I accidentally came across Korean sageuk years ago when I happened to catch part of Dae Jang Guem on tv. The brief glimpse tickled my interest. From then on, I began to pay attention to sageuk. I watched a few, either over the internet, tv or dvds. Of the Korean shows I sampled, I much prefer sageuk to contemporary dramas as I'm interested in history. However, sageuk are mostly not 100% historically accurate since producers/writers took artistic liberties. Sageuk are dramas after all, not history documentaries. However, I would look askance if they go overboard in their enthusiasm. In the few sageuk I've viewed so far, I haven't found one to take a club to. Yet.

The number of sageuk I've watched so far numbered less than the fingers on my hands. I didn't manage to finish some. Admiral Yi Sun-sin is one. Most of the older sageuk are hard to find. It's a pity most of them are out of print. Thus far, DJG, Painter of the Wind, Queen Seon Deok, Dong Yi are some my favourites.

As of 2018, I've to say I've lost sight of sageuk. The last two I have a glimpse of was Scandal in something. Another gender blend. The overall impression is a lighthearted romantic romp. Romance as the main theme is of little interest to me. Additionally, there's no down to earth approach in the gender blend portrayal. The other sageuk was Jeong Do-jeong. I thought it looked very promising but I didn't keep it in mind.

I was moved to write fanfic for POTW because of the way it ended. The conclusion was unsatisfactory. It's the same reason too for the current fanfic on Mass Effect I'm writing now under another nickname. The story of the Mass Effect Trilogy is largely engrossing until the last quarter when nothing makes sense any more. There is nothing more frustrating than to follow a story and the writers suddenly tossed you off the boat just when you see land, leaving you treading water in bewilderment. That is one major sin they never should have committed. They have successfully alienated part of their fan base and reconciliation for some, is impossible.

POTW, despite the way it ended, at least conclude in a fair manner. It didn't suddenly pull the carpet out from under viewers. However, it did leave the main char's fate unknown and a feeling of dissatisfaction. Hence, I decided to write a fanfic and pick up the story from *one of the two choices available. One story ended up five. I had decided to end at five but thought I would do a sort of prequel to the first story. I didn't finish it as by then, I was tired and desired a break. I never went back to it however, despite the ideas that I wanted to put down.

My choice

Two choices. Either Yunbok meet up with Jeonghyang or Kim Hongdo.

The second link up is difficult. Given Danwon Kim Hongdo's legacy and the way the tv drama panned out, this is neigh on improbable. Historically, not only did Kim Hongdo continued to paint and summit various pieces of art to Jeongjo, he was bestowed a rank and was sent to govern a province. It was at this time he fathered a son. It was noted that he was considered rather old by then. Furthermore, he was deemed inefficient in his duties and would have been charged but Jeongjo granted him amnesty. Later on, he was part of the group of artists commissioned to record the important journey to Hwaseong Fortress.

The canvas for such a combination is limited but then, my vision is probably narrow. If I have one fault, that's my attention to detail. When it comes to history, it's worse. Both men's contribution towards art in the reign of Jeongjo was significant. However, Shin Yunbok was largely overshadowed by Kim Hongdo.

Fanfics written so far :

Based on historical drama - POTW OIAS 1 to 5.

Based on computer game - Mass Effect Trilogy Pieces Old And New, Mass Effect Trilogy POaN Adnales, Dragon Age Inquisition Origin

Game Transcript - The Longest Journey. The original website has been deleted but someone managed to copy the whole lot in another format somewhere or so I heard. TLJ is admittedly the one that got me on the fanfic wagon.

Music to keep the beat going, the fire burning

Two Steps From Hell / Thomas Bergersen - all albums

Ivan Torrent - Light Crusaders, Remember Me, TH3 Awakening

The visions were never of the fanfics I'm working on. Rather, they were of the eternal battlegrounds, fire, light, dark, of the phoenix, of the firebird, of the worlds beyond, existence beyond the realms of human perception and imagination