Overview
Jung Ryeo-won, Park Min-young, and Jung Kyung-ho feature in the 2009 South Korean historical drama Ja Myung Go. Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 on SBS from March 9 to July 21, 2009, for a total of 39 episodes. It is based on the Korean folktale Prince Hodong and the Princess of Nakrang, which tells the tale of the defunct Nakrang Kingdom. According to the legend, there was a great drum known as the jamyeonggo, meaning "the drum that beats by itself," that had the unusual ability to sound an alert if attackers invaded its domain. The self-sounding drum made nearby nations, especially the warrior state of Goguryeo, hesitant to attack Nakrang. A prince of Goguryeo named Hodong infiltrated Nakrang in order to destroy the drum. However, the prince fell in love with the princess of Nakrang against all expectations. The princess ultimately decided to betray her country in exchange for her love. As a result, her country fell into ruin, and she was murdered. Prince Hodong lamented her death while embracing her body in his arms. Ja-myung, the hidden sister of the Nakrang Kingdom's princess, takes up the role of the drum in the drama series, which gives the story a fresh twist. Ra-hee is adored by her people as she grows up as the princess of Nakrang, whilst Ja-myung survives an attempt on his life and lives as a commoner. Prince Hodong, from Nakrang's opponent, the Goguryeo Kingdom, is split between two countries and two women, and he must choose between love and duty.