My picks from Korean Dramas

Some of the Korean dramas are really impressive due to their educational content for social change and how to go for them through entertainment. Just like any other drama, the stories revolve around main character (Like butcher becoming a surgeon, a scholar becoming an entrepreneur, a lady becoming a court cook and doctor and so on) but they are written in adventurous and biographical styles in which the main characters are following a goal that make them stand taller. I am not picking them because these dramas are based on biographies but instead I am picking them because the main characters break the prevailing divides in society based on class systems or cultural norms. The dedication, determination and above all, relying on constant learning and experimentations of main characters to demonstrate the fallacy of social divides are what make these dramas unique, in a time when all are focused on technologies than human talents and characters.

Another aspect of these dramas that really interests me is the linking of the traditional knowledge system to that of modern one. Historical societies like that of Korea have been accumulating vast knowledge about human nature for long time. It is really a great experience to see, though in terms of literature and arts, the transition of a society especially when the globalization is making things go faster than historical societies could accommodate properly.
Coming back to this dramas, I think, Korean artists really need appreciation from rest of world by creating such nice crafts that from one side ask for social change and from other side showing how to do it while entertaining all groups of societies across of ages.

I do not want to make my own interpretations of these dramas so I just present their descriptions and links for the first episode so you could watch them at your ease, if you like them….

One more thing, I may update this page from time to time… Cheers :)

Click on the title to watch them online....

Summaries are taken from dramafans
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Jewel in the Palace,

Summary

About 500 years ago during the time of Chosun Dynasty, Korea boasted a rigidly hierarchical and male dominated social structure. Set in this period, "Jewel in the Palace" is based on a true story about a legendary girl (Jang-Geum) who became the first woman to be the supreme royal physician of her times. Despite her poor condition as a low class girl in the male dominated society, Jang-Geum overcame a series of social discrimination and landed herself as a royal cook, later becoming the royal physician, then ultimately the physician in charge of the king. She was even given by the king the title "The Great Jang-Geum". The story of her checkered life on her success and breakdown as well as her love story beautifully unfold. "Jewel in the Palace" is sure to touch your heart.


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Dong Yi (It appeared to me as a Korean version of Sherlock Holmes)

Summary

Set during the reign of King Sukjong in the Joseon dynasty, the story focuses on Dong Yi, a water maid who gains the trust of Queen Inhyeon and later the favour of the king when he is moved by her prayers for the health of the Queen during the court disputes caused by Jang Hee Bin. Dong Yi becomes a concubine with the rank of sook-bin and bears a son who will later become the 21st king of Joseon, Yeongjo.


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Jejoongwon

Summary

A story about the hospital, Jejoongwon. It was the first modern hospital in Korea established in the Joseon era in 1886. (To me, the interesting point was the linking of a butcher to surgeon, both do the same things but it is just the observations, ethics and purpose that makes them so different)...


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Iljimae


Summary

Set during the Joseon Dynasty, Ryung acts as a useless gangster in the marketplace by day but at night he is a chivalrous robber who robs corrupt government officials to give to the poor. After each robbery he leaves behind a wooden branch from a plum tree at the site of the robbery to take responsibility for the robbery. The poor citizens only know him as Iljimae. Bong Soon is a hilarious girl with good martial art skills and lives as a swindler. She only loves Ryung and sacrifices her whole life for him. Eun Chan is a doctor's daughter and is good in nature and usually helps miserable people. She meets Iljimae once by chance, and their sweet love story begins. However, her love puts Iljimae in a dangerous situation because an Imperial Guard also loves her.


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Jumong (My Favorite :)

It might not be easy for modern men to think of nationality other than nation state, ideological state or an ethnic state but when reading ancient and Medieval history we might frequently see that each dynasty had their own nations. That means, a nation was dying by death of a dynasty and a nation was born out of scratch by rise of another dynasty. How well a nation doing was a test to the abilities and popularity of a dynasty. Jumong beautifully depicts the mindset of the kings and how they were creating a new nation out of scratch based on their visions. If you want to have some glimpses into the minds of ancient kings, this is definitely worth to watch....

Summary,
Song Il Gook plays Ju-Mong, the founder of the Goguryeo Dynasty in 37 BC. Han Hye Jin plays the role Soh Suh No (소서노) who is extremely intelligent and is King Ju Mong's second wife.


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Going to update it later....