Dae Jang-geum

This is the best thing I have ever seen for the big screen or small screen. It is a semi-historical costume drama depicting the life of Jang Geum, a Korean girl/woman/lady of the 15th century. If you are partial to long, involving stories, I think you will like it too. Although it is episodic in nature, it is important to see it sequentially from the beginning to appreciate the story to the fullest. This story is shamelessly sentimental at times, but pulls it off very well. There are no special effects worth mentioning, no sex, no graphic violence and no snappy dialog. In short, this would never be made for U.S.A. viewing. In spite of this, I am sure that it will find a loyal audience. With so many movies and television shows being made according to formula, it is refreshing to see something that is counter-formula and done so well.

(Just finished the series in S.F./Oakland bay area channel 32 - KMTP (KMTP). On the 4th of July.) WOW! I was always reminding myself that she'll be OK, so calm down. (I looked up two sites to help me):

1. The Chicago Korean Drama Fan Club at:

http://deiner.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=daejanggeum - excellent site!!

2. http://hkadb.net/info/Jewel_In_The_Palace - details of each hour.

The subtitles are fantastic and clear. The details of all the characters is again fantastic. The cooking and medicine details are amazing. Her adopted parents and friends are priceless. THE WHOLE SHOW IS FANTASTIC!!!

Being 2006, I'm sure, I'm the last to find this "jewel" (sorry - could not resist) it did first come out in 2003. Hope more are as lucky as I am, and find this great series.

I can't believe how captivating it is to watch people cook or how people diagnose sick people.

Unlike Hollywood where they seem to overdramatise these simple actions. In korean TV shows...they don't do this. But somehow it turns out more captivating and enthralling than any Hollywood show available.

Its still an mystery to me. But I can tell you I was glued to this show for days on end.

The storyline seems good. The story of the only ever korean royal physician. You can imagine how Hollywood would have protayed this.(Dr quinn medicine woman anyone?)

But when you watch the show..this story fades quickly into the background. Instead you are taken into life of young Jang Geum at the korean royal court and the daily workings of the kitchen and later medical/hospitalside.

This show has more a feel of a reallife documentary than that of a movie. I guess thats why this show and all other korean show is so good. They know how to make this show as realistic as possible....that you aren't exactly an audience anymore. But it's like you are watching someones real life. It has a feel of watching something like big brother show...but than with a (good) script. :) I

A fairy-story. Delicate, subtle, beautiful images and characters of childhood. A movie like a fall music. Life of a great woman and the way of self - definition. Enciclopedia and travel book in the Coreean past.It is an experience. Pieces of soap opera in the skin of food taste, songs of another time and impressive images. Love and persecutions, grace and cold events, joy and nostalgic wind. In fact, propaganda and courage to be more than a shadow on map.A film as a seed. In a chaotic world - a open window. In the crisis shadows - a spring morning. Without great ambitions. Without many desires. Picture of a universe, time and few feelings. A book about existence behind spectacular definitions. An Aladdin's carpet. To a place of a lost fragment of Asia.

it was the first historical Koreean series who I saw. and this first contact remains, after more a decade after it, real significant. because it was the best introduction to an exotic universe. because the simple story about the success of a poor young lady has the flavor of spices and food and medicine and lovely costumes and dramatic events.Lee Young-ae is the best choice for the leading role and the explanation remains very simple - more than a nice girl , she gives to her character a subtle and delicate, impressive and fascinating force , remembering the heroes from legends. or, maybe, Soviet Unions good guys. a series about the small things in soft and charming manner. so, a n aesthetic gift and a beautiful story.