Gang Gam-chan
강감찬
KoreanGoryeo Period (948-1031 CE)
"The Star General, Savior from the Khitan"
✦ Personality Traits
✦ About
Gang Gam-chan (948-1031 CE) was a scholar-turned-general who saved Goryeo from the massive Khitan Liao invasion of 1018. Legend says he was the reincarnation of a star—when he was born, a great star fell from the sky into his house.
At age 70, when most men would be retired, Gang Gam-chan led 200,000 Goryeo troops against the Khitan army of similar size. At the Battle of Gwiju, he used a dam to trap the Khitan forces, then released the water in a devastating flood attack. Of the Khitan army, only a few thousand survived to flee.
This victory was so complete that the Khitan never invaded Korea again. Gang Gam-chan proved that scholarship and military genius could coexist—he was both a successful civil official and one of Korea's greatest military commanders.
✦ Famous Story
When Gang Gam-chan was young and poor, he was so small and thin that people mocked him. But a fortune teller recognized his destiny, saying he was a fallen star destined for greatness. He devoted himself to study, eventually becoming the savior of his nation.
✦ If You Match
Your features carry the destined brilliance of Gang Gam-chan. There is a scholarly yet victorious quality to your presence—the look of one born under a star for greatness.