kdrama: Dae Jang Geum eps 37-45

[meganbmoore]

Have I mentioned that the Queen is pretty darn awesome? But then, glancing at Wikipedia, it seems the real Queen Munjeong was pretty impressive (and possibly ruthless) herself, if possibly more scheming than the series portrays her. She’s probably my favorite character after the physician lady from Jeju. (She does have a name, but they’ve barely used it, and always use her title instead, so I haven't really retained it.)

Actually, the physician lady’s inclusion sometimes feels…off? Mostly in how she seems to have just moved in with Jang Geum’s foster parents after supposedly coming to help with one thing. I wonder if she was supposed to be a short term character, and then stayed.

But OMG, was I talking about wanting the show to get to the physician part soon not long ago? Clearly, I forgot that would mean acupuncture, and, therefore, needles. I mean, I know that’s a valid medical practice that still holds legitimacy today, I just have a great fear of needles.

The series really has picked up in the second half, though. I mean, I quite like the first half, even with the very slow beginning, but the second half is making me understand why the series was so huge. I think because all the maneuvering and scheming from before is playing out. Like, I kind of adore Keum-Young and Lady Choi (esp. Lady Choi) in their evilness, but I kind of cackled with glee as all their schemes were catching up. I also loved the scene where Jang Geum treated her for the food poisoning. I’m not sure, though, that I think that central plotline will be able to be stretched out another 9 episodes. I’m guessing it’ll be wrapped up quickly, and the last episodes focus more on the royal physician aspect. (I picture many bearded men having conniptions over that.)

Also, I kind of love how Jang Geum’s foster mom knew there was something wrong with the story of Jang Geum being sent to Jeju for sneaking the king’s medical records because Sir Min (definitely the best kdrama boyfriend) was peacefully hanging around, instead of tearing up half of Korea to get to her. Also, I’m kind of…amused that they couldn’t be together before because as a palace lady, it was illegal for her to have relations with any man but the king because she was technically his bride, and now they can’t be together because she was made a slave when Jang Geum and Lady Han were framed for treason, and because of all the conspiracies and politics and medical stuff, neither one seems to even think of that until it’s pointed out!

Also, I should mention that this is one of the few kdramas where I actually like the characters that are there for comic relief. (The foster parents, Lady Min, Chang-Yee, and even Yeun-Seng and Young-Ro early in the series[I think they stopped being comic and became more serious about the time of the treason framing].) I think that’s because they’re all very loyal (well, except Young-Ro, but she’s loyal to being attached to whoever she thinks is on top) and pretty useful, as opposed to always causing problems for the protagonist. I guess Daek-Gu (?) sometimes causes problems for Jang Geum in his eagerness, but people usually seem to realize he just has a big mouth and is trying to make either himself or Jang Geum look good out of devotion.

I was prepared to rant about Yeul Yee’s vendetta against Jang Geum and her joining Lady Choi and Keum-Young out of jealousy, until it was revealed that she just used Jang Geum to get close to them as part of the former head lady’s plot. Apparently, women feuding and backstabbing out of jealousy over men or someone being better at something than them is a no-no with me, but women feuding and backstabbing out of political and revenge plots and conspiracies is ok. I don’t think I have much of a problem with this.