Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum)

PERSONAL NOTE

This is a very inspiring story about a woman in one of Korea's early days, where chauvinistic males dominated the kingdom. Despite the many obstacles and setbacks she received from not only her colleagues, teachers, and environment, she persevered and overcame them in the end. The loss of her parents, Lady Han, and Lady Jeong only made Jang Guem more inspired to succeed.

THE CAST

Lee Young Ae: Dae Jang Guem
Ji Jin Hee: Min Jung Ho
Hong Ri Na: Choi Keum Young
Yang Mi Kyung: Lady Han
Gyeon Mi Ri: Lady Choi
Im Ho: King Jung Jong
Park Jeong Su: Queen Munjeong
Park Eun Hye: Lee Yeong Sang
Kim Yeo Jin: Jang Duk
Yeo Woon Gye: Lady Jeong
Han Ji Min: Shin Bi
Lee Se Eun: Yeol Lee
Choi Ja Hye: Chang Ee
Lee Ip Sae: Lady In
Kim So Yi: Lady Min

*Thanks to Wikipedia and point2e

COMMENTS ON CAST

Dae Jang Guem / Lee Young Ae: I think she played the character Jang Guem very well. Her excellent portrayal of Jang Guem's crying scenes was a sure tear-jerker. And the way she looked during different times of the show was very good. It's hard not to get bored of someone after 70 episodes, but I was never ever once bored of her. I think she did a great job as Jang Guem. To me, unless someone can act as well as Lee Young Ae, she doesn't deserve to be Jang Guem.

Min Jung Ho / Ji Jin Hee: I think he did quite a good job as Jang Guem's admirer, knowing when to be serious and also when to joke with her. The only part I didn't like about him was when he forcefully carried Jang Guem away after the King's death during the scene on the pier. Otherwise, I think they make a good and nice couple together. They look meant for each other!

Hong Ri Na / Choi Keum Young: I think she did quite a good job as Keum Young. Her eyes say a lot as do her expressions. For example, when she finds Jang Guem in the kitchen as a nurse, her eyes give a very unbelieveable feeling. Like: Why are YOU here? She's a good actress. I thought she was quite suitable as Keum Young.

Yang Mi Kyung / Lady Han: And to think she was cast as Lady Choi in the first place is quite absurd. She has this very compassionate look in the film as Jang Guem's teacher. I think she can act quite well, as she is normally a very jovial person in real life. But as Lady Han, she managed to portray the seriousness and strictness of Jang Guem's teacher. Well done!

Gyeon Mi Ri / Lady Choi: I thought she acted very well. Her expressions, outbursts and everything about her were good, even though she was the bad character in the show. She is a person who likes to laugh, I think, because during the interview with the cast, she was laughing a lot with Hong Ri Na there. But I must say, her character in the show was really caused by the amount of pressure to become the Highest Rank Sang Gong in the Royal Kitchen. All her aunts had become the Highest Rank Sang Gong before, so she must have felt a lot of pressure.

I shall not write the summary of the show and end here because I do not want to spoil your show. I know most people hate it when there are spoilers but well, there are already a lot of "Dae Jang Guem" spoilers in the other reviews, so now I'm off to write another review!

Enjoy "Dae Jang Geum". When it ends you'll miss it.