Jewel in the Palace | The K-Drama Series That Started the Korean Wave
Jewel in the Palace was released 20 years ago in 2003. It is credited as being one of the historical K-drama series that started the Korean Wave.
For almost 3 decades, i.e. since the 1990s the popularity of South Korean culture has risen worldwide. Two hashtags, #KoreanWave or #Hallyu, are used on social media platforms like Twitter, to refer to this global phenomenon.
Jewel in the Palace is the TV series credited with starting the K-Drama Korean Wave. This television series, also known as Dae Jang Geum or The Great Jang Geum, was released in 2003. It is historical fiction based on the life of a woman named Jang-geum who was reputedly the first female Royal Physician during the Joseon Dynasty.
Meet Jang Geum’s Parents
Seo Cheon-soo was a royal guard present at the poisoning death of Queen Yun. When the queen’s son grows up, he decides to kill everyone who was involved. Cheon-soo flees and meets an old man who tells him 3 women hold his fate. Queen Yun was the 1st woman. If he never meets the 2nd woman, the 3rd woman will not cause his death.
Myeong Yi is a court lady in the Royal Kitchen. She discovers a plot ot kill the king and the court ladies involved in the plot try to kill her with poison. They fail because Myeong’s close friend gives her an antidote and also they did not bury her body.
For years Seo Cheon-soo avoids women, but he still meets the 2nd woman. He stumbles across Myeong, injured and unconscious, and saves her life. They fall in love, marry, and have a daughter, Jang Geum.
Young Jang Geum is the 3rd Woman
One day Jang Geum and her father followed a carnival. She begs her father to participate in a wrestling match. Her father wins but his opponent accuses him of cheating. Upset by the accusation, she blurts out that her father is a military officer and that he is honorable. Her father gets arrested and taken away. She runs home to tell her mother what happened. Immediately, her mother tries to escape and take her daughter to safety. When the people who tried to kill her in the past realize Myeong is still alive, this time they finish the job. Young Jang Geum gets away from the killers and ends up being adopted by a childless couple. Because her true identity is unknown, she is accepted into the palace as a court lady; and assigned to work in the Royal Kitchen, just like her mom.
From the Royal Kitchen to the Royal Clinic
Jang Geum starts with the dream of becoming the best cook to fulfill her mother’s wishes. From this point in her life, she goes from one adversity and obstacle to another. With incredible determination and fortitude, she overcomes every roadblock.
The court ladies were so jealous and envious of her exceptional culinary skills, they slander and falsely accuse her. She is removed from her position and assigned to work as an herbalist. This work was supposed to be a dead end, but she finds a way to return to the palace as a nurse. She earns the trust of the king and the royal family by showcasing her remarkable medical skills, along with her culinary skills. Anyone who disagrees with the concept of “food as medicine” will likely change their mind after watching Jewel in the Palace.
Was Jang Geum a Real Person?
It is clear that in the Joseon Era, there was a strict division of the sexes. The rights of women, even noble women, were trampled upon. Women were powerless. They were not even taught to read and write.
Some people choose to debate the actual existence of Jang Geum as the first female Royal Physician. However, consider this: “In 2021, around 26.8 percent of physicians in South Korea were women.” (Source) Someone must have opened the door of opportunity. Who?
Viewership Ratings
Jewel in the Palace is 54 episodes. From the moment Jang Geum enters the palace, the viewer can’t help but admire her courage and tenacity. Seo Jang Geum was played by Lee Young Ae, and she made you believe Jang Geum surely must have been a real person.
From September 2003 to March 2004, the show aired on MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation). In 2004, the series was the 10th highest-rated Korean drama of all time. Subsequently, it was made available for viewing in other countries. To date, this historical drama television series day is credited as being “one of the primary proponents of the Korean Wave by heightening the spread of Korean culture abroad”.
In an article published by CastKo dated April 2018, it was still listed as one of the 3 Historical Dramas with Highest Viewership Rating.
3500+ Viki viewers rated this series 9.7 out of 10 stars. I agree.
(NOTE: No trailer available with English Subtitle available. Sharing video of the first episode, Korean subtitles.)
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