Changes: Ga Guk

Revision as of 14:51, 20 April 2020

Ga Guk (Korean: 가궄; Hanja: 佳國) is the central setting of the Twelve Nights series. The current government is headed by King Jin Jeok, succeeding his half-brother Jin Won through a revolt by Deung Ha Bul Myung. Its capital is Hyang Ju.

History

Reign of Jin Hyul

In the past, Ga Guk was a small nation situated at the center of the continent. Ga Guk dreamt of a land where they could live in comfort and ease, away from the rugged mountains, barren soil, and cold climate. In order to find this land, they embarked on countless campaigns to expand their territory.

In the process, they strengthened the power of their nation. This war of expansion continued for one hundred years. Once they captured Ja Eui, Yoon Yeon Lee's mother country, they conquered the neighboring territories as well. As a result, Ga Guk, which had been regarded as a lesser power during King Jin Hyul's reign, was transformed into a powerful nation. Historically, this became known as the Hundred Year's War.^[1] After its expansion, Ga Guk became a powerful nation and enjoyed peace and prosperity.^[2]

Reign of Jin Won

Some time later, Jin Hyul acquired an illness and eventually succumbed to his death. Following the monarch's death ten years prior to the series timeline, Yoon Yeon Lee orchestrated the Jeogwa Revolution, notably aided by Yoo Ja Gyeom and Baek Yoo Shin.^[3]^[4] This resulted to the purge of the Bi Yeong Ship Mu, the assassination of Ahn Young, and the deposition of the crown prince Yi Jeok and his decoy Yi Hwi from the palace. Moreover, Jin Hyul's son Yi Won, no more than 10 years old then, succeeded him as the 13^th King of Ga Guk. His mother, Queen Dowager Yoon Yeon Lee, mostly controlled the affairs of the state as his regent until he turned 20 years old.^[1]

In the early stages of Jin Won's reign, the newly-instated Bi Yeong Pal Mu searched for the missing crown prince upon orders of the queen dowager. Minister Seon Woo Seo In, a loyal minister of Ahn Young, devised a plan that would keep the crown prince's identity safe from the erstwhile government. Hwi, his twin brother (albeit unbeknownst to Jeok upon separation at birth), assumed the role of crown prince as Jin Yeon, while Jeok would serve as his loyal servant until he is to claim back the throne. Hwi then fabricated the persona of the Crimson Moon, a notorious vigilante and founder of the rebel army meant to take back the throne.

Jin Won's reign was characterized by his notable indolent, irresponsible, and tyrannical behavior along with his lowly lineage. These earned the disappointment of his ministers, making them lose confidence in the Royal Family.

Sometime after the period of the king's bridal selection, the rebel army orchestrated its revolt in the palace. This resulted to the assassination of Jin Won at the hands of Jin Yeon (his half-brother Hwi), as well as the deaths of Yeon Lee, Ja Gyeom, Yoo Shin, and countless others. With the success of the rebel army's revolt, Crown Prince Jeok succeeds Jin Won as King Jin Jeok, the 14^th King of Ga Guk.

Villages

So far in the series, there are two villages mentioned in Ga Guk. They are:

Culture

Festival

Every year on the day of the first full moon, a festival is held in Hyang Ju when people would make wishes whilst stepping on water reflecting the moon. Those of illustrious birth and nobility use the ponds within their homes or goblets as a substitute to make their wishes. Though they considerably spend the holiday in elegance, the common people of the capital spend the holiday more merrily and with much noise, typically all gathered together.

Landmarks

Bi Hwa Rim

Main article: Bi Hwa Rim
Bi Hwa Rim is a ravine located beyond mountains where most members of the Royal Family, prior to the coup d'état, spent their time for leisure. This place is where the major characters encounter one another frequently. Eventually, Bi Hwa Rim served as the headquarters of the rebel army after being relatively forgotten by the Royal Family.

Hwa Gwi Cheon

Hwa Gwi Cheon is a river that encircles Hyang Ju.

Inn

This inn is where Jang Rok Ha temporarily stayed in Ga Guk from Seo Seo. Here, Jang Rei, together with her bodyguard Gwak Ji Ryeon, settles some matters with Rok Ha.

Jin Hee Palace

Main article: Jin Hee Palace
Jin Hee Palace serves as the seat of the crown of Ga Guk. It is the official residence of the reigning monarch and its Royal Family. Within the palace, there are many buildings established.

Ju Wah Ae Rim

Main article: Ju Wah Ae Rim
Ju Wah Ae Rim is known for its pleasure quarters where gisaeng entertain guests. Considered as a red-light district where the gisaeng house Yu Hyang Ru and Ju Cheon Inn are situated.

Marketplace

The marketplace is where Won, during his excursions, usually plays the water beetle game (물방개놀이, mul bang gae nori). A roulette-type game using living beetles, it is a primarily a betting game: if the number matches where the beetle swims to, ten times the bet's amount is won by the player. If the color is also guessed correctly, twice the amount is also won by the player. The marketplace also houses a store where Hong's paintings are sold.

Physician Kim's Clinic

During the outbreak of the plague, people living in Moon's End Village rushed over to this clinic to receive medication. To their dismay, Physician Kim has left the place. In this regard, physician Ma Mi Song took over the clinic to help the sick villagers. Dan Ah, Sori, Hwi, and two children, as well as Won and Baek Ryung, assisted the villagers.

Physician Ma's Clinic

After retiring as a royal physician, Ma Mi Song built his own clinic (where he also lives) in service of the people. This is also the place where Won brought two women because of their external wounds.

Prime Minister's House

This house is where Ja Gyeom, Dan Ah, and their servants reside. This is also where the compact was transferred from the queen dowager's quarters, only for it to be stolen by the Crimson Moon and his men.

Upon taking her duty as Dan Ah's teacher, Nabi frequents the prime minister's residence to mentor the latter's daughter before entering the palace.

Prison

The prison is where fugitives and criminals are imprisoned, sometimes before their execution. This is also where Sa Baek Hwa, her mother, and her brother are imprisoned after the arrest of their father Sa Hwa Hyeon for treason. Moreover, following Hyun Bin's son's poisoning incident and death, suspected criminals were jailed and interrogated in the prison, including Dan Ah, Nabi, and, later, the prime minister.

Valley of the Emperors

The Valley of the Emperors is mentioned by Hyun Bin where she and the queen dowager went to make an offering to their ancestors. Because of the infrequent visits by the Royal Family, bandits are frequently seen in the valley.

Yeon Wol Jung

Yeon Wol Jung is a pavilion near a river where Won and Dan Ah stayed together, with the latter treating Won a drink as compensation for "hiding" Dan Ah from her servants.

Yu Hyang Ru

Main article: Yu Hyang Ru
Yu Hyang Ru was the main gisaeng house in Ju Wah Ae Rim. It was owned by Wol Young Hwa and where key members of Deung Ha Bul Myung convened for meetings, including Nabi, Jeok, Baek Ho, Mu Jin, Seol Hwa, and Young Hwa. Nabi also frequently stayed in a pavilion near a pond located in Yu Hyang Ru which are said to be built by So Wang Ya of Seo Seo to gain her favor, only to leave empty-handed.

Some time during Jin Won's reign, Yu Hyang Ru was razed to the ground after getting information of the gisaeng house's alleged affiliation with rebels.

Groups

Within Ga Guk, there are various groups with different purposes which are formed. The following are:

Trivia

The name "Ga Guk" means "beautiful country".
- However, "Ga Guk" is a homonym that can also mean "fake country".

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Twelve Nights webtoon, Chapter 2
↑ Twelve Nights webtoon, Chapter 89
↑ Twelve Nights prologue
↑ Twelve Nights webtoon, Chapter 88

[Ch2-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Twelve Nights webtoon, Chapter 2

[2] Twelve Nights webtoon, Chapter 89

[3] Twelve Nights prologue

[4] Twelve Nights webtoon, Chapter 88

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Ga Gook 3.png|250px|thumb|An overview of Ga Guk]]
-'''Ga Guk''' (Korean: 가궄; Hanja: 佳國) is the central setting of the ''[[Twelve Nights]]'' series. The current government is headed by [[Yi Won|Emperor Jin Won]], but his mother, [[Yoon Yeon Lee|Empress Dowager Yoon Yeon Lee]], mostly controls the affairs of the state. Its capital is Hyang Ju. Ever since the coup d'état ten years ago, the current enemy of the state is the [[Crimson Moon]] who is actually [[Yi Hwi|Crown Prince Jin Yeon]].
+'''Ga Guk''' (Korean: 가궄; Hanja: 佳國) is the central setting of the ''[[Twelve Nights]]'' series. The current government is headed by King [[Yi Jeok|Jin Jeok]], succeeding his half-brother [[Yi Won|Jin Won]] through a revolt by [[Deung Ha Bul Myung]]. Its capital is Hyang Ju.
 ==History==
+=== Reign of Jin Hyul ===
-[[File:Map.png|200px|left|thumb|Ga Guk's expansion]]
+[[File:Ga_Guk's_expansion.png|200px|left|thumb|Ga Guk's expansion]]
-In the past, Ga Guk was a small nation situated at the center of the continent. Ga Guk dreamt of a land where they could live in comfort and ease, away from the rugged mountains, barren soil, and cold climate. In order to find this land, they embarked on countless campaigns to expand their territory. In the process, they strengthened the power of their nation. This war of expansion continued for one hundred years. Once they captured Ja Eui, Yoon Yeon Lee's mother country, they conquered the neighboring territories as well. And thus, Ga Guk, which had been regarded as a lesser power during Emperor [[Yi Hyul|Jin Hyul]]'s reign, was transformed into a powerful nation. History calls this "The Hundred Year's War."<ref>''Twelve Nights'' manhwa, Chapter 2</ref>
+In the past, Ga Guk was a small nation situated at the center of the continent. Ga Guk dreamt of a land where they could live in comfort and ease, away from the rugged mountains, barren soil, and cold climate. In order to find this land, they embarked on countless campaigns to expand their territory.
-<br><br><br>
+In the process, they strengthened the power of their nation. This war of expansion continued for one hundred years. Once they captured Ja Eui, [[Yoon Yeon Lee]]'s mother country, they conquered the neighboring territories as well. As a result, Ga Guk, which had been regarded as a lesser power during King [[Yi Hyul|Jin Hyul]]'s reign, was transformed into a powerful nation. Historically, this became known as the Hundred Year's War.<ref name="Ch2">''Twelve Nights'' webtoon, Chapter 2</ref> After its expansion, Ga Guk became a powerful nation and enjoyed peace and prosperity.<ref>''Twelve Nights'' webtoon, Chapter 89</ref>
+=== Reign of Jin Won ===
+Some time later, Jin Hyul acquired an illness and eventually succumbed to his death. Following the monarch's death ten years prior to the series timeline, Yoon Yeon Lee orchestrated the Jeogwa Revolution, notably aided by [[Yoo Ja Gyeom]] and [[Baek Yoo Shin]].<ref>''Twelve Nights'' prologue</ref><ref>''Twelve Nights'' webtoon, Chapter 88</ref> This resulted to the purge of the [[Bi Yeong Ship Mu]], the assassination of Ahn Young, and the deposition of the crown prince [[Yi Jeok]] and his decoy [[Yi Hwi]] from the [[Jin Hee Palace|palace]]. Moreover, Jin Hyul's son [[Yi Won]], no more than 10 years old then, succeeded him as the 13<sup>th</sup> King of Ga Guk. His mother, Queen Dowager Yoon Yeon Lee, mostly controlled the affairs of the state as his regent until he turned 20 years old.<ref name="Ch2"/>
+In the early stages of Jin Won's reign, the newly-instated [[Bi Yeong Pal Mu]] searched for the missing crown prince upon orders of the queen dowager. Minister [[Seon Woo Seo In]], a loyal minister of Ahn Young, devised a plan that would keep the crown prince's identity safe from the erstwhile government. Hwi, his twin brother (albeit unbeknownst to Jeok upon separation at birth), assumed the role of crown prince as Jin Yeon, while Jeok would serve as his loyal servant until he is to claim back the throne. Hwi then fabricated the persona of the [[Crimson Moon]], a notorious vigilante and founder of the rebel army meant to take back the throne.
+Jin Won's reign was characterized by his notable indolent, irresponsible, and tyrannical behavior along with his lowly lineage. These earned the disappointment of his ministers, making them lose confidence in the [[Royal Family of Ga Guk|Royal Family]].
+Sometime after the period of the king's bridal selection, the rebel army orchestrated its revolt in the palace. This resulted to the assassination of Jin Won at the hands of Jin Yeon (his half-brother Hwi), as well as the deaths of Yeon Lee, Ja Gyeom, Yoo Shin, and countless others. With the success of the rebel army's revolt, Crown Prince Jeok succeeds Jin Won as King Jin Jeok, the 14<sup>th</sup> King of Ga Guk.
 ==Villages==
 So far in the series, there are two villages mentioned in Ga Guk. They are:
-* [[Shadow Village]]
 * [[Moon's End Village]]
+* [[Shadow Village]]
-==Culture==
+== Culture ==
 ===Festival===
 [[File:Ga Guk.png|200px|thumb|Ga Guk's festival]]
-Every year, on the day of the first full moon, in the capital of Ga Guk, a festival was held where people make wishes whilst stepping in the water reflecting the moon. Those of illustrious birth and nobility use the ponds within their homes or goblets as a substitute to make their wishes. And although they spend the holiday in elegance, the common people spend the holiday more merrily and with much noise, all gathered together.
+Every year on the day of the first full moon, a festival is held in Hyang Ju when people would make wishes whilst stepping on water reflecting the moon. Those of illustrious birth and nobility use the ponds within their homes or goblets as a substitute to make their wishes. Though they considerably spend the holiday in elegance, the common people of the capital spend the holiday more merrily and with much noise, typically all gathered together.
 ==Landmarks==
 ===Bi Hwa Rim===
-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>''Main article: [[Bi Hwa Rim]]''</small>''<br />''Bi Hwa Rim is a ravine located beyond mountains where most members of the [[Imperial Family of Ga Guk|Imperial Family]], prior to the coup d'état, spent their time for leisure. This place is where the major characters encounter one another frequently. Currently, Bi Hwa Rim serves as the headquarters of the [[Deung Ha Bul Myung|rebel army]].
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>''Main article: [[Bi Hwa Rim]]''</small>''<br />''Bi Hwa Rim is a ravine located beyond mountains where most members of the [[Royal Family of Ga Guk|Royal Family]], prior to the coup d'état, spent their time for leisure. This place is where the major characters encounter one another frequently. Eventually, Bi Hwa Rim served as the headquarters of the [[Deung Ha Bul Myung|rebel army]] after being relatively forgotten by the Royal Family.
 ===Hwa Gwi Cheon===
 Hwa Gwi Cheon is a river that encircles Hyang Ju.
 ===Inn===
+[[File:Rok Ha's residence.png|200px|thumb|left]]
-[[File:Rok Ha's residence.png|250px|thumb|left]] This is where [[Jang Rok Ha]] temporarily stayed in Ga Guk. Here, Jang Rei, together with her bodyguard [[Gwak Ji Ryeon]], "settles" matters with Rok Ha. <br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+This inn is where [[Jang Rok Ha]] temporarily stayed in Ga Guk from [[Seo Seo]]. Here, [[Jang Rei]], together with her bodyguard [[Gwak Ji Ryeon]], settles some matters with Rok Ha.
+{{clear}}
 ===Jin Hee Palace===
-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>''Main article: [[Jin Hee Palace]]''</small>''<br />''Jin Hee Palace serves as the seat of the crown of Ga Guk. It is the official residence of the reigning monarch and its Imperial Family. Within the palace, there are many buildings established.
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>''Main article: [[Jin Hee Palace]]''</small><br />
+Jin Hee Palace serves as the seat of the crown of Ga Guk. It is the official residence of the reigning monarch and its Royal Family. Within the palace, there are many buildings established.
 ===Ju Wah Ae Rim===
-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>''Main article: [[Ju Wah Ae Rim]]''</small>''<br />''Ju Wah Ae Rim is known for its pleasure quarters where ''<font color="gold">{{Note|gisaeng|A female Korean courtesan and artist who works to entertain others}}</font>'' entertain guests. This is also called the Red Light District where [[Yu Hyang Ru]] and Ju Cheon Inn are situated.
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>''Main article: [[Ju Wah Ae Rim]]''</small>''<br />''Ju Wah Ae Rim is known for its pleasure quarters where ''<font color="f5ab09">{{Note|gisaeng|A female Korean courtesan and artist who works to entertain others}}</font>'' entertain guests. Considered as a [[wikipedia:Red-light district|red-light district]] where the gisaeng house [[Yu Hyang Ru]] and Ju Cheon Inn are situated.
 ===Marketplace===
-The marketplace is where Yi Won usually plays the Water Beetle Game (''Mul Bang Gae Nori''), a roulette-type game using living beetles. In the manhwa, the old gamemaster describes the game as: if the number matches, ten times the amount of the bet will be won by the player; even if the color is guessed correctly, twice the amount will be won as well. Also, a certain store here sells Hong's paintings.
+The marketplace is where Won, during his excursions, usually plays the water beetle game (물방개놀이, ''mul bang gae nori''). A roulette-type game using living beetles, it is a primarily a betting game: if the number matches where the beetle swims to, ten times the bet's amount is won by the player. If the color is also guessed correctly, twice the amount is also won by the player. The marketplace also houses a store where Hong's paintings are sold.
 ===Physician Kim's Clinic===
+[[File:Physician Kim's House.png|200px|thumb]]
-[[File:Physician Kim's House.png|200px|thumb]] During the outbreak of the plague, people living in Moon's End Village rushed over to this clinic to receive medication. To their dismay, Physician Kim has left the place. In this regard, Ma Mi Song took over the clinic to help the sick villagers. Dan Ah, [[Sori]], Yi Hwi, and the [[Chung|two]] [[Woon|children]] as well as Yi Won and [[Baek Ryung]] assisted the villagers.<br><br>
+During the outbreak of the plague, people living in Moon's End Village rushed over to this clinic to receive medication. To their dismay, Physician Kim has left the place. In this regard, physician [[Ma Mi Song]] took over the clinic to help the sick villagers. Dan Ah, [[Sori]], Hwi, and [[Chung|two]] [[Woon|children]], as well as Won and [[Baek Ryung]], assisted the villagers.
 ===Physician Ma's Clinic===
+[[File:Physician Ma's House.png|200px|thumb|left]]
-[[File:Physician Ma's House.png|200px|thumb|left]] After retiring as a royal physician, [[Ma Mi Song]] built his own clinic (where he also lives) in service of the people. This is also the place where Yi Won brought [[Nabi|two]] [[Yoo Dan Ah|women]] because of their external wounds.<br><br><br><br><br>
+After retiring as a royal physician, Ma Mi Song built his own clinic (where he also lives) in service of the people. This is also the place where Won brought [[Nabi|two]] [[Yoo Dan Ah|women]] because of their external wounds.{{clear}}
 ===Prime Minister's House===
+[[File:Prime Minister Residence 2.png|200px|thumb]]
-[[File:Prime Minister Residence 2.png|200px|thumb]] This house is where [[Yoo Ja Gyeom]], Yoo Dan Ah, and their servants reside. This is where the [[Compact|compact]] was transferred from the Empress Dowager's quarters, but was stolen by the Crimson Moon and his men.
+This house is where Ja Gyeom, Dan Ah, and their servants reside. This is also where the [[Compact|compact]] was transferred from the queen dowager's quarters, only for it to be stolen by the Crimson Moon and his men.
-<br><br><br><br>
+Upon taking her duty as Dan Ah's teacher, Nabi frequents the prime minister's residence to mentor the latter's daughter before entering the palace.
 ===Prison===
 [[File:Prison.png|200px|thumb|left]]
-The prison is where fugitives and criminals are imprisoned. This is also where [[Sa Baek Hwa]], her mother, and her [[Hyun|brother]] are imprisoned after the arrest of Minister Sa Hwa Hyeon for treason.
+The prison is where fugitives and criminals are imprisoned, sometimes before their execution. This is also where [[Sa Baek Hwa]], her mother, and her [[Hyun|brother]] are imprisoned after the arrest of their father Sa Hwa Hyeon for treason. Moreover, following Hyun Bin's son's poisoning incident and death, suspected criminals were jailed and interrogated in the prison, including Dan Ah, Nabi, and, later, the prime minister.
+{{clear}}
-<br><br><br><br><br>
 ===Valley of the Emperors===
-The Valley of the Emperors is mentioned by [[Jang Rei]] where she and Yoon Yeon Lee went to make an offering to their ancestors. Because of the infrequent visits by the Imperial Family, bandits are frequently seen in the valley.
+The Valley of the Emperors is mentioned by Hyun Bin where she and the queen dowager went to make an offering to their ancestors. Because of the infrequent visits by the Royal Family, bandits are frequently seen in the valley.
 ===Yeon Wol Jung===
-Yeon Wol Jung is a pavilion near a river where Yi Won and Dan Ah stayed together, with the latter treating Yi Won a drink as compensation for "hiding" Dan Ah from her servants.
+Yeon Wol Jung is a pavilion near a river where Won and Dan Ah stayed together, with the latter treating Won a drink as compensation for "hiding" Dan Ah from her servants.
 ===Yu Hyang Ru===
-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>''Main article: [[Yu Hyang Ru]]''</small>''<br />''
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>''Main article: [[Yu Hyang Ru]]''</small><br>
-Yu Hyang Ru is the main gisaeng house in Ju Wah Ae Rim. It is owned by [[Sa Baek Hwa|Wol Young Hwa]]. This is also where the key members of Deung Ha Bul Myung stay for meetings such as Nabi, [[Yi Jeok]], [[Baek Ho]], [[Mu Jin]], [[Seol Hwa]], and Young Hwa. Nabi also stays in a pavilion near a pond located in Yu Hyang Ru which are said to be built by So Wang Ya of [[Seo Seo]] to gain her favor, but he left empty-handed.
+Yu Hyang Ru was the main gisaeng house in Ju Wah Ae Rim. It was owned by [[Sa Baek Hwa|Wol Young Hwa]] and where key members of Deung Ha Bul Myung convened for meetings, including Nabi, Jeok, [[Baek Ho]], [[Mu Jin]], [[Seol Hwa]], and Young Hwa. Nabi also frequently stayed in a pavilion near a pond located in Yu Hyang Ru which are said to be built by So Wang Ya of Seo Seo to gain her favor, only to leave empty-handed.
+Some time during Jin Won's reign, Yu Hyang Ru was razed to the ground after getting information of the gisaeng house's alleged affiliation with rebels.
 ==Groups==
 Within Ga Guk, there are various groups with different purposes which are formed. The following are:
-* [[Imperial Family of Ga Guk|Imperial Family]]
 * [[Bi Yeong Pal Mu]]
-* [[Deung Ha Bul Myung]]
 * [[Bi Yeong Ship Mu]]
+* [[Deung Ha Bul Myung]]
+* [[Royal Family of Ga Guk|Royal Family]]
 ==Trivia==