[Drama catnip] Swordplay of the ancient era

by Guest Beanie

Sword fights have always been a point of interest to me, and have always been a factor I considered before watching a K-drama. But if you throw in a swordswoman character, it’s definitely a must-watch for me. It’s only been six years since I began watching modern K-dramas without prejudice, but sageuks have always been — and will always be — my thing.

However, in all honesty, recent sageuks are lacking in the fighting department. The choreography might have improved, but there is far less time spent with these kinds of scenes. I miss the good old days of Age of Warriors, Yeon Gaesumun, Gwanggaeto the Great Conqueror, Jumong, Queen Seondeok, Iron Empress, et al. I hoped Alchemy of Souls would deliver on this end, but somehow I stopped wishing and began savoring the breadcrumbs. The scene where Jin Cho-yeon is fighting a lost battle to save her father’s life — in full wedding garb — is one of the crumbs I rewind to savor to my satisfaction.

Swordplay is all about heightened adrenaline, and I find it more interesting to watch a character fight for survival using swords and knives than other weapons and modes of fighting. Many a time, the action in a present-day story that leads to the end of a fight scene isn’t action enough, but in sagueks, we get to see blade-clashes and blade-clangs. And, when it’s a series with great direction and choreography, we get to enjoy the beauty and elegance of swordplay. Seeing characters fight to preserve their lives with such grace and class seals the deal for me each time.

Jumong (the hero from Jumong) was the character that set the bar for swordsmen in my K-drama journey — and yes, many have come and gone. But since then, two have made solid impressions as good fighters, even besting Jumong: Munno from Queen Seondeok and Sagal Hyeon from Gwanggaeto the Great Conqueror. In Queen Seondeok, we got to enjoy Munno singlehandedly defending and rescuing a baby, as well as beating a troop of soldiers without his sword in hand. Sagal Hyeon also made an impact — especially with his introduction to the series where he went from helping the king fight off a bunch of soldiers, to having a one-on-one as soon as the soldiers were cleared. Munno and Sagal Hyeon were both both fierce defenders up until their dying breaths.

But there are also favorite swordswomen characters, and number one is our lady in white, Cheok Sa Kwang, effortlessly played by Han Ye-ri in Six Flying Dragons. She maintains the top spot. Anytime she wields the sword using the deadly Goksan Technique, we all know who’s going down and it’s definitely not her. The aura she carried as a wielder of the sword has etched her name in my K-drama history as a badass swordswoman.

My final favorite swordswoman is Du-yan in Iron Empress. She had great stealth, and her reputation preceded her — only a few men could defeat her in her home country. She was a master of the art of the blade, and stood her ground against the elite Goryeo warriors.

In addition to being skilled and heroic, something unique to all four of these sword-wielders is that they weren’t rough fighters. Gentleness and grace emanated from them when in they were in action. They all lived by the sword. All but one of them died by the sword. Yet, one thing is sure – in life or in death, these four followers of the way of the blade could defend their titles and win.

Buzz Pinay Daily

Subscribe Us

[Drama catnip] Swordplay of the ancient era