After nearly two decades, one of Korea’s most revered historical dramas is returning to the spotlight. SBS’s Toji, the Land —a sweeping adaptation of Park Kyung-ni’s legendary novel—is set to premiere on Netflix on August 26, bringing its rich literary roots and dramatic intensity to a global audience.
Originally aired in 2004, Toji, the Land stunned critics and viewers alike with its immediate success. The first episode recorded an impressive 18.3% nationwide viewership, soaring to 20.2% by Episode 2, despite focusing primarily on child actors in the early stages. This feat was particularly remarkable given its direct competition with KBS1’s high-budget series Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
Directed by Lee Jong-han, the series prioritized emotional storytelling and historical authenticity over fast-paced plotting. “We focused on capturing both the emotional core of the characters and the historical current of the time, staying faithful to the original novel,” Lee said in an interview during its original broadcast.
As the narrative deepened, ratings continued to climb. Toji, the Land reached its peak with Episode 32, aired on March 13, 2005, pulling in a massive 30.5% rating. This pivotal episode featured Seo-hee (played by Kim Hyun-joo) returning from Manchuria to confront Jo Joon-goo (Kim Gap-soo) in her hometown of Jinju—a dramatic turning point that captivated the nation.
The story, adapted from Park Kyung-ni’s 25-year literary opus, chronicles the rise and fall of the Choi family through Korea’s late Joseon Dynasty, Japanese colonial occupation, and early independence movement. The drama’s later arcs followed Gilsang (Yoo Jun-sang) as he joined the independence movement in Manchuria, while Seo-hee embarked on her final journey in Joseon.
Initially planned for 50 episodes, the series was extended to 52 episodes, concluding with a solid 23.6% finale and an average rating of 23.3%, easily dominating its time slot.
But Toji, the Land is more than a ratings juggernaut—it’s a cultural milestone. The drama successfully brought one of Korea’s most ambitious literary works to life, anchored by standout performances from Kim Hyun-joo, Yoo Jun-sang, Yoo Hae-jin (in his TV debut), and Kim Gap-soo. Kim Hyun-joo’s Seo-hee, in particular, remains a career-defining role, embodying strength, integrity, and emotional depth.
Demographic data from TNS Media Korea revealed the drama’s broad appeal, especially among older viewers: 28.4% were women over 50, and 20.1% were men in the same age group. It was, and remains, a rare drama that united generations through shared memory and historical introspection.
Now, with its Netflix release, Toji, the Land is poised for a second life. For longtime fans, it offers a nostalgic return to a cherished series. For new viewers, especially younger generations, it presents a chance to explore Korea’s modern history through one of its most monumental literary and television achievements.
Sources: wikitree