Emperor of the Sea is a South Korean television drama series directed by Kang Il-soo and Kang Byung-taek and starring Choi Soo-jong, Chae Shi-ra, Song Il-gook and Soo Ae. It aired on KBS2 from November 24, 2004 to May 25, 2005 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:50 for 51 episodes. The historical drama is based on Choi In-ho's novel of the same title, which depicts the life of Jang Bogo, who rises from a lowly slave to a powerful maritime figure who dominated the East Asia seas and international trade during the Unified Silla Dynasty.

The drama was received extremely well, holding the number one spot in the ratings for majority of the weeks it aired. It was also exported to eight countries earning approximately US$1.8 million in profits.

The filming set in Wando County, South Jeolla Province also became a tourist attraction.

Lin Xi Chi is a college student majoring in veterinary medicine. She is well-liked and known for being bright and cheerful, although, on the inside, she is more insecure than she would like to let on. Also attending the same university is her childhood friend, avid archer, and national defense student Xu Fang. He has had a crush on Lin XI Chi since they were both at school but has never plucked up enough courage to let her know. Although he can be quick-tempered with others, he always treats Lin Xi Chi with great tenderness.

High school student Hiiragi Seiichi is bullied by his classmates for being a "loser." One day, his entire school is suddenly transported to a video game-like world of swords and sorcery. When he accidentally eats "the Fruit of Evolution," his life as a successful "winner" begins.

Ji Shu is a young writer of popular novels. His books are a hit among their many fans, but Ji Shu is blighted by emotional apathy and pessimism writer. His novels ultimately reflect this bleak outlook and almost universally end in tragedy. In many ways, he is the quintessential BE (bad ending) writer. By contrast, Song Yan Qi is an optimistic film and drama series planner. She loves happy ending (HE) stories. Song Yan Qi would like to adapt a Ji Shu novel for the screen but would ideally like to ensure the story ends happily – something Ji Shu cannot accept. But the duo’s lives are thrown into chaos when they are sucked into the world of the novel. As they begin to “live” the lives of Ji Shu’s characters, they begin to “rewrite” the story – and become drawn to one another. But will their own love stories end in joy – or sadness?