Ep 23. Jumong 23

Jumong is a South Korean historical drama television series. The show depicts the life of Jumong, a legendary king of Goguryeo, who was born as the illegitimate son of a prince in the 2nd century BC. Jumong struggles to reclaim his throne from his rival brothers, avenge his father's death, and protect his people from various threats.

Episode 23 of Jumong begins with Jumong (played by Song Il-gook) and his army preparing to attack Buyeo, a neighboring kingdom that has been causing trouble for Goguryeo. Jumong is determined to defeat Buyeo and capture its royal family, including the beautiful Princess So Seo-no (played by Han Hye-jin), whom he hopes to marry. However, Jumong's advisor Oi (played by Jung Ho-bin) warns him that Buyeo's army is well-trained and well-equipped, and that the battle will not be easy.

Meanwhile, Geumwa (played by Jeon Kwang-ryeol), the king of Buyeo, is also preparing for the battle. He orders his son Daeso (played by Kim Seung-soo) to lead the army and repel Jumong's invasion. Daeso is arrogant and overconfident, believing that his army is unbeatable. He also hates Jumong and wants to kill him to revenge his brother's death. However, his sister So Seo-no advises him to be cautious and avoid giving Jumong an advantage.

The battle between Goguryeo and Buyeo begins, and both sides suffer heavy losses. Jumong and his generals show great courage and skill in fighting, but they are eventually pushed back by Buyeo's superior tactics and weapons. Daeso leads a charge against Jumong's position, but Jumong manages to kill his horse and knock him down. He then offers to spare Daeso's life if he surrenders, but Daeso refuses and tries to attack Jumong with a dagger. However, So Seo-no intervenes and stops him, revealing that she is Jumong's fiancée and that they have made a pact of peace and cooperation. She convinces Daeso to accept the offer and end the battle.

Jumong and his army triumphantly return to Goguryeo, with the captured princess So Seo-no among them. However, Jumong's victory is not welcomed by everyone, especially his rival brothers. Yuri (played by Oh Yeon-soo), the elder brother who resents Jumong's rise to power, openly challenges Jumong's authority and demands to be recognized as the rightful king. Jumong tries to reason with Yuri and find a peaceful solution, but Yuri remains stubborn and hostile. He also gathers support from other nobles and generals who are dissatisfied with Jumong's leadership.

In the midst of this power struggle, Jumong faces another challenge: the threat of invasion from the Han dynasty, a powerful empire that seeks to gain control over the Korean peninsula. Jumong realizes that he cannot face the Han army alone and decides to seek help from his former ally, the neighboring kingdom of Okjeo. He sends Dae So (played by Park Tam-hee), one of his generals, to persuade Okjeo's king to form an alliance and fight against the Han. Dae So sets out on a perilous journey through the snow-covered mountains and hostile territory, facing many dangers and obstacles along the way.

The episode ends with Dae So reaching Okjeo's capital and presenting Jumong's proposal to the king. However, the king is hesitant and skeptical, and Dae So must use all his diplomatic and martial skills to convince him. The fate of Goguryeo hangs in the balance, as Jumong and his allies face their greatest challenge yet.

Overall, Jumong season 1 episode 23 is a thrilling and dramatic installment of the series, featuring epic battles, political intrigue, and personal conflicts. The show's strong cast and production values, combined with its rich historical context and engaging storytelling, make it a must-watch for fans of historical dramas and Korean television.