DAE JANG GEUM ~ Jewel In The Place ~ Da Chang Jin
-
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 = characterÂ’s 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 King’s 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 KingÂ’s 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 Â… Lee Young-ae
Lt General Min Jung-ho Â… Jin Jin-hee
Choi Geum-young Â… Hong Ri-na
King Jung-jong Â… Im Ho
Lady Han Â… Yang Mi-gyeong
Lady Choi Â… Gyeon Mi-ri
Yeon-saeng Â… 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? -
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.
I like the "small chang jin". She is cute and seems smart. I saw her on the Hkg entertainment news. -
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
I've heard nothing but praises about this drama for some time now but 70 episodes ...
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! -
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.... -
It's on every Monday - Friday, at 7.00pm. The re-runs are at 12.30am, 9.30am and 2.00pm.Originally posted by nightzip: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....
It gets better as it goes along
Hope this helps! -
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. -
Well ... at least you were gracious enough to give in to your sister's buggingOriginally posted by littlestream: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. 
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
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. -
Did You Know Â…
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 -
Sword fighting Korean drama??? Really? Oh, I thought it's always the crying, cham cham ones.
I do prefer wu xia. -
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 thatOriginally posted by littlestream:Sword fighting Korean drama??? Really? Oh, I thought it's always the crying, cham cham ones. I do prefer wu xia. -
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..... -
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...
-
I won't say what I think of the Queen Mother at this point of time ...Originally posted by nightzip: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... ... 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 -
I found the entire drama fascinating.Originally posted by laurence82: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..... -
Originally posted by miss_soojung:
tot she could have insisted to present the meals to the king as she is the TOP LADY?
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]
-
Perhaps without the Chief Lady's ok, she's not allowed to 'force' her presenceOriginally posted by nightzip:tot she could have insisted to present the meals to the king as she is the TOP LADY?
I remember her standing outside waiting for the King to ask for her while the others trooped in with the food she prepared! -
hmm...maybe should read up or search more about Korea imperial antics and culture more....
-
very interesting
u notice a lot of aspects of their culture is very and to soem certain extent, same as chinese ones... -
Yeah, both cultures seem very similar. Their swordfighting technique too ...Originally posted by laurence82:very interesting
u notice a lot of aspects of their culture is very and to soem certain extent, same as chinese ones... -
sword fighting?Originally posted by miss_soojung:Yeah, both cultures seem very similar. Their swordfighting technique too ...
i swear i didnt see any sword fighting in chang jin.... -
Wee bits here and there ... remember the scene where Min Jung-ho was fighting off some Jap baddies, gets injured and Jang-geum tends to his wounds?Originally posted by laurence82:sword fighting?
i swear i didnt see any sword fighting in chang jin....
But I saw awhole lot more of their sword fighting in Damo. There was a scene where they compared Japanese, Chinese & Korean swordfighting while investigating the deaths of some villagers. -
Lee Young Ae is on this week's 8 Day cover. It's the Korean issue!!
-
the show that ohh la la song has techno version
-
That version sounds too modern for a period drama leh ...