Jewel in the Palace–Shining Through
Based on a true story about the first woman physician in Korea, Jewel in the Palace (2003) takes the viewer on a 54-episode journey. Part melodrama, part court-intrigue, part-Shakespearean. An orphaned little girl, Jang Geum, born of aristocratic parents who were betrayed at eighteenth century court, finds herself homeless and desperate. After becoming literate as well as accomplished watching her mother cook, she soon excels in both scholarly classics and the fine art of cooking. Though only ten years old, Jang Geum wishes to avenge her parents’ wrongful deaths as well as their reputations.
The first episodes focus on ten-year old Jang Geum, a very brave and tenacious little girl who faces incredible odds to become a kitchen apprentice in the royal palace. Time and again her skills are tested and her gentle nature never wavers in maintaining a steadfast belief that good wins in the end. Unfortunately, good luck is almost never on her side, and the more she shines for being so talented, the more enemies are determined to sabotage her accomplishments.
Over the fifty-four episodes Jang Geum patiently endures one setback after another, escaping death in unbelievably harrowing circumstances. Somehow her enemies and opponents’ plots never succeed. But the viewer constantly wonders how Jang Geum is going to escape an ignominious death yet again. Her heroic efforts rise above the petty greed, corruption, and envy at court. A royal guard (Min) falls in love with her, mesmerized by her intelligence, moral character, and strength, even more than her beauty..
Highly intellectual with an innate curiosity to study what the world reveals, Jang Geum represents the Korean female against the cultural norms, protocol, and patriarchy of her time. Easily applied to any gender-based socio-political system, Jewel in the Palace offers its audience a distinctly uplifting message: never give up, no matter what the circumstances or what others may say and believe.
The story is shamelessly sentimental at times, almost soap opera in some scenes, but then so is “Downton Abbey” and “Bridgerton”, which are of similar genre and tone. Jewel in the Palace similarly sustains the viewer’s attention: for over fifty-four hours, no small feat. There are no special effects, no sex, little violence and no especially profound dialog. While Jewel in the Palace would never be made in the US, its charm, sometimes exquisite cinematography, sumptuous clothing, and mouth-watering food are enough for a commitment to watch this series until the finale.
Excellent cast, direction, gripping adventures and cinematography all add up to a thoroughly binge-worthy series.
Availability: Kocowa (exclusively Korean dramas) through Amazon Prime
Note: Captions can run fast sometimes.