Dae Jang Geum

With thirteen more episodes to go as of writing time, “Jewel in the Palace” is indeed taking the country by storm. I am no television soap opera addict, much more the kinds where the lips of the actors and actresses don’t quite follow the proper movement of the dialogue you hear. I never expected I would be hooked by this jewel from Korea.

About three or four months ago, my friend Marcel insisted that I watch this Korean telenovela. I refused, but one evening while I was moping around the house looking for something better to do, I flicked on the television and was hooked since then. I even gave up my gimmick nights for the show because it started at ten in the evening and after it aired there was nothing else to do but to hit the sacks. Anyway, what is it with this TV hit that stole the nation’s heart away? Hmmmm esep-esep.

Well, for one, the heroine, Jang Geum is played by a very pretty Korean actress who happens to be thirty-five years old already. She has managed to maintain her youthful and supple appearance that looking at her, one would definitely say that she could have discovered the fountain of youth or the philosopher’s stone or whatever else we might call it. Aside from Jang Geum other characters also played it well. Lady Hann who is the mentor of Jang Geum in Korean cuisine (because they were cooks in the palace of the king) had the sympathy of the audience especially when the villainess, Lady Choi, subjected her to one of her vengeful and very schemy tricks. The actress who played Lady Choi also did a sterling performance although we all know that playing the “kontrabida” is leaps and bounds much easier than playing a “sympatico” down to earth character like Jang Geum or Lady Hann. The actors and actresses all played their parts well giving the show its inherent charm.

Aside from just the actors and actresses, what got me into this Korean telenovela was the fact that it had a very cultural theme. I am very curious about the culture of our Asian neighbors and “Jewel in the Palace” offered me an authentic glimpse of this culture. The costuming was superb. I loved how they recreated the native costumes of the period. Knowing that the story of Jang Geum is based on an actual historical person also added to my interest in the show. Here is a chance for me to see how ancient Korean women were treated during their time and how one rose to the opportunity of changing all that. I am reminded of our very own historical heroines namely Gabriella Silang, Melchora Aquino, and many others who have changed the course of Philippine History by utilizing girl power. “Jewel in the Palace” is in itself a work of art. The culinary theme of the show is also a come on for me because aside from my love and passion for food and cooking, I find the cuisine in the show very authentic to the last and final detail; this is despite their not really showing how the food is cooked to the minutest detail. One very interesting feature of the culinary theme of the show is the philosophical significance of food. I noticed that every time something is cooked for the monarch in the show, the chefs/cooks explain to the monarch the reasons why such an item is cooked and the effects of the various ingredients put into the recipe. All throughout the show, the culinary philosophy being repeated again and again is the belief that when one cooks he/she should cook with the welfare and benefit of the recipient of the food in mind. If this philosophy is not exercised then there is no use in cooking any kind of food in the first place.

Now, aside from the food-chat, there is also one very striking feature that I noticed about the show, the beautiful cinematography. Every scene in the show is a picture-perfect post card in itself. Actors and actresses are seamlessly united with the scenery that the entire show becomes a feast for the eyes. The colors are not too harsh in that one does not tire when watching how the actors and actresses interact with themselves and with the setting. In its entirety, the show is a beautiful cultural masterpiece. Although it has not ended yet, I am looking forward to how the screenplay writer would wrap together wonderful ribbons around the wonderful cultural material of Jewel in the Palace and in its final episode, present the show as a worthwhile gift not only to the Filipino audience but to the Filipino television and movie industry as well.

Source: News Today 29 May 06

Jewel in The Palace has everyone from toddlers to aunties to grandmas hooked

A 12-year-old girl and a 42-year-old woman love it so much, they’ve seen it at least five times.

The object of their obsession? Jewel In The Palace, a 70-episode Korean historical drama series showing on Channel U at 10pm on weekdays.

It tells of how a palace maid becomes the first female imperial physician.

The serial has captured the hearts of over 1.8 million viewers aged 15 and above, says TNS Media research firm.

This means every two in five Singaporeans rush home before 10pm to see it.

With an average rating of 13, Jewel is the most watched weekday drama in the time slot to date, beating Hong Kong serials such as Take My Word For It.

The serial has attracted not just women but a large number of men, too.

So, what is it about this serial that appeals to so many?

For 15-month-old Swen Teo, it is the chirpy melody of the theme song.

She can barely stand but jiggles her diaper-clad bottom to the music.

Mum Neo Lay Yiing, 30, a civil servant, said Swen watches the show with her every day.

‘Sometimes she lies on her stomach, cups her face and watches transfixed. Sometimes she smiles at the screen.’

Older viewers are drawn to the gripping and well-knit plot, lush backdrop and excellent acting.

Fans told The New Paper that it was ‘the best Korean drama’ they had seen.

They love the detailed portrayal of Korea’s history and palace culture and insights into royal cuisine and medicine - a refreshing change from the usual mushy Korean love stories.

In particular, they love the show’s protagonist, Jang Geum (Lee Young Ae). With her heart of gold, never-say-die attitude and passion, she has become the epitome of female perfection and a role model to fans.

Management executive Phua Ping Ping, 43, who doesn’t normally watch Korean serials, said: ‘Jang Geum inspires by the way she faces difficulties with courage and optimism.

‘Her parents died a wrongful death but she never resorts to underhanded methods. She is forgiving and has a magnanimous heart.’

Pri 6 student Lianne Ng, who has watched it five times - twice on DVD, twice on cable and now on Channel U - said: ‘I find it very inspiring and touching that Jang Geum never gives up and helps others.’

Last year the Raffles Girls’ Primary School student visited the places in Korea where the drama was filmed.

The never-ending power struggle between the righteous Jang Geum and the evil Lady Choi and her minions also makes for riveting viewing.

Cleaner Anna Tan, who is in her 40s, said she was hooked from the day the young Jang Geum was instructed to deliver all sorts of water - hot, cold, salty, sweet - to her mentor until she learnt to fulfil unspoken needs.

‘Jang Geum is so pitiful. Someone is always trying to harm her and I’ve been watching to see what will happen in the end. Lady Choi is so devious I feel like whacking her!’

Property agent Noorine Ahmad, 42, who has watched the series five times on DVD, said: ‘The writer is so imaginative! There are so many unexpected twists.

‘On the Internet, people were discussing who was the most evil character, and someone said it was Jang Geum because she let us sleep only two or three hours (a day) because we’re hooked on the drama.’

Housewife Chua Khah Ching, 65, who is watching Jewel for the second time on Channel U, loves the drama’s heart-rending scenes.

‘Some scenes can really make you cry, like when little Jang Geum feeds her dead mum berries.’

Then there is the romance between Jang Geum and an imperial guard, Min Jeong Ho (Ji Jin Hee).

Tour executive Zhong Tingting, 25, who has seen Jewel three times, said: ‘Their love is so pure, they don’t need mushy words to convey their feelings. Just one glance speaks volumes.’

Even MediaCorp actress Kym Ng is hooked. She watches and cries ‘until I get cramps’.

Kym, who watched the entire DVD set in just three weeks, said: ‘It’s so touching to have somebody love you so much. Like when Jang Geum is exiled to Jeju and he goes to save her. He asks her to wait and he’ll seek redress for her. It’s sooo touching!’

Men love it for the story, the history

Teacher Tan Guan Heng, 28, rushes home before 10pm to watch his favourite TV show, Jewel In The Palace.

‘Every night I follow it diligently. I saw the first three episodes and I’ve been watching it since,’ he said.

Mr Tan is not alone. Of the 1.8 million Singaporeans who tune in, almost half (44.2 per cent or 795,600 viewers) are men, according to TNS Media.

The biggest group is men aged 45 years and above (39.8 per cent). The 15-24 age group makes up 20 per cent.

But, why are the men glued to a drama aimed primarily at housewives?

Fans say the captivating story line and insight into Korean history.

Mr Tan said that he was able to relate to the drama as he finds Korea’s ancient culture similiar to Chinese culture.

‘Jang Geum gives people hope that if you persist, you will succeed. It reminds us of the Japanese drama Oshin, that you must persevere to the end and not be afraid of hardship.’

For retiree Wong Tat Meng, 67, it was the plot that was so absorbing.

‘There’s not a dull moment! It’s a lively story with sadness, happiness, comedy and some romance. But the most important part is that it exposes Korea’s palace politics.’

Senior tour officer Johnston Loh, 34 and his wife also tune in every night, despite having seen it on DVD.

He said: ‘This is the best Korean drama I’ve watched so far. It’s not just a love story, it also deals with Korean cuisine and medicine.’

Once I mocked, now I am hooked (By Lee Xin En)

I used to mock my friend, a Korean drama junkie, after she put a picture of Ji Jin Hee (who plays royal guard Min Jeong Ho in Jewel In The Palace) on her MSN profile.

It seems that karma really exists because recently, I have been searching frantically for pictures of Jin Hee with his dorky, I mean dashing, Korean headgear.

He has been the apple of my eye ever since I started watching the drama - initially to see what the fuss was all about, only to become a devout fan myself.

Before I get mocked, let me explain the allure of Jeong Ho.

Chivalry doesn’t seem to exist in this era - which is why I love him for doing the craziest things such as moving hundreds of kilometers to Jeju island to be near the object of his affections - palace cook Jang Geum (Lee Young Ae)

He also has this subtle look that says ‘I’m repressing my feelings for you’ whenever he is near Jang Geum. Very cute.

Best of all, the couple doesn’t kiss or get up to any hanky-panky, which is rare in dramas these days. I’m bred on MTV’s sexual innuendos but the overwhelming flood of sex on primetime serials is getting to me.

Hunk aside, I’m sure most people wouldn’t link an 18-year-old like me to a Korean weepie.

But teenagers (and everyone else) love a kind-hearted underdog, which is essentially what Jewel is all about.

Source: The New Paper 28 May 2006

Sure, it can get weary watching Jang Geum getting into trouble in every episode - like getting on the wrong side of the devious Lady Choi or being maligned for poisoning the emperor’s food.

But when I see her getting out of each mess, it makes me feel like there is an answer to all problems. And everyone likes answers.

In some ways, Jewel is like an episode of Oprah - it inspires me to get to work every day, ready for all the challenges ahead of me.

Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum) Reviewed by AngryBaby

As in my other reviews, I strongly believe that if one intends to watch the series then don’t read the synopsis. If you are only reading this review to decide whether or not you should watch this then read on! I fervently recommend this well rounded series whether you are looking for a meaningful production, thought-provoking drama, emotional stimulation, culture shock, historical enrichment - or basically entertainment. But if you’re an ‘action’ buff then no there are no explosions, death duels, or people running on top of bamboo shoots - except perhaps for a ‘warm’ (hee hee) fire scene. And it’s also not for people who like to watch on fast forward mode or those with short fuses looking for lightning storylines. Make no mistake, this takes you through the whole long tedious hard work behind real success.

Since I don’t believe in reading summaries before viewing I am very brief below with no specific events or details, and you would probably notice I hardly mention any other characters despite their importance to the story. This means even if you read the synopsis it is certainly no substitute for watching the real thing. Still despite its brevity it’s still 3 pages long.

By all means just skip it.

Synopsis

This 70 episode long story is based on a real person who was the first (possibly only) woman to be recorded in Korean history as a King’s personal physician. The scene is set in the Joseon Dynasty at a time when society had a distinct class hierarchy system dominated by adamant chauvinistic traditions. Despite being a relatively well off period in history the country suffered from political instability with internal power struggles within the royal family and a government saturated with corrupt officials at every turn. The nation faced constant raids from the Japanese and was subordinate to China. In the midst of the chaos is the life story of a girl who relied not on connections or power but generosity and an unyielding spirit to be bestowed the title of the “Great Jang-geum” (series title) by the King himself.

Jang-geum’s (JG) parents were originally from the palace. JG’s father was a King’s officer given the task of carrying out the death sentence (poison) on the queen at the time. The event harrowed him so much that he resigned and left the capital. JG’s mother was a gong nu (palace girl) who cooked but unfortunately witnessed a crime (by a girl I’ll call Choi Shang Gong) which she reported. To ensure her silence the guilty parties attempted to murder her away from the palace. Her best friend (I’ll call Han Shang Gong) was forced to participate but managed to tamper with the poison used beforehand. JG’s mother was left for dead but was rescued and nursed back to health by JG’s father. And surprise they get together. Meanwhile the prince (whose mother was poisoned) ascends the throne and the first thing he does is impose revenge on anyone involved in his mother’s death. As a result, JG parents and JG lived on the run, constantly on the move - keeping their identities secret and dodging officials. Peaceful years go by until their past finally caught up to them and by then JG was about 6/7 yrs old. Because of her immaturity her father was arrested (and killed) which forced JG’s mother to contact her past acquaintance (Han) for help. This alerted the Choi family that she was still alive and they sent assassins after them. JG’s mother was fatally wounded from protecting JG and died in a cave. Her final wish was for her daughter, if she so chooses, to return to the palace as a gong nu and become the Highest Head Cook in order to gain access to the Head Cook’s Record book and write down the injustice she suffered so that it would pass to future generations.

And so begins the journey of little orphan JG who comes under the care of a petty yet well-meaning couple and becomes her adopted family. When she was 8, JG manages to beg her way into the palace to be a gong nu and makes good friends (Lien Shen) as well as rivals (Ling Lo) with other girls. She also makes friends with Geum-young who is part of the Choi family. Training since a young age, Geum-young was talented in cooking, and was seen as a potential Highest Head Cook. This would carry on the five generational tradition of Head Cooks in the Choi family and preserve their power in the palace. Even at such a young age Geum-young struggled to accept the path mapped out for her and she bid a tearful farewell to a childhood crush (Min Jung-ho) - as gong nus were seen as the King’s women and forbidden to marry.

JG’s curiosity and persistence constantly landed her in trouble with her superiors. By coincidence she becomes apprentice to Han (her mother’s best friend) neither knowing their connection. Although Han took a liking to JG it turned cold when JG asked her how she could become the Highest Head Cook. The murder of JG’s mother hardened Han’s heart for those with a desire for power and she misunderstood JG’s ambition, keeping a strict attitude towards her. Over years of stringent standards and discipline JG actually came out on top of the other girls in creativity and dedication of her culinary skills. A series of events occurs showing Han and JG as the greatest potential rivals to Choi and Gum Ying for the position of highest power in the imperial kitchen. In particular, the mutual respect between JG and Gum Ying is severed when Gum Ying was forced to make JG the scapegoat of her crime. Their relationship further soured after Gum Ying found out the closeness between JG and Min Jung-ho.

JG and Han comes out on top and Han is made the Highest Head Cook of the imperial kitchen despite facing impossible odds. However none of the success could compare to Han’s true joy when she finally discovered the close bond between her and JG - and through many years of regret and pining for JG’s mother, her best friend had ‘brought’ her daughter to be by her side all this time. They soon realize the Choi clan had been behind JG’s parents deaths. Unfortunately Choi Shang Gong and Gum Ying also find out their bond and desperately think of ways to rid them in order bury the past forever (to cover up the unauthorized killing of a gong nu). Their opportunity comes as the King falls seriously ill after eating a duck dish made by Han and JG on one of his trips outside the palace. Han and JG are wrongly accused of trying to poison the King and is charged with high treason. With Min Jung-ho’s help their death penalty is wavered but they are sentenced as servants on a remote island.

Due to the harsh interrogation process they suffered and the grueling journey to the island Han Shang Gong dies on the way. Overcome by grief, JG attempts multiple times to escape not wanting to spend the rest of her life virtually as a prisoner. Feeling guilty at his own uselessness Min Jung-ho quits his position to find JG at the island. He convinces her to stay and look for a way. She finds the way by becoming a doctor, only as a recognized physician can she hope to return to the palace. And so with Min Jung-ho cheering her all the way, support from her adopted parents and the guidance of new friends she battles her way back into the palace and confronts her nemeses. However, in the years she had left, Choi Shang Gong and Geum-young had become powerful whilst the friends she left had been ostracized because of their connection. The storyline becomes further complicated by power struggles within the royal family and the break out of plagues and diseases. The bond between JG and Min Jung-ho clearly blossoms into something more than mutual admiration. JG manages to bring justice by restoring her mother’s and Han Shang Gong’s names whilst ending the Choi family’s hold on power and demolishing the corrupt power network within the palace. The Choi family is scattered, Choi Shang Gong dies (arguably suicide) and Geum-young banished from the capital.

Peace does not last long and soon JG’s status makes her a useful pawn in the deadly game for power. JG decides she wants to be a doctor who helps people and would not waver from it even if it meant certain death. Upon hearing this King placed his personal trust in JG and found comfort talking to her as a confidante. He wished to appoint her as his personal doctor (unheard of in those days) but faced strenuous opposition. The controversy escalated till there was strong pressure for JG to be made the King’s concubine. By this time the King had truly fallen in love with her and is upset to find the reciprocated feelings between JG and Min Jung-ho. In the end the King spares JG from becoming one of his wives but keeps her by his side as his physician and is forced to put Min Jung-ho in exile. Painful years go by as JG looks after the King under the ever disapproving eyes of the court officials. Sadly due to hereditary weaknesses and old age the King’s health steadily deteriorates and despite JG’s best efforts he dies. Before he died, the King had JG sent to where Min Jung-ho was as he knew he had no power to protect her after he was gone.

Just like her parents, JG and Min Jung-ho become fugitives as JG continues to heal the sick around her and they too had a little girl. Then one day they are called back to the palace by the Queen where they are reunited with their friends and restored to their former status. However, both of them decide they prefer simple and happy lives outside of politics where JG had free will to help the needy and finally they leave the palace.
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