The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won () is a South Korean television series starring Joo Sang-wook in the title role. With this series, KBS is reviving the historical drama series after 5 years, as the last KBS historical series Jang Yeong-sil was aired in 2016. The series depicts the story of Yi Bang-won, the third king of Joseon, from a new perspective (unrelated to 1996-98 TV series Tears of the Dragon). It premiered on KBS1 December 11, 2021 and aired on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:40 (KST) till May 1, 2022.
Synopsis
The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won sheds new light on leader Yi Bang-won, who took the initiative to establish the Empire of Joseon during the end of the Goryeo Dynasty and early Joseon Dynasty when the ancient order of Goryeo was destroyed and the new order of Joseon was created.
Cast
Main
Joo Sang-wook as Yi Bang-won, King Taejong, the 3rd King of Joseon. Known as "Duke Jeongan" (정안공, 靖安公). Kim Young-chul as Yi Seong-gye, King Taejo, the founder and 1st King of Joseon. Park Jin-hee as Queen Wongyeong, the 3rd Queen Consort of Joseon. Ye Ji-won as Queen Sindeok, the 1st Queen Consort of Joseon.
Supporting
Queen Shinui's family
Um Hyo-sup as Yi Bang-woo, "Grand Prince Jinan" (진안대군, 鎭安大君). Kim Myung-soo as Yi Bang-gwa, King Jeongjong, the 2nd King of Joseon. "Prince Yeong-an" (영안군, 永安君). Hong Kyung-in as Yi Bang-ui, "Grand Prince Ik-ahn" (익안대군, 益安大君). Jo Soon-chang as Yi Bang-gan, "Grand Prince Hoi-an" (회안대군, 懷安大君). Kim Chae-rin as Princess Gyeongshin, Yi Seong-gye and Queen Sinui's 1st daughter. Cheon Ji-won as Princess Gyeongseon, Yi Seong-gye and Queen Sinui's 2nd daughter. Kim Seo-yeon as Queen Jeongan, the 2nd Queen Consort of Joseon.
Queen Sindeok's family
Oh Seung-joon as Yi Bang-beon, Yi Seong-gye's 7th son from Queen Sindeok. Hong Dong-young as young Yi Bang-beon Kim Jin-sung as Yi Bang-seok Jang Jae-ha as young Yi Bang-seok Yi Seong-gye's 8th son from Queen Sindeok, Yi Bang-won's half little brother and Joseon's first crown prince. Jang Tae-hoon as Yi Je, Princess Gyeongsun's husband. Choi Da-hye as Princess Gyeongsun, Yi Seong-gye and Queen Sindeok's daughter. Lee Ha-eun as Lady Ryu Hyun-bin As Bang-seok's wife, she later causes an adultery case with the eunuch Yi Man. Han Yoon-ji as Princess Gyeongnyeong, wife of Yi Bang-beon.
Yi Bang-won's family
Kim Min-gi as Yi Do, Prince Chungnyeong. Gu Hyun as 5-year-old Yi Do Joo An as 1-year-old Yi Do Kim Ro-woon as baby Yi Do Lee Tae-ri as Yi Je, Prince Yangnyeong. Kim Joon-ui as 8-year-old Yi Je Kim In-woo as 4-year-old Yi Je Jung Shi-hoon as Yi Bo, Prince Hyoryeong. Shin Seo-woo as 7-year-old Yi Bo Im Ye-jin as young Princess Jeongsun, Yi Bang-won and Queen Wongyeong's 1st daughter. Lee Do-yeon as Princess Gyeongjeong, Yi Bang-won and Queen Wongyeong's 2nd daughter. Park Soo-eon as young Princess Gyeongjeong Lee Ye-seo as Princess Gyeongan, Yi Bang-won and Queen Wongyeong's 3rd daughter. Kim Vi-ju as Queen Soheon.
Yi Seong-gye's family
Ye Soo-jung as Queen Sinui, Yi Seong-gye's first wife and Yi Bang-gwa & Yi Bang-won's mother. Lee Won-bal as Yi Hwa, Yi Seong-gye's half little brother. "Grand Prince Ui-ahn" (의안대군, 義安大君). Ban Sang-yoon as Yi Cheon-u, Yi Seong-gye's older brother.
Chonghae Yi clan
Seon Dong-hyuk as Yi Ji-ran
One of Joseon's founding helper and Yi Seong-gye's brother-in-law. "Prince Chung-hae" (청해군, 靑海君). Tae Hang-ho as Yi Hwa-sang, Yi Ji-ran's eldest son.
Queen Wongyeong's family
Kim Kyu-chul as Min Je, Queen Wongyeong's father. "Internal Prince Yeo-heung" (여흥부원군, 驪興府院君). Lee Eung-kyung as Lady Song of the Yeosan Song clan, Queen Wongyeong's mother. "Grand Lady of Samhan State" (삼한국대부인, 三韓國大夫人). Kim Tae-han as Min Mu-gu, Queen Wongyeong's first younger brother. "Prince Yeo-gang" (여강군, 驪江君). Noh Sang-bo as Min Mu-jil, Queen Wongyeong's second younger brother. "Prince Yeo-seong" (여성군, 驪城君).