DAE JANG GEUM ~ Jewel In The Place ~ Da Chang Jin

miss_soojung SG

Thought it most appropriate to start our Korean TV Drama corner with the latest Korean offering in Singapore! Currently airing on Ch.55 at 7.00pm, this highly popular drama is into its 21st episode here.

Learn Korean:
dae = great/big
Jang Geum = characters name

Introduction:
An inspiring Korean period drama based on a historical figure who actually existed during the Chosun Dynasty, between the late 1400s early 1500s. Dae Jang Geum or The Great Jang Geum tells the story of Suh Jang-geum, the first woman to become the Kings personal physician in a time when women held little influence in society.

As a young apprentice cook in the palace, Jang-geum strives to learn the secrets of Korean cooking and medicine in order to cure the King of his various ailments. But palace intrigue and politics impede Jang-geum, as her fellow ladies compete to earn the Kings favour and secure the top female positions in the Royal Kitchen. But Jang-geum is far from ordinary. With her remarkable determination and wisdom, she takes on even greater odds, challenging numerous foes and even society to achieve a position never before held by a woman in ancient Korean history.

Cast:
Suh Jang-geum Lee Young-ae
Lt General Min Jung-ho Jin Jin-hee
Choi Geum-young Hong Ri-na
King Jung-jong Im Ho
Lady Han Yang Mi-gyeong
Lady Choi Gyeon Mi-ri
Yeon-saeng Park Eun-hye

Main locations DJG shot in:
DGJ was shot in Seoul and Jeju Island amongst other parts of Korea. In Seoul, the Korean Folk Village, Changdeokgung Palace and Hwaseong Haenggung Palace are feature in various episodes. In Jeju Island, scenes were taken at popular tourist spot, Oedolgae, Hyeopjae Beach,, Jeju Folk Village, Jeju Jinjigul Cave and the Seongeup-ri Ranch vicinity.

Anyone follow this drama?

littlestream SG

I know it was a big hit in HongKong and overflowed to Toronto. It was first shown on our Mandarin cable but I didn't watch it. Time slot not good for me.

Currently, it is shown on the Cantonese cable, although on Saturdays only, I still didn't watch it.

Somehow, not so motivated to watch Korean dramas. But enjoyed Hkg, Sg, Twn or China/Twn/Sg/Hkg collaborations type.

Okay, I may try to catch it some time. But that general guy is really good looking. Even my husband said so. Wink I like the "small chang jin". She is cute and seems smart. I saw her on the Hkg entertainment news.

miss_soojung SG

Oh yes, the little Jang-geum is so adorable. I like the way she says "ne" to her seniors, with the slight furrowing of her brows! If I had a child like that, I can imagine how difficult it's going to be for me to not spoil her Laughing

I've heard nothing but praises about this drama for some time now but 70 episodes ... Neutral Then it came to Ch.55, I watched the first few episodes and was completely hooked. I was estatic to have received the DVD set as a gift, am now into my 60th ep and I have to say DJG is really very good.

I watch Sg/HK serials too (well, haven't followed an Sg serial for some time now), just not Taiwanese ones!

nightzip SG

yup...currently watching the show in CH.55. but very late at night like 12:30am to 1:30am. but dunno when it shows...like some weekdays have some dun have...anyone can tell me when have?

seen most of the episodes till now...missed some...quite interesting in the cooking competition between the two ladies to earn the top cook positions...and getting nice ingredients etc....

miss_soojung SG

It's on every Monday - Friday, at 7.00pm. The re-runs are at 12.30am, 9.30am and 2.00pm.

It gets better as it goes along Smile

Hope this helps!

littlestream SG

Yeap, even our local radio jockey (a popular ex-HongKong compere) said the script and production is better than TVB's.

Like I said, I don't know why I am not bitten or never been bitten by the "bug". Although my sister sent me many titles, the one and only that I watched was Hotelier. That also because she kept bugging me on the phone to watch it.

Oh, but I did catch the second half of Glass Shoes. I like the female lead, oh, don't know if it's female lead, the older sister.

Currently, the Mandarin cable is also screening Stairway to Heaven which my sister also told me how great it was but don't need to guess, I also didn't catch it.

But I will try again with Jewel in the Palace.

Thanks for the brief summary though. Wink

miss_soojung SG

Well ... at least you were gracious enough to give in to your sister's bugging Mr. Green I've managed to encourage my brother to watch ONE measley drama with me and that's only because I told him there were some cool sword-fighting scenes, flying over water and 'tree gliding' ! I've also heard that there are some pretty disgruntled husbands/boyfriends out there who can't understand their wives'/girlfriends' obsession with Korean dramas Laughing

I saw Glass Shoes after Winter Sonata and Hotelier came quite a bit later. Stairway To Heaven was kinda similar to Sonata but I liked it too. Another one that's good to watch is Beautiful Days which also stars the lead actress in Stairway.

miss_soojung SG

Did You Know

Chosun Royal Cuisine or gungjung-eumsik has long been recognised as an important part of Korean cultural heritage. The expert that supervises the culinary aspects of Dae Jang Geum is Han Bok-ryeo, the eldest daughter of Hwang Hye-seong, the government designated Human Cultural Property of Royal Cuisine.

Although Hwang has never been a royal cook herself, she spent decades learning from Han Hui-sun, the last surviving royal chef. Ever since Han passed away in 1972, Hwang has been the highest authority and the ambassador of Korean Royal Cuisine at home and abroad.

Han Bok-ryeo, who was responsible for the cooking scenes in Dae Jang Geum supervised the royal banquet given by Kim Dae-jung in honour of Kim Jong-il during their historical meeting in June 2000.

- excerpt from article by Katarzyna J.Cwiertka, Dpt of Jap & Kor Studies

littlestream SG

Sword fighting Korean drama??? Really? Oh, I thought it's always the crying, cham cham ones. Embarassed I do prefer wu xia. Wink

miss_soojung SG

Wellll ... amidst palace intrigue, shooting arrows, sword welding and tree flying there was time for tragedy, tears, forbidden love, even comedy - what good Korean drama would be without all that Laughing

laurence82 SG

fwah, for many years i dont watch K drama, till i saw this show

its seriously good, depict the ancient time very vividly

its not fast paced, but neither is it slow like those soapy drama

really great knowing the ancient chosun culture.....

nightzip SG

why the Han Lady and Chang Jin dun report the boycotting of the rest of the ladies of the Royal Kitchen to the king or the queen or the queen mother???

then it would have solved the problem... Shocked Mad Question

miss_soojung SG

I won't say what I think of the Queen Mother at this point of time ... Mad ... but perhaps having become the Top Lady in such an unconventional way was already to Lady Han's disadvantage. She wasn't going to get any support from the Chief Lady, the King was told it wasn't right for him to get involved in the palace ladies' issues and the Queen Mother had already objected to the competition from the start. While the King might have been able to help Lady Han by bringing it to the Queen's attention, she wasn't even properly introduced as the new Top Lady or allowed to present his meals to him personally. It was a good thing the Queen finally stepped in.

JMHO

miss_soojung SG

I found the entire drama fascinating.

nightzip SG

Originally posted by miss_soojung:

I won't say what I think of the Queen Mother at this point of time ... ... but perhaps having become the Top Lady in such an unconventional way was already to Lady Han's disadvantage. She wasn't going to get any support from the Chief Lady, the King was told it wasn't right for him to get involved in the palace ladies' issues and the Queen Mother had already objected to the competition from the start. While the King might have been able to help Lady Han by bringing it to the Queen's attention, [b]she wasn't even properly introduced as the new Top Lady or allowed to present his meals to him personally. It was a good thing the Queen finally stepped in.

JMHO [/b]

tot she could have insisted to present the meals to the king as she is the TOP LADY? Confused Question

miss_soojung SG

Perhaps without the Chief Lady's ok, she's not allowed to 'force' her presence Mr. Green

I remember her standing outside waiting for the King to ask for her while the others trooped in with the food she prepared!

nightzip SG

hmm...maybe should read up or search more about Korea imperial antics and culture more.... Very Happy

laurence82 SG

very interesting

u notice a lot of aspects of their culture is very and to soem certain extent, same as chinese ones...

miss_soojung SG

Yeah, both cultures seem very similar. Their swordfighting technique too ...

laurence82 SG

sword fighting?

i swear i didnt see any sword fighting in chang jin.... Shocked