Deep Rooted Tree (2011)

Although he was only featured in the first four episodes of Deep Rooted Tree, Song Joong Ki made an impression on the audience with his emotive performance. He rose to prominence as a young rising actor at the time. Deep Rooted Tree is set during King Sejong's reign. Every night, unexplainable mass killings blanket the whole castle in darkness. Meanwhile, Kang Chae Yoon (Jang Hyuk) is continuously plotting revenge against King Sejong (Song Joong Ki / Han Suk Kyu).

Ddol Bok returns to the palace under the name of Kang Chae Yoon in order to kill the king. However, he becomes embroiled in the mystery surrounding the deaths of several Hall of Worthies scholars. The deaths were caused by a secret society called "Hidden Root", which was created long ago by followers of Jeong Do Jeon, with the goal of giving more power to ministers and less to the king. King Tae Jong killed Jeong Do Jeon and all of his family except his nephew, Jeong Gi Joon, who is now the leader of Hidden Root and lives in disguise not far from King Se Jong.

Detailed information:

Starring: Han Suk-kyu, Jang Hyuk, Shin Se-kyung, Song Joong-ki

Original release: October 5 – December 22, 2011

Link to watch: imdb.com/title/tt2221405/