Actress Lee Young-ae is returning to television after 20 years with the drama “The Righteous Woman, Dae Jang-geum” (working title). “The Righteous Woman, Dae Jang-geum” is an independent work that is not connected to the setting or characters of the 2003 MBC drama “Jewel in the Palace.”
This drama will depict the growth of court lady Seo Jang-geum into a royal physician. Lee Young-ae will take on the role of Jang-geum as she becomes a royal physician, showcasing a different side from the original work.
Although the new drama is a separate work from the original, it is generating public interest as it explores the story of the same character. “Jewel in the Palace” was a 54-episode epic drama that chronicled the journey of court lady Jang-geum as she grew into a royal physician in the Joseon dynasty.
The drama recorded a peak viewership rating of 57.8%, ranking 10th among the highest-rated dramas in South Korean history. The average viewership rating was 46.3%, placing it 5th among the highest-rated dramas.
The drama began airing on September 15, 2003, with a viewership rating of 19.8%, but within a month, the rating exceeded 30%. On November 10th the same year, in the 17th episode, it broke through the 40% mark. In March 2004, the 48th episode reached a peak of 51.4%, surpassing the 50% threshold. The final episode recorded a peak viewership of 57.8%. The overall average viewership rating was 45.8%. During the same period, the drama “Stairway to Heaven” also recorded viewership ratings exceeding 40%, but it was unable to surpass the records set by “Jewel in the Palace.”
Subsequently, “Jewel in the Palace” was exported to various regions around the world, including China and Japan. Lee Young-ae’s role in the drama earned her immense popularity, cementing her status as a Hallyu star.
The production company previously announced that “The Righteous Woman, Dae Jang-geum” is currently in preparation with the goal of beginning production in the second half of 2024. The expected air date is set for early next year, although the broadcasting platform and scheduling have not yet been revealed. Viewers who have seen “Jewel in the Palace” are curious to see how the new story will unfold.
Actress Lee Young-ae, who portrayed the role of Jang-geum, continues to receive significant attention even after her marriage. In 2009, she married a 20-year-older Korean-American businessman, Jung Ho-young. The couple has twin children, Seung-bin and Seung-kwon. Recently, Lee Young-ae attended a charity bazaar at her children’s school, where she participated in selling cosmetics, a moment that generated much discussion among her fans. In May, she also attended a parent observation class at her children’s school, sharing updates about her life.
Source: Wikitree
