A convict in India has sent a letter of gratitude to a top Korean network for airing the historical drama "Jewel in the Palace", or "Dae Jang Geum" in Korean.
Narendra Kumar Sharma, an inmate at Ambala Prison in Haryana, northern India, sent the letter
to Munhwa Broadcasting Company, or MBC, for producing the drama. Sharma is serving time for multiple attempted suicides, a crime under Indian law, and has been under close watch at the prison for the past three years.
"I have developed a fondness for 'Ghar Ka Chirag' and its lead character 'Jangum' (Jang-geum), who has been quite an inspiration and influence", Sharma said. "The actors in this series have given me and my friends here an optimistic view on life. It also gives me strength to counter any grave situation with patience".
"Ghar Ka Chirag" is the Hindi title for the Korean drama, which is broadcast on the state-owned Doordarshan TV once a week.
"My problems seem minor compared to the severe situations these characters face", Sharma said. "This serial has been of great influence in my personal life as well adding a lot to my positive approach towards life. I dare say it is not only a motivation for people like me but for everyone".
"Jewel in the Palace" ("Dae Jang Geum") began airing in India in September 2006. The drama is enjoying high ratings, placing second or third among 38 primetime programs.
The story of a kitchen lady in the royal palace who becomes the first female physician of the king, the historical drama was a mega hit in Korea and popular in other Asian countries. The series has been exported to some 60 nations, including those in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
The drama recently ended its run in Iran, where 90 percent of the viewing public watched it. One Korean public relations official based in Tehran said one reason the series has done so well in the Islamic world is because Shia Muslims sympathize with the plight of the main character "Janggeum", given their own situation at home.
Taiwan has included the series in the culture section of a history textbook, underlining the "unyielding spirit" of the main character.
Source : www.korea.net... ( Arabic English Chinese Korean Spanish French Japanese Russian Vietnamese )
Arabic 
US$5 off (order min. US$5)
