| Dae Jang Geum 대장금 |
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| Also known as | Jewel in the Palace on the AZN Television broadcast |
| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Format | Television drama |
| 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 45 minutes |
| 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 (Hangul: 대장금; Hanja: 大長今; RR: Dae Jang-geum; MR: Tae Chang-gǔm; literally The Great Jang Geum, aired in the United States as Jewel in the Palace) is a 2003 TV series produced by South Korean TV channel MBC.
Loosely based 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 themes are her perseverance, and the portrayal of traditional Korean culture, including Korean royal court cuisine and traditional medicine.
Contents |
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.
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.
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.
[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, Canada and Israel.
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 until the season finale of Moonlight Resonance. 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.[14]
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.[15] 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. [16]
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.
In Nigeria The African Independent Television AIT is currently airing "Dae Jang Geum" as "Jewel in The Palace" on Sundays 9am
Israeli cable TV daytime-drama channel stated airing "Dae Jang Geum" (in Korean with subtitles) as "The Crown Diamond" (היהלום שבכתר) on October 2008.
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.
-In an episode of King of the Hill, Kahn and Minh were watching Dae Jang Geum in Laos.
-In episode 1 of Princess Hours, Chae Kyung's Family is watching episode 30 of Dae Jang Geum, where Yeon Saeng was being scolded for playing with the King's Puppy.
-In episode 32 of Love Truly, Yeo Bong Soon's mother, played by Geum Bo Ra, is watching Dae Jang Geum. This is ironic because Geum Bo Ra is also in Dae Jang Geum, where she played Jang Geum's adoptive mother Na Joo-Daek.
-In episode 9 of Who Are You, there is a large Dae Jang Geum poster on the side of a building.
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.[10]
Spun off from Dae Jang Geum, Jang Geum's Dream is much the same story but focuses on Jang Geum in her younger years.
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.
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