Dramas / MBC TV
MBC TV · 2003
An orphaned girl enters the royal kitchens of Joseon-era Korea as an apprentice cook. In a time when women had little say in society, Jang-geum sets out to master the secrets of court cuisine and then of medicine, in the hope of curing the king's ailments. The story is based on Janggeum, the first female royal physician of the Joseon period.
It ran from 15 September 2003 to 23 March 2004, 54 episodes in all.
All-time blockbusters
It was the top programme on MBC with an average viewership rating of 45.8% and a peak of 57.1%. Made for US$15 million, it was exported to 91 countries and earned US$103.4 million worldwide. It is regarded as one of the main drivers of the Korean Wave, spreading Korean food and culture abroad.
Lee Byung-hoon directed it from a script by Kim Young-hyun. Its themes are perseverance and traditional Korean culture, especially royal court cooking and traditional medicine. The story moves through the reigns of King Seongjong, Yeonsangun and Jungjong, with an epilogue that reaches into the 1540s. The story is set across the reigns of King Seongjong, Yeonsangun and Jungjong, with an epilogue through the reigns of Injong and Myeongjong ending in March 1550. Jang-geum's two careers, first in the royal kitchen and then in medicine, give the series its structure, and her rivalry with Choi Keum-young runs through both.
Slot not confirmed
MBC TV · Started 15 September 2003 · Last episode 23 March 2004 · 54 episodes.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Lee Young-ae | Seo Jang-geum |
| Ji Jin-hee | Min Jeong-ho |
| Hong Ri-na | Choi Keum-young |
| Im Ho | King Jungjong |
| Yang Mi-kyung | Lady Han (Han Baek-young) |
| Jo Jung-eun | young Jang-geum |
| Lee Se-young | young Keum-young |
Last checked 22 October 2026.