SQShowSquad
CalendarSign inJoin
Tree with Deep Roots
RELEASED·SERIES·KO

Tree with Deep Roots

Wed, Oct 5, 2011
  • Drama
Series · Synopsis

Synopsis

Deep Rooted Tree is a 2011 South Korean television series starring Jang Hyuk, Shin Se-kyung and Han Suk-kyu. Based on the novel of the same title by Lee Jeong-myeong, it aired on SBS from October 5 to December 22, 2011 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. Taking its name from the poem Yongbieocheonga that says that trees with deep roots do not sway, the series tells the story of a royal guard investigating a case involving the serial murders of Jiphyeonjeon scholars in Gyeongbok Palace while King Sejong comes to create the Korean written language.

Where to watch

Streaming on

  • Rakuten Viki↗
  • OnDemandKorea↗
  • Kocowa Amazon Channel↗
  • Kocowa↗
Cast

Top of the call sheet

  • Han Suk-kyu
    Han Suk-kyu
    as King Se-jong
  • Jang Hyuk
    Jang Hyuk
    as Kang Chae-yoon / Ddol-bok
  • Shin Sae-kyeong
    Shin Sae-kyeong
    as So-yi / Dam
  • Lee Soo-hyuk
    Lee Soo-hyuk
    as Yoon Pyeong
  • Cho Jin-woong
    Cho Jin-woong
    as Moo-hyul
  • Seo Jun-young
    Seo Jun-young
    as Grand Prince Gwangpyeong
Related

If you’re into this…

  • Under the Queen's Umbrella
    Under the Queen's Umbrella
    2022 · series
  • Bloody Heart
    Bloody Heart
    2022 · series
  • Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung
    Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung
    2019 · series
  • The Red Sleeve
    The Red Sleeve
    2021 · series
  • Dear Hongrang
    Dear Hongrang
    2025 · series
  • My Only Love Song
    My Only Love Song
    2017 · series
  • Kingdom
    Kingdom
    2019 · series
  • The Crowned Clown
    The Crowned Clown
    2019 · series
  • Our Blooming Youth
    Our Blooming Youth
    2023 · series
  • Queen For Seven Days
    Queen For Seven Days
    2017 · series
SQShowSquad
CalendarSign inJoin
Episodes

1 season · 24 episodes

Ended · 24 aired
Season 1
24 episodes · 24 aired
▾
  • E1
    Episode 1
    Aired · Wed, Oct 5, 2011 · 70m

    Taejong, the father of King Sejong, wields his power and authority over his son to execute all his enemies, including Sejong's father-in-law.

  • E2
    Episode 2
    Aired · Thu, Oct 6, 2011 · 70m

    Sejong's small act of defiance leads to a massacre, and an unimaginable request from his father.

  • E3
    Episode 3
    Aired · Wed, Oct 12, 2011 · 70m

    Sejong and his father engage in a battle of the wits as young Ddol Bok struggles to survive in the Slaves' Quarters.

  • E4
    Episode 4
    Aired · Thu, Oct 13, 2011 · 70m

    Ddol Bok rises to become a palace officer and changes his name to Kang Chae Yun in an attempt to get close to the king.

  • E5
    Episode 5
    Aired · Wed, Oct 19, 2011 · 70m

    Assigned to investigate the recent murders, Chae Yun comes face to face with an assassin with superior skills to match his own.

  • E6
    Episode 6
    Aired · Thu, Oct 20, 2011 · 70m

    Sejong breaks down at the death of another scholar, and he is the only one who holds the key to the scholar's last message.

  • E7
    Episode 7
    Aired · Wed, Oct 26, 2011 · 70m

    Shim Jong Su gathers up allies for Hidden Root and plots the assassination for one more scholar.

  • E8
    Episode 8
    Aired · Thu, Oct 27, 2011 · 70m

    Chae Yun discovers the identity of the assassin as Sejong battles his inner demons, and second guesses his mission.

  • E9
    Episode 9
    Aired · Wed, Nov 2, 2011 · 70m

    Hidden motives are revealed as different officials spring to action at the news of Hidden Root's resurrection. Sejong's mission is revealed.

  • E10
    Episode 10
    Aired · Thu, Nov 3, 2011 · 70m

    Chae Yun becomes suspicious of a supposed death threat against another scholar. Hidden Root leader Jung Gi Joon's whereabouts are finally revealed.

  • E11
    Episode 11
    Aired · Wed, Nov 9, 2011 · 70m

    King Sejong forms a closer bond with an enemy, and opts for a scientific dissection in the hopes of helping So Yi speak again.

  • E12
    Episode 12
    Aired · Thu, Nov 10, 2011 · 70m

    The destinies of So Yi and Chae Yun collide as both slowly discover each other's former's identities.

  • E13
    Episode 13
    Aired · Wed, Nov 16, 2011 · 70m

    The king bids So Yi and Chae Yun the freedom to start over their lies together, but both of them can't forget their paths.

  • E14
    Episode 14
    Aired · Thu, Nov 17, 2011 · 70m

    The bureaucrats put greater pressure on the king to reveal his work on the alphabet, but it leads to violent results.

  • E15
    Episode 15
    Aired · Wed, Nov 23, 2011 · 70m

    In the process of saving So Yi, Chae Yun kidnaps the Prince and finds out about King Sejong's secret work.

  • E16
    Episode 16
    Aired · Thu, Nov 24, 2011 · 70m

    With news leaking of the new alphabet, Sejong wages an intellectual war with the scholars and bureaucrats. Chae Yun becomes a double agent.

  • E17
    Episode 17
    Aired · Wed, Nov 30, 2011 · 70m

    The furor over an alphabet that will lead to educated peasants leads to a young scholar's suicide.

  • E18
    Episode 18
    Aired · Thu, Dec 1, 2011 · 70m

    Chae Yun's mentor makes an appearance, and is immediately recruited by both Hidden Root and Sejong for his help.

  • E19
    Episode 19
    Aired · Wed, Dec 7, 2011 · 70m

    Now that Sejong discovers Ga Ri On's true identity, the stakes are raised when a prince's life is on the line.

  • E20
    Episode 20
    Aired · Thu, Dec 8, 2011 · 70m

    The death of Gwang Pyung puts Sejong over the brink of sanity, and the bureaucrats fear that he will become a tyrant like his father was.

  • E21
    Episode 21
    Aired · Wed, Dec 14, 2011 · 70m

    Sent out to the countryside to distribute the letters, So Yi and the other court maidens don't realize the danger lurking at their heels.

  • E22
    Episode 22
    Aired · Thu, Dec 15, 2011 · 70m

    Hidden Root falls apart as traitors abound. Chae Yun goes on a desperate search to save So Yi.

  • E23
    Episode 23
    Aired · Wed, Dec 21, 2011 · 70m

    Desperate to know what the Solution is, Jung Gi Joon is willing to give up his position as a leader of Hidden Root in order to bring Sejong down.

  • E24
    Episode 24
    Aired · Sat, Dec 24, 2011 · 70m

    The final showdown begins as Jung Gi Joon readies for his assassination attempt against Sejong. So Yi struggles to pass down her knowledge of the Solution.