[Feb 17] “Korea-Khitan War” Episode 25: Rating & Recap

KBS 2TV’s “Korea-Khitan War” had average ratings of 8.7% nationwide.

“Korea-Khitan War” episode 25 recap

The show has a thrilling plot!

The 25th episode of the drama (written by Lee Jung-woo/ directed by Jeon Woo-sung, Kim Han-sol, Seo Yong-soo/ produced by Monster Union, Vibes Studios), a special project for the 50th anniversary of public broadcasting, aired on the 17th. 

Kim Hoon (played by Ryu Seong-hyun) and Choi Jil (played by Joo Seok-tae) led the soldiers to rebel. The 2 men who attacked the palace demanded that Hyun Jong (played by Kim Dong-joon) exile Jang Yeon-woo (played by Lee Ji-hoon) and Hwang Bo Yoo-eui (played by Jang In-seop) and handle all the state affairs with the military officials. 

The 25th episode captivated us with a dynamic development. Especially, the scene where the rebels who attacked the palace dragged Won Seong (played by Ha Seung-ri) out of the prison soared to the highest viewership rating of 9.9% (nationwide standard) at the moment, delivering the ultimate thrill.

Choi Jil's rebellion

In this episode, Choi Jil met with the soldiers who would rebel with him and said that he would immediately attack the palace if anything happened to trample on the pride of the military officials. He also persuaded Kim Hoon to join forces with him, saying that he wanted to make a country where the military officials were treated properly and protect Goryeo more firmly.

Meanwhile, Jang Yeon-woo asked Hwang Bo Yoo-eui to find a solution to the financial situation of the country, which was not enough for the officials’ salaries. Hwang Bo Yoo-eui devised a financial solution by looking at the list of military officials and their business records. It was to collect the business money from the military officials and use it to pay the salaries of the officials.

Kim Hoon and Choi Jil, who learned of this fact, were furious and decided to rebel immediately. But Park Jin advised them to wait until the investigation was opened and said, “When the Prime Minister reports this plan to His Majesty, immediately break out of the court and run out. And spread this news to all the military officials.” He urged them to attack the palace with the anger of the military officials on their backs.

Hyun Jong’s dilemma

Hyun Jong, who saw the petition with the solution to Goryeo’s financial difficulties, was troubled. Kim Hoon and Choi Jil, who were waiting for this moment, strongly opposed it. The two men ignored Hyun Jong’s dissuasion and left the court and spread the news to the military officials.

Hyun Jong, who heard the details of Jang Yeon-woo and Hwang Bo Yoo-eui’s plan, called Kim Hoon and Choi Jil back and said that he would explain it to the military officials himself so that they would not misunderstand. But the rumor that he was going to collect the business money from the military officials and use it for the salaries of the white officials spread in no time, and Choi Jil made the enraged generals sweat by ordering them to march to the palace.

Hyun Jong, who heard the news that the military officials in Gyeongju rebelled, was confused. Ji Chae-mun (played by Han Jae-young) was subdued by the rebels while he was going to get the soldiers. The ministers hurriedly moved to evacuate Hyun Jong, and Kang Gam-chan went to the northeast to get the soldiers to suppress the rebels.

But Kim Hoon and Choi Jil attacked the palace with the soldiers carrying gongs and drums, and the other soldiers surrounded the emperor’s party, creating a sense of terror. Kim Hoon asked Hyun Jong, who was angry, what he wanted and said, “Please give us the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister’s office. And please exile those two (Jang Yeon-woo, Hwang Bo Yoo-eui).” He also showed a rebellious attitude, such as asking him to issue a letter of approval for the military officials’ uprising and promising to handle all the state affairs with the military officials in the future.

The rebels dragged Won Seong out of the prison. Park Jin (played by Lee Jae-yong) went to Empress Won Jeong (played by Lee Si-a) and asked her to send Won Seong out of the palace instead of giving him a letter to the generals in the northeast and northwest. Won Jeong was shaken by Park Jin’s threat that Hyun Jong’s life could be in danger if she didn't cooperate.

Kang Gam-chan, who arrived in the northeast, told them that Kim Hoon and Choi Jil had incited the military officials in Gyeongju to rebel and asked them to go to Gyeongju quickly to protect the emperor. Lee Ja-rim (played by Jeon Jin-woo) immediately led the soldiers and set out.

At the same time, Kim Hoon and Choi Jil shouted to Hyun Jong and the ministers who were staying in the main hall to make a decision quickly, and Jang Yeon-woo and Hwang Bo Yoo-eui asked them to exile themselves as the military officials wanted. Hyun Jong shook his head firmly and refused, saying, “We cannot waste even a day to lead the war with the Mongols to victory. But I cannot stop that precious time because of those traitors. I will endure. I will endure and defeat them all.”

But Jang Yeon-woo and Hwang Bo Yoo-eui, who had already made up their minds, went out of the main hall and stood in front of the rebels. Choi Jil and the six generals trampled on Jang Yeon-woo and Hwang Bo Yoo-eui mercilessly, and their screams echoed to the main hall. Wang Soon, who clenched his fist with anger, waited eagerly for the soldiers from the northeast and northwest to come.

At the end of episode 25, the ‘departure ending’ of the soldiers from the east and west running to Gyeongju after receiving help from Kang Gam-chan and Noh Jeon was drawn, amplifying the expectation for the next broadcast.

The viewers showed reactions such as “They portrayed Jang Yeon-woo and Hwang Bo Yoo-eui as heroes, I’m surprised”, “I miss the early characters”, “They completely sent off the Empress character”, “Come on, the Battle of Gwiju, you pressure cooker, Yun Seo-ya!”, etc.

(Source: naver.com)