I will probably never open this account for a VERY long time.  so bye for now.

I’ve been watching Dae Jang-Geum (Jewel in the Palace) for about three (3) or four (4) weeks now. Heh. The only Korean show I’ve managed to like (yep, Philippine television has been "overrun" by those lately - all containing virtually the same - *yuk *yuk - "tiresome" if not totally revolting story).

I find the series good (although it could be tedious in some places and there are few times when the characters get teary-eyed for no apparent reason). The main protagonist isn’t bad, she is intelligent - naturally creative/talented - and holds firm to her principles (not the usual "perky-empty-head" whose main purpose is to move the so-called "plot"), among her other virtues (she’s also quite beautiful). She can be a bit bland and detached (even mournful) at times, which is just fine. She does however, experience bouts of happiness (usually when she solves a particular problem or seeing the "unbelievably dashing" Captain - not that I’m complaining though!)

What’s weird/good (?) about the show is that it managed to make me celebrate Jang-Geum’s triumphs (yes, I’m actually smiling when she convinced the emmissary ("sugo") of Ming to eat healthy foods or when she found a creative way to compensate for the lack of flour during her final exam or when she "regained" her sense of taste). I also sympathized with her plight many times. I mean, she holds her own. And for once, the plot DOES NOT revolve around "love" or "getting-the-guy". Even if you remove the Captain/Jang-Geum affair you would still be left with a substantial amount of story (but it’s a nice touch). And what’s more, there’s historical proof that Seo Jang-Geum did exist (and she was the first woman to be made personal physician to the king). Of course, there’s always the matter of "artistic license" to contend with (so the events at the show is never that accurate).

Notable Characters (so far):

Seo Jang-Geum -
discussed above.

Court Lady Han -
quickly became a favourite. A stern disciplinarian (she has a firm set of "good" principles w/c she tries to pass on to Jang-Geum), but also fair and warm-hearted. Her friendship with Seon Myung-Hee (Jang-Geum’s mum) is very touching (sort of reminded me of myself and my friend Raziel).

Choi Geum-Young -
another favourite.
a complex and conflicted individual. She isn’t "evil", that is for sure. She has a "have-to-no-choice" situation, being "forced" to do things she doesn’t like to (or maybe she just needs to borrow from the "Jang-Geum Book of Courage"). I understand her dilemma in that regard, having been (and sometimes still is) in the same circumstance(s) before. There are times when the choices are so bad you need to pick the "less-bad". All that "push-pull" tend to leave an individual "numb" and thoroughly detached. She does struggle with her conscience, contrary to popular belief.

Court Lady Choi -
comes across as "evil". But upon closer examination, she is a hardened version of Geum-Young. Spent many years "rationalizing" her not-so-noble deeds that she has become "sedated" (if you have to implement "shrewd" decisions like she does, it’s best that you "freeze" your feelings - Jack Crawford gave Clarice Starling that advice - and concentrate on the task at hand.) Maybe she does feel guilty at times but is "determined" not to give in to those feelings. Securing the family position is her priority and so, "the ends justify the means".

Min Jung-Ho -
the "captain-guy". Has potential. Chivalrous and intelligent (he lent numerous books to Jang-Geum). And did I mention good-looking? He reminds me of Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada. ^___^

I heard it has 71 episodes! 0_o
As for the concept of "freeze-your-feelings-mode" I have done quite a lot of that (I’m bordering on "generally detached" as a result). The roman emperor Marcus Aurelius counsels "stoicism" or "freedom from feelings"…could be useful on certain events. There are situations when you simply have to "go away" and operate on "auto-pilot". See "The Shawshank Redemption" for a good demonstration of that.