A Beginner's Guide To Sageuk Vocabulary

[Fritz]

A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO SAGEUK VOCABULARY

Sageuk (사극) is the common Korean term for their historical dramas. While any period of history may be the subject matter, the Joseon era (1392-1897) is the most popular time period depicted.

You may also occasionally hear the term daeha drama (대하 드라마), which literally means "great river" or "epic".  It refers to historical dramas that are more strictly factual, like the Japanese taiga (which also happens to mean "great river"). They tend to be very long (often more than 100 episodes) and usually based on specific historical figures or events.

There are also sidaegeuk (시대극), which are period dramas, which would include fictionalized stories in a historical setting. These are generally just called sageuk these days.

Then there are so-called "fusion sageuk", which have historical settings, but no real historical basis at all. They often include fantasy romance and/or supernatural elements. The Moon That Embraces The Sun, Faith, Gu Family Book, and Night Watchman's Journal are examples of these.

The Vocabulary

In addition to the heavy use of more formal language, you will hear a lot of words and phrases that you wouldn't normally encounter in modern dramas. Unfortunately, many of the terms are archaic or of Chinese origin, so you won't find them in your handy pocket Korean-English dictionaries. Foremost among these are the various titles and styles of the Royals and other court officials. The shows are often annotated because even native Koreans don't know a lot of these terms.

Here are some of the special words and phrases you'll hear most often in these period dramas.

Disclaimer: I've been compiling this glossary for a while, but it is a work in progress and is hardly complete. A lot of these terms are very hard to track down and get their spellings and meanings correct. I'm constantly updating and adding to it and there certainly could be some mistakes.


TITLES & STYLES


Emperor = hwangje  Hangul: 황제  Hanja: 皇帝


The Emperor = hwangsang   Hangul: 황상  Hanja: 皇上

This term literally means "Radiant Highness". It's a title used to address the current Emperor by more senior members of the Imperial Family.


Empress = hwanghu   Hangul: 황후  Hanja: 皇后


Empress Ki from Empress Ki


Your Majesty = pyeha   Hangul: 폐하  Hanja: 陛下

This is the style most often used to address kings and emperors in pre-Joseon period dramas, such as those about Goguryeo, Goryeo, Silla, or any Chinese emperors.


Emperor Yuri of Guguryeo from The Kingdom of the Wind


Empress Dowager / Grand Empress = hwangtaehu or taehu  Hangul: 황태후 or 태후  Hanja: 皇太后


Empress Dowager Chun Chu from Iron Empress


king = wang   Hangul: 왕  Hanja: 王


Your Majesty = jeonha   Hangul: 전하  Hanja: 殿下

This is the term most used by the king's subjects to address him.


The King = jusang   Hangul: 주상  Hanja: 主上

This is the king's official title. This is what someone of even higher social status, such as a Queen Dowager, would call the king. It can be used together with jeonha as jusang jeonha (주상 전하), which would be comparable to the English phrase "His Majesty, The King".


King Sukjong from Dong Yi


Queen = wangbi   Hangul: 왕비  Hanja: 王妃


Queen Jangryeol in wedding attire from Cruel Palace


Crown Prince = wangseja or seja   Hangul: 왕세자 or 세자  Hanja: 王世子

The official heir apparent.


His/Your Royal Highness = jeoha   Hangul: 저하  Hanja: 邸下

The style used to address the Crown Prince.


Crown Princess = wangsejabin or sejabin   Hangul: 왕세자빈 or 세자빈  Hanja: 王世子嬪

The consort of the Crown Prince.


Royal Prince = wonja   Hangul: 원자  Hanja: 原子

The eldest legitimate son of the king before his inauguration as the Crown Prince.


Royal Prince = gong   Hangul: 공  Hanja: 公

The term for a younger legitimate son of the king.


Royal Princess = gongju   Hangul: 공주  Hanja: 公主

A legitimate daughter of the king.


Princess Suk Hwi from Horse Doctor


Royal Brother Successor = wangseje   Hangul: 왕세제  Hanja: 王世弟

The brother of the current King, who is the official heir to the throne in case the current King has no son of his own.


Your Highness = mama   Hangul: 마마

Mama is an honorific style used primarily with members of the royal family, other than the king. It can be used alone or as a suffix to a more specific title. It's commonly used to address the Queen Dowager, Queen, Princes, Princesses, Consorts, and Concubines.


Queen Regent = yeowang   Hangul: 여왕  Hanja: 女王

The term for a Queen Dowager, who rules as regent, until the child king comes of age.


Former King = sangwang   Hangul: 상왕  Hanja: 上王

The title of a living king who voluntarily abdicated for the current King to rise to the throne.


Queen Dowager = daebi   Hangul: 대비  Hanja: 大妃

The consort of the late king (often the current king's mother). She is usually addressed as daebi-mama.


Queen Dowager Yoon from The Moon That Embraces The Sun


His/Your Excellency = daegam   Hangul: 대감  Hanja: 大監

This style is used to address First Senior to Second Senior rank Ministers and Grand Princes (the king's brothers).


Grand Prince = daegun   Hangul: 대군  Hanja: 大君

This is the title given the king's brothers. A Grand Prince is addressed as daegam.


Grand Prince Suyang from The Princess' Man


Prince = gun   Hangul: 군  Hanja: 君

The term for sons of royal concubines or grand princes.


Princess = gungju or ongju  Hangul: 궁주 or 옹주  Hanja: 宮主 or 翁主

The terms for daughters of royal concubines or grand princes.


His/Her Young Highness = agisshi   Hangul: 아기씨

The style used to address a young prince or princess.


Royal Prince Successor Descendant = wangseson   Hangul: 왕세손   Hanja: 皇太孫

The firstborn son of the Crown Prince and the eldest grandson of the current King. The next in line to the throne after his father.


Royal Prince Successor Descendant Yi San from Yi San


Royal Grandson = wangson   Hangul: 왕손


Royal Concubine = hugung   Hangul: 후궁  Hanja: 後宮

The Royal Concubines had various ranks that designated their relative status in the palace pecking order, each with its own title. I wouldn't worry much about memorizing them all, but here they are for reference:

    Bin (빈) – 1st senior rank
    Kwiin (귀인) – 1st junior rank
    Soui (소의) – 2nd senior rank
    Sukui (숙의) – 2nd junior rank
    Soyong (소용) – 3rd senior rank
    Sukyong (숙용) – 3rd junior rank
    Sowon (소원) – 4th senior rank
    Sukwon (숙원) – 4th junior rank


Royal Concubines from The King And I


A consort or concubine of the king will refer to herself as sincheop (신첩) when speaking to the King.


His/Your Lordship = yeonggam   Hangul: 영감

Style used to address the ministers of Second Senior to Third Senior ranks.


General = janggun   Hangul: 장군


Great General = daejanggun   Hangul: 대장군


General / Chief / Leader = daejang   Hangul: 대장


Sir / Your Honor / Master = nari or naeuri   Hangul: 나리 or 나으리

A term used to officially address officials of the Third Senior to Ninth Junior ranks. It is also used generally by the commoners or lower class citizens to address noblemen.


Master = juennim   Hangul: 주인님


Madam = mamanim   Hangul: 마마님

This is the female equivalent of nari. It's frequently used to address the senior court ladies and attendants.


Milady = manim   Hangul: 마님

A term used by a servants to address the wife of his/her master.


Young Master = doryeong or doryeonnim   Hangul: 도령 or 도련님

The term frequently used by servants to address the son of his/her master.


Young Lady / Miss = agashi / ashi   Hangul: 아가씨 or 아씨

The is the term often used to address the daughters of nobles.


Yeon-woo practicing embroidery with her mother in The Moon That Embraces The Sun


court lady = gungnyeo   Hangul: 궁녀   Hanja:宮女

Court ladies were usually women of noble birth who acted as servants and ladies-in-waiting to the Royal household in the palace. They were brought into the palace at a young age and were not permitted to marry or fraternize with men. The court ladies officially answered to the Queen, the head of the ladies' court, though technically, they were all considered the king's women. If one happened to catch the king's eye, she might be lucky enough to become a concubine. No one is likely to remember all of these, but here are the various ranks of court ladies for your reference:

    5th senior rank – sanggung (상궁) & sangui (상의)
    5th junior rank – sangbok (상복) & sangsik (상식)
    6th senior rank – sangchim (상침) & sanggong (상공)
    6th junior rank – sanjeong (상정) & sanggi (상기)
    7th senior rank – jeonbin (전빈) , jeonui (전의) & jeonseon (전선)
    7th junior rank – jeonseol (전설), jeonje (전제) & jeoneon (전언)
    8th senior rank – jeonchan (전찬), jeonsik (전식) & jeonyak (전약)
    8th junior rank – jeondeung (전등), jeonchae (전채) & jeonjeong (전정)
    9th senior rank – jugung (주궁), jusang (주상) & jugak (주각)
    9th junior rank – jubyeonjing (주변징), jujing (주징), juwoo (주우) & jubyeongung (주변궁)

Court ladies are usually address with their family name, followed by the title, such as Kim sanggung (Senior Court Lady Kim).



Various court ladies from Jewel In The Palace


Senior Court Lady = sanggung   Hangul: 상궁


Lady Bong and Lady Hong in the drama Dong Yi (both of the rank of sanggung)


eunuch = hwangwan   Hangul: 환관  Hanja: 宦官

Palace eunuchs were castrated males who, like the court ladies, were brought into the palace as children and served the Royal household and ran the day-to-day functions of the palace. The Head Eunuch, addressed as sangseon (상선) was often one of the king's most trusted advisers.

Eunuchs also had different ranks and the common term to address them was naegwan (내관), which also means "inner officer", since they worked inside the palace, but they were commonly known as naesi (내시). The specific ranks for the eunuchs are:

    2nd junior - sangseon (상선)
    3rd senior - sangon (상온), sangda (상다)
    3rd junior - sangak (상닥)
    4th senior - sangjeong (상정)
    4th junior - sangchaek (상책)
    5th senior - sangho (상호)
    5th junior - sangtang (상탕)
    6th senior - sangse (상세)
    6th junior - sangchok (상촉)
    7th senior - sanggeo (상거)
    7th junior - sangseol (상설)
    8th senior - sangje (상제)
    8th junior - sangmun (상문)
    9th senior - sanggyeong (상경)
    9th junior - sangwon (상원)


Palace eunuchs from The King And I

[Fritz]

FAMILY TERMS:


family / clan / tribe = sijok   Hangul: 씨족


father (with honorific) = abanim   Hangul: 아바님

Archaic form of abeonim (아버님).


royal father = abamama   Hangul: 아바마마

An intimate term of address used by a royal child for his/her father, the King.


mother (with honorific) = eomanim   Hangul: 어마님

Archaic form of eomeonim (어머님).


royal mother = eomamama   Hangul: 어마마마

An intimate term of address used by a royal child for his/her mother.


older brother (said by males - with honorific) = hyeongnim   Hangul: 형님

You may also sometimes hear the more archaic term, seongnim (성님), for "older brother".  It means the same thing.


older brother (said by females) = orabeoni   Hangul:오라버니

This archaic term is used rather than the modern term, oppa (오빠).


older brother (with honorific - said by females) = orabeonim   Hangul: 오라버님


older sister (said by males) = nui   Hangul: 누이

Archaic form of nuna (누나).


older sister (with honorific - said by males) = nunim   Hangul: 누님


older sister / older sibling = eonni   Hangul: 언니

In modern Korean, this term is usually only used by females to address an elder sister or female friend, but in sageuk you'll see both genders use it toward and elder sibling or friend of the same sex.


younger brother / younger sibling = awoo   Hangul: 아오

Archaic term for dongsaeng (동생).


grandfather = harabanim   Hangul: 하라바님

Archaic form of harabeonim (하라버님).


royal grandfather = halbamama   Hangul: 할바마마

A term of address used by a royal child for his grandfather, the King.


royal grandmother = halmamama   Hangul: 할마마마

A term of address used by a royal child for his grandmother, the Queen/Queen Dowager, etc.


one's lord & master / husband = seobangnim   Hangul: 서방님


my lady / wife = manura   Hangul: 마누라

A term a husband may use to refer to his wife.


husband = nanggun   Hangul: 낭군

An intimate term for a wife to use to address her husband.


wife = buin   Hangul: 부인

An intimate term for a husband to use to address his wife.

[Fritz]

OTHER TERMS & PHRASES:


aristocracy = yangban    Hangul: 양반  Hanja: 兩班

The ruling class that ran the government and the military.


nobles = gwijok   Hangul: 귀족   Hanja: 貴族


middleclass = chungin   Hangul: 중인   Hanja: 中人

The middleclass were professionals who took a lower civil examination than the yangban. They included, doctors, accountants, military officers, interpreters, etc.


commoners = sangmin   Hangul: 상민

Commoners make up the largest class. They include fishermen, laborers, craftsmen, and peasants. Merchants were also in this class, although wealthy merchants had a lot of power and influence over the local yangban.


lower class = cheonmin   Hangul: 천민

They had jobs considered distasteful include butchers, corpse handlers, actors, traveling dancers, shoemakers, courtesans, shamen, jailers, executioners, and slaves.


farmer / peasant = nonggu or nong   Hangul: 농구 or 농


artisan / craftsman = gong   Hangul: 공


merchant = sangin or sang   Hangul: 상인 or 상


The capital city = doseong   Hangul: 도성


The Royal Family = wangjok   Hangul: 왕족


The Royal House (family) = wangsil   Hangul: 왕실


palace = gungjeon or gung   Hangul: 궁전 or 궁


throne = wangjwa   Hangul: 왕좌


hall / building = jeon   Hangul: 전


three-legged crow = samjoko  Hangul: 삼족오   Hanja: 三足烏

A spiritual symbol representing the sun, commonly used as emblem in Gorguryeo.




dragon = yong  Hangul: 용  Hanja: 龍

A spiritual symbol representing royalty and power. The orb you sometimes see with dragon imagery is known as the yeouiju (여의주), the Korean name for the mythical Cintamani (analogous to the philosopher's stone in Western alchemy). It was said that whoever could wield the yeouiju was blessed with the abilities of omnipotence and creation at will. Legend stated that only four and five-toed dragons were old and wise enough to wield the yeouiju.



In Joseon symbology, the king wears a five-toed dragon emblem known as ohjoryongbo (오조룡보), while the crown prince wears sajoryongbo (사조룡보), a four-toed dragon emblems. For the first son of the crown prince, he wears samjoryongbo (삼조룡보), the three-toed dragon emblems.




Royal Command / Order / Edict = eomyeong  Hangul: 어명   Hanja: 御命


King's Command / Order / Edict = wangmyeong   Hangul: 왕명   Hanja: 王命


Central Palace = jungjeon   Hangul: 중전

Where the Queen resides or another way of referring to the Queen Consort.


Eastern Palace = donggung   Hangul:동궁

Where a Crown Prince resides or another way of referring to the Crown Prince.


Consort's Palace = bingung   Hangul: 빈궁

Where the Crown Prince's Consort resides or another way of referring to the Crown Prince's Consort.


royal guard = naegeumwi   Hangul: 내금위  Hanja: 內禁衛


concubine = cheop   Hangul: 첩


royal physician = eoui   Hangul: 어의  Hanja: 御醫


court nurse = uinyeo   Hangul: 의녀  Hanja: 醫女


Royal physician and court nurses from Horse Doctor


master = sabeomnim   Hangul: 사범님


scholar = seonbi or seonbinim   Hangul: 선비 or 선비님


Thousand Character Classic = cheonjamun   Hangul: 천자문   Hanja: 千字文

The Thousand Character Classic is a Chinese poem used as a primer for teaching Chinese Hanja characters to children, originally created in 6th century. It contains exactly one thousand characters, each used only once, arranged into 250 lines of four characters apiece and grouped into four line rhyming stanzas to make it easy to memorize. It is sung in a way similar to children learning the Latin alphabet singing an "alphabet song." It is still used today.


Thousand Character Classic


The Great Learning = daehak   Hangul: 대학   Hanja: 大學

'The Great Learning' is one of the "Four Books" in Confucianism. It consists of a short main text attributed to the teachings of Confucius and then ten commentary chapters accredited to one of Confucius' disciples, Zengzi.


The Doctrine of the Mean = jung-yong   Hangul: 중용   Hanja: 中庸

'The Doctrine of the Mean' is both a doctrine of Confucianism and also the title of one of the "Four Books" of Confucian philosophy.


The Analects = noneo   Hangul: 논어   Hanja: 論語

Also known as 'The Analects of Confucius', 'The Analects' is one of the central texts of Confucianism. It is a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his contemporaries.


The Mencius = maengja   Hangul: 맹자   Hanja: 孟子

The Mencius is a collection of anecdotes and conversations of the Confucian scholar and philosopher Mencius on topics in moral and political philosophy.


Place Art Department = dohwaseo   Hangul: 도화서   Hanja: 圖畵署

The palace art department was responsible for drawing portraits, maps, and other artwork. The artists of the dohwaseo were known as hwawon (화원).


The Palace Art Department from Yi San


young lady / maiden = gyusu   Hangul: 규수

A well-bred young lady with a respectable background.


courtesan house = gibang or gisaengjip   Hangul: 기방 or 기생집


courtesan = gisaeng or ginyeo    Hangul: 기생 or 기녀

The lowest rank of gisaeng were known as samsu (삼수).


Courtesans from Gu Family Book


head courtesan = haengsu gisaeng   Hangul: 행수 기생


shaman = mudang   Hangul: 무당


Shaman Mae Wol from The Merchant: Gaekju 2015


slave / servant = nobi   Hangul: 노비


maid / female servant = hanyeo   Hangul: 하녀


nanny / wet nurse = yumo   Hangul: 유모   Hanja: 乳母


water maid slave = musuri   Hangul: 무수리


Water maid slave from Jeon Woo Chi


government-owned slave girl = gwanbi   Hangul: 관비  Hanja: 官婢

A female slave owned by the government. A fate handed out as a punishment for serious non-capital crimes. Family members of traitors were often made into government-owned slaves (the traitors themselves were usually executed).


government-owned personal slave = gusa   Hangul: 구사

A government-owned slave that is assigned to be a personal slave to the royal family or a high-ranking minister's household.


servant girl / tea lady = damo   Hangul: 다모  Hanja: 茶母

The word damo specifically refers to class of servants, who were considered lower than slaves in their overall ranking within Korean society. Their main responsibility was to serve tea to the gentry (damo is literally translated as "tea lady".) Damo were also employed in the palace to work as attendants in various government departments.

Some historical records have indicated that in certain times, damo were used as police officers to investigate crime, mostly for adultery and other crimes involving women, where male investigators could not ask questions about the case without causing embarrassment.


Damo Sung Song Yeon of the Palace Art Department in Yi San


slave hunter = chuno   Hangul: 추노


inn / tavern = jumak   Hangul: 주막


innkeeper = jumakjaengi   Hangul: 주막쟁이


barmaid = jumo   Hangul: 주모


Barmaids from Chuno


horse = mal   Hangul: 말


horse doctor / healer = maui   Hangul: 마의


storyteller = gangchangsa   Hangul: 강창사


top-knot = sangtu  Hangul: 상투

The sangtu is the tradition hair style for adult noblemen.  It is held in place with a pin called a donggot (동곳), and to keep the hair from falling, a headband called a manggeon (망건) is worn on the forehead.


Lee Bang Won wearing the sangtu, dongot, and manggeon from Six Flying Dragons


hat = gat   Hangul: 갓

An archaic term for hat. It usually referred to the various hats worn by the noblemen.


Young nobles wearing gat from The Moon That Embraces The Sun

The specific type of gat shown above are called heukrip (흑립) and were made of horse hair.  It was worn over the sangtu, dongot, and manggeon.


rice paddy hat = satgat   Hangul: 삿갓

This is the conical bamboo hat the great sword master always wears in sageuk when trying to be incognito.




hairpin = binyeo   Hangul: 비녀


Yi Hwa's hairpin from My Love From Another Star


palanquin / sedan chair = gama   Hangul: 가마


Do Min Joon rescuing Yi Hwa's palanquin from My Love From Another Star


Gil Tae Mi riding a sedan chair in Six Flying Dragons

Palanquin bearers are called gamakkun (가마꾼).


first night = kkotjam   Hangul: 꽃잠

Literally "flower sleep", a term for a bride's first night with her husband.


red rope = oratchul  or ora   Hangul: 오랏줄  or 오라

An official rope used to bind criminals.


Prisoner Lord Jung bound with oratchul from Horse Doctor


criminal defense lawyer = waejibu   Hangul: 외지부   Hanja: 外知部


flogging (with stick) = nanjanghyeong   Hangul: 난장형   Hanja: 亂杖刑

A common punishment given to criminals for crimes that don't warrant an automatic death sentence. The number of hits was prescribed by the sentence and could vary greatly depending on the severity of the crime. Harsh sentences of 30-50 hits often resulted in death from internal injuries.

The criminal was often wrapped in a straw mat during the flogging.


Chae Ryung flogged to death in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo


strip of authority = saktal   Hangul: 삭탈

To be stripped of authority and removed from office, such as with a minister, who has fallen out of favor or committed a crime.


house arrest = anchi   Hangul: 안치   Hanja: 安置


thorn hedge house arrest / exile = wirianchi   Hangul: 위리안치   Hanja: 圍籬安置

Exile to house surrounded by a thorn hedge - a punishment for serious crimes, particularly of high-ranking officials.


poison bowl (from the king) = sayak   Hangul: 사약   Hanja: 賜藥

A poison cocktail of arsenic-sulfur compounds used in capital punishment of high-profile political figures and members of the royal family.


Jang Hee Bin receives her sayak in Dong Yi


grain (paid as tax) = segok   Hangul: 세곡

The term for the taxes paid by peasants in the form of grain.


grain tax ship = segokseon   Hangul: 세곡선

A ship officially designated to transport the grain paid as taxes by peasants.


righteous army = uibyeong    Hangul: 의병   Hanja: 義兵

A "righteous army" was an irregular military force or militia that formed, often during times of foreign invasion, to assist the national army.


spring farming festival = dano   Hangul: 단오

A traditional spring farming festival held on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, used to celebrate the end of the sowing season.


Korean wrestling = ssireum Hangul: 씨름


unit of distance = ri   Hangul: 리

The ri is a traditional measure of distance, based on the Chinese li of the Han Dynasty. Although its exact length varied over the ages, it was roughly 1/4 of a mile.


Mt. Bukmang = bukmangsan   Hangul: 북망산

Mt. Bukmang is a small mountain located to the north of Luoyang in Henan Province, where the local noblemen traditionally were buried. The place became a synonymous with a place where the dead go (ie. a graveyard or burial ground).  If you were to say you wish someone to "go to Mt. Bukmang", it's a euphemism for wanting them dead.


Your grace is immeasurable = (seongeuni) mangguekhaomnida   Hangul: (성은이) 망극하옵니다

This is a phrase you hear a lot in sageuk. It's almost always addressed to the king or other sovereign ruler by a subject, in response to some words of praise or a gift or promotion. It's often translated in the subtitles as just "Thank you", but "Your grace is immeasurable" is more accurate. I've also seen it used as an apology to the king. Essentially, the subject is thanking the king for being magnanimous and not having punished him for whatever he did wrong.

It is most often said without the first bit (seongeuni), which refers to "grace" or "royal favor". Typically, they just say mangguekhaomnida, followed by jeonha (전하), "your majesty".


be seated = antgeora   Hangul: 앉거라

A commonly heard command for an underling to be seated.


please / by all means = budi   Hangul: 부디

While not an archaic term per se, this is a word you are much more likely to hear in sageuk than a contemporary drama. Koreans usually simply use honorific language in most instances where we might use "please" as a matter of being polite. However, when you are prostrate before the King, begging for your life, budi is a pretty good word to start with.

[Deleted]

I do love Sageuk dramas - I'll have a lot of fun with this thread and a lot of questions. Thank You Fritz .

[Deleted]

I liked those two lady characters from Chuno. They made me laugh.

[ilekca]

Since I've been watching Sageuk dramas lately I've come to recognize some of these words.

merci beaucoup!

[Fritz]

As vocabulary words, this list may not be the most conversationally useful bunch, but these items often play a significant role in some stories.

WEAPONS

horn bow = gakgung  Hangul: 각궁

The gakgung is an composite reflex bow, traditionally made from water buffalo horn. It is an iconic weapon used throughout Korean history. Even the name, Jumong, the legendary founder of Goguryeo, meant "skilled archer". To this day, Koreans pride themselves as masters of archery and frequently win gold medals at the Olympic games.


Jumong with his gakgung from Jumong


arrow = hwasal  Hangul: 화살


baby arrow = pyeonjeon or aegisal Hangul: 편전 or 애기살

The pyoenjeon was a short arrow (bolt) that was used in conjunction with a bamboo overdraw tube called a tonga (통아). It was renowned for it's high velocity and great range. At first you may think this was just a show-maker's gimmick, but it is a very real thing. I've read testimonials of modern master archers to its impressive capabilities.


Ki Seung Nyang instructing Prince Ta Hwan in the use of the "baby arrow" from Empress Ki



Lee Daegil using the "baby arrow" with tonga in Chuno


sword = geum  Hangul: 검

This is the generic term for "sword", but usually refers to double-edged swords. Naturally, there are many more specific terms for particular types and grades.


sword (single-edged) = yedo  Hangul: 예도

A specific term for a single-edged sword.


sword spear = hyupdo   Hangul: 협도


Re-enactors demonstrating fighting with hyupdo at a Sinpungnu


moon blade = woldo  Hangul: 월도


Song Taeha with his woldo from Chuno


Great Four Tiger Sword = sainchamsageom  Hangul: 사인참사검

The sainchamsageom was a ceremonial sword that is used for demon slaying and Shamanistic rituals. They were all made according to the Year, Month, Week, Day, or Hour of the Tiger and were thus thought to be imbued with mystical powers.


spear = chang  Hangul: 창


hook spear = galgorichang   Hangul: 갈고리창


Soldier with a galgorichang from Maids


trident = dangpa   Hangul: 당파


Guard with a dangpa at Namdaemun


flail = peongon   Hangul: 편곤


musket = jochong Hangul: 조총

Muskets were introduced into Korea in the late 16th century, based on Japanese and Portuguese designs and were widely used up until the late 19th century, when more modern western-style firearms were adopted. Show subtitles often refer to these weapons as "rifles", but this is inaccurate. They were almost exclusively smooth bore weapons with a slow rate of fire and very limited range and accuracy. The archery of the day was widely considered superior, except at relatively close range.



Soldiers firing muskets from Jingbirok


fire arrow rocket = singijeon   Hangul: 신기전


fire cart / rocket launcher = hwacha  Hangul: 화차

A multiple rocket launcher capable of firing up to 200 singijeon at one time.


Hwacha in action from Jingbirok


cannon = chongtong or hwapo  Hangul: 총통 or 화포

Chongtong or hwapo are the general terms for gunnery of the Joseon period. There were specific names for the four main sizes of cannons: cheonja-chongtong (천자총통), jija-chongtong (지자총통), hyeonja-chongtong (현자총통), and hwangja-chongtong (황자총통), named after the first four characters of the Thousand Character Classic in decreasing size, thus making the names the equivalent of Cannons A, B, C, and D.


Cannons in action during the Imjin War from Jingbirok


warship = gunham  Hangul: 군함

This is the general term for a warship.


turtle ship = geobukseon   Hangul: 거북선

The "turtle ship" was famous armored warships Admiral Yi Sun Sin used to fend off the Japanese invaders during the Imjin War.


A replica turtle ship

[Deleted]

Beautiful ship.

[Deleted]

Where's Woldo?

[Deleted]

[Deleted]

Still have a million questions   Two links that are helping
 Sageuk Timeline :Royal Ladies of Joseon Dynasty

[Deleted]

To watch Dragon Blade I found a map to help pull the story together. Love maps and the visual reference they add to a story   This map 5 AD will help with Jumong . 

[Fritz]

JOSEON GOVERNMENT

The government of the Joseon Dynasty was divided into a number of bodies with different bureaucratic functions.  The names of the bodies and their officials are nearly all of Chinese origin and are thus rather archaic.


State Council = Uijeongbu   Hangul: 의정부   Hanja: 議政府

The State Council was the highest deliberative body of the Joseon Dynasty although it faded in importance after first centuries of rule. It was composed of twelve officials. The power of State Council was inversely proportional to the king's power. Sometimes it directly controlled the Six Ministries, the chief executive body of Joseon government, but primarily served in advisory role under stronger kings. State councillors served in several other positions including a tutor to the crown prince.

The State Council officials:

Chief State Councillor = Yeonguijeong   Hangul: 영의정   Hanja: 領議政

Left State Councillor = Jwauijeong   Hangul: 좌의정   Hanja: 左議政

Right State Councillor = Uuijeong   Hangul: 우의정   Hanja: 右議政

These three were the highest-ranking officials in the government (senior first rank).

They were assisted by:

Left Minister = Jwachanseong   Hangul: 좌찬성   Hanja: 左贊成

Right Minister = Uichangseong   Hangul: 우찬성   Hanja: 右贊成

Both of these were junior first rank. There were also seven lower ranking officials.

---

The Six Ministries = Yukjo   Hangul: 육조   Hanja: 六曹

The Six Ministries of Joseon were the major executive bodies of the Korean Joseon Dynasty.


Ministry of Personnel = Ijo   Hangul: 이조   Hanja: 吏曹

In charge of the appointment of officials.


Ministry of Taxation = Hojo   Hangul: 호조   Hanja: 戶曹

In charge of taxation, finances, census, agriculture, and land policies.


Ministry of Rites = Yejo   Hangul: 예조   Hangul:禮曹

In charge of rituals, culture, diplomacy, and civil service exams.


Ministry of Defense = Byeongjo   Hangul: 병조   Hanja: 兵曹

In charge of military affairs.


Ministry of Justice = Hyeongjo   Hangul: 형조   Hanja: 刑曹

In charge of the administration of law, slavery, and punishments.


Ministry of Public Works = Gongjo   Hangul: 공조   Hanja: 工曹

In charge of industry, public works, manufacturing, and mining.


The top officials of each of the Six Ministries:

Minister = Panseo   Hangul: 판서   Hanja: 判書
   (senior second rank)

Vice-minister / Deputy Minister = Champan   Hangul: 참판   Hanja: 參判
   (junior second rank)

Secretary = Chamui   Hangul: 참의   Hanja: 參議
   (senior third rank)

---

The Three Offices = Samsa   Hangul: 삼사   Hanja: 三司

The Three Offices is a collective name for three government offices in Joseon Dynasty that functioned as major organ of press and provided checks and balance on the king and the officials.

The Three Offices provided a key check on the powers of the other branches of government. The Inspector General and Censor General had the unique power to vet potential appointees for all positions, and examine their family backgrounds. They thus played a role in maintaining the integrity of the yangban aristocracy.

The officials who served in these offices, called daegan (대간), tended to be younger and of lower rank compared to other offices such as the Six Ministries but had strong academic reputation and enjoyed special privileges and great prestige. To be appointed, they went through more thorough review of character and family background.


Office of Inspector General = Saheonbu   Hangul: 사헌부   Hanja: 司憲府

It monitored government administration and officials in both central and local governments for corruption or incompetence. It was run by 30 officials including the Inspector General (Daesaheon, 대사헌), a position of junior second rank.


Office of Censors = Saganwon   Hangul: 사간원   Hanja: 司諫院

Its chief function was to remonstrate with the king if there was wrong or improper action or policy. It also impeached corrupt officials and spoke opinions about the general state of affairs. It was composed of five officials, led by the Chief Censor, Daesagan, (대사간), of senior third rank. Its function as organ of speech often overlapped with Office of Inspector General, and they sometimes submitted joint petition to the king.


Office of Special Advisors = Hongmungwan   Hangul: 홍문관   Hanja: 弘文館

It oversaw the royal library and served as research institute to study Confucian philosophy and answer the king's questions. It was composed of 21 officials, but its three highest officials were ministers serving in the State Council and the actual head of the office was Deputy Chief Scholar, Bujehak (부제학), a position of senior third rank. Its officials took part in the daily lessons called gyeongyeon (경연), in which they discussed Confucian philosophy with the king. These discussions often led to comments on current political issues, and these officials had significant influence as advisors.

The Office of Special Advisors replaced an earlier body called the Hall of Worthies, Jiphyeonjeon (집현전), which was abolished by King Sejo - they had conspired to kill him.

---

Other Offices:

Royal Secretariat = Seungjeongwon   Hangul: 승정원   Hanja: 承政院

It served as a liaison between the king and the Six Ministries. There were six royal secretaries, one for each ministry, of senior third rank. Their primary role was to pass down royal decree to the ministries and submit petitions to the king, but they also advised the king and served in other key positions close to the king.


Capital Bureau = Hanseungbu   Hangul: 한성부   Hanja: 漢城府

It was in charge of running the capital, Hanyang (한양), present-day Seoul. It was composed of nine officials, led by the Panyun (판윤), of senior second rank and equivalent to today's mayor of Seoul.


Royal Investigation Bureau = Uigeumbu   Hangul: 의금부   Hanja: 義禁府

It was an investigative and enforcement office under direct control of the king. It chiefly dealt with treason and other serious cases that concerned the king and served to arrest, investigate, imprison, and carry out sentences against the suspected offenders, who were often government officials.


Office of Records = Chunchugwan   Hangul: 춘추관   Hanja: 春秋館

Its officials wrote, compiled, and maintained the government and historical records. The annual records, collectively known today as the Annals of the Joseon (조선 왕조 실록), were called sillok (실록).


Royal Academy = Seongkyungwan   Hangul: 성균관   Hanja: 成均館

Seongkyunkwan was the foremost educational institution in Korea during the late Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties. The main goal of the school was for the students to pass the higher national civil service examinations, known as gwageo (과거, 科擧). The exams were on writing ability, knowledge of the Chinese classics, and proposals of management of the state (governance). Technical subjects also included were medicine, interpretation, accounting, and law. The official in charge was the Great Teacher, Daesaseong (대사성), of senior third rank.

The name of the school comes from three Sino-Korean words:

seong (성, 成) – accomplish, achieve, to become capable, successful or to win. "To perfect or develop human nature."
gyun (균, 均) – balance, to be, strengthen culture according to social standards or norms. "To build a good society."
gwan (관, 館) – institute, academy, university

Although the buildings have been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries, Sungkyunkwan still exists today on the campus of Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul.


Myeongnyundang Lecture Hall of Seongkyunkwan in Seoul

[M]

Hello! I LOVE this so much! Could you help me with some very basic words, such as:
- Love
- Life
- human
- person
- spirit

[Fritz]

Feb 4, 2017 6:59:05 GMT M said:

Hello! I LOVE this so much! Could you help me with some very basic words, such as:
sarang (사랑)- Love
saeng (생)- Life
inganui (인간의)- human (or mortal)
saram (사람)- person (or human)
jeongsin (정신)- spirit (or soul); gwisin (귀신) would be spirit (or ghost)

I'm glad you like it.  This thread is specifically for the more archaic words that you encounter in historical dramas.  For more on the basic Korean language, I would recommend checking out the Korean Word of the Day.

From that selection of words, I bet you're watching Goblin.