[Feb 3] “Korea-Khitan War” Episode 23: Rating & Recap

KBS 2TV’s “Korea-Khitan War” also saw a slight increase in its ratings, achieving an average of 9.7% nationwide for its latest episode.

“Korea-Khitan War” episode 23 recap

Kang Gam-chan’s appointment & Kim Eun-boo’s escape attempt

Appointed as the commander of the northeastern border defense cavalry, Kang Gam-chan (played by Choi Soo-jong) plunges into the preliminary battle of the Gwiju Battle.

On the 23rd episode, which aired on the 3rd as a special project for the 50th anniversary of public broadcasting, Gam-chan, who succeeded in negotiating with Sobaeap (played by Kim Joon-bae), was appointed as the commander of the border defense cavalry, and a thrilling development unfolded.

On this day’s broadcast, Hyun-jong (played by Kim Dong-joon), who rejected the Khitan’s negotiation, worried about the safety of Kim Eun-boo (played by Jo Seung-yeon), who was in Khitan as a Goryeo envoy. Gam-chan comforted the distressed emperor, saying, “Someday, the day will come when we will repay all this,” and “We will make this Goryeo a strong empire that stands tall. Please do not waver until then.”

Kim Eun-boo escaped from the Khitan camp with the help of Ha Gong-jin (played by Lee Do-guk), but was caught by the Khitan army just before crossing the border, and faced a thrilling situation. Kim Eun-boo fought desperately in the perilous situation, tying a letter to the arrow and shooting it to the Goryeo territory to deliver it to Hyun-jong. Ha Gong-jin, who helped Kim Eun-boo escape, was dragged away by Yaryul Yungseo (played by Kim Hyuk) and refused to live as a Khitan loyalist for the rest of his life, meeting a tragic end.

Goryeo’s Preparation for War and Kang Gam-chan’s Strategy

Hyun-jong appointed Yu Bang (played by Jung Ho-bin) as the commander of the northwestern border defense cavalry, and issued a mobilization order to the military officers, starting the full-scale preparation for the war. Gam-chan also examined the records of the previous battle and devised a way to win the war against the Khitan. Kang Gam-chan said that it was impossible to annihilate the enemy with only a defensive battle, and said, “The only way to annihilate the Khitan army is a large-scale battle (a battle where a large number of troops gather and fight in a field). If we block the front with spears and the cavalry attack from behind, we can completely wipe out the enemy. Someday, we must carry out this operation.”

Just then, an urgent report arrived from Heung-hwa-jin, and Hyun-jong and Kang Gam-chan learned from the letter sent by Kim Eun-boo that the Khitan was currently in a situation where they couldn't start a war. Gam-chan immediately said that he had to go to Heung-hwa-jin and detain the Khitan envoy. At the same time, the Goryeo generals who gathered at Heung-hwa-jin were convinced that the Khitan had deceived Goryeo, and decided to capture the Khitan envoy who had crossed the Amnok River.

Kim Eun-boo’s rescue & Gam-chan’s negotiation with Sobaeap

Eun-boo, who was captured by the Khitan army, was in danger of being beheaded. The moment the Khitan army pointed a blade at him, the Khitan soldiers ran over and told him that the Khitan envoys who were trying to cross the Amnok River were caught by the Goryeo army. This saved Eun-boo’s life, who was on the verge of life and death, and swept the viewers’ hearts.

Sobaeap, who heard the news that the Khitan envoy was detained, requested a negotiation with Goryeo. Kang Gam-chan, who faced Sobaeap again after the second war, said, “When the news of Goryeo cutting off the Khitan envoy spreads, the Khitan’s prestige will fall to the ground,” and “After cutting off the envoy’s neck, our Goryeo army will cross the Amnok River and advance.” He threw a challenge.

Yu Bang understood Gam-chan’s intention. He ordered the soldiers of Heung-hwa-jin to gather at the Amnok River and build a bridge as if they were going to cross the river right away, to intimidate Sobaeap. 

Sobaeap, who was intimidated by the Goryeo army’s movement, suggested to Kang Gam-chan that he would send Kim Eun-boo to Goryeo a few months later if he returned the Khitan envoys first. Kang Gam-chan accepted Sobaeap’s negotiation. But instead of Naewonseong (the Khitan gate on the Amnok River), he proposed to set up Kim Eun-boo’s residence in the land of the Yurchen and protect him directly by the Goryeo army, as he had deceived the Khitan lord in the previous war. The tense psychological warfare between the two men delivered a tense tension to the home theater.

Hyun-jong’s appointment of Gam-chan & the opposition of Choi Jil and Kim Hoon

Meanwhile, Hyun-jong appointed Gam-chan as the commander of the northeastern border defense cavalry and ordered him to take care of Eun-boo himself. He also added that he should gain military experience for the future while he was there. 

But Choi Jil (played by Joo Seok-tae) and Kim Hoon (played by Ryu Sung-hyun) learned of this fact. They didn't understand the emperor’s intention to entrust a heavy responsibility to Kang Gam-chan, who had never led a military before.

Park Jin (played by Lee Jae-yong) urged Kim Hoon and Choi Jil, who were angry, to go to the emperor and ask him to let the warriors take charge of the battlefield. Kim Hoon and Choi Jil led the soldiers and went to Hyun-jong, demanding that he reconsider Gam-chan’s appointment. But Hyun-jong said, “It is not because I do not trust the warriors that I do not entrust the people to them. It is to lighten your burden so that you can concentrate only on the battle.” He scolded Choi Jil, who couldn't understand his will.

The counterattack ending

At the end of episode 23, Choi Jil, who watched Gam-chan and the soldiers armed with armor, heading to the northeast, shouted, “I won't be treated like this anymore.” The "counterattack ending" hinted at the rebellion of Choi Jil and Kim Hoon and amplified the anticipation for the next episode.

(Source: naver.com)