Dae Jang Geum

Dae Jang Geum
End title of Dae Jang Geum
Also known as	Jewel in the Palace 대장금
Genre	Historical fiction
Format	Television drama
Created by	Kim Yeong-Hyeon
Directed by	Kim Keun Hong
Starring	Lee Young Ae Ji Jin-Hee Hong Ri-Na Im Ho
Opening theme	Changryong
Ending theme	Onara
Country of origin	South Korea
Language(s)	Korean
No. of episodes	54
Production
Executive producer(s)	Lee Byeong-Hoon
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
Website

Dae Jang Geum (Hangul: 대장금; Hanja: 大長今; RR: Dae Jang-geum; MR: Tae Chang-gǔm; literally The Great Jang Geum) is a 2003 epic South Korean television series directed by Lee Byung Hoon and produced by MBC. Starring Lee Young Ae, it tells the tale of an orphaned kitchen cook who went on to become the king's first female physician. In a time when women held little influence in society, young apprentice cook Jang Geum strives to learn the secrets of Korean cooking and medicine in order to cure the King of his various ailments. Produced for $15 million, the show received as much as 57% of viewers in South Korea and has pulled in $40 million worldwide since it first aired in 2003.^[1]

It is based on the true story of Jang-geum, the first female royal physician of the Joseon Dynasty. The main themes are her perseverance and the portrayal of traditional Korean culture, including Korean royal court cuisine and traditional medicine.

Synopsis

The story is set in Korea during the reigns of King Seongjong (1457–1494), King Yeonsan-gun (1494–1506) and King Jungjong (1506–1544).

Executions

At the outset, King Seongjong has ordered the execution by poisoning of his deposed wife Deposed Queen Lady Yun, the mother of the first-born son, the young crown prince (the future Prince Yeonsan). After carrying out the execution, one of the royal guards, Seo Cheon-soo, is haunted by the execution. On his way home, he suffers an accident and is rescued by a mysterious hermit with a cryptic message—that his life will revolve around three women: the first he will be forced to kill; another he will save, but will die because of him; and the third will kill him, but will go on to save many lives. It doesn't become clear until later in the story that the three women are the poisoned Deposed Queen Lady Yun, Park Myeong-yi (Seo's eventual wife and the mother of Jang-geum) and Jang-geum (the main character and Seo's only daughter). Haunted by the curse of the executed deposed Queen Consort, and his prophesied fate at the hands of the third woman, he abandons his post and also becomes a hermit, refusing to take a wife.

Park Myeong-yi

After many years, the former king dies and the Crown Prince ascends the throne as the 10th King of Joseon. Park Myeong-yi is a palace girl (or gungnyeo) and apprentice cook of the royal kitchen (sooratgan). She witnesses a fellow apprentice, a girl from the powerful Choi clan named Choi Seong-geum, slip poison into the Great Royal Dowager Queen's food. Unaware that the senior kitchen officers are part of a conspiracy against the said Queen, Myeong-yi informs the head kitchen officer (choigo sanggung).^[2] The officers, fearful that Myeong-yi might reveal their conspiracy, attempt to murder her. Myeong-yi's best friend, Han Baek-yeong, witnesses the crime and manages to secretly save her (by hurriedly diluting the poison with an antidote). She leaves the unconscious Myeong-yi a letter explaining what had happened. As Seo Cheon-soo wanders through the forest in his self-imposed hermitage, he stumbles upon the half-conscious Myeong-yi. He rescues her and the two fall in love and marry. They end up living peacefully in a remote village as lower caste commoners (Seo Cheon-soo posing as a butcher and village weapon smith) and raise a clever daughter named Seo Jang-geum.

Jang-geum

In 1504, Prince Yeonsan orders the execution of people responsible for his mother (Queen Consort Jeheon)'s death, thereby launching the notorious Literati Purges of 1504. Jang-geum is warned by her parents to never reveal their true identities to anyone or they will all die. One day Jang-geum and her father go to a village fair. In a wrestling match she blurts out to the jeering crowd that her father is not a low-born butcher but a former guard of the royal palace. Words spread, and the king's guards arrest Seo Cheon-soo and execute him. Mother and daughter flee but are captured by the guards. As they are taken away, the group is ambushed by mercenaries hired by the Choi clan patriarch, who is determined to kill Myeong-yi and her daughter. Myeong-yi is injured and before she dies she tells Jang-geum her last wish: that she become the choigo sanggung of the royal kitchen and record the crime in a journal that is passed down through every generation of the choigo sanggungs.

Through a series of lucky coincidences (one involving Prince Yeonsan's half-brother Grand Prince Jinseong), Jang-geum manages to enter the palace. She is unknowingly apprenticed to Han Baek-young, her mother's best friend now raised to the rank of sanggung. Jang-geum endures many ordeals and is bullied because she is more skilled and works harder than the other girls. During her time as a palace girl, Jang-geum befriends a young seonbi named Min Jeong-ho, who falls in love with her. Her rival is Choi Geum-yeong, another gungnyeo and Choi Seong-geum (also raised to the rank of sanggung due to her association with her aunt the former choigo sanggung)'s niece. While not a cruel person, Geum-yeong's conscience is slowly eroded by Lady Choi's ruthless behavior. Min Jeong-ho urges Geum-yeong to maintain her integrity and stand up to her evil relatives, but an angry Geum-yeong accuses Jeong-ho of not loving her and being by her side.

Many years pass and Lady Choi schemes to win the position of choigo sanggung of royal kitchen. The Choi women have successively occupied the choigo sanggung position for five successive generations, allowing the clan to become exclusive suppliers of goods and produce to the royal kitchen, making the clan immensely wealthy and powerful. Eventually a cooking competition is declared and Lady Choi and Lady Han vie to become the choigo sanggung. When Lady Han wins (and becomes choigo sanggung), and the King suddenly falls ill during one of his trips to a hot spring, Choi Pan-sool (Lady Choi's elder brother, and main supplier of the royal kitchen) and the Right Minister Oh Gyeom-ho (the Choi clan's ally within the Royal Cabinet) frame Lady Han and Jang-geum as traitors in league with Jo Gwang-jo, famous Joseon reformer. In an effort to save Jang-geum, Lady Han declares that she alone is guilty of treason. Nonetheless, both are judged guilty and sent to Jeju Island to work as government slaves. On the way there Lady Han dies from her injuries. Lady Choi replaces her as the choigo sanggung, while Jang-geum vows revenge.

In exile at Jeju

Min Jeong-ho follows Jang-geum to Jeju Island. He offers to help Jang-geum escape, but she refuses since doing so would mean never returning to the palace to clear Lady Han's name, as well as never obtaining justice for her mother's death. Min Jeong-ho declares he will wait for her at the palace, confident that Jang-geum will find a way to re-enter the palace.

On Jeju Island, Jang-geum meets a woman named Jang-deok, whom she first mistakes for a fellow slave. She soon discovers that Jang-deok is a famous female doctor. Jang-deok's blunt and forthright nature initially offends her, but she learns in time that the female doctor is dedicated and caring. As the days go by, Jang-geum realizes that her only way back to the palace is to become a female physician (uinyeo). She begs Jang-deok to teach her medicine. Jang-geum's friend, Jeong Woon-baek, an eccentric royal physician, disapproves of her decision to pursue medicine in order to take revenge on the Choi clan. In spite of this, Jang-geum perseveres and earns herself a spot as a female doctor-in-training at the palace.^[3]

Upon returning to the palace, Jang-geum encounters Choi Geum-yeong, who has been promoted to choigo sanggung. The ruthlessly ambitious Lady Choi has ousted the former female head officer of the palace (jaejo sanggung; one of their former allies),^[4] and now occupies that position herself. Min Jeong-ho is a lieutenant and a member of the King's Royal Cabinet. Jang-geum's childhood best friend, Lee Yeon-saeng, also a gungnyeo, had caught the king's eye, and is now his concubine (sook-ui^[5]). Jang-geum endures many trials at the palace, from being forced to wash the feet of Geum-yeong, to a backstabbing uinyeo named Park Yeol-yi. In spite of this, Jang-geum manages to accomplish great things, such as curing an epidemic and saving the king's life when the king's own physicians had failed.

With Jang-geum's status rising, several events ensue that lead to an investigation of the Choi clan, resulting in the prosecution of Lady Choi, her elder brother and several high-ranking officials, including the chief state councillor. Everyone scrambles to escape, and only Lady Choi manages to evade the guards. Jang-geum finds her and asks if she is willing to sacrifice her niece, Geum-yeong, to the authorities while she herself escapes. Lady Choi, who had abandoned her ethics and conscience for the sake of the Choi clan, is unable to respond. Torn between self-preservation and guilt, Lady Choi wanders the countryside hallucinating. She ends up falling off a cliff off Mount Dongin and dies (but not before speaking and paying respects in front of the memorial grave of her former friend Park Myeong-yi, Jang-geum's mother). Choi Geum-yeong loses her position as choigo sanggung and is exiled along with the other officials.

Through her dedication, perseverance and skill Jang-geum saves the royal family from one disaster after another. After giving birth to a stillborn child, Queen Consort Munjeong remained ill. Jang-geum correctly identifies a second stillborn fetus in the Queen Consort's womb and saves her life. She convinces the Dowager Queen mother to undergo medical treatment at the risk of being beheaded. She also cures Grand Prince Gyeongwon, Queen Consort Munjeong's only son, of smallpox, which earns the permanent gratitude of the Queen Consort.

Court physician

For her achievements King Jungjong makes Jang-geum a 6th rank official^[6] and appoints her to be his personal physician, the first woman to hold such a position. The court is in uproar and the state councillors unanimously oppose the appointment on the grounds that it violates the country's constitution. When the Dowager Queen mother humiliates herself to express her disapproval, the king revokes his decision. She urges the king to take Jang-geum as one of his concubines. Although the king is in love with Jang-geum, he refrains from making her one of his concubines against her will. Jang-geum cures a second bout of Behçet's disease, and the king finally decrees her his personal physician. She is granted the honorific "Dae" (meaning "The Great"), as well as the position of a 3rd rank official.

Jang-geum fears that accepting this position will endanger her friends and family. However, with Min Jeong-ho's support, she accepts. The ministers and scholars of the court bitterly accept the decree, but demand that the king punish Min Jeong-ho for supporting Jang-geum's appointment. Seeing an opportunity to separate the lovers the king agrees and Jeong-ho is sentenced to exile.

Escape, and fugitives from the law

Eventually, the king's old illness returns. Jang-geum attempts to heal him using all the medical technologies known at the time. The other doctors offer advice but nothing works; the king is dying. Jang-geum resorts to her last option—an experimental technique using newly 'discovered' anesthesia and surgery.^[7] However, the king's body is considered sacred and the court unanimously opposes this new procedure, and the king decides not to allow the operation. Knowing Jang-geum's life will be in danger after his death, the repentant king sends her to escape with Min Jeong-ho. Jang-geum and Jeong-ho live as fugitives.

8 years later, Jang-geum is spotted by her adoptive father, who alerts Jang-geum's friends in the palace. By this time Jungjong had long passed away, along with his appointed Crown Prince (who became Injong, who ruled for less than a year due to a life of illness. The second-in-line to succeed the throne is the child Grand Prince Gyeongwon, only son of Queen Munjeong, who is now both the Great Royal Dowager Queen and the Regent, wielding enormous power.^[8] She hears that Jang-geum is still in the country and invites her and Jeong-ho to return to the palace and be reinstated to their previous positions. Jang-geum and Jeong-ho joyfully return, but they decide for the sake of their family to live away from the palace.

As they return to their normal lives, Jang-geum comes across a pregnant woman, and successfully uses her surgical skills to deliver the woman's baby via Caesarean section, thus becoming the first physician in Korea to do a surgical procedure. While Jang-geum celebrates her success, Jeong-ho laments the repressive social climate of Korea, and its inability to accommodate a woman with ambitions.

Cast

• Lee Young-ae as Seo Jang Geum

An intelligent and beautiful lady whose outgoing nature and enthusiasm allow her stand out from the crowd. Ever since her parents died during a political massacre, she has suffered many hardships and obstacles, especially in the palace, but she overcomes them with strong determination and perseverance.

Being strong-willed, Jang Geum strives to reach her goal no matter what and it is with her extraordinary medical skills/knowledge and her moral to only use it for good that she becomes the first female physician for the Emperor, and named the Great Dae Jang Geum, ranking third in the officers, something that had never happened before in Chosun history.

• Ji Jin-hee as Min Jung-ho

A learned man with good looks and high intelligence, he is an outstanding scholar who combines both learning and the martial arts. Min Jung Ho is a judge of the Hang Sung Boo, a government ministry governing the affairs of the capital Hang Sung. He is saved by Jang Geum without his knowledge when he is shot. They then meet again when she goes to him to borrow books. They become romantically involved as he moves to Nae Geum Wee, the Royal Military Guard as Jong Sa Gwan, a senior officer.

• Hong Ri-na as Choi Geum-young

Choi Keum-Young starts her life in the palace as the niece of the influential Lady Choi, and becomes Jang Geum's long-time rival. She is an arrogant girl burning with ambitions. Although she is with the Choi clan, she is desperate to find her own way: never really accepting the Chois' way but unable to find her own independent identity. Her intelligence and talents often put her head-to-head with Jang Geum and she desperately competes with her in order to become better than her. Eventually Lady Choi's influence and her unreciprocated attraction to Min Jung-ho prompt her to keep mostly to the Choi clan's ways.

• Im Ho as King Jungjong

The 11th king of the Chosun Dynasty. He is very gentle but extremely irresolute and indecisive. He is a kind man who has lost his ability to love a woman as his first wife was forced to be killed by cabinet ministers for political reasons. The Emperor deeply grieved over his beloved wife, but he had no actual power to protect her. He is constantly aware that he is only a puppet to the appointed ministers and is angered over the fact he is helpless to do anything. The Emperor gets to know Jang Geum in the midst of his aggressive efforts toward pushing for a political reform and grows fond of her for her warm personality and outstanding talents. He finds an understanding companion within her and later, for the first time in a decade, becomes attracted to her.

• Han Sang Gung

As one of Soo Ra Gan's Sang Gung, she possesses a talent in culinary art and is able to identify the source of the ingredients in a dish. Best friend to Jang Geum's mother, she often misses and regrets not being able to save her friend. She is a rigorous person who is not to be swayed from her purpose. Although obdurate in nature, she is actually very kind-hearted. Jang Geum's appearance allowed to open up and she treats her as both a strict teacher and kind mother.

• Kyeon Mi-ri as Choi Seong-geum

Choi Pan Sool's younger sister and Keum-Young's aunt. Comes from a family of high hierarchy and is to be the successor of Soo Ran Gan's Highest Sang Gung from a long bloodline. She started learning the delicacy of food at a young age. She is arrogant in nature and holds her pride above anything else. She possesses a fierce need to get what she wants and will stop at nothing until she does. She is sharp-minded and quick in action and thus is always one step ahead of plotting against Jang Geum and Han Sang Gung.

Other

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 Duk-gu (강덕구 姜德九). (Jang-geum's adoptive father)
• 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)^[9]

Time as a palace chef

• Yang Mi-gyeong (양미경 梁美京) as Han Baek-young (한백영 (韓白榮)^[10]
• Park Eun-hye (박은혜 朴恩惠) as Lee Yeon-saeng (이연생 (李連生)
• Lee Ip-sae (이잎새 李잎새) as Yoon Young-roh (윤영로 尹令路)
• Kim So-ih (김소이 金素怡) as Min Mee-geum (민미금 閔美琴)
• Yeo Woon-kay (여운계 呂運計) as Jung Mal-geum (정말금 (鄭末今)
• Park Jeong-soo (박정수 朴貞洙) as Park Yong-shin (박용신 (朴容信).
• Choi Ja-hye (최자혜 崔慈慧) as Chang-ee (창이 (昌伊)^[11]
• Jo Gyeong-hwan (조경환 趙卿煥) as Oh Gyeom-ho (오겸호 吳兼護)
• 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.

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 (정운백 鄭雲白)
• Kim Yeo-jin (김여진 金汝眞) as Jang-deok (장덕 (張德)^[12]
• Han Ji-min (한지민 韓智敏) as Shin-bi (신비 信非)
• Lee Se-eun (이세은 李世恩) as Park Yeol-i (열이 朴阿烈) (Her "adoptive" mother was the previous Head Lady Park Yong-shin)

Series notes

Dae Jang Geum is a fictionalized drama of a historical figure by the name of Jang-geum. It is unclear whether a person by that name existed.

The script originally included a kissing scene between Seo Jang-geum and Min Jung-ho, but Lee Yeong-ae, who plays Jang-geum, felt it wasn't necessary and that the drama did not need such scenes in order to generate viewer ratings. Hence the scene was removed.

Lady Han (Yang Mi-gyeong) was supposed to die in episode 18 but due to fan protests, the director delayed her death.

Park Eun-hye was originally cast to play the role of Seo Jang-geum, but later when it was confirmed that Lee Young-ae would be acting in the drama as well, Eun-hye was recast in the role of Lee Yeon-saeng.

Dae Jang-geum references in other shows

In an episode of King of the Hill, Kahn and Minh were watching Dae Jang Geum (which is dubbed in Laotian).

In episode 1 of Princess Hours, Chae-gyeong's family is watching episode 30 of Dae Jang Geum (Yeon-saeng 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.

In episode 2 of Silence, a Taiwanese drama starring Park Eun Hye, Dae Jang Geum is mentioned as a famous Korean drama.

Soundtrack

Theme song

The theme song, Onara (Korean: 오나라) is in Old Korean. This produced arguments about the lyrics and how they should be interpreted. As a result, different interpretations surfaced. Eventually the songwriter, Im Se-Hyeon, revealed the lyrics.^[13]

The song is in the pansori style, a particular type of Korean music that emerged during the Joseon Dynasty and was very popular in the 19th century. It utilizes the vocals of one singer, a sorikkun, and one drummer, a gosu, to tell a themed story. The refrain ("He-iya di-iya he-iya naranino") is called chu-imsae and, in traditional pansori, it is supplied by the drummer to give rhythm to the song in addition to the beat. Chuimsae consists of meaningless vowel sounds or short words of encouragement. Chuimsae is analogous to scat singing in jazz nonsense syllables such as "La, la, la," or "Shoop, shoop ba doop" in English-language popular songs.

Since the song is in archaic Korean, the meaning of the song can be ambiguous. But one explanation is that the song depicts a girl who longs for a man that she cannot be with. So she accepts the way it is and moves on with her life.

Korean version

The end of each episode of Dae Jang Geum features "Onara" sung by three Korean children, Gim Ji-hyeon (김지현 / 金智賢), Baek Bo-hyeon (백보현 / 白寶賢), Gim Seul-gi (김슬기 / 金슬기), who were elementary schoolers learning Korean classic music at the time. The Dae Jang Geum soundtrack album also features a slower version of the song sung by E Ahn (이안 / 李安) (real name: I Dong-hui [이동희 / 李冬熙), a Korean traditional music singer who graduated from the Korean classical music department at Seoul National University.

Foreign versions

"Onara" has several other versions that were used with Dae Jang Geum’s release outside of Korea. "Hope" (希望 Hèimohng) was the version sung by Kelly Chen in Cantonese for the Hong Kong release. "Baby" (娃娃 Wáwá) was sung by Angela Chang in Mandarin Chinese for the Taiwan release. "Calling" (呼唤 Hūhuàn) sung by Tang Can and "Hope" (希望 Xīwàng) sung by five winners of the Super Girl singing contest were among those used for the China release. Faith Cuneta sang an entirely different Tagalog song titled "Pangarap na Bituin" for the Philippines release.

Tracklisting of OST

1. 고원 (高原)
2. 창룡 (蒼龍) Dae Jang Geum Opening theme, Practicing Medicine theme, Return to the palace
3. 하망연 (何茫然) Hamangyeon-Featuring Safina
4. 오나라 II
5. 0815 (空八一五)
6. 연밥
7. 덕구
8. Hamangyeon Featuring Safina
9. APNA
10. 다솜
11. 비 (悲)
12. 단가 (短歌)
13. 연도 (烟濤)
14. 오나라 I
15. The Legend Becomes History
16. 자야오가 (子夜吳歌) Techno Ver.
17. 하망연 (何茫然) Hamangyeon-Instrumental

Awards

MBC Drama Awards

• Grand Prize/Daesang - Lee Young Ae

Commercial success

Dae Jang Geum has experienced extensive success throughout Asia, in places such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, further continuing the “Korean wave” cultural fever that has gripped Asia since the early 2000s.^[14][15] It has been shown in Australia, the United States, Sweden, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Peru, Colombia, Egypt, Romania, Canada, India, Israel, Hungary and New Zealand.^{[citation needed]}

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 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.^[16]

Asia

The drama was shown on GTV in Taiwan in May 2004 where it was dubbed into Mandarin and known as Da Changjin (大長今 Dà Chángjīn). It was the number one program in Taiwan, where the theme song was sung by Angela Chang.

In New Zealand it aired in Korean with English subtitles twice a week from October 2009 on Triangle TV and Stratos Television.

In September 2005 it was shown on Hong Kong’s TVB with the same name 大長今, where it became the top-rated drama in Hong Kong history until the season finale of Moonlight Resonance, a popular Hong Kong-based drama. The theme song was sung by Kelly Chen.

TVB Anniversary Awards (2005)

• Won: Best Foreign Program

In September, Dae Jang Geum aired for the first time in mainland China on Hunan TV where it was known as Da Changjin (大長今 Dà Chángjīn). The theme song of the drama has been performed in many variations by Chinese artists, including versions by CETV, Hunan TV, and a version sung by five winners of the Super Girl singing contest, a popular TV show. Chinese President Hu Jintao once told the leader of the ruling Uri Party that it was a shame his busy schedule kept him from watching every episode.^[17]

In Japan, it appeared 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). It was also aired by TBS in 2009.

Dae Jang Geum was shown in Thailand (as แดจังกึม จอมนางแห่งวังหลวง) in October 2005 on Channel 3.

It aired in Cambodia in the middle of 2005 on Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Television channel and received critical acclaim from several newspapers and magazines. The series performed outstandingly due to its air time during the national school vacation period. Cast member Hong Ri-na visited Cambodia during the first airing. Dae Jang Geum was renamed Chavit Neang Jang Kim (Khmer: ជីវីតនាងចំាងគឹម) and means The Life of Jang Geum Lady.

In Indonesia, Dae Jang Geum was shown in December 2005 by Indosiar.

In Malaysia the drama series first appeared in November 2004 until February 2005 on 8TV however dubbed in Mandarin taken from the Taiwan "Da Changin". After several years, it's re shown in late 2011 on Astro's TV Hijrah (Islamic TV) in original Korean with English subtitles.

In the Philippines Dae Jang Geum was shown by GMA Network under the title Jewel in The Palace and was the highest rated Korean novela from November 2005 to March 2006, beaten only by My Name is Kim Sam Soon, which also aired on GMA. During April, the show bounced back to the lead spot when the latter show ended. 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.^[18]

From September 2007 Dae Jang Geum began airing on the country's state-owned DD-TV in India after it was dubbed and renamed 'Ghar ka Chirag'("the lamp of the house") in Hindi.

Middle East

In Iran Dae Jang Geum appeared on Channel 2 under the title Jewel in The Palace in 2006 and 2007. It reminded viewers of Oshin, a popular Japanese drama that had aired 20 years ago.^[19] Based on a survey conducted by IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting), this series is ranked as the most popular drama of IRIB from March to April 2007 with 57 percent viewership and 92 percent satisfaction.^[20]

Dae Jang Geum has also aired in Jordan and Egypt.

Shown in Brunei in April 2007 on RTB2 under the title Jewel in The Palace.

The Arabic Dub which has also started airing on Dubai TV on October 14, 2007 carries the title Jawharatu Alqasr (جوهرة القصر). It is the Arabic translation for Jewel in the Palace.

Turkish television also started airing Dae Jang Geum on TRT 1 on January 14, 2008. The Turkish title is "Saraydaki Mücevher".

In Nigeria the African Independent Television channel aired "Dae Jang Geum" as "Jewel in The Palace" on Sundays 9am.

The Israeli cable TV daytime-drama channel "Viva" started airing "Dae Jang Geum" (in Korean with subtitles) as "The Diamond in the Crown " (היהלום שבכתר) on October 2008. It was rebroadcast from 10 July 2010, two episodes every weekend, and ended 15 January 2011.

Dae Jang Geum was also aired in Zimbabwe, under the title "Jewel in the Korean Palace". The station also had a promo wherein viewers have to answer three questions from the drama. It was said that almost one-fourth of the population joined the "Jewel in the Korean Palace Quiz".

Americas

Beginning in June 2005, the variously titled program was shown in the United States on AZN Television and on ethnic Korean stations such as KBFD in Hawaii and WOCH-CA in Chicago.

In July 2005 it was shown on Canada’s Cantonese-language Fairchild TV and in September 2005 on Australia’s Cantonese-language TVB Jade.

In Peru Dae Jang Geum aired every weekday at 5:30 pm with a special 3 hour edition on Sunday from November 2008 to February 2009 by TV Perú, the country's public broadcasting station. It aired under the title "Una Joya en el Palacio" and was the first Korean drama to be shown in Latin America.

In Colombia the cable Canal Capital was shown the serie in Spanish "Una Joya en el Palacio" at 4:30 pm in 2010.

In Mexico the cable TV channel TVMEX ran the series in Spanish under the name "Una Joya en el Palacio" from Monday to Friday at 5:30 pm.

In Venezuela this drama was transmitted by the television channel La Tele.

In Costa Rica the drama was shown by Canal 13 (Costa Rica) as "Una Joya en el Palacio".

In Puerto Rico the drama is currently being aired by WIPR-TV as "Una Joya en el Palacio". Starting on September 2010, from Monday to Friday at 5:00pm.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the drama is shown by CCN TV6 as "Jewel in the Palace" with English sub-titles. The series began airing in July 2011 on Saturdays and Sundays at 6:00pm.

Europe

Romanian National Television TVR1 aired the drama under the name "Giuvaierul Palatului", or "Jewel In The Palace". It was shown Monday to Friday from 5:10 PM to 6:10 PM with Romanian subtitles. The series ended on October 12, 2009.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina the drama began airing on January 2010 under the name "Dragulj u Carskoj Palati" in Korean with Serbian subtitles.^{[citation needed]}

In Hungary it was dubbed into Hungarian and began showing on October 3, 2008 on m1 (TV channel) with the name of "A palota ékköve". It aired again on the same channel during the summer of 2008. Due to popular demand m1 TV decided to re-run the show in 2009 autumn

Dae Jang Geum was dubbed into Russian and shown on Russia's DVTRK in March 2007.

As of 2010 an online campaign is urging the British Broadcasting Corporation in the UK to show Dae Jang Geum. The campaign's website is at [2].

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.

Tourism

The Korea Tourism Organization promotes 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.^[14]

Spin-offs

The cartoon rendition of Dae Jang Geum, called Jang Geum's Dream is much the same story but focuses on Jang Geum in her younger years.

Notes

1. ^ http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/GH31Dg01.html
2. ^ The choigo sanggung is a lady-in-waiting and officer of the 5th senior rank; the highest position held by a woman working in the palace.
3. ^ In dynastic Korea, women were considered inferior to men in virtually all aspects of life, including occupation. Female doctors (uinyeo) were treated as prostitutes during Prince Yeonsan's rule and generally considered the lowest class of women in the palace.
4. ^ The jaejo sanggung is the highest position held by a woman of the 5th senior rank, and is in charge of all the women working in the palace.
5. ^ Sook-ui is the lowest rankf for a King's concubine; she belongs to the 8th junior rank
6. ^ Korea had a nine-rank system of government.
7. ^ Surgery was actually introduced in Korea by a Presbyterian missionary from the United States in 1884. See article [1].
8. ^ She is to rule in her son's name for another 12 years, before her own death.
9. ^ Known as "추향(秋香)" (Chuhyang) in Mandarin. In the Philippines, she was known as Aling Shon-bi (손비).
10. ^ Known as "한애종(韓愛鍾)" (Han Aijong) in Mandarin.
11. ^ Known as "阿昌" (Achang) in Mandarin. In the Philippines, she was No-chang (노창).
12. ^ Also referred to as "首医女" Top medical woman in Mandarin.
13. ^ Lyrics
14. ^ ^{a b} Overseas Press to Participate in the Hallyu Promotion Event at the Korea Tourism Organization website. 10 October 2005.
15. ^ Boonsong Kositchotethana. “A lesson from South Korea” Bangkok Post. 11 January 2006.
16. ^ Jewel in the Palace in MBC
17. ^ daejanggeum
18. ^ 'Jewel in the Palace' is the No. 1 Korean TV drama in the Philippines
19. ^ Review of the Jewel in The Palace series (Persian)
20. ^ 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

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

External links

• Daejanggeum(Jewel In The Palace) : The Official Korea Tourism Guide Site
• 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)
• Dae Jang Geum (대장금) at the Internet Movie Database