Dae Jang Geum

Starring: Lee Young Ae and Jin Jee Hee

This drama is based on a true story of the first and only female head physician to the king during the Chosun Dynasty. Dae Jang Geum, in english means "The Great Jang Geum." This is a fantastic series which encapsulates many aspects of the korean cuisine, culture, history, politics, and way of life. There are 54 episodes total which will captivate your heart and inspire you to look at the world through Jang Geum's eyes.

Synopsis written by Krystalheart 
Suh Chun-soo, a military officer, is ordered by the King to give poison to the queen. Upon the order for her death, she protests that this is a conspiracy meant to eliminate the royal line of power. Saddened and angered by this order from the king, she vows that when her son becomes king, he shall seek vengeance on her murderers. She drinks the poison and dies.

Suh Chun-soo meets a wise man one evening and he is told what will become of his fate. The wise man tells him that he will meet three women in his lifetime that will determine is fate. The wise man says, "Although you killed the first woman, you will not die. Although you save the second woman, she will die because of you. The third woman will kill you, but she will save many lives." The wise man tells Chun-soo that Chun-soo has already met the first woman. Chun-soo asks how he can avoid his own death by the third woman. The wise man tells Chun-soo that he must not meet the second woman if he doesn't want to meet the third woman. The wise man throws some clues written on a piece of rice paper to Chun-soo. As Chun-soo picks up the paper, the wise man disappears.

Chun-soo serves the king for ten years and decides that he wants to leave. Then one day while traveling along a creek, he finds a woman passed out along the bank. He rushes to her aid and saves her. Afterwards he realizes that he has met the second woman (from the wise man's prophecy). As much as he tries to leave the woman, she pursues him because she has no place to go. Her name is Myeong Park, who is a court lady in the Royal Kitchen. Myeong is a victim of conspiracy that lead from an attempted murder ordered by the court ladies in the Royal Kitchen. Now that Chun-soo has met the second woman, he cannot escape his fate and will eventually meet the third woman who will end his life.

Jang Geum, is the daughter Myeong and Chun-soo. She is a very bright girl who's curiosity often gets her into trouble. One day, Jang Geum's parents both die and Jang Geum is forced to live on her own. Before Jang Geum's mother dies, she tells Jang Geum that her last wish is to have Jang Geum become the Head Kitchen Lady of the Royal Kitchen, a position that Myeong has always dreamed of since she was a little girl. Little Jang Geum enters the Royal Palace and becomes a kitchen maid and eventually becoming a court lady (like her mother). The beginning of her young life as a kitchen maid leads her through many challenges and trials. Jang Geum is forced to test her wits and will power by learning what it takes to risk everything. A good heart with integrity, Jang Geum strives to fulfill her mother's dying wishes of becoming the head kitchen lady...

A court lady means that one must never marry, must never date any other man, must never leave the palace, and must always keep the sacred oath as a court lady. Disobeying the rules would lead to a punishment by death.

Learn about Jang Geum's journey of becoming the first female head physician to the king. Through many challenges and trials, Jang Geum is supported by her close friends, adoptive parents, and most importanly Sir Min Jung-Ho who has always stood by her side. Sometimes life isn't always exactly the best paved road. Sometimes you have to take many detours before discovering the real path to your true destination.

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