Dae Jang Geum Campaign Update
New Direction for 'Show DJG on BBC'

- Focus of Campaign to shift to UK's Channel 4 -

"The South Korean film industry has become increasingly dynamic and well known in the West in the early 21st century" writes Daniel Etherington on the Channel 4 website.
After 2½ years of campaigning to 'Show Dae Jang Geum' on the BBC, I think the time has come to approach Channel 4, the UK's "significant contributor to film culture through its policy of regular screenings of minority-interest films" (Source: Screenonline)

A New Year, A New Direction for the 'Show DJG on BBC' Campaign
My efforts to get Dae Jang Geum shown on BBC have fallen on deaf ears. The BBC are simply not interested. "We do not have the capacity for DJG" claims BBC's Sue Deeks. I suppose they are too busy showing repeats of Eastenders.
In 2009, I intend to switch the focus of my Dae Jang Geum campaign from the BBC and turn my efforts to Channel 4.
In October 2006, Channel 4's film channel, Film4, showed 'Lady Vengence' as part of their Korean film season 'Brilliant Korea'. Having already shown a Lee Young Ae film, Channel 4 may just be interested in showing such a successful Korean drama as Dae Jang Geum.

Dae Jang Geum - A Story of Friendship, Love and Courage
The real Jang Geum (as mentionned in the Annals of Joseon Dynasty) would have been amazed to see her life story dramatised and watched by millions of viewers in the 21st century.

Dae Jang Geum is often referred to as the story of a little girl growing up in 15th century Korea, who eventually became the country's first female Royal Physician. That is certainly Jang Geum's ultimate achievement. The drama's rich and accurate representation of Korean Culture & Royal Cuisine is a visual delight, and has been applauded by critics. But, the true beauty of this 50-hour drama lies in the many layers of friendship and love woven throughout, and can only be appreciated by watching Dae Jang Geum yourself.

It does not seem to matter if we are in 15th century Korea, or 21st century Britain. We all love Jang Geum as if we really knew her. We follow her plights, share her joys, inspired by her will to 'never give up'. We identify ourselves with the characters from the drama, and that is when we realise the Universal appeal that has made Dae Jang Geum such a success.


The true meaning of the 'Show DJG on BBC' Campaign
On the surface, the 'Show DJG on BBC' Campaign is "one girl's plight to have Dae Jang Geum shown in the UK" (as someone once put it). But 'Show DJG on BBC' has shown itself to be much more.
With over 56,600 visitors to this website since April 2006, and 719 signatures on the 'Show DJG on BBC' petition, the Campaign has united Dae Jang Geum fans from around the World. It is thanks to supporters like you, that has kept the spirit of Dae Jang Geum alive.

Happy New Year, and a very big 'kamsahamnida' to you all.

Visit the Channel 4 Website

Return to the Royal Kitchens

Actress Lee Young Ae returns to the set of 'Dae Jang Geum'

Five years after filming Dae Jang Geum, Korean actress Lee Young Ae (Jang Geum) returns to the set of the drama. Produced by Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) in 2008 as part of a special documentary series, 'I am Lee Young Ae':


Visit Lee Young Ae's Offical Website

Special Report
Film Nights at The Korean Cultural Centre in London

February 2008 saw the opening of the long-awaited Korean Cultural Centre in London. A few steps away from Trafalgar Square, it is a treasure trove filled with Korean resources, and home to many exciting events, including the popular 'Korean Film Nights'.

Last Thursday I attended the 'Korean Film Night' screening of The Way Home. The film tells the story of Sang-woo, a young spoilt boy from Seoul, who is taken by his mother to live for a while with his deaf-and-mute grandmother in a tiny rural village. At first the boy rejects his grandmother and her 'odd' way of life (with no pizza or 'Kentucky chicken'), but gradually, he learns to love her. It was a touching and enjoyable film. My only regret was that this was the 5th Korean Film Night, which meant I had missed out on the earlier 4 screenings.

Family Ties will be shown at the next film night, on Thursday 22nd May at 7pm. Tickets can be booked by emailing info@kccuk.org.uk with 'Family Ties: Booking Request' in the subject heading. You may request up to two free tickets (yourself and one guest). See you there!

Jang Geum's Dream
The success of Dae Jang Geum inspired an animated series

October 2005 saw the release of a new animated series in Korea called 'Jang Geum's Dream'.

Following the enormous success of Dae Jang Geum when it was first aired in 2003, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (the producers of Dae Jang Geum) decided to create an animated series for the younger fans of the drama.

The cartoon focuses on Jang Geum's life of growing up in the Palace. It took two years to produce, and cost 3 billion Korean won (US $2,877,698). The animated series has been exported to Hong Kong, China and Japan.

Below you can watch the opening title sequence of Jang Geum's Dream (Cantonese version):

For more information visit Jang Geum's Dream Official Website

DJG Around the World
Dae Jang Geum has now been exported to 60 countries

The Korean wave is now spreading beyond Asia to Eastern European countries and even Africa.

MBC's Dae Jang Geum (aka 'Jewel in the Palace') is now airing in Turkey on TRT-TV, a government-run television station. It is the first Korean drama to be aired in the country. Other Eastern European countries such Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Macedonia have also signed contracts with MBC to air Dae Jang Geum later this year.

Last year, Dae Jang Geum was aired in Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The drama enjoyed success particularly in Zimbabwe, where a 'DJG Quiz Show' on national TV attracted 4.8 million viewers.

Dae Jang Geum has been exported to a total of 60 countries so far, a first for a Korean drama.

For more information visit The Korea Times

Dae Jang Geum - Beyond the drama...
'Dae Jang Geum' actors in commercials

The popularity and success of Dae Jang Geum across Asia meant that its actors were in high demand for advertisements. There have been dozens of TV adverts featuring actors from Dae Jang Geum, for products ranging from rice cookers to instant noodles.
The following advert features Jo Jung-Eun (little Jang Geum), and Yang Mi-Kyung (Lady Han), in an advert for Sahm Yook soya milk: