When my wife suggested I watch this show I never expected to get sucked in by what looked like a Korea, costume drama, soap opera, but I was so wrong. I started watching this show on TV Japan a few months ago - dubbed in Japanese and without English subtitles - yet in spite of the language issue I was able to quickly follow what was going on in the story. Recently they have begun showing Dae Jang Geum on our local Korean station in the original language with English subtitles and now the show is even more enjoyable. A great story. Great characters and lots of food that constantly sends my wife and I off to our local Korean BBQ.
Basically the story starts before Jang Geum is born and follows her from childhood and up through out her life. She goes from being the child of fugitives on the lam, to kitchen apprentice/lady in waiting in the royal household, to outcast on an island prison, to the first woman doctor to the King of Korea.
The Palace is a genuine snake pit of intrigue and the trials do take their toll on Jang Geum - she changes and grows and is shaped by the influences of his friends and enemies alike and yet still she manages to retain her essential spirit.
What I like most about this show is that Jang Geum is the true hero of the show, whereas her male love interest remains only in a supportive role.
This is a great show and worth watching.
Basically the story starts before Jang Geum is born and follows her from childhood and up through out her life. She goes from being the child of fugitives on the lam, to kitchen apprentice/lady in waiting in the royal household, to outcast on an island prison, to the first woman doctor to the King of Korea.
The Palace is a genuine snake pit of intrigue and the trials do take their toll on Jang Geum - she changes and grows and is shaped by the influences of his friends and enemies alike and yet still she manages to retain her essential spirit.
What I like most about this show is that Jang Geum is the true hero of the show, whereas her male love interest remains only in a supportive role.
This is a great show and worth watching.