One of the most watched shows on Korean TV, “Daejanggeum,” or “Jewel in the Palace” to our foreign fans, made its debut as a nonverbal performance on May 22nd and is scheduled to run until July 29th.

The nonverbal “Daejanggeum” is a 54-episode drama series compressed into an 80-minute production. It is an extravaganza of nonverbal performing arts disciplines – Korean traditional aria pansori, dances, folk band music, and martial arts. Here’s the show’s producer Choi Jong-mi to tell us more about the show.

The samulnori band performance does not feature only traditional elements, but made extra special with modern melodies. Video images are shown on the background screen to add more visual elements. The competition between Geum-yeong and Jang-geum, and the cooking scenes were expressed in drum beats. This performance is a harmonious combination of music, dance, and songs. The merriness of traditional folk music and the catchy melodies and harmony of western music were balanced to create an enjoyable and inspiring piece.

“Daejanggeum” is based on a real character from the mid-Joseon era. She was the first female doctor to earn king’s total trust, so much so that she became the personal physician to King Jungjong. The dramatized bio-pic showed how Janggeum became first the head chef in the royal kitchen and then the most respected doctor. “Daejanggeum,” which ran in the autumn of 2003, set one of the highest TV ratings in Korean TV history. At the time, 45.8% of all TV viewers tuned in on average for each episode, and according to a paper published by Samsung Economic Research Institute in 2009, the show generated a revenue of 46.4 billion won, with the show’s export bringing in about 12.5 billion won or 11 million U.S. dollars. If the Korean drama “Winter Sonata” was the first big hit overseas and sparked the Korean pop culture wave, “Daejanggeum” further widened the influence and popularity of hallyu to some 70 markets around the globe, including China, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and even Eastern Europe. Unlike other trendy TV series, “Daejanggeum” played an instrumental part in publicizing Korea’s traditional culture to foreign audiences. The export of “Daejanggeum” was, therefore, just as meaningful and effective as, if not more than, exporting cell phones or LCD TVs in elevating Korea’s status in the international community. Here’s cultural columnist Jang Ji-young for more.

Ever since “Daejanggeum” was broadcasted in overseas markets, people showed more interest in Korean cuisine and way of life, and foreign tourists sought out chances to taste authentic Korean food. It became trendy for Korean restaurants to include “Daejanggeum” in their names. Korean chefs, who work overseas, claim that “Daejanggeum” has helped them further their careers, like asking them to recreate the dishes presented on the show. A long time has passed since the show ran in China and Japan, but Daejanggeum cooking classes are still popular and still many more foreigners wish to learn about Korean cuisine, Korean health supplements, and traditional medicine. Foreign tourists also find traditional hanbok very beautiful and want to try them on whenever they see hanbok dress-up corners at tourist destinations. One of the most popular touristy things to do is dressing up in hanbok and taking pictures.

In China it’s not that hard to spot “Daejanggeum” in a restaurant name or advertisement since the show aired there. There are even Daejanggeum dolls, cup noodles, and kimchi for sale, and there is even a Daejanggeum glossary to help viewers understand Korean historical jargons. Here’s the show’s producer Choi Jong-mi to tell us more about the show’s popularity.

“Daejangguem” is probably better known to foreign audiences than the traditional stories of Shim Cheong or Chun-hyang. The TV series was exported to some 70 countries around the world. There is even a Daejanggeum theme park in the Seoul suburb of Yongin. More than 1.3 million people - 470 thousand locals and 830 thousand foreigners - visited the park from December 2004 to December of last year. The fact that foreign visitors outnumber locals clearly illustrates the popularity of Daejanggeum in overseas markets.

Before the nonverbal production made its debut, “Daejanggeum” was twice made into a musical. Here’s cultural columnist Jang Ji-young to tell us more.

The TV show began in 2003 and ended in the spring of 2004. Musicals came after that. The first production was presented in 2007 at the Sejong Performing Arts Center. It was very difficult to compress a 50-episode series into a two-hour musical. Another musical version was made in 2008 and shown at Gyeonghui Palace. The plot included not only Janggeum’s love story, but also the strained relationship between the king and his top official. That musical ran until 2010. The latest spinoff is the nonverbal production of “Daejanggeum.”

Like most other traditional productions, “Daejanggeum” also opens up with a folk band performance.

After the folk band grabs people’s attention, clowns come up to the stage to give a greeting in English and signal the beginning of the show with a drum performance.

“Nonverbal Daejanggeum” is a complete party package, containing just about every element of Korean traditional arts. It also presents a music genre unheard of in traditional music performances. Here’s the show’s producer Choi Jong-mi to explain more.



What sets this performance apart from other traditional ones is that it showcases music that’s never been heard in other traditional or pop concerts. This production features music that combines traditional and modern elements. For instance, Korea’s samulnori performers dance to the rhythm of modern tunes, and the three-drum dance is choreographed to modern music.

Act one consists of the young Janggeum entering the palace for the first time to work as a kitchen hand. Janggeum’s perfect sense of taste is expressed in a traditional song.

The most famous scene in the drama was the part where Janggeum had to explain how she tasted persimmon. Lady Choi asked the young kitchen staff where the sweet flavor comes from, and some answered sugar and some honey. But it was Janggeum who got the correct answer of persimmon. When asked how she knew, Janggeum said she answered persimmon because she tasted persimmon and nothing more. This scene was made into an a cappella piece sung by more than 10 singers.

This scene does not end here. The audience is invited to learn the song as well.

In Act 2 Janggeum learns the ins and outs of the royal kitchen. She stands out with her exceptional cooking talents. The cooking contest scene was made more exciting with a three-drum performance.

This kitchen scene is the cast’s favorite. Although it is a cooking scene, there is no food to be found.

Actors play the parts of food, which is unheard of. Here’s actress Park Su-ri who plays the dancing Daejanggeum.

Although “Daejanggeum” is about food and chefs, its nonverbal production does not feature any actual food. Instead we reenact the cooking scene with sounds, musical instruments and dance. Male cast members represent the food, and we actresses play the chefs. Then we chefs chase the food ingredients played by actors. It’s really comical and spectacular. This kitchen scene is the best.

In Act 3 Janggeum is framed by Geumyeong and Lady Choi, and exiled to Jeju Island. Janggeum is reminded of her mother, who was sacrificed in the struggle for power in the royal kitchen.

Janggeum’s longing for her mother is presented in a dance for lost souls and soulful pansori performance.

Janggeum finishes her medical training and returns to the palace in act 4. Her return to the royal court is expressed in a splendid fan dance. The act also includes her budding romance with Min Jeong-ho and his love serenade for her is really sweet and touching.

Act 5 is the show’s finale. Janggeum wins her love and becomes a successful doctor. Everyone sings the title song “Onara” for the king and shares the feelings of joy with the audience.

- I think I just saw the entire spectrum of Korean traditional arts. I really enjoyed the knife dance, fan dance, and samulnori performance. It was more cheerful than the TV drama. I had such fun throughout the show.
- It was a perfectly Korean performance, with the drums, samulnori, and the Korean dances all achieving perfect harmony. The show reminded me of bibimbap, how all the different colors of hanbok and different artistic genres were combined to create a wonderful, bibimbap-like performance.

“Nonverbal Daejanggeum” is more than just an 80-minute traditional performance. Scenes from the original TV drama are played on the huge screen in the background to correspond with the scenes played out on the stage, reminding the audience of the memorable moments from the TV show. Here’s the show’s producer Choi Jong-mi to explain more.

The videos are played in LED images. Highlights from the TV show are shown and lights and sounds are coordinated to fit the scenes. Taped music, live singing, and the performances of traditional musical instruments accompany the videos as well. On the left is a screen with subtitles in four languages – Korean, Japanese, English, and Chinese.

“Nonverbal Daejanggeum” combines the best of traditional arts and modern sensitivity to provide an unforgettable entertainment experience for both Koreans and foreigners. Now “Daejanggeum” fans have a special performance to remind them of their favorite TV drama.