Dae Jang Geum
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| Dae Jang Geum | ||||||||
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| Dae Jang Geum The Great Jang Geum / Jewel In The Palace / 大長今/大长今 / 宮廷女官チャングムの誓い' |
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| Format | Drama Historical |
| Created by | Yeong-hyeon Kim |
| Starring | Lee Young-ae Ji Jin-hee Park Eun-hye Hong Ri-na Im Ho Lim Hyeon-sik Geum Bo-ra Yang Mi-kyeong Kyeon Mi-ri Jo Kyeong-hwan |
| Opening theme | Changryong |
| Ending theme | Onara |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Language(s) | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 54 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Byoung-hoon Lee |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | Approximately 1 hour |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | MBC (South Korea) |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV |
| Original run | September 15, 2003 – March 30, 2004 |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
Dae Jang Geum, sometimes known as The Great Jang Geum, or Jewel In The Palace, is a 2003 TV series produced by South Korean TV channel MBC.
Based loosely on the historical figure depicted in the Annals of Joseon Dynasty, the show focuses on Jang-geum (played by Lee Young Ae), the first female royal physician of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. The main theme is her perseverance, as well as the portrayal of traditional Korean culture, including Korean royal court cuisine and medicine.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
The story is set in Korea under the Joseon Dynasty, 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 shall cause the death of the first woman, he will save the life of the second woman but will also cause her to die, and a third woman who will cause his death, 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. While this is occurring, Palace cook Park, an apprentice at the Royal Kitchen, witnesses a conspiracy against the Queen Mother by Lady Choi (who had added a toxin to the food) 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, posing 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 had immaturely blurt 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 should she choose to do so, is for her 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 (to restore her honor).
Jang-geum goes through some adventures and 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. During her years in the palace, she undergoes many ordeals and is shunned because she is smarter than the other apprentices. Jang-geum, however, does not become discouraged and continues cooking with the philosophy that the goal of cooking is to bring good health and happiness to the person who eats the food. Unfortunately, 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. Back in the palace, Lady Choi replaces her as the Highest Kitchen Lady.
While Jang-geum is on Jeju Island, she meets Jang-deok, whom she initially believed was a fellow slave. However, she soon discovers that Jang-deok is a famous Medical woman. Jang-deok's frank and pragmatic nature initially offends her, but she soon learns that she is truly dedicated to her profession of saving lives. Jang-geum learns that competent medical women can be selected to 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 tenacitic nature makes her a competent medical woman. However, in her quest to become a medical woman, she has to learn to rid herself of the hatred in her heart, in order to truly embrace the virtues of being a medical practitioner. This she does, and eventually successfully re-enters the palace.
Soon, 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, and the love story between them develops. Jang-geum's best friend, Yeon-seng, has become the king's concubine while Jang-geum has been away and later becomes the eighth Queen in rank which gives Jang-geum more back up in the palace. Jang Geum correctly diagnosed that the King was suffering from Behçet's disease and not from typhoid fever. Eventually, 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 subsequently recognised as the best medical personnel in the palace. Previously, Jang-Geum had correctly diagnosed the Queen as having a stillborn fetus in her womb, saving her life. She had also managed to convince the Queen Mother to undergo medical treatment and had found out the root cause of the King's chronic illness, which had remained misdiagosed for a long time by royal physicians. Now, she further earns the gratitude of the Queen, when she successfully cures her son of smallpox.
In a strange turn of events, the King falls in love with Jang-Geum, but refrains from making her a royal concubine because he understands that Jang-Geum's loves lies in medicine. In recognition of her achievements and to keep her by his side, the King decides to make her his personal physician, conferring on her the use of "Dae" (meaning "The Great") before her name and the position of a third rank official in a 9-rank system (where the lowest-ranking official is the ninth-rank official). Also becoming part of the royal cabinet.
The King's decision is met with much controversy and 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 as unheard of. Jang-Geum, after understanding that she could assert the rights and capability of women by accepting the post, reluctantly does so at personal risk. Min 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 and ordered to return to the palace. Instead of being punished, both reinstated by the Queen Mother - formerly Queen Munjeong who favoured Jang-geum when she was a medical woman, and now wields enormous power. When she returns Jang-geum finds that all her friends now have high ranks in the palace. Making the palace a much more peaceful place from the previous Choi family rule. However, Jang-geum and Min Jung-ho are wary of the palace politics and decided to move on. The story ends as Jang-geum successfully performs the first caesarean surgery ever for a pregnant peasant-woman.
[edit] Cast
[edit] Major Characters
- Lee Young-ae (이영애 (李英愛)) as Seo Jang Geum (서장금 (徐長今))
- Seo Na-in (서나인 (徐內人)), Palace Maid Seo
- Seo Ui-nyeo (서의녀(徐醫女)), Physician Lady Jang-geum
- Choi-go Sanggung (최고상궁(最高尙宮)), Top Lady of the Royal Kitchen.[2] (for a short period of time)
- Dae Jang-geum (대장금 (大長今)), The Great Jang-geum. (Third-ranked Official of a 9-rank system)
- Ji Jin-hee (지진희/ 池珍熙) as Min Jeong-ho (민정호 (閔政浩))[3]
- Im Ho (임호 (任豪)) as Jungjong (중종 (中宗))
- Jinseong Daegun (진성대군 (晉城大君)), Prince Jin-seong
- King Jungjong (중종왕 (中宗王))
- Hong Ri-na (홍리나 (洪莉娜)) as Choi Geum-young (최금영 (崔今英))
- Choi Na-in (최나인 (崔內人)), Palace maid Choi
- Choi-go Sang-gung (최고상궁(最高尙宮)), Top Lady of the Royal Kitchen. (succeeding her aunt, also Lady Choi)
[edit] Early life
- Jo Jung-eun as Seo Jang-Geum (child)
- Park Chan-hwan (박찬환 (朴贊煥)) as Seo Cheon-Soo (서천수 (徐天壽)). (Jang-geum's father)
- Kim Hye-seon (김혜선 (金慧渲)) as Park Myeong-yi (박명이 (朴明伊)). (Jang-geum's mother)
- Im Hyeon-sik (임현식 (林玄植)) as Kang Deok-gu (강덕구 (姜德九)). (Jang-geum's adoptive father)
- Kang sook-soo (강숙수 (姜熟手))
- Geum Bo-ra (금보라 (琴寶羅)) as Na Joo-daek (나주댁 (羅州宅)). (Deok-gu's wife and Jang-geum's adoptive mother)[4]
[edit] Time as a Palace Chef
- Yang Mi-gyeong (양미경 (梁美京)) as Han Baek-young (한백영 (韓白榮))[5]
- Han Sang-gung (한상궁 (韓尙宮)), Lady Han
- Choi-go Sang-gung (최고상궁(最高尙宮)), Top Lady of the Royal Kitchen.
- Kyeon Mi-ri (견미리 (甄美莉)) as Choi Seong-geum (최성금 (崔成琴))
- Choi Sang-gung (최상궁 (崔尙宮)), Lady Choi
- Choi-go Sang-gung (최고상궁(最高尙宮)), Top Lady of the Royal Kitchen
- Jae-jo Sang-gung (재조상궁 (提調尙宮)), Chief Lady (after ousting the previous Chief Lady, Lady Park)
- Park Eun-hye (박은혜 (朴恩惠)) as Lee Yeon-saeng (이연생 (李連生))
- Lee Ip-sae (이잎새 (李玲詩)) as Yoon Young-roh (윤영로 (尹令路))
- Yoon Na-in (윤나인 (尹內人)), Palace maid Yoon
- Yoon Sang-gung (윤상궁 (尹尙宮)), Lady Yoon. (Servant to the Chief Lady (Jae-jo sang-gung), upon Geum-young's promotion to Top Lady)
- Kim So-ih (김소이 (金素怡)) as Min Mee-geum (민미금 (閔美琴))
- Min sang-gung (Lady Min) (민상궁 (閔尙宮))
- Choi-go Sang-gung (최고상궁(最高尙宮)),Highest Lady of the Royal Kitchen. (elected after the conviction of the Choi family and the replacement of an ailing top lady)
- Yeo Woon-gye (여운계 (呂韵季)) as Jeong Mal-geum (정말금 (鄭末今))
- Jeong Sang-gung (정상궁 (鄭尙宮)), Lady Jeong
- Choi-go Sang-gung (최고상궁(最高尙宮))Highest Lady of the Royal Kitchen
- Park Jeong-soo (박정수 (朴貞洙)) as Park Yong-shin (박용신 (朴容信)).
- Jae-jo Sang-gung (재조상궁 (提調尙宮)), Chief Lady. (before being ousted by Lady Choi)
- Choi Ja-hye (최자혜 (崔慈慧)) as Chang-ee (창이 (昌伊))[8]
- Chang-ee Na-in (창이나인 (昌伊內人))
- Chang-ee Sang-gung (창이상궁 (昌伊尙宮)) (upon Jang-geum's return to the Palace after King Jungjong's death eight years later)
- Jo Gyeong-hwan (조경환 (趙卿煥)) as Oh Gyeom-ho (오겸호 (吳兼護))
- Right Minister Oh (우의정(右相大人))
- Lee Hee-do (이희도 (李熙道)) as Choi Pan-sul (최판술 (崔判述)), Lady Choi's brother
- Na Seong-gyun (나성균 (羅成均)) as Yun Mak-gae (윤막개 (尹莫介)), Young-roh's uncle
- Choi Seong-geum's aunt was the Top Lady during Park Myeong-yi, Choi Seong-geum, and Han Baek-young's time as palace maids. She was the executor of Myeong-yi's secret "death sentence" administered to all palace maids committing moral errors.
[edit] Time as a Medical Woman
- Jeon In-taek (전인택 (全仁澤)) as Doctor Jeong Yoon-soo (정윤수 (鄭允壽))
- Maeng Sang-hun (맹상훈 (孟相勳)) as Prof. (and Doctor) Jeong Woon-baek (정원백 (鄭雲白))
- Kim Yeo-jin (김여진 (金汝眞)) as Jang-deok (장덕 (張德))[9]
- Han Ji-min (한지민 (韓智敏)) as Shin-bi (신비 (信非))
- Shin-bi Ui-nyo (信非醫女), Physician Lady Shin-bi
- Lee Se-eun (이세은 (李世恩)) as Yeol-ee (열이 (阿烈)) (Her "adoptive" mother was the previous Head Lady Park Yong-shin)
- Park Ui-nyo (박의녀(朴醫女)), Physician Lady Yeol-lee
[edit] OST
[edit] Theme Song
The theme song, Onara is in Old Korean. Consequently, in South Korea, there had been a lot of arguments about what the lyrics of this song were and how they should be interpreted. As a result, different interpretations had surfaced. Eventually the song writer, Se-Hyeon Im, revealed the lyrics. In the Philippines, the theme song was "Pangarap na Bituin" (My dream Star) which is sung by Faith Cuneta and "Alipin" (Slave) which is sung by pop-rock band Shamrock and replaced by Regine Velasquez version of the same song on its re-run, done in piano power ballad style.
[edit] Tracklisting of OST
- 고원(高原) Hamangyeon by Bowie Lam
- 창룡(蒼龍) Dae Jang Geum Opening theme, Practicing Medicine theme, Return to the palace
- 하망연(何茫然) Hamangyeon-Featuring Safina
- 오나라 II
- 0815(空八一五)
- 연밥
- 덕구
- Hamangyeon Featuring Safina
- APNA
- 다솜
- 비(悲)
- 단가(短歌)
- 연도(烟濤)
- 오나라 I
- The Legend Becomes History
- 자야오가(子夜吳歌) Techno Ver.
- 하망연(何茫然) Hamangyeon-Instrumental
[edit] Historical connection
Dae Jang-Geum was a real person documented in the Annals of Joseon Dynasty, as well as a medical document of the time. However, descriptions and references of her were scarce and mostly brief. Many assert that Dae Jang-geum was the first female royal physician of the king in Korean history. Nevertheless, there were (and still are, to this day) some who continue to believe that Dae Jang-Geum is merely a fictional figure drawn from various references of female doctors in the Annals. The DVD box-set of the series was given to North Korea's leader Kim Jong-il by South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun during the Korean summit in October 2007.
[edit] Commercial success
[10][11] Dae Jang Geum has experienced extensive success across Asia, in places such as Iran, mainland China,Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, further continuing the “Korean wave” cultural fever that gripped Asia in the early 2000s. It has also been shown in Australia, the United States, and Canada.
Dae Jang Geum was first shown in South Korea from 15 September 2003 to 23 March 2004 on MBC where it was the top program at the time with an average viewer rate of 45.8% and an all-time high of 57.1%. It is the highest rated drama in South Korean history[12].
The drama was next shown on GTV in Taiwan in May 2004 where it was dubbed into Mandarin Chinese and known as Da Changjin (大長今 Dà Chángjīn). It was also the number one program in Taiwan at the time and the theme song was sung by Angela Chang.
In September 2005, it was shown on Hong Kong’s TVB as the same name 大長今, where it became the top-rated program in Hong Kong drama history. The theme song was sung by Kelly Chen.
Beginning in June 2005, the program was shown variously titled in the United States on AZN Television and mostly on ethnic Korean stations such as KBFD in Hawaii and WOCH-CA in Chicago.
In July 2005, Dae Jang Geum was shown on Canada’s Cantonese-language Fairchild TV and in September 2005 on Australia’s Cantonese-language TVB Jade.
Also in September, Dae Jang Geum was first shown in China on Hunan TV where it was known as Da Changjin (大長今 Dà Chángjīn). Also shown on other channels, the program is known for the many variations of the Chinese version of the theme song were sung by various artists. Examples are the CETV version, the Hunan TV version, and the version sung by five winners of the Super Girl singing contest. Chinese President Hu Jintao once told the leader of the ruling Uri Party, it was a shame his busy schedule kept him from watching every episode.[13]
In Japan, the drama was shown beginning in October 2005 on the country's biggest TV station, NHK, under the title of The Vow of Palace Court Lady Jang Geum. (宮廷女官チャングムの誓い Kyūtei Nyokan Changumu no Chikai).
Dae Jang Geum was also shown in Thailand (as แดจังกึม) in October 2005 on Channel 3.
In Indonesia, Dae Jang Geum was shown in December 2005 by an Indonesia's TV station, Indosiar.
Dae Jang Geum was shown by GMA Network in the Philippines under the title Jewel in The Palace and is rated as the highest rating Korean novela in primetime from November 2005 to March 2006, only beaten by My Name is Kim Sam Soon, which also aired on GMA. During April, the show bounced back to the leading spot as the latter show ends. Due to its massive popularity, the show was re-run and enjoyed high ratings. Faith Cuneta sang a Tagalog version of the theme song titled “Pangarap na Bituin” for the Philippines release.[citation needed]
in Iran, Dae Jang Geum is shown by Channel 2 under the title Jewel in The Palace in 2006 and 2007 and remind Oshin, a Japanese popular series which was shown 20 years ago.[14] On the basis of the survey of IRIB, this series has been at the first rank of the most popular series of IRIB in Ordibehesht(March-April) 2007 with 57 percent audience and 92 percent satisfaction. [15]
Dae Jang Geum will be dubbed into Russian and shown daily at 8pm on Russia's DVTRK from March 2007. On Saturday 24th September, Korean drama Dae Jang Geum began airing in India during prime time on the country’s state-owned DDTV. It will be shown over the next two years. Dae Jang Geum has also aired in Jordan and Egypt. There is also an online campaign to show Dae Jang Geum on the UK's most well-known channel, BBC. The link to the campaign's website: http://showdjgonbbc.blogspot.com/
Dae Jang Geum was also shown in Brunei in April 2007 on RTB2 under the title Jewel in The Palace.
Dae Jang Geum is currently being shown in India after being dubbed in National language(Hindi) as 'Ghar ka Chirag'.
The Arabic Dub which has also started airing on Dubai TV on October 14th, 2007 carries the title Jawharatu Alqasr (جوهرة القصر). It is the Arabic translation for Jewel in the Palace.
The Turkish TV has also started airing on TRT 1 in January 14th, 2008 carries the title "Saraydaki Mücevher" as Turkish language.
[edit] Cultural impact
A part of the Korean wave of South Korean popular culture in East Asia, Dae Jang Geum’s immense popularity has had significant cultural impact.
[edit] Trivia
In an episode of King of the Hill, Kahn and Minh were watching Dae Jang Geum in Lao.
[edit] Tourism
The Korea Tourism Organization has promoted Dae Jang Geum-oriented tourism in East Asia and the United States and the main outdoor sets built by MBC for the shooting of the drama were purchased by the South Korean government. The Dae Jang Geum Theme Park was opened in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province in 2004 at the site of these sets where much of the filming occurred.[16]
[edit] Spin-offs
Spun off from Dae Jang Geum, Jang Geum's Dream is much the same story but focuses on Jang Geum in her younger years.
[edit] Parodies
In 2006, a Japanese pornographic film company hired Korean actors to create an erotic parody of Dae Jang Geum entitled The Garden of Sensual Court Lady Jang Geum for release in 2007.[17]
The theme song of Dae Jang Geum, "Onara," has also been subject of an online parody in Mandarin Chinese, featuring a series of puns derived from the original song and telling a humorous story.
In Philippines, due to its popularity in GMA primetime, it was spoofed in Bubble Gang and its title skit is "Jowa In The Palace" and another is "Lavandera in the Palace: Pulis Pangkalooban", a combined parody of Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan, La Vendetta, Jumong and this said show.
[edit] Notes
- ^ The Highest court lady position of the palace. In charge of all the women working in the Palace
- ^ The Royal Kitchen is known as "수랏간(水剌間)" (soo-rak-gan) in Korea, translated into"御膳廚房" in Mandarin.
- ^ In the Philippines, he is known as Kapitan or the Captain.
- ^ Known as "추향(秋香)" (Chuhyang) in Mandarin. In the Philippines, she was known as Aling Shon-bi (손비).
- ^ Known as "한애종(韓愛鍾)" (Han Aijong) in Mandarin.
- ^ As the King's concubine, in 5th class of a 9-rank system.
- ^ As the eighth Queen in rank, in 4th class.
- ^ Known as "阿昌" (Achang) in Mandarin. In the Philippines, she was No-chang (노창).
- ^ Also referred to as "首医女" Top medical woman in Mandarin.
- ^ Overseas Press to Participate in the Hallyu Promotion Event at the Korea Tourism Organization website. 10 October 2005.
- ^ Boonsong Kositchotethana. “A lesson from South Korea” Bangkok Post. 11 January 2006.
- ^ Jewel in the Palace in MBC
- ^ daejanggeum
- ^ Review of the Jewel in The Palace series (Persian)
- ^ بر اساس آخرین نتایج بررسی تحقیقات صدا و سیما، «جواهری در قصر» با 57 درصد مخاطب و 92 درصد رضایت درصدر پرمخاطب ترین سریال های پخش شده در اردیبهشت ماه قرار دارد. روزنامه جام جم، 31 خرداد 1386، صفحه 3
- ^ Overseas Press to Participate in the Hallyu Promotion Event at the Korea Tourism Organization website. 10 October 2005.
- ^ 日 무명배우 고용 ‘에로 대장금’찍어, MBC강력 대응 방침 from News. Naver.com. 8 December 2006. (Korean)
[edit] See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- List of top rated Korean Dramas
- History of Korea
- Korean wave
- Jang Geum
- Jang Geum's Dream - the animated television series
- Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman - American version of a woman doctor
[edit] External links
- Dae Jang Geum official website (MBC) (Korean)
- Dae Jang Geum official website (MBC) (English)
- Dae Jang Geum official website in Japan (NHK) (Japanese)
- Dae Jang Geum Official Homepage in Mainland China (Hunan TV) (Chinese)
- Hong Kong - Jewel in the Palace official homepage (TVB) (Chinese)
- Complete summaries, theme songs and news about Jewel In The Palace (English)
- Dae Jang Geum Theme Park website (English)
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