Description: If you think carefully about history, surprisingly few kings come to mind—perhaps only King Sejong or King Gwanggaeto. And even for the kings we think we know well, we often don't know that much. We've heard plenty about how King Sejong created Hangeul and invented the sundial and water clock, but we know little about his personality, family relationships, or how he died. This book selects ten kings who played crucial roles in Korean history and thoroughly examines not only their remarkable achievements but also their human side and the social, cultural, and political circumstances of their times. Featured are King Gwanggaeto, who expanded our territory all the way to Manchuria; Queen Seondeok, our nation's first queen; Taejo Wang Geon, founder of Goryeo; King Sejong, creator of Hangeul; Prince Gwanghae, who was dethroned; and King Gojong, the last king of Korea, among other essential kings for understanding our history—all presented through easy-to-understand anecdotes. Contents include: 'My Dream Lies Beyond That Vast Continent' (King Gwanggaeto); 'I Wanted to See Baekje Rise Gloriously' (King Seong); 'She Was Fragrant and Strong' (Queen Seondeok); 'Uniting the Three Kingdoms as One' (King Muyeol of Silla); 'Reviving the Grand Spirit of Goguryeo' (Wang Geon); 'Falling With a Crumbling Nation' (King Gongmin); 'Building the Pillar of Joseon' (King Sejong); 'Practicality Over Justification' (Prince Gwanghae); 'The Greatest Scholar and Strictest Teacher' (King Jeongjo); 'The Last King of This Land' (King Gojong). Reference Books Author: Yoon Ye-young Recent works: I Remember Only the Happy Days, The Ten Great Figures Who Shook History Series (Curriculum-Linked, 7 Volumes), Sunflower Chronicles, and others—5 titles in total. About the Author: Born in Seoul in 1977, she writes poetry and studies traditional folktales. Her works include the poetry collection Sunflower Chronicles and the children's book Ten Kings Who Shook Korean History. Illustrator: Seoreun Recent works: 11 titles in total. About the Illustrator: Studied visual design in college and studied nonfiction picture book illustration at the Korea Illustration School. Currently illustrates children's books and creates maps for textbooks. Previous illustrated works include Happy Science Elementary School, Science Made Easy With a Little Hanja Knowledge, and Ten Kings Who Shook Korean History. This book uses anecdotes to make complex historical figures with multifaceted personalities easy to understand. Pages are filled with engaging information—covering the kings' daily routines, titles, and stories behind monuments like the Gwanggaeto Stele—along with illustrations that make potentially difficult historical stories feel approachable and keep readers engaged. For those who want to learn more, a list of reference books used in creating this volume is also included. For each king, a brief biography and an illustrated timeline show at a glance where that king stood in the flow of history, providing readers with thorough knowledge. While ten kings may seem like a small number in the grand sweep of history, it's actually quite a lot to read through in one sitting. However, each story is structured to stand independently while still conveying the flow of history, making it easy and enjoyable to read without feeling overwhelming. This book is extremely useful for getting a glimpse into the kings' personal daily lives and understanding their achievements. Furthermore, since each king's life reflects the political situation and social conditions of his era, readers can see how our nation has changed and evolved over time.