There had been some smaller independent regions and a bigger one – Kaya (Gaya), but later they were united to some of the three others on the peninsula. It was within Queen Seon Deok‘s reign that Silla conquered Baekje in 660 but wasn’t able to conquer Goguryeo. Goguryeo was a major regional power in Northeast Asia until it was defeated by a Silla-Tang alliance in 668 CE. Though King Muyeol was credited for leading the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Goguryeo was conquered in 668 after King Muyeol’s (a.k.a. Kim Chunchu ) reign. King Muyeol’s name in the Queen Seon Deok drama is Kim Chunchu. King Muyeol was Queen Seon Deok nephew, Princess Cheonmyeong’s son with Kim Yong-chun’s 1st Son, Silla’s 18th Pungwolju -top Hwarang adviser.
Map of the Three Kingdoms of Korea:
Buddhists temples and an astronomical observatory called Cheomseongdae ( the golden structure below )were built during Queen Seon Deok‘s reign. Cheomseongdae means a star-gazing tower in Korean. Cheomseongdae is the oldest surviving observatory in East Asia, and one of the oldest scientific installations on Earth. The tower still stands in the old Silla, South Korea. But there were arguments that this tower wasn’t really of astronomy but rather astrology. Some scholars are objecting because Cheomsongdae’s design was very much influenced by Buddhism, it’s design has some resemblance with Sumero-central world-mountain in Buddhist cosmology. Queen Seon Deok was a propagandist of Buddhism through the influence of Tang’s Empress, Wu Zetian.
I had finished watching the Queen Seon Deok drama few weeks ago but still cant get over it. At least by now, i can say that I am quite better than the previous weeks. I was so affected by the Queen Seon Deok‘s final episode’s ending. it has gone so violent. So much frustrations and hurts on the part of Deokman and Bidam. I got so affected that I had to tell myself that whatever my frustrations and reactions as of this “time” could no longer make sense and that i only will sadden and hurt myself even more. The thought of poor deokman’s and bidam’s love story makes me still feel a hurt deep down in my heart, wishing that life and fate mustn’t have that cruel to them. I used to think that the story is just a story in this Queen Seon Deok drama and had nothing to feel sorry about. And that Bidam never exist in the history but as i searched, i found out that Bidam did exist and that there was a love story between him and the queen that might had happened. In Korean history there was a research about “Bidam War” and it was said that this period occurred during the reign of Queen Seon deok.
And for those people who are still into “it”, or for those who have gone through it and has already forgotten the Queen Seon deok hype. You can reminisce through this sweet love story. This song was played in the Queen Seon deok drama very often.
Windflower with English subtitle
It’s very hard for me to withdraw from QSD syndrom. Especially fates laid between Bidam and QSD. Devotions that took hislife .. Honestly I feel that Bidam truly loves QSD (that’s what i see in the drama) it just he did took some ‘worng’ path to gain that loves from her but he repent. Unfortunately wrong had been done and no turning back to correct it.
I hope in real history, bidam did received loves that he seeks. Too bad not much can be googled about him. Thank you for your great info. Will working hard to understand the real Bidam. Kim Nam-Gil so charming as Bidam till i can feel the pain in his eyes during his lats breath T_T
Thanks so much for this article! I’m still sadden over the drama..nearly three months already and the wounds are still fresh..all because of that cruel heartbreaking ending and when i rewatched the drama again, whenever Bidam appears makes me heartache. I’m curious if this really happened in real history(especially the love story *winks*), i would not dare to believe upon layman facts..as some speculated that Bidam is QSD unreveal husband or Bidam is MiShil’s son…but but..i think its weird that Bidam as SangDaeDung(TOP TOP post~) revolts at the end of QSD’s reign with that motto(*cough* antifeminist *cough cough*) and there’s so tiny little info on him in the history..perhaps they purposely wiped it out?XD
well, since there’s no proof for the real history i would rather stuck happily(not-so..) with the drama story. Bidam is my most fave character of all drama/movieXD Kim Nam Gil and Go Hyun Jung’s acting are superb!!!!!
If bidam had been forgiven, he could have lived. He is not actually a bad guy. Stripping him of his post and be exiled would be enough. The likes of chunchu give me shivers. Forcing her aunt to hand down a decision before things will be straighten out. He was also the culprit their, living no stones unturned, along with yeomjeong, misaeng, bojong and hajong. They dont deserve to live. In the first place, he should have not been mixed with them, even if they are mishil followers because his sentiments is for the queen. He even saved the queen. It is true you cannot choose your relatives.