When do you ever like a DVD set of a TV mini-series so much that you can unequivocally say that it is the best drama you have ever seen – despite me being only a third of the way through watching it and despite it being an English subtitle experience of a Korean program, a culture I must admit I know next to nothing about?
Such is the case with Dae Jang Geum/Jewel in the Palace, a historical drama depicting Korean court life in the early 1500’s. It originally aired as 54 one hour episodes on television in South Korea in 2003-2004. Telling the story of a young orphan girl who becomes an apprentice cook in the King’s palace, she eventually becomes the first recorded female royal physician to a King.
The drama is in part based on actual history. The Annals of Joseon Dynasty, a history of the kings who ruled in Korea for 400 years, tells of a female royal doctor. The drama extrapolated from this historical truth is a remarkable combination of palace intrigue and corruption, extraordinary scenes of remarkable cooking/cuisine, heroism, morality and love.
This YouTube video (one of the few YouTube selections using shots of the English subtitled version) features the protagonist, Jae Geum with her mentor Lady Han, one of the Court Ladies for the Royal Kitchen.
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Although the above YouTube video sets the vignettes to a Celine Dion song, the actual soundtrack to the show is also haunting. I find myself hearing the music inside my head long after watching an episode. Here is the original soundtrack being performed by an orchestra.
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I borrowed the first volume of the three volume set (18 one hour episodes) through inter-library loan because not many libraries in the U.S. own it. Since the lending period was short and my pals and I are totally hooked on it, vol. 2 is already on its way as a purchase from Amazon.
I highly recommend Dae Jang Geum. Already exported to 60 countries and taking country after country by storm after its airing, you truly must find out for yourself just how captivating this epic story is.
Dae Jang Geum Themepark in South Korea.
Korea Times article about the international popularity of this drama.
Internet Movie Database comments about worldwide cultural impact of the drama.
Plot Summary of the 54 episodes in English.
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I am also a big fan of Dae Jang Geum. I learned of it on an internet discussion forum, in a thread on favorite tv shows. Someone there had a Korean girlfriend who introduced him to the show. So in that roundabout way I discovered this amazing drama.
I have a Google Alert for any mention of Dae Jang Geum or Lee Young Ae (the Korean actress who played Jang Geum), which is what led me to your review.
I also reviewed the story on my blog, here:
http://symbol-of-freedom.blogspot.com/2008/04/dae-jang-geum.html
You and your friends have many hours of great entertainment ahead of you. Jang Geum suffers many heartbreaking setbacks, but her spirit is never broken. That’s what makes her heroic.
Hi Chuck,
I enjoyed reading your review. It delves into the laudable heroism, integrity and inspiration portrayed as a central theme of the show. I am also delighted to see there is a link to watch the show for free streaming over the Web at http://aznv.tv. I just have to figure out about the Winamp player and then I will refer my friends who do not have easy access to it.
I loved this series, Sharani. I have all three box sets and have devoured the lot. Amazing how something so simple and sweet can contain so many truths and so many cliff-hangers! I must resist the temptation to ramble on in case I inadvertently drop any spoilers, but suffice to say I found its rare inner and outer beauty compelling and captivating from first to last.
I love it.it is the one best tv show i have ever seen..costumes,culture,foods…i begin to love cook …this show teach me lots of thing.i am the very big fan of this historical drama …Thank you who ever did this tv show.
I agree Nazan. Now that I have finished watching this series, I find myself wishing to assimilate the moral and health lessons embodied in it too. I can completely understand how it could even have a theme park in Seoul created around the show.
It was really great. It was very thoughtful and interesting throughout. A little addictive. I can’t believe I’ve watched 56 hours of TV! but, it was an epic series.