Customer Reviews

Dae Jang Geum vol. 3

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Note: Please read my reviews of volumes 1 and 2.

With complex setups, nearly a dozen richly defined characters, and timescale spanning 50 years, bringing a satisfying conclusion to Dae Jang Geum seems all but impossible. To compound the challenge, the creators elected to stretch the series with additional episodes. Although not without problems, the result is impressive.

To satisfy such lofty goals, Dae Jang Geum ends with 3 successive conclusions. The first and most satisfying conclusion is the resolution of Lady Choi's misdeeds. It happens quickly and all the loose ends are tied. Nearly 40 years of struggle finally comes to an end. Then the second one begins, tying the romance between Jang Geum and Jung Ho. Their conclusion is not nearly as satisfying as the first but succeeds with several beautiful and noteworthy scenes. The final conclusion is a mess, but as the end credit rolled, I was still very much satisfied and impressed by its ambitious scope.

Dae Jang Geum volume 3 contains the final 18 episodes, from 37 to 54. As a bonus, a small photo gallery is included. As I mentioned in my volume 1 review, I would've liked to see inclusion of background information. Although not crucial, some understanding of Chosun history and Korean culture can enhance the viewing experience (articles in Wikipedia can be of some help). And considering all the hard work, I would've loved to see behind-the-scenes footage. Fortunately, video websites such as YouTube have some of these supplemental materials (search for "Dae Jang Geum").

Episodes 37 and 38 pick up where volume 2 left up, with very satisfying end to the mother queen incident. A new villain emerges (Yul-Yi), perhaps even nastier than 3 Chois put together. Episodes 39 through 42 deal with 3rd and final prophecy (which was presented on the first episode). Episodes 43 through 48 start and end with highly satisfying roller coaster ride to Lady Choi's resolution. Episodes 49 through 51 feature political aftershock, her best friend's labor, and further validation of the final prophecy. Episodes 52 and 53 feature Jang Geum's rise to high ranking officer, fate of Jang Geum and Jung Ho's relationship (with obligatory Korean love triangle arc), all leading up to the final conclusion on episode 54.

If I have to criticize the series, it would be the leisurely pacing of the epilogue. Throughout the series, flashbacks are used often and at generous portion. Still, as a movie critic Roger Ebert once wrote, I suppose ice cream is best savored slowly because it is so good. This is one TV drama sad to see it end. It was one exhaustive ride, but at all times, I was glued to the screen. My other criticism is all to near perfect nature of Jang Geum. Yes, she does have few flaws, mainly her lack of patience and being too curious. But she is just way too smart, way too kind, way too courageous, and way too beautiful. But I suppose we love her just the same. =) And finally, some of the medical practices are just too miraculous and over-the-top.

Technically speaking, both the costumes and set decorations are spot on. The makeup is uneven, however -- some of the characters have eyeliners on! And the frequent use of chef body double, the one with the stubby fingers, is a bit distracting. And because the series was shot using video cameras, the overall look is not as cinematic as US TV dramas.

With so much nuances and attention to details, this series demands a repeated viewing. Its themes are numerous and universal: perseverance, friendship, health, and how revenge and justice are not one in the same.

Forget everything you think you know about Chinese or Korean
historical dramas. Dae Jang Geum is the best. It broke all records in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea. Tens of thousands of
people flock to the Dae Jang Geum theme park in Korea because they have been so moved by the mini-series. For myself, I think of Jang Geum as my new role model, the kind of person I would like to emulate. Whatever you do, don't miss this drama. It's superb.

The third volume introduces yet more trials for the brave and brilliant Jang Geum, but it also serves up a satisfying, but just, comeuppance for the villains. Yet the quality of this drama is such that even Jang Geum's enemies have complex motivations and even tug a bit of sympathy out of us at the end. What indeed would you have done if you'd been born a Choi? By volume three, you understand why all of Asia was hooked on this series...but then I can't imagine how someone could stop watching without seeing this through to the finish. Unlike the weaker seasons of Desperate Housewives or Sex and the City, you can't miss a disc of this one. Do yourself a favor and buy all three volumes at once!

I OWN ALL 3 SETS. I LOVE IT! IT IS A GREAT STORY, EXCELLENT IN EVERY WAY. YOU JUST DONT WANT TO MISS.

Beautiful, exciting, informative, historical, thrilling and heart-breaking drama not to be missed. Need to get all three volumes to get the full story. It's truly quality entertainment to cherish and revisit.

My husband and I bought this DVD set for my 71-year old korean mother-in-law whom speaks and understands very little English. She had previously claimed that she is a very modern and contemporary woman despite her age and therefore, she only enjoys watching contemporary and modern dramas. I had wanted to introduce her to watching korean dramas after the passing of her husband last year as she had become very lonely. Somehow, she kept insisting that she was fine with just watching regular basic cable American television (i.e. NBC, FOX, CNN - no Food Network, etc). For Christmas 2009, I was running low on ideas on what to get for my mother-in-law as she is a very basic independent woman and so finally, I told my husband that we will buy this Dae Jang Geum DVD set that has korean spoken language and see if she will like it. If she doesn't, I know I can always take it back and give it to my own mother (even though I am Chinese and my mother actually watches Korean dramas as well). Needless to say, my mother-in-law absolutely LOVES this Korean Drama DVD Set despite being at first hesitant when she saw the DVD Cover Picture of a not-so-contemporary woman.

Pros:
1. My korean 71 year old mother-in-law is not much of a gadgety person - so it was important to know for us that the DVD set didnt have too much of the fancy features where she wouldnt be able to know where to go to play her DVD in spoken Korean language. It was easy for her to figure out on her own after we showed her how to navigate through the DVD menu on her basic DVD player (the basic DVD player you get from walmart)
2. Good picture quality and sound
3. The story plot is good enough where a "contemporary/modern" woman would also enjoy watching.

Cons:
1. Expensive for only one part of the series. Because we wanted to test out to see if my mother-in-law would enjoy this, we bought Vol 1 only. After learning that shes been watching it for HOURS non-stop and sleeping for only a couple of hours each night and rewatching the entire volume after having finished it, we bought Vol 2 and Vol 3.

Excellent story line. Very captivating. This is one of the best drama series I have ever seen. The only reason I did not rate it a 5 was due to the English sub-titles being somewhat hard to understand. But I realize it is difficult to get a good dynamic equivalent translation sometimes. Congratulations to the producers, cast and crew of the excellent Korean Drama series. I also have Vol 1 and 2 and really enjoyed them.

Quality of the dvd is wonderful but sure take a long time in getting them.
If you could wait couple of weeks for them, sure ...
But I'm not sure I want to wait that long again.

Es el mejor drama que he visto en mi vida. Ninguna serie gringa o latinoamericana puede competir.

Other reviewers have written all kinds of good things about this great historical korean drama. The series was well made and almost excellent in every aspect. I bought all three volumes almost two years ago and really enjoyed watching them time and again. Of course, it deserves more than one star but who would read my review if I give it five like most of the others.

After almost two years of waiting nobody has written anything about the big time blooper that they made in making this series. Let me point it out to anybody who is interested. Go and watch the last few episodes in Volume 3 where Jang Geum's raising her young daughter. Look at the daughter's face carefully and try to remember it.....Then you have to go back to Volume 1 and watch Episodes 2 through 4 when the child Jang Geum (7-10 years old) first entered the palace as a new young bride. Look at all her classmates/roommates in many scenes and you will find her future daughter among them. In some scenes she is actually almost next to her future mother.

My point is....with all the seemingly attention to details that the director/producer and other crew members put into the making of a very good series....why did they have to use the same child actress as her young classmate and then later on as her daughter? Did they run out of a qualified child to play the part of her daughter? Or is she related to the director or producer? Maybe they all gambled that nobody will notice such 'trivial' but embarrassing public blunder.

Well, if nothing else, I just hope I added an extra incentive for anybody who loves the series to watch it again....Have fun and enjoy the whole thing all over again...BIG TIME BLOOPER included.

And if you don't have the three volumes yet, I recommend getting them to enjoy every moment of watching a future classic.