Sypnosis:
Jang-geum (played by Lee Young-ae) is the daughter of Seo Cheon-su (played by Park Chan-hwan), a former judicial officer-turned butcher (the lowest social class) who lives in hiding after being expelled from the royal palace, and Madame Park (played by Kim Hye-seon), a former court lady working in the royal kitchen who narrowly escaped death following a murderous conspiracy planned by Court Lady Choi. As a young child, Jang-geum loses both parents and enters the royal palace in the kitchen. In the royal kitchen, she spends a harsh childhood in continuous competition with Choi Geum-yeong (played by Hong Li-na). Under the protection and tutelage of Court Lady Han, Jang-geum makes every effort to become the best cook in the palace. Her endeavors enable her to become a recognized cook; but Lady Choi and her faction, jealous of the success of Lady Han and Jang-geum, plot a conspiracy, which leads to the death of Lady Han and Jang-geum’s expulsion from the royal palace. Jang-geum is relegated to the position of maidservant for the local government office on Jeju-do Island. While in exile, Jang-geum learns medicine. Through native intelligence and patient efforts, she earns her reputation as a woman doctor on the island. After a time, she returns to the palace, where she is recognized by the king and becomes the royal physician and also the first female physician in history to serve the king. The king falls in love with her, but she cannot return his love, as she is already in love with Min Jung-Ho, who has stood by her side during the most difficult times. * The concluding part omitted.
Taken from: http://english.tour2korea.com/02Culture/TVMiniseries/daejangguem.asp?kosm=m2_6&konum=1
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In a nutshell, borrowed the DVD box set from my friend. After 19 dvds and 70 episodes later, I'm glad it's finally over. Not that it's a bad TV drama series, the plot development quite held my interest. But the ending wasn't that satisfactory. But the food scenes and the politicking parts sure make up for the crappy ending. And the location shots were really scenic.
Some other parts that I didn't quite get about the show:
1) Is there really a need to agonise over the food? (“娘娘，我做的麻辣豆腐真的可以吗？" sniff sniff sob sob)
2) Are all the people in the show ninjas? They seems to get from the palace grounds to the city and to the countryside in a jiffy, like everything is happening within a 2 kilometre radius...
3) The show supposedly raised a lot of ire among the Chinese in mainland China. The Chinese maintained that the show insinuated a lot of Chinese inventions, like acupuncture and firepowder, were actually Korean innovations. After watching the show myself, I felt the above allegations were quite unfounded.
But it sure is fascinating how a lot of the Chinese culture (the palace ceremonial wear, the beliefs and customs, the Confusionistic customs) is actually practiced in medieval Korea...*
4) It's really quite melodramatic. The women never seems to run out of tears. Sad cry, happy also cry. Cry cry cry. Then again, some of the Taiwanaese soapy drama serials area also like that.
* could be my own misinterpretation - afterall, I'm watching a Chinese-subtitled version of the show, which could have have translated to suit the tastes of the target audience...
