Jewel in the Palace
A historical tapestry of resilience, this poignant drama paints a woman's ascent from humble cook to royal physician, a visual feast of culinary artistry and ancient medicine.
Jewel in the Palace
Jewel in the Palace

대장금

15 September 2003 — 23 March 2004 South Korea 1 season 54 episode Ended ⭐ 8.5 (263)
Cast: Lee Young-ae, Ji Jin-hee, Im Ho, Lee Se-eun, Geum Bo-ra
Drama
Perseverance Against Adversity Female Empowerment in a Patriarchal Society The Philosophy of Food and Medicine Justice vs. Revenge

Jewel in the Palace - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

As a king I command you. As a man I beg you.

— King Jungjong

Context:

Spoken to Jang-geum late in the series when he is trying to persuade her to stay with him, revealing the depth of his personal feelings for her beyond their professional relationship.

Meaning:

This line perfectly encapsulates the King's internal conflict. It shows the immense power he wields as a monarch versus his personal vulnerability and deep affection for Jang-geum, whom he cannot have but desperately wants to keep by his side.

People hide their identity, but books don't.

— Min Jeong-ho

Context:

Said during one of his early encounters with Jang-geum in the royal library (Episode 8), as he lends her books and they begin to form an intellectual and emotional connection.

Meaning:

This quote reflects Min Jeong-ho's scholarly nature and his belief in the pursuit of truth. It's his way of telling Jang-geum that knowledge is a pure and honest path, a subtle encouragement for her to continue learning despite the deceptive nature of the people in the palace.

She is like wild grass. No matter how you pull it, that plant will return and return.

— Choi Keum-young

Context:

Spoken by Geum-young to her aunt, Lady Choi, expressing her frustration and a degree of awe at Jang-geum's ability to consistently recover from their plots against her.

Meaning:

This is a reluctant acknowledgment from Jang-geum's main rival about her incredible resilience. It captures the essence of Jang-geum's character: her unbreakable spirit and her ability to overcome any obstacle thrown in her way, much to the frustration of her adversaries.

I'll tell you this: no-one can ever persuade me to give up! I will never give up!

— Seo Jang-geum

Context:

A declaration made during a moment of intense pressure, encapsulating her unwavering determination to persevere on her chosen path, regardless of the hardships she faces.

Meaning:

This is Jang-geum's personal creed. It is a powerful declaration of her defining characteristic – her absolute refusal to be defeated by circumstance, societal pressure, or the schemes of her enemies. It is the promise she makes to herself and the memory of her loved ones.

Your fate will be destined by three women. You killed the first woman, though you didn't want to. You will save the second one, but she will die because of you. The third one will kill you, but save thousands.

— A Hermit

Context:

This prophecy is delivered to Jang-geum's father at the very beginning of the series (Episode 1) after he participates in the execution of the deposed queen.

Meaning:

This prophecy sets the entire narrative in motion. It foreshadows the tragic connections between Jang-geum's father (Seo Cheon-soo), her mother (Park Myeong-yi), the deposed Queen Yun, and Jang-geum herself. It frames the story with an air of destiny, suggesting that individual lives are interwoven with greater historical events.