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The story is set in Korea during the reigns of King Seongjong, King Yeonsan-gun (1494-1506) and King Jungjong (1506-1544). The story begins with Queen Yun, mother of King Yeonsan-gun (the Crown Prince at the time) being poisoned by a group of imperial guards under the order of the king.
After the incident, an imperial guard, Seo Cheon-... More
One of the viewers of the KBS TV2 drama "He Who Can't Marry" has recently written that she was surprised by its main male character, Cho Jae-hee, who is played by actor Ji Jin-hee. So far, Ji has mostly played gentle and smart men, but this time he has been transformed into a narrow-minded old bachelor, whom he portrays in a comical way. The viewer said she had no idea Ji could portray comical roles and that they suited him perfectly.
Ji is not the only one to reflect the latest small-screen trend. A growing number of male actors are shedding their existing images to try on new roles. Despite the risk, so far the majority of them have succeeded in their transformations.
Ji Jin-hee, Lee Jong-won Realize Their Long-cherished Dreams
Ji Jin-hee has played only serious roles so far, such as Min Jung-ho in "Dae Jang Geum", Oh Tae-seok in "Spotlight" and his big-screen roles in the movies "Soo" and "The Old Garden". But in the TV drama "He Who Can't Marry", Ji plays a very rigid man ...| More
It's a dilemma Korea has encountered many times before: plenty of tourists ― indeed, numbers are rising ― but a dearth of attractions with which to occupy them.
In the past year, visitor numbers have increased, largely on the back of a weak won.
But with exchange rates turning unfavorable to foreign visitors, the growth is beginning to slow. So authorities are faced with the same old problems: Put simply, the nation lacks things for foreign tourists to see and do.
The tourism industry has been aware of the shortcomings for some time and has made efforts to develop new attractions and programs.
Now another pair of developments are about to come to fruition. At the end of the month a premium Korean restaurant called Unamjeong, which has been revived from a famous comic, and an exhibition hall named "Star Avenue", which will help re-ignite Hallyu, or the Korean Cultural Wave.
Unamjeong
Korean food is growing more popular among...| More
Star actress Lee Young-ae, 38, has enrolled in the Graduate School of Theater and Cinema of Hanyang University, where she will pursue her doctorate degree. A university official said on June 8 that the actress will begin school in September. Lee applied to the university in May.
Lee holds a bachelor's degree from the university in German Language and Literature and she earned her master's degree in theater and cinema in 2001. Lee, whose popularity soared after the epic drama "Jewel In The Palace" ("Dae Jang Geum", 2004), has been looking for her next role since her last appearance in the movie "Sympathy For Lady Vengeance" in 2005.
...| More
'Hallyu in Taiwan, No problem!' The Hallyu (Korean wave) has been under threat while in Taiwan the popularity of the Korean culture is on the surge. TVXQ gave concert in Taiwan and received warm welcome. The concert was scheduled to be performed but canceled due to typhoon in May, 2007.
A boy band Super Junior's 'Sorry Sorry' ranked number 1 on various charts, recently. "The popularity of TVXQ (Dong Bang Shin Ki) is higher than that of any other singer in Taiwan. Super Junior's 'Sorry Sorry' became popular as entertainers of Taiwan imitated their dance moves. This indicates that Hallyu is familiar and universal here in Taiwan", said Ra Jin-sun who has studied in Taiwan for 3 years.
The fact that Hallyu appeals to people in Taiwan has been found throughout the history and culture of Taiwan. Taiwan has the longest history in Asia in terms of overseas popularity of Korean culture. In 1997, a craze for learning Korean language was ignited in Taiwan as Clone gained popularity. In 2003, ...| More
"Queen Seon-deok" starring Lee Yo-won and Ko Hyeon-jeong, achieved a rating higher than 20% only over the course of 3 episodes, looking victorious.
"Queen Seon-deok" recorded a rating of 23.3% (TNS capital region) on June 1st. This is 5.5% higher than the 17.8% rating for the 2nd episode. This ascent over a 20% rating mark is almost a month faster than those of "Boys over Flowers" and "My Wife Is a Superwoman", the most popular dramas of this year. This rating increase is even faster than that of "Jewel in the Palace" ("Dae Jang Geum"), which is considered the most successful Korean historical drama.
"Queen Seon-deok"'s steep increase in rating is thanks to the main cast's excellent performances as well as the drama's fast-paced plot.
Ko Hyeon-jeong's acting has wildly heated up major web portals. Viewers comment that Ko has perfectly acted out Misil's character, who seduces the main power controllers of Silla with her grace and beauty. Viewers especially praise Ko's performan...| More
The story is set in Korea during the reigns of King Seongjong, King Yeonsan-gun (1494-1506) and King Jungjong (1506-1544). The story begins with Queen Yun, mother of King Yeonsan-gun (the Crown Prince at the time) being poisoned by a group of imperial guards under the order of the king.
After the incident, an imperial guard, Seo Cheon-soo, who accompanied the group, suffers an accident on his way home. He is rescued by an enigmatic hermit, who tells him that his life will revolve around three women: he doesn't want to kill her but she still died because of him, he will save the life of the second woman but she will die because of him, and a third woman who will kill him, but who will be the savior of many lives. (It does not become clear until much later that the three women are Lady Yun (Yeonsangun's mother), Park Myeong-yi (Jang-geum's mother), and lastly, Jang-geum herself.). Psychological distress from the incident eventually caused him to resign. Palace cook Park, an apprentice at the Royal Kitchen, witnesses a conspiracy against the Queen Mother by Lady Choi and Park Myeong-yi is in turn indicted on false charges by the inner circle of senior kitchen staff, and secretly executed by their internal procedures (forced to drink poison). She is first saved by Palace cook Han, her best friend in the palace, who mixes antidote with the poison and slips her a letter, and was later on saved, inadvertently by the retired Seo. The two married and secretly lived in a remote village as low class people cheonmin, raising a very bright young daughter, Seo Jang-geum.
In the year 1504, King Yeonsangun orders a massive investigation into his mother's murder, and eventually finds Seo and his family, partly because Jang-geum blurted out the truth that her parents were not low-class people, that Seo was a military officer of the palace. This leads to the arrest of Seo and the scattering of their family. Jang-geum and her mother fled, but her mother was fatally wounded by their enemies. Before her death, she tells Jang-geum her last wish, that she to become the Head Lady of the Royal Kitchen and record the injustice done to her, in the Head Kitchen Ladies' journal or record book.
Jang-geum manages to enter the palace. Through her courage, curiosity, talent, kind-heartedness and determination, she helps Lady Han (her mother's best friend, which she does not discover until much later) to become the Highest Kitchen Lady. She undergoes many ordeals and is shunned because she is smarter than the other apprentices. Jang-geum continues cooking with the philosophy that the goal of cooking is to bring good health and happiness to the person who eats the food. A conspiracy headed by Lady Choi and her niece Geum-yeong, as well as high-rank officials and merchant Pan-sul Choi (Lady Choi's brother) to retain monopoly over Royal Kitchen supplies, results in the exile of Lady Han and Jang-geum to Jeju Island as slaves, on false accusations of treason. On the way to Jeju, an exhausted Lady Han dies. Lady Choi replaces her as the Highest Kitchen Lady.
While Jang-geum is on Jeju Island, she meets Jang-deok, whom she believed was a fellow slave. She soon discovers that Jang-deok is a famous Medical woman. Jang-deok's frank and pragmatic nature initially offends her, but she learns that she is dedicated to saving lives. Jang-geum learns that competent medical women can work in the Palace through a vigorous selection process. She realizes that is the only way she can return to the palace to avenge her mother and Lady Han. Under Jang-deok, she learns medicine, and her hard work and tenacity makes her a competent medical woman. In her quest to become a medical woman, she must rid herself of the hatred in her heart to truly embrace the virtues of being a medical practitioner. This she does, and re-enters the palace.
She comes face to face with Geum-yeong, who has now become the Head Kitchen Lady. Her predecessor, the ruthless Lady Choi, has become Head Lady,[1] after kicking out the previous Lady Park. As they plot to rid themselves of her once and for all, Jang Geum's relationship with Lt. Min Jeung-ho (who is now part of the King's royal cabinet) intensifies. Jang-geum's best friend, Yeon-seng, has become the king's concubine while Jang-geum has been away and becomes the eighth Queen. Jang Geum correctly diagnosed that the King was suffering from Behçet's disease and not from typhoid fever. Through a dramatic interrogation process, the past plots of Lady Choi and her subordinates are revealed, resulting in the destruction of the Choi family and high-ranking officials.
Through her dedication to the royal family, perseverance and skill, she was recognised as the best medical person in the palace. Jang-Geum had correctly diagnosed the Queen as having a second stillborn fetus in her womb, saving her life. She convinced the Queen Mother to undergo medical treatment and discovered the root cause of the King's chronic illness. She earns the gratitude of the Queen, when she cures the prince of small pox.
The King falls in love with Jang-Geum, but refrains from making her a royal concubine because he understands that Jang-Geum's loves medicine. In recognition of her achievements and to keep her by his side, the King makes her his personal physician, conferring on her the use of "Dae" (meaning "The Great") and the position of a third rank official in a 9-rank system (where the lowest-ranking official is the ninth-rank official).
The King's decision is met with much outcry from scholars and ministers, since having a woman in the elite bureaucracy was an open defiance of the country's precedent and having a medical woman as the King's personal physician was unheard of. Jang-Geum, understanding that she could assert the rights and capability of women by accepting the post, reluctantly does so. Jeung-ho, in his staunch support of her promotion, is indicted for going against scholarly teachings and exiled. They are thus separated.
The King became critically ill and there was little Jang-geum could do, despite her comprehensive understanding of his condition and attentive care. He could no longer be treated with acupuncture or medicine. As a last resort, she suggested surgery. The court officials were horrified at her revolutionary approach, which was unheard of and moreover, the King was considered too sacred to be allowed to bleed. Though the King believed in her, he was concerned that should the surgery fail, Jang-geum would surely be put to death. With his condition deteriorating, the King knew his end was near, but he was more worried about Jang-geum's fate. To protect her, the King sent her away against her wishes, allowing her to reunite with Jeong-ho and escape the palace. They married and live together for eight years with their daughter. All this while, Jang-geum and Jeong-ho are compelled to lead vagrant lives, as their detractors have been searching for them since King Junjong's death. However, Jang-geum continues to treat patients wherever she goes.
As a result, they were finally traced down and returned to the palace. Instead of being punished, both were reinstated by the Queen Dowager - formerly Queen Munjeong who favoured Jang-geum when she was a medical woman, and now wields enormous power. Jang-geum finds that all her friends have high ranks in the palace, making the palace much more peaceful than under Choi rule. Jang-geum and Jung-ho are wary of palace politics and decide to move on. The story ends as Jang-geum performs the first caesarean surgery in Korea.
es indeed! Women empowerment speaks louder than ever in this Korean drama. It is adapted from the real life story of "Daejanggeum" of the Joseon Dynasty who became the first-ever royal physician. To witness her life story of how she struggled to achieve her life-long dream despite being in a society filled with the discrimination of women, is truly a heartwarming and inspiring tale for all.
his is a very nice show, about a girl who was orphaned, and her difficulties she faced during the pro boy anti girl society. This show is also very inspirational, and is a must-watch.
Starring Lee Young Ae, Ji Jin Hee, Hong Ri Na & Im Ho.
For me, until this year ( 2009), Dae
Jang Geum is still the best ever korean
drama! . The runner-up is Thankyou.
Trust me .... :) Love Lee Young Ae
too! She is very beautifull and elegant
lady...
Tradisional film seldom get fans. Dae Jang Geum have give other colour for Korean tradition. It was presented with great arts, so will be interesting to be watched, heard by all people from other continent, West Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe and so on.
It can inform aabout Korean culture, cuisine, clothes, and so on.
We will never boring about this drama, we like it, we like it.
Indosiar, a Indonesian tv channel, was playing at five o'clock, but now it was the end. I want to watch again this drama.
Women must have ideas, but don't forget her task as women.
Women and all people must study hard to get their dream.
Finaally Dae Jang Geum can reach her ideas in the palace.
I really loved this series. Dae Jang Geum is the best series is the best in the world. I watched it dubbed in Cantonese and it was great. The only problem that may'd it a let down was about half way through the series the dubbing became really poor and the people they used changed so the names were really different. I would love to watch it again with the dubbing at its highest quality.
Its not only the best drama my life. Its also can let us learn lots of things from its. Actor Jin Hee Ji is the best actor. Actress Yeong Ai Lee is so pretty.
really very nice & best drama even the ending is also very very good. Jang Geum & Min Da Ren got married and got a lovely daughter. a very good screen lover
I have set up an online petition to get BBC to show Dae Jang Geum in the UK.
Please sign the 'Show DJG on BBC' petition: Open the link
Please also encourage your best friend/little brother/neighbour/family dog to sign the petition too!
Thank you very much for showing your support for DJG!
A lot of Dae Jang Geum DVDs and VCDs are being sold in Chinatown area but I never buy. Watching Dae Jang Geum on GMA7 dubbed in Filipino is still nicer.
oNe of tHe rEasOns y dAe jAng gEum is the beSt... It is bEcaUse of tHe caSt wHicH mAde The sTory a Lot mOre bEautIful...lEe yOung aE and jI jIn hEe mAke a Cute mAtch...tHey lOOk sO cuTe 2gEtheR....
Yup I agree with u all too. Lee Young Ae & Ji Jin Hee very matching.. My friend told me tat last time before Ji Jin Hee become a actor, Lee Young Ae was his dream girl.. Is it true?? I simply love tis show, it is very very nice. feel like watching again.
JEWEL IN THE PALACE STORY IS REALLY, REALLY VERY GREAT LEARNING AND EDUCATIVE STORY EVER TO SHOW ON TV. WE'RE ALWAYS FOLLOWING THE STORY SO MUCH AND WHEN MISSED WE DO TRY TO COMPLIMENT. HOPING THAT IT WILL BE SHOWN ALWAYS AND CUD BE MADE A MOVIE TO SHOW. IT'S VERY WORTHFUL FOR ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE AND ALL WALKS OF LIFE. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE CASTS AND MOVERS WHO WORK FOR IT AND MAKING IT SO GREAT !!! WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF YOU. REGARDS TO LEE YOUNG-AE FOR HER GOOD PERFORMANCE.
anyong hashim nikka dae jang geum leading role of my favorite korean superstar lee yeoung ae hi im your fan in seoul im very proud to you because your koreanovela is hit in the phil and the jewel is fever the pilipino proud our koreans like korean superstar like you im very proud to me and you im korean in learning to speak english because i want to be a korean star in seoul pilipino we proud to all koreans im here in phil im back to on this jan 10 happy new year to you and all the cast of dae jang geum i have something very important news the asianovela dae jang geum fever in phil because highest ratings is over 89% in fsrt public veiwing in gma in phil so the ratings is over high othr the koeanovelas dae jang geum is hit anigaseyo sarangni
we love you sarane
park haeme
your fan in seoul
We see all these stories about the spreading fanbase of Dae Jang Geum into North America but in reality all they're talking about are the Asian communities.
I'll be impressed when DJG is shown in prime time on a major North American TV network.
Personally I think this is quite possible as DJG is the first in many asian drama series I've seen which is easily approachable by a non-asian audience. The characters are easy to relate to, the story is straightforward and the series doesn't get bogged down in historical dates and figures that have little relevence outside the original country.
That's considered "excluding"? A lot of Asian TV viewers doesn't understand English. Does that mean they're being "excluded" from English shows as well?
Since DJG sold like hot cakes in Asia it probably will be aired in English in the future. However, like many other English-dubbed movies/animes/whatever else, it usually gets butchered beyond belief by the voice actors. Can't imagine what it'd become...