SETTING AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is an optional read for you guys. You may or may not read this because it will be explained in the story either through conversations, flashbacks, narrations, or backstories. I just created this one for those readers who are interested in some Historical Backgrounds of the Unified Silla Kingdom.
This chapter was written like one of those historical textbooks. I did not use any imagery or whimsical descriptions. If you are okay with that, you may continue reading, if not, you may skip to the next chapter.
But I'm telling you, curiosity is a stronger enemy than pain or itch. :)
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SETTING ORIENTATION
This story is set in the 8th century in a fictional era of Kingdom of Unified Silla (신라), one of Ancient Korea's Legendary Three Kingdoms. Before the Unification Period, there were three ancient kingdoms that ruled over the Korean Peninsula for centuries - the Kingdom of Goguryeo (고구려), Baekje (백제), and Silla (신라).
Silla, with the aid of the Tang Dynasty (**), conquered the two other kingdoms. As a result, some Goguryeo officials founded the Kingdom of Balhae (발해) with the help of Mohe tribe (말갈). This kingdom was located in present-day North Korea and some parts of mainland China.
CULTURE
Seorabeol (서라벌) (Modern day Gyeongju) was the capital where the King's palace was located. Several pavilions with distinct trapezoidal pointed roofs and eaves protruding upwards can be found inside. These pavilions stood either above the ground or on an artificial lake. The entire palace was protected by tall, brick walls and eight main gates - the north, northwest, west, southwest, south, southeast, east, and northeast.
Social differences can be observed in so many ways. Houses of common people were small and made up of low-quality wood with simple wooden sliding doors. Noblemen lived in big, compound houses, made from the best types of wood with tall wooden gates with guards, and brick walls for protection.
In terms of clothing, royalty and nobility wore long, exquisite, colorful robes, dragging on the floor. Inspired by the Tang Dynasty's hanfu, these elegant robes were accessorized with either gold or silver ornaments, paired with buckled boots or closed slippers. During ceremonies, the Kings wore tall, golden crown with precious stone dangling from its base. Meanwhile, Queens wore small crowns and detailed hair ornaments.
On a daily basis, men usually wore a small crown to support their topknots. Unmarried women wore intricate wigs looped around the back of their heads, with some strands of hair hanging on their chests and backs. On the other hand, married women wore wigs, which were elegantly looped around behind their heads and decorated with hair ornaments.
Commoners wore simple, dull-colored long sleeves as top wear with shabby skirts or pants and wooden slippers for bottom wear.
Royal and noblemen owned big horses and palanquins carried by their servants, while commoners owned small carts and sometimes small horses for transportation.
