“Korea-Khitan War” broke its own record with an average rating of 12.7% for its most recent episode. It also ranked first among weekend dramas aired at the same time, showing soaring popularity. Particularly, the scene where Hyun-jong ordered the soldiers disguised as dancers to kill all the traitors during the banquet soared to the highest viewership rating of 14.4% (based on nationwide households).
“Korea-Khitan War” episode 28 recap
![[Feb 25] “Korea-Khitan War” Episode 28: Rating & Recap](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0x5FeLR5SC2rxuh4ejRwbCNYZZKHu8ATvCslCwRm4teXDNEXF1sdhAvZnleUPwYP0_HchLn1BZ7wQjH7wtGp7O75hvH4lTqRzKqwropUHcOvgZBvPmbfHCjMJ0ecbK-Lt2WEeHBedIJgirxfjlUAet-_3lvKwrNE8a5q4dmNay6CqefIFQhkNAigxww/s756/202402260846074561568_20240226084750_01_20240226085101195%20(1).jpg "[Feb 25] “Korea-Khitan War” Episode 28: Rating & Recap")
Kim Dong-joon turned the tide of the war,
On the 25th, the 28th episode showed Hyun-jong (played by Kim Dong-joon) suppressing the coup after a tense battle with the rebels, such as Choi-jil (played by Joo Seok-tae) and Park Jin (played by Lee Jae-yong).
The emperor’s trap and the rebels’ counterattack
Yu-bang (played by Jeong Ho-bin), who received the emperor’s secret order, secretly moved to kill the traitors. Heading to the Amnok River with the instigators of the rebellion, Hyun-jong provoked Choi-jil, who was obsessed with power, to gather all the traitors in Kaegyeong. But Park Jin had already seen through the emperor’s intentions, warning Choi-jil, “He’s trying to kill us all at once. He’ll probably make a move in Seogyeong. He must have ordered that man (the military officer) to slaughter us all.”
Park Jin prepared a fake imperial decree for the military officer to lead all the soldiers to Tongju Castle. He shocked us with his meticulous plan.
Meanwhile, the rebels handed a fake decree to Yu-bang in Seogyeong and ordered him to lead the entire force to Tongju Castle. Yi Ja-rim (played by Jeon Jin-woo) was sure that it was a fake decree obtained by threatening the emperor, but Yu-bang said that if he started to judge the emperor’s decree on his own, he would lose more, and headed to Tongju Castle.
As the plans to kill the traitors were about to fail, Ja-rim was in trouble. Ji Chae-mun (played by Han Jae-young) entered Seogyeong Castle safely avoiding the eyes of the rebels. He discussed the strategy Yi Ja-rim.
The final showdown at the banquet
Wanting to see the Buddha before leaving Goryeo, Hyun-jong requested to leave the palace and headed to the temple in the city. There, he met Won-seong (played by Ha Seung-ri) and calmed his surprised mind. He calmly bowed and created a tense atmosphere.
Hyun-jong, who sensed Won-seong’s meaningful words, asked Choi-jil to have a drink with him and asked him to hold a banquet. Choi-jil accepted the emperor’s sudden request and decided to hold a grand banquet with all the villains and dancers in Seogyeong.
Ja-rim succeeded in deceiving the rebels and prepared for the last chance to block the traitors. As the banquet atmosphere became lively, the dancers with swords appeared. They started to perform a flashy sword dance to the sound of the villains’ drums.
At the same time, Park Young (played by Kang Bong-sung) confessed to his father Park Jin that there were soldiers among the dancers. And Park Jin strangled Park Young, who betrayed him, to death.
At the end of episode 28, Hyun-jong, who came on stage, said, “I can't fulfill the emperor’s duty if I'm trapped in my own compassion. I'll now become a strong ruler who will gladly wield a sword for this Goryeo.” He ordered to kill all the traitors, creating a "traitor killing ending" that gave a great suspense.