Dae Jang Geum

The vast Chinese mainland is mesmerized by the Korean historical soap “Daejanggeum, (A Jewel in the Palace).” Hunan TV, which started airing the program on Sept. 1 from 10 p.m. to midnight, is keeping up the advertising pressure, inviting Lee Young-ae, who plays the heroine, to China early next month, and designating the show’s theme song as compulsory repertoire for the five contestants remaining on “Super Girl,” a Chinese version of “American Idol.”

“Daejanggeum” topped the ratings chart with 14 percent in 31 cities across China as of Sept. 19 and is generating a Korean boom in economic, social and cultural fields.

CDs and books related to the show sell like hot cakes in Beijing, with the book accompanying the series taking sixth place in the fiction bestseller list last week.

Wedding photographers offer the heroine Janggeum’s bridal dresses at 7,000 yuan (W910,000), and many mothers are buying Korean traditional dress for their soon-to-be-wedded daughters. In Shanghai and Hunan, plastic surgery clinics are reportedly packed with women who want to look more like Lee Young-ae.

Not even the top ranks of the Communist Party are spared. Chinese President Hu Jintao told Moon Hee-sang, the leader of the ruling Uri Party, last week it was a shame his busy schedule keeps him from watching every episode. Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo, No.2 in the party hierarchy, said in a private conversation that he enjoys watching “Daejanggeum” because his wife loves Korean TV soap operas. Chinese media last week reported a housewife threw herself in the river because her husband did not let her watch the show.

The Chinese media evaluates the trend favorably. The newsletter of the Culture Ministry said the series “is in the forefront of promoting Korean culture to the world by showing Korea’s history, culinary and fashion culture and the spirit of national pride.

The China Youth Daily said “all Chinese people” love “Daejanggeum”; romantics are indulged in the love story, the ambitious are inspired by the strong will of Janggeum, and gourmets are absorbed in the food. The people of China rediscover lost dreams and social values in the soap, the paper said.

Source: Digital Chosunilbo 30 Sept 2005

Suh Jang Geum is the reputed first (and thus far, only) female Executive Physician of Joseon Korea. She has been mentioned at least ten times in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, albeit with very vague and sketchy details. It is known, however, that King Jungjong was pleased with Jang Geum’s medical knowledge and trusted her with taking care of Imperial family members. Henceforth, Jang Geum was created a third-class officer in the Imperial Court, and was granted the use of Dae (which means “great” in Korean) before her first names.

Scholars still argue to this day whether Suh Jang Geum is a real person or just a generic name for certain people, whose origins are lost in history. It is also worth noting that ever since Suh Jang Geum, Korea has never had a female Royal or Presidential physician, even to this day.

Mentions in Imperial Court Annals

Mentions of Suh Jang Geum, or a “female doctor”, happened on these occasions

• March-April of 1515, when Jungjong’s second wife died as a result of complications from childbirth. Imperial court officers was persuading the king punish all medical women who treated the king’s wife (that includes Jang Geum) severely. King Jungjong refuses, saying that:
  • “Jang Geum deserves a big credit for her role in the safe childbirth of palace ladies, but I have never awarded her for her actions until now, because of other affairs. Now you (the court officers) are telling me to punish her because the Queen is dead, but I won’t do that as well as I won’t reward her. That’s enough.”
• 1524, when The Annals noted that “Dae Jang Geum was better than any other medical women in the Palace. As a result, she was permitted to look after the King”
• 1533, when The Annals quoted a comment by the King on his health:
  • “I have recovered from several month’s sickness. The Royal Doctors and Pharmacists deserve praise. Jang-geum and Kye-geum, the two medical women, also will be rewarded with 15 rice bags, 15 bean sacks, and 10 cloths, respectively.”
• January 29th, 1544, when The Annals quoted an order issued by the King
  • “I haven’t haven’t executed my duties for a long time since I caught a cold. A few days ago, I attended an academic seminar (to discuss philosophies), but the cold weather made my condition worse. I already told Bak Se-geo and Hong Chim, the royal doctors, and top medical woman Dae Jang-geum to discuss about the prescription. Let the Medical Minister know that.”
• February 9th, 1544, when The Annals said the King praised Dae Jang Geum for his recovery from a cold.
• October 25th, 1544, when The Annals recorded a conversation between an Imperial Minister and Jang Geum on the King’s health, which is rapidly deteriorating. Jang Geum was quoted for saying this:
  • “He (the King) slept around midnight yesterday, and has also slept for a short time at dawn. He just passed his urine, but has been constipated for more than 3 days.”
• October 26th, 1544, when The Annals quoted this from the King:
  • I’m still constipated. What prescription should be made is under discussion. The female doctor (Dae Jang Geum) knows all about my condition” Later, Jang-geum explained her prescription for the king’s symptoms to the ministers.
• October 29th, 1544, when The Annals reported that the King has recovered and he granted all his medical officers a holiday. (The King eventually died 17 days later, on November 15th, 1544.)

The entry on October 29th, 1544 was the last entry regarding Suh Jang Geum.

Mention in Other Medical Annals

Suh Jang Geum was also mentioned in the “Rhee’s Korea (another name for Joseon Korea) Medical Officer’s Journal”. The following was a text regarding Jang Geum’s origins and achievements, as recorded in the medical journal

“Medical Lady Jang Geum, whose origins cannot be traced, received the right to be called ‘Dae Jang Geum” under an edict issued by the 11th Emperor of Korea, Jungjong, in the 18th year of his reign. At that time, there was no precedent of a Medical Lady treating the Emperor, but the Emperor trusted in Jang Geum’s method of treating illness with food. Jang Geum, with the granting of the right to use “Dae” in her name, is certainly an epic lady whose name will be recorded in the history books.”

Portrayal in Television

Lee Young Ae in Korean Drama Series Dae Jang GeumSuh Jang Geum was portrayed in the popular Korean Drama Series Dae Jang Geum. The main role was played by Lee Young Ae. The show was critically well received and was an incredibly successful ratings success in many Asian Countries. However, the portrayal of Suh Jang Geum in this series is considered to be inaccurate because Jang Geum was portrayed as a Palace Chef-turned-Medical Lady. This is mainly because of the vague details on Suh Jang-Geum’s Life.

Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suh_Jang_Geum”

Call it the selling power of Lee Young Ae.

Not only was the Jewel In The Palace star voted the No 1 favourite star by consumers in Korea, the 34-year-old also snagged a million-dollar endorsement deal with LG Electronics.

Two years ago, she hawked only LG air-conditioners, but she will be the face of its range of television sets, fridges, washing machines and other electronic products for the next two years.

An Asian promotional tour is reportedly being planned, covering countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Source: The New Paper 10 Jan 2006