Jumong Complete Box Set (Episodes 1 to 81 End) Korean audio with English Subtitle (NTSC All Region)

Jumong stands as a monumental achievement in Korean historical drama, offering an epic retelling of the life of its titular character, Jumong Taewang, the legendary founder of the Goguryeo kingdom around 37 BCE. As you noted, the series is indeed great, captivating audiences with its grand scale, intricate plotlines, and compelling character development. Strengths of the Series: Epic Storytelling: The drama masterfully chronicles Jumong's tumultuous journey – from a somewhat naive and overlooked prince in the kingdom of Buyeo, overshadowed by his capable step-brothers Daeso and Youngpo, to a skilled warrior and visionary leader. It covers his discovery of his true parentage (son of the legendary Hae Mo-su), his trials and tribulations, his exile, his complex relationships (notably with Lady Soseono and Lady Yesoya), and his ultimate destiny: uniting disparate tribes and establishing a new nation, Goguryeo, one of the foundational Three Kingdoms of Korea. Character Development: Song Il-gook's portrayal of Jumong is central to the series' success. We witness his evolution from uncertainty to unwavering resolve. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, with complex motivations, loyalties, and rivalries that drive the political intrigue and personal drama. Figures like Soseono, Daeso, King Geumwa, and Jumong's loyal companions add depth and richness to the narrative. Production Value: For its time (originally aired 2006-2007), Jumong boasted impressive production values. The costumes, set designs, large-scale battle sequences, and depiction of ancient Korean life contribute significantly to the immersive experience. Historical & Cultural Significance: While taking dramatic liberties, the series sheds light on a crucial period in Korean history, exploring themes of leadership, sacrifice, national identity, and the struggle for freedom and self-determination. It brought the story of Jumong and the founding of Goguryeo to a massive international audience. Regarding the English Subtitles: The subtitles for Jumong are generally functional, allowing viewers to follow the main plot points, understand who is allied with whom, and grasp the major conflicts and resolutions. As you said, they keep the audience "up to date on the story line." However, they often fall short of capturing the full richness of the original Korean dialogue. Here's what can be missed: Nuance and Subtlety: Complex wordplay, honorifics (which convey social status and relationships), cultural references, and the specific emotional tone of the dialogue can be lost in translation. Subtitles often prioritize conveying the core meaning over linguistic artistry. Character Depth: Sometimes, a character's personality, intelligence, or hidden motives are revealed through specific word choices or turns of phrase in Korean, which a more basic translation might not fully convey. Cultural Context: Idioms or expressions rooted in Korean culture might be translated literally or simplified, potentially losing their intended impact or deeper meaning. Conclusion: Despite the limitations of the English subtitles, Jumong remains a highly recommended series. Its compelling narrative, strong performances, and epic scope make it a standout historical drama. While viewers relying on subtitles might miss some of the finer linguistic and cultural nuances, the core story of perseverance, leadership, and nation-building shines through powerfully. It's a rewarding watch for anyone interested in historical epics, Korean history, or simply a grand, character-driven adventure. The subtitles are sufficient to enjoy the sweeping saga, even if they don't capture every layer of the original dialogue.

An exceptional TV series. I can't recommend "Jumong" enough! It is worth every penny of the purchase price! The screenplays/writing for each segment is top-notch, and the plot has just the right amount of complexity. There is romance, unrequited love, political and palace intrigue, battle scenes, swordplay, humor and pathos, beautiful cinematography, attention to architectural and costume authenticity and detail, exceptional performances by actors/actresses - all these ingredients make this period in Korean history come alive. This series makes you want to further research the legend of Jumong and the beginnings of Goguryeo. Every country and people of the world has such a rich cultural and historic heritage of which to be proud. This "Jumong" series surely exemplifies Korean culture, history, and people!

Better than the original one. Hardly shows repeats

Jumong is the sweeping story of tribal and regional conflict in ancient Korea. It has court intrigues, multiple love stories, frequent political plots, noble heroes and interesting villains, plenty of do-or-die battles, and hanging over all the threat of the Han Chinese and their technologically advanced steel weaponry. It's immersive and addictive, the TV equivalent of that novel you keep reading because you can't wait to see what happens next. I rented few discs out of curiosity and finished just one before I had to buy it and see the whole glorious thing. Viewers who don't like Downton Abbey or other similar miniseries will not like this. Those who love to binge-watch a "good-read" will like it a lot.

I recently finished watching all 81 episodes of Jumong. Without question, one of the best productions I've ever seen, far superior to anything out of Hollywood. Granted the sub-titles can be awful with the cheeper sets (unless you happen to be fluent in Korean). I would recommend you choose the seller "Kona & More" on Amazon if you have the chance. I initally ordered a cheeper set and found the "english subtiles" to be anything but English. When I gave "Kona & More" a neutral rating they were all over it. They were determaned to make me satisfied. They did. They immediately shipped me a more expensive version with great English subtitles. Once the subtitle issue was settled, I'm sorry I've finished the 81st episode. It's the kind of sadness when you've finished a really great book, or movie.

Whether you are a new or an old fan of Korean historical videos, this series will not disappoint you. Even though, it has 81 episodes, you will be amazed at the story line, the actors’ performances as well as the scenery and direction. Jumong is indeed a masterpiece!

After reading mixed reviews re: the quality of the dvds, I was hesitant to purchase Jumong, although I have been wanting it for quite a while. BUT I saw a familiar seller who had this product. timothyng001. I communicated my concerns and was reassured that Jumong was the “real” deal. I ordered it and received it in a matter of a few days and I have NO regrets!! You can tell right off it’s an original boxed set packed nicely. Keeping in mind when this series was made, the picture quality is excellent, English subtitles very good and this series, of course, speaks for itself. I trust the seller I purchased Jumong from (timothyng001) and will not hesitate to buy from them again!

The stories in themselves are great. I was very disappointed in the quality of the video within the DVD's. Not at all clear. Just started the first DVD and there is a water mark splash that came across as I was watching. Its as if someone downloaded the show from Youtube, burned them to a DVD and sold them on Amazon. Extremely disappointed. I may search Youtube for better quality.