대장금
Jewel in the Palace - Episode Highlights
Episode Highlights
Exile to Jeju Island
Following a devastating conspiracy, Jang-geum and her mentor Lady Han are convicted of treason. On the arduous journey to exile, Lady Han succumbs to her injuries and dies in Jang-geum's arms. This episode marks the lowest point in Jang-geum's life, as she loses her mentor and is sent to be a slave on Jeju Island. It's a pivotal turning point where her life as a cook ends and her journey toward medicine begins.
This episode is the crucible that forges Jang-geum's new identity. The death of Lady Han solidifies her resolve for justice, and her arrival in Jeju introduces her to her new medical mentor, Jang-deok. It represents the complete destruction of her old life and the painful birth of her new purpose.
The Truth is Unveiled
The culmination of years of struggle. All parties involved in the past and present conspiracies, including the entire Choi clan and their political allies, are brought before a royal tribunal. Through a series of testimonies and revealed evidence, the Choi family's generations of corruption are finally exposed. Lady Choi attempts to escape but ultimately confronts her guilt before dying.
This episode provides the ultimate catharsis for the series' central conflict. It delivers justice for Jang-geum's mother and Lady Han, leading to the complete downfall of the antagonists who have tormented Jang-geum for her entire life. It is the climax of the revenge and justice plotline.
Curing the Prince of Smallpox
The Queen's son, the Crown Prince, contracts the deadly smallpox virus, and all the royal physicians are powerless. In a moment of desperation, the Queen puts her full trust in Jang-geum. Using her knowledge and unwavering dedication, Jang-geum successfully nurses the prince back to health, an act that solidifies her reputation and earns her the Queen's eternal gratitude and protection.
This event is Jang-geum's greatest medical triumph. It elevates her from a skilled female physician to an indispensable figure in the royal court, proving her abilities beyond any doubt and paving the way for her final, unprecedented promotion by the King.
The Wild Berry Dessert
During a critical cooking competition to determine the next Highest Kitchen Lady, Jang-geum is forced to compete in place of the absent Lady Han. For the final dish, instead of an elaborate royal delicacy, she presents a simple wild berry dessert. She explains that it was the last thing her mother ate before she died, and she prepared it with the love and sincerity she felt for her mother. The court is deeply moved.
This moment perfectly encapsulates the series' core philosophy that the heart and sincerity behind a dish are more important than technique or rare ingredients. It's a major turning point for Jang-geum as a character, where she wins not with complex skills, but with profound emotional honesty.
Finale: The Great Jang-geum
Years after the King orchestrates her escape from the palace to save her life, Jang-geum lives a quiet life as a fugitive with Min Jeong-ho and their daughter, treating common people. After the King's death, Queen Munjeong reinstates them. Jang-geum is welcomed back to the palace but ultimately chooses a life of freedom, continuing to heal people outside the palace walls. The final scene shows her performing the first known surgery (on a pregnant woman) in that era.
The finale provides a deeply satisfying conclusion. Jang-geum achieves ultimate recognition with the title "Dae" (The Great), finds happiness and family with Min Jeong-ho, and chooses a life of purpose on her own terms rather than returning to the confines of the palace. It solidifies her legacy as not just a royal physician, but a true healer of the people.