Bidam

Bidam (毗曇 ? - 26 February, 647) was known for revolting against the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla. He was a Sangdaedeung (상대등/ The highest post of government) during the end of Queen Seondeok of Silla's reign. Details about his birth or his achievements are vaguely known as there are no actual records containing them, but it is believed that he came from a royal family.

Revolt against Queen Seondeok of Silla

He is known for leading a revolt against Queen Seondeok of Silla,^[1] with the motto : "Women rulers cannot rule the country"(女主不能善理).^[2] Samguk Sagi says that during Bidam's uprising, a star 'fell'. Bidam used it to encourage his followers, saying that it was a sign of the end of the Queen's reign. On the other hand, Kim Yushin advised the Queen to fly a burning kite to signal that 'the star is back in its place'. After that, Kim Yushin's army defeated Bidam's rebel faction. only ten days after Bidam's uprising, he and 30 of his men were executed by Queen Jindeok of Silla on 26 February (Queen Seondeok died on 17 February, Jindeok was then proclaimed Queen of Silla).

He is considered the 'Greatest Rebel in Silla History'. Also, it is thought that Bidam considered his main rival for the power in Silla to be Kim Yushin.

Modern references

• In the KBS drama Choebyeonghak (1992-1993), literally translated Three Countries, he is described as an old politician.
• In the 2009 hit drama The Great Queen Seondeok, Bidam (Kim Nam-gil) is portrayed as a friend of Princess Deokman (later Queen Seondeok of Silla), and as the secret, abandoned son of Mishil and King Jinji (a twist invented for the series). The series introduced a love-story between Bidam and Queen Seondeok and was portrayed as a martial arts prodigy.
• In 2012 series The King's Dream, Bidam is played by Choi Cheol-ho.

See also

• Queen Seondeok of Silla
• Three Kingdoms of Korea
• Kim Yushin
• History of Korea
• Rulers of Korea
• List of Korea-related topics
• Queen Seondeok (TV series)

References