tvN STORY's hit show "Naked Korean History" now available as a book.

“Korean history was so difficult
It becomes as exciting as a drama!”

tvN's STORY "Naked Korean History," which received attention for its high viewership ratings and buzz, is being published as a book.
〈Naked Korean History〉 is a historical storytelling show that strips bare the hidden stories of Korean history, one by one.
Choi Tae-seong, a leading Korean history lecturer with 6 million cumulative students, served as a guide and delivered a passionate lecture, earning praise as a trustworthy and premium Korean history lecture.

"Naked Korean History: People" is a history textbook that contains the stories of people who shook up our history among the fascinating scenes of Korean history introduced in "Naked Korean History."
From King Uija and Yi Seong-gye, who changed the fate of the nation, to King Yeonsangun and Eou-dong, who astonished the world, we delve into the inner workings of figures not taught in textbooks and the conflicts of interest surrounding them, breathing life into history.
As you read the story, which unfolds as if watching a drama, you will have the surprising experience of naturally understanding the historical facts you had been trying to memorize.

This book, which presents an immersive storytelling based on in-depth knowledge and clear commentary, is a new level of history education that instantly resolves the regret felt from existing stiff and difficult history books.
Whether you are new to Korean history or looking to learn more, you can enjoy history without any burden with 『Naked Korean History: People』.
We invite readers who want to get closer to history through a special time travel experience where they meet people from the past.

When we think of Yi Seong-gye, it's easy to think of him as the first king of Joseon, but in fact, he was Goryeo's greatest general, leading the way in defeating Japanese pirates.
He was a true hero of Goryeo, repelling not only the Japanese pirates but also the Red Turbans, the Jurchen tribe, and the Yuan army, protecting the territory and saving Goryeo.
In 1388, he disobeyed the royal order to conquer Liaodong, turned his horse around at Wihwado Island, and led his troops toward the capital city of Gaeseong.
After occupying the capital, he ascended to the throne and established Joseon.
Why did Yi Seong-gye, who risked his life fighting in every crisis, decide to abandon Goryeo and establish a new nation? We will now uncover the truth behind how Yi Seong-gye became a traitor to Goryeo.

---From "Chapter 1: The Naked King Taejo - Why did Lee Seong-gye disobey the royal order and turn his horse around?"

Gung Ye, who even began to suspect his closest confidant, Wang Geon, strengthened his reign of terror as if trying to shake off his growing anxiety.
People were dying every day.
Mrs. Kang, who could not stand to see Gung Ye's tyranny, cried and pleaded with her husband.
“Stop doing wrong!” Gung Ye became furious and suddenly accused his wife of the crime.
“I know my wife has been having an affair with another man.” He found out about his wife’s affair through the law of interest.
Kang said that such a thing would never happen, but Gung Ye would not listen to him.
Gung Ye, who interrogated his wife at Chugukjang, found her guilty, and in the end, Kang was executed.
And after his wife, he brutally beat his two sons to death.
The atrocity of killing even his own family can be said to be the decisive event that made Gung Ye remembered as a tyrant.

---From "Chapter 2 The Naked Tyrant - Why Couldn't Gung Ye Read Wang Geon's Mind"

Although King Uija lived as a conquering monarch for 15 of his 20-year reign, what many people think of when they hear his name is the image of a debauched monarch with three thousand court ladies.
Because he was the last king of Baekje who failed to protect his country, he is remembered only for enjoying luxury and pleasure, and he was given the harsh stigma of being like the Three Thousand Palace Maidens.
If King Uija had not lost his original intention, the fate of not only Baekje but also the three kingdoms might have been different.
Maintaining a healthy mindset consistently is not a virtue only for kings.
Why not take a moment to reflect on ourselves through the hidden stories of these people? This, too, is one of the many meanings of history.
---From "Chapter 3 The Naked Last King _ How did King Uija become the last king of Baekje?"

After the Gapjasahwa, King Yeonsangun ran wild like a locomotive without brakes.
He neglects state affairs and spends his time indulging in alcohol and women.
Yeonsangun named the gisaengs who gathered in each region 'Unpyeong', and among them, he selected the most beautiful ones who were good at dancing and singing and called them 'Heungcheong'.
Not only did he frequently bestow wealth and slaves on the Heungcheong, he also called their parents to Hanyang and bought them houses and land.
Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, where the king administered state affairs, became playgrounds for Yeonsangun and his followers.
We also enjoyed boating on the pond.
The word 'Heungcheongmangcheong' originated from here.

---From "Chapter 5 The Naked Deposed King - Why Did Yeonsangun Go Mad?"

There are many interpretations of the death of the Crown Prince, but this much is certain.
If we ignore the royal background and view King Yeongjo and Crown Prince Sado only as an ordinary father-son relationship, the death of Crown Prince Sado will inevitably remain a mystery.
Because the royal family is a place that revolves around political interests.
Prince Sado was also a son who initially grew up receiving all of his father's favor.
It's not just a normal father-son relationship, it's a king-crown relationship.
The death of Prince Sado is an event that can only be understood when considering political interests.
If you look at history with this kind of exploratory perspective, you will be able to understand even incomprehensible people and events more deeply.

---From "Chapter 6 The Naked Crown Prince - Why Did Crown Prince Sado Have to Die in a Rice Chest?"

Why did King Sejong, who loved and cared for his people with a spirit of patriotism, show such a cold side to his daughters-in-law? Perhaps because he was the third son of the king, lacking the right to the throne, he desired both his country and his family to conform to his Confucian ideals.
Sejong did not only take care of state affairs with the spirit of long-term prosperity.
Because he considered the family as an area that he had to govern, he intervened in his son and daughter-in-law's problems as if he were watching over their affairs.
It may be difficult to accept from a modern perspective, but Sejong, as both king and head of the household, pursued a royal family that was fully Confucian.
---From "Chapter 7 The Naked King _ How did King Sejong kick out his four daughters-in-law?"

Despite the royal decree to reunite, the husband abandoned his wife, and her parents failed to warmly embrace their daughter.
The maid's promise to introduce a good man who could be her spouse was a shocking proposition, hard to imagine in the Joseon Dynasty, but it was also a tempting offer to Eou-dong, who was just sighing alone.
Awoodong eventually accepted the maid's secret proposal.
Although it was difficult for her to remarry because she was not officially divorced, she chose to live a completely different life than before instead of maintaining the life of a woman from a noble family.

---From "Chapter 8: The Naked Scandal Maker - Did Awoo-dong Really Commit a Mortal Sin"