A decade-old SBS historical drama, The Great Seer, is gaining renewed attention as it premieres on Netflix in high-definition. The drama originally aired from October 2012 to February 2013 and immediately drew viewers’ attention with its bold first-episode bedroom scene and unique historical premise.
Netflix announced the release on its official YouTube channel on October 22, teasing fans with the statement: “Finally, we can use this shot in HD. The Great Seer is now on Netflix.”
The drama stood out for featuring an adult-rated scene between actors Jo Min-ki and Oh Hyun-kyung in its premiere episode, depicting a secret relationship between two characters driven by power and ambition. Oh Hyun-kyung reportedly underwent special physical preparation for the scene, while Jo Min-ki shared in interviews that the filming schedule was challenging and stressful.
Set during the late Goryeo to early Joseon era, The Great Seer uses pungsu (feng shui) as a central plot device, revolving around the coveted royal site Jamiwon-guk, believed to bring prosperity to the dynasty. The story follows Mok Ji-sang, an expert in pungsu, saju, and physiognomy, as he secretly influences the founding of the Joseon dynasty.
The cast was star-studded, with Ji Sung as Mok Ji-sang, Ji Jin-hee as Yi Seong-gye (Joseon’s founder), and Song Chang-ui as Lee Jeong-geun. Other notable cast members included Kim So-yeon, Lee Yoon-ji, Oh Hyun-kyung, Jo Min-ki, as well as Son Na-eun (Apink) and Lee Jin (Fin.K.L), contributing to the drama’s complex web of power struggles.
The series began with a 6.5% national viewership for episode one and quickly rose to double digits by the third episode. Its peak ratings were 10.8% in Seoul for episode six and 10.8% nationwide for episode 25. While the drama faced fluctuations in later episodes due to competition from contemporaneous shows like “I Miss You,” it maintained an average nationwide rating around 9% over its 35-episode run.
Fans responded enthusiastically to the Netflix release, commenting: “I hope Netflix uploads more classic SBS dramas from the ’90s,” “Son Na-eun and Fin.K.L in the cast!” and “Watching Yi Seong-gye and the ‘Three Kingdoms’ homage again is insane!”
The Great Seer combines historical fact and fiction, intricate political maneuvering, and strong performances, which contributed to its immersive storytelling and lasting popularity. Its return on Netflix allows both old fans and new viewers to revisit its bold narrative and elaborate depiction of historical politics.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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