In the past days, I've been gathering data about the manhwa of Bang Hak Gi '감격시대' 'Inspired Age' or 'Inspiring Age' or 'Age of Feelings' or 'Inspiring Generation'. Hahaha too many titles! lol
In my research, I found out some similar drama and movies that I think will be related to 'Inspired Age'. But of course I might be wrong but I just want to give ideas on how will the story go since there are no accurate plot released yet and we are all in question.
Firstly, the manhwa interpretation of 'Inspired Age' is written by Bang Hak Gi, who also wrote 'Fighter in The Wind' and 'Damo'.
In the manhwa version of 'Inspired Age', the protagonists name is 'Kim Du Han' (I'm not sure why they changed it to 'Shin Jung Tae).
The first book release was entitled 'The General's Son'.
Coincidentally, there's a Korean movie release in 1990 with the same title 'The General's Son' and another coincidence again, the protagonist's name in that movie is 'Kim Du Han' as well.
Second, there's also this Korean Drama entitled 'Rustic Age/야인시대' who happens to have the same protagonist name 'Kim Du Han'.
Kim Du Han is the son of famous general Kim Jwa-Jin who fought over the Japanese army. He is a famous Korean politician who became an orphan when he was 8 years old and since then, he wandered in the streets and learned various fighting skills. His natural born skills made him famous in the streets of Jongro/Jongno. His talent earned him respect from Koreans and later on became a member of Korean parliament.
In the movie 'The General's Son', the Japanese takes over Korea but there are some Korean Gangs who refuse to bow with the Japanese and swore to protect their fellowmen. Jongno province is the only place where Koreans can walk freely that's why gangs worked hard to protect it. One of the protectors of Jongno is Kim Du Han who was recruited by Shin Ma Jeok (played by actor Kim Seung Woo). Kim Du Han was first a prisoner caught by the Japanese by just wandering around in a cinema place. When he's free from the prison, he became a beggar and would take any jobs just to buy food. The Korean police always had their eyes on him because he is the son of their General but Kim Du Han doesn't know it. He was recruited by Shin Ma Jeok because of his skills in fist fighting. Shin Ma Jeok was impressed of his ability and thinks that he can protect Jongno. Because of his talent, he then became the Leader of the gang and Koreans looked up to him .
In the drama 'Rustic Age/야인시대' tells the story of Kim Du Han's political life divided into 2 parts. Part 1 tells his story when he became a triad leader and while Part 2 is based on his life when he served as a council member.
::.My 2 cents ^^.::
Judging from the movie and drama mentioned above, I do think that writer Bang Hak Gi (감격시대) was influenced by the character of Kim Du Han. So he made a manhwa out of Kim Du Han's life. Only he injected some twists. In his manhwa, Kim Du Han lives in Shanghai (instead of Jongno) and there comes Gaya and Ok Ryeon's character. Bang Hak Gi probably wanted to put some spice on Kim Du Han's life that's why he created other characters.
Now that KBS2 will make a drama interpretation of Bang Hak Gi's '감격시대', Shin Jung Tae's character was born. In my opinion, Shin Jung Tae is Kim Du Han and Kim Du Han is Shin Jung Tae. The drama writers just changed the name probably because the manhwa is just a fiction while Kim Du Han is a true to life character. But if you will read the manhwa, the protagonist's name there is still Kim Du Han.
.::My Own Plot for 'Inspired Age'::.
Shin Jung Tae (Kim Hyun Joong) is an orphan from Shanghai. Ever since his parents died, he became a beggar in the streets and learns fist fighting and because of his talent and skills he began to protect his fellowmen from the Japanese. His fellowmen in return recognizes and respects him like a Leader. He will be recruited by Shin Ma Jeok (Han Jung Soo) to join his gang. Because of his connection and commitment with the gang, he has to kill his childhood friend 'Gaya's parents. The twist is, Shin Jung Tae didn't know that they were Gaya's parents since Gaya lost her parents 10 years ago. That's when the conflict starts between Shin Jung Tae and Gaya. Of course, other conflict will come up as well. There will be Japanese who plans to take over the Koreans and Shin Jung Tae will be there to protect them.
I can see that this drama will have a lot of love, action and patriotism. It will cover a big scale from China to Japan to Korea. So I think, it will become a hit if only executed properly. I'm counting on the director to take out all the emotions from Kim Hyun Joong. Kekeke ~
Can't wait! ^^
You can watch the movie 'The General's Son' here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EidX2DPPSBw
You could have an idea what will Kim Hyun Joong's character be like ^^
Enjoy!
.::Just a little Trivia::.
Kim Jwa Jin is a famous Korean General who played an important role in Korean Anarchism. He has a son named Kim Du Han. Kim Jwa Jin's great-grandson is the Jumong actor Song Il Gook. ;)
Technically, Shing Jung Tae (Kim Hyun Joong) is Song Il Gook's grand father in real life. ^^