Let’s say you wake up one day, look at your life, look at your kingdom, and say, “Nah. Let’s just start from scratch.” That’s literally what King Taejo of Joseon did, except instead of rearranging his furniture or switching careers, he dismantled an entire dynasty and built a whole new one. Casual.

If you’re new here, King Taejo (born Yi Seong-gye) was the founding father of the Joseon Dynasty, the same dynasty that gave us Confucian bureaucracy, beautiful hanbok aesthetics, and yes, plenty of K-Drama plotlines with scheming queens, secret letters, and dramatic court politics.

But this king? He was giving main character energy before Netflix even existed, and here’s everything you should know about him.

From Military Boss to Monarchy Founder

Before he was king, Yi Seong-gye was basically the G.O.A.T. of Goryeo’s military. Man knew how to swing a sword and win wars like it was nothing. He led battles against Japanese pirates, defended borders from the north, and kept the country standing during chaotic times. He was loyal to Goryeo, yes, but even loyalty has its limits.

Then came the tea. The Goryeo rulers at the time were looking a bit clueless. Corruption was stinking up the palace halls like last week’s kimchi, and Mongol influences were all over the place. It was giving chaos. Well, Mr. Seong-gye wasn’t having it. In 1392, he pulled one of the biggest political reversals in Korean history. He said “nope” to the existing dynasty, gathered his receipts (and powerful allies), and established Joseon. He even renamed the country, moved the capital, and started laying the foundation for what would become Korea’s longest-lasting dynasty. Talk about a rebrand.

Family Feud (Call it ‘Joseon Edition’)

Now before you romanticize him too much, let me tell you, Taejo’s reign wasn’t just royal robes and nation building. The family drama was hotter than a bowl of Ramyeon. His own sons? Terrible people. The whole “who’s next in line” situation turned into a royal bloodbath. Taejo wanted a peaceful succession, maybe pass the crown to a beloved son from his second wife. But his fifth son Yi Bang-won (who later became King Taejong) was like, “Peace is nice, but power is better.” A few tragic eliminations later, including the death of that very son Taejo had favored, Papa Taejo was so heartbroken, he just resigned. Packed his kingly bags and said, “I’m out.” Honestly, I feel for him too. Imagine building a whole kingdom and not even being able to enjoy your retirement because your kids turned it into a Shakespearean tragedy.

The Legacy That Stayed Forever

But here’s the thing: Taejo might’ve bounced early, but his dynasty lived on for over 500 years. That’s half a millennium of Joseon-era vibes, Confucian values, strict court rituals, government reforms, and the blueprint for most of the historical dramas we obsess over today. Honestly, without Taejo, we wouldn’t even have had King Sejong (yes, the one who gave us Hangul), or any of the political tea served in dramas like “Secret Door” or “The Red Sleeve.” King Taejo was that one bold ancestor who didn’t just talk about change, he made it happen. He gave Korea a fresh page in its history book and set the tone for everything that came after. Sure, he had flaws (don’t we all?), but he earned his place on the royal MVP list.

Now, over to you, do you think King Taejo was a visionary king or just the ultimate soft quitter after his family betrayed him? Would you be brave enough to start a whole new dynasty? Let’s hear it in the comments.