So pretty! And her hat looks so warm.

Anyone watching Jejoongwon? I'm very reluctant to start any dramas right now..

You know what? I'm actually looking forward to this!!

i really like this drama

Hanbok on skates, cute.

I tried watching Jejoonwon, but the male leads don't appeal to me. Sorry, I have to have some eye candy to pull me in. Otherwise, this would have been an interesting series as I like Han Hye-jin.

I agree with Samsooki and chasen888. A well-made show with intriguing historical elements, indeed. However, since it tries to lay out many themes at once, the representations of them are often simplified or overlooked. For example, the surgery scenes make being a surgeon in the Western tradition ridiculously easy. The show also hints at depicting the medical missionary, Dr. Allen, as an "angle" trying to shed light on the dark land of Korean. I also find the story a little too conventional, with the professional battle between a bad and a sainty guy sprinkled in with romance.

Hahaha, they look hilarious and cute!

I can't help but be reminded the Olympics are starting next week!! All of Korea is going to be on the edge of their seats when Kim Yeon Ah takes the ice! I bet the streets will be empty and all classrooms will have a TV for the students and teachers to watch. Win or lose, it's going to be epic!!!

I actually like this drama.

@Samsooki
I wouldn't say it's a "sweeping epic", but it's pretty nice. It's more about the journey -metaphorical and not so metaphorical- of "Hwang Jung", at least that's the way I chose to "read" it. Yes, there're political schemes and yes, it's a medical drama with a side of Love story, but imho it doesn't deal with many topics...at least so far.

Western cultural influences and prejudices, going both ways.
Yup, check! :(

the end of the Joseon Dynasty which had been in power for 500 years….
So far? no. I only watched 7 eps out of 38 so I can't tell if the story is going to go in that direction or not. Unlike the first topic you mentioned, which I'm pretty sure at some point will play a major role, the end of Joseon dinasty may not be tackled. Or maybe it'll be skirted around. I don't even know if that's a bad or good thing.

Joseon caught between China and Japan? Check.

I hope the characters may be a little more layered. So far, as luv phim Han pointed out, there's a Bad Guy and a Good Guy, but I think things may change soon. I expect the Bad Guy to struggle a lot with his feelings and to change. As for the main character, although he's essentially good, we might get to see a darker side of him. IDK. We'll see. He's sooo naive in many ways so he's bound to get burned and either learn to protect himself or become a super-boring character.

PS: re: "Western" medicine/surgery in the drama. I won't lie. I'm glad the writers didn't go into too many details about either topics. I think it's pretty bloody and descriptive as it is. I REALLy don't want to see an hyper-realistic medical drama

She looks like a doll. She's so pretty. This drama is worth watching, her Korean garments are really, really beautiful. Some of the best I've seen in K dramas.

I always thought the lake in Changdeok Palace was unsafe to skate on. There's caution of thin ice.

I really need to catch up on this drama. WUAS and Chuno have been receiving all of my love and attention lol.

Han Hye Jin looks beautiful as always.

she's cute
:D

"How is this drama?"

Best show on TV and most moving love story I've seen this year. Elegant, soulful, and hopeful. Shows how you can incorporate class analysis, gender, and teleological themes without textual or filmic masturbation.

"So far, as luv phim Han pointed out, there’s a Bad Guy and a Good Guy, but I think things may change soon."

The Bad Guy is not a horrible guy, per se; it's just that he made his vendetta with Good Guy extremely personal.

The characters seem a bit idealized or simple at first, but that is because the story frames them in a much, much bigger canvas. Their coming-of-age reflects the transition of an era. Also, this is maybe the first real medical drama I've seen that somewhat reflects the emotions as to why doctors want to be doctors in the first place, as well as stirring that with deep national pride. In some respects, the story does play it all easy, but the execution never feels histrionic. You always feel the family. Above all, where the story most succeeds and beautifully is actually delivering a love story based on genuine communication, sincerity, and thoughtfulness. Their awkward baby steps reflect the chemistry shared between the three principals.

Also liked how they brought in the majesty. The Empress will probably be assassinated at some point in the drama.

"Best show on TV and most moving love story I’ve seen this year. Elegant, soulful, and hopeful."

Wow. Since belleza said so, I have to try to watch this. I'm so much indulge in Chuno right now and while waiting for the next subs episode (7) I have to find something to fulfill my anticipation yearning for it.

great drama , i love this drama , pretty realistic , by reading some K history i find
K at that time pretty much similar to Qing ' , with the strong influences from confucius philosophy , most of nobles , royal court were corrupted , narrow-minded , unable to accept new tech from West . It's interesting to see K came out
of dark time and become the rich country as today , bravo K.

I find Han Hye-jin to be one of the most unique and beautiful korean actresses BUT her eyes just freaks me out. Her eye intensity is disturbing. The eye thing works well when she plays an cool queen who can kick your ass but not so well when playing a poor young single mother with a bad pama. So how is she in this drama?

@belleza

THANK YOU! I wanted to say what you said, but I didn't know how. I got tangled in the details and lost the ability to describe the bigger picture. I fail at communicating today. But yeah, seconding everything you said. Thanks for sharing your opinion.

You know, I'm disappointed that Chuno is getting all the love and Jejoongwon is not getting the attention it deserves. Mind you, I like Chuno and I even squee about it, but Jejoongwon is just as good, imho. It's different in so many ways, but that doesn't mean it's any less worthy of the attention or praise. Chuno is all about passions and love; Jejoongwon is all heart. The latter may be less "flashy", but it's just as interesting.

I find Little Dog's dream to become a doctor so touching and heartwarming. I often alsdkjasldj when I watch the eps.

@20. Sere
"You know, I’m disappointed that Chuno is getting all the love and Jejoongwon is not getting the attention it deserves. "

I honestly believe it's because Chuno has "prettier" people.

Actually, I'm liking Jejongwoon more and more. I like Chuno too but maybe bec. of its goodlooking actors. There's a lot of fighting in Chuno which I don't care so much. I love Mr. Hwang and his sidekick.

My hands (actually eyes) are full now but definitely will check this one out probably after its run.

I enjoy Jejoongwon just as much as Chuno. The story attracted me from the very beginning and with HHJ, there's no excuse for me not to watch it. I know the male leads are no eye candy but HHJ is just plain gorgeous especially in beautiful hanboks, she looks like a Korean doll. I strongly recommend this drama, it deserves much more attention.

"I find Han Hye-jin to be one of the most unique and beautiful korean actresses BUT her eyes just freaks me out. Her eye intensity is disturbing."

Oh, see, that's the thing. HHJ's doesn't really glare in Jejoongwon. This is seriously the first time I've seen HHJ truly relaxed in a performance.

"You know, I’m disappointed that Chuno is getting all the love and Jejoongwon is not getting the attention it deserves."

Chuno and Jejoongwon are opposites. Or, it's more accurate to say that Jejoongwon is a more traditional sageuk with moderate fusion elements. Whereas Chuno kinda carves a whole new grammar to the fusion sageuk genre. Really, we should be so thankful to have so much quality programming coming in so early this year. I'm more than happy.

There's this scene where Mr. Hwang and Seok Ran are having an English lesson, and he tells her again and again that "you are so beautiful." I cried because it was such a pure, pure scene. Or when Mr. Hwang finally gets his wish to be a medical assistant. There's just purity, humility, and soul in Park Yong Woo's performance. The other thing is, Yeon Jung Hoon is very well cast as Baek Do Yang. Mr. Baek is very arrogant, but a lot of that arrogance is a product of his class privileges. There's something that's quietly progressive and bold about Baek. Finally, this role --a trailblazing progressive femininst -- Han Hye Jin really was well suited to play. The chemistry between the three actors is perfect; these actors must be good friends.

Oh and the music. I can't wait for the soundtrack to come out.

I really, really love Jejoongwon. This will probably be my favorite show since Alone in Love.

after reading the above comments, i'm finally sold to watching this one

@ majata: me too!! * Hands up. Since I'm certified Belleza's fan. LOL. seriously I'm waiting for you to write a recap. How about started with this series?

@ dear Belleza,

she still harshly glares ever so briefly when she's emoting (ie we're more than aware of her turning on her 'acting switch').... and I'm still very very scared. *at least up till ep 2*

"seriously I’m waiting for you to write a recap."

Seriously, my recaps would be all lies. (i.e. "And then Jang Hyuk and Ji Ho were fighting once against in the fields, but soon they were laughing and frolicking and they even forgot to wear belts this time . . .")

"she still harshly glares ever so briefly when she’s emoting"

I feel less so as the show progresses. Her character isn't as assertive as Susuno or as broad as Geum Soon. The acting is more about collective chemistry; everybody seems so comfortable with each other.

belleza said it all. the story is just deeper beyond my description (bcz i'm not good at english). i've never watched anything that could give me more than this. i've never know 1 hour spent for drama could be so nutritious. this drama is like a vitamine. just one tablet could give u the amount of 60 oranges.

I love this show!! I'm also watching Pasta, God of Study and Stars falling from the Sky for the Monday/Tuesday timeslot and even though this show has not much eyecandy compared to the other shows, it's really different and interesting..I've always been a fan of medical dramas, and Jejoongwon is different even in this genre because it's not another typical hospital drama about the lives of doctors.. Although there's not much hype about this drama because it's been overshadowed by all the other blockbusters with big names (read=Chuno), it's really worth a watch..

I LOVE THIS DRAMA....

not high in ratings but i love the story and the actors. They are all good...

thanks dramabeans for sharing these photos...

more power...

Really, we should be so thankful to have so much quality programming coming in so early this year. I’m more than happy.

Oh trust me, I'm grateful and very happy about that :)

RE: the actors' performances and the characters they play. Word! That is why I like this drama soooo much. I'm more interested in the characters than the story itself, to tell you the truth. They're so different from anything I've seen so far and I'm fascinated. I really want to know what happens to them. :) BTW, I'm not saying the story is boring....actually, it's wonderful, imho, but the characters make this drama.

There's a brief sequence in episode 33 where Han Hye Jin's character is riding her new bike to meet the American nurse. That scene quietly, but poetically expresses modernization, both through the excitement and wonder of this progressive trailblazer who can't wait to see her future . . . and the bewilderment of everybody turning around to see this person on this strange looking contraption racing by.

In addition, it quietly comments on class. She's also blithely unaware that, because of her class privilege, she gets to taste the frontier of West-East, while all the lower class carry on in their daily life.

Sigh. This show is just so wonderful. I feel like I'm right there, in the old world, experiencing the new world with wide, wide eyes.

There's also a sequence where she is circling around him with her bike. And though we've seen similar 360 scenes done in K-drama and sageuk, I don't think it has ever been done this poetically and quietly. It's beautiful.

Totally agree with Belleza , beautiful K traditional hanbok clothing ever , she is
talented and beautiful . I love this drama , as Belleza mentioned above i feel like
i lived in K last century , how realistic this drama able to deliver to us .
I'm not K .

i love looking at this show and she is what i come back for every week because of her character and the doctor that she is in love with, hope they have the channel in upstate new york

So cute...