The 54th and final episode of the hit MBC historical TV drama "The Great Janggeum" will air on March 23. Inspiring a wide range of emotions in its fans, "The Great Janggeum" has become a national sensation and set new highs in television ratings by breaking the 50 percent mark.
◆Lee Young-ae's Strength
Last summer when Lee Young-ae was cast in the drama's leading role, the success of "The Great Janggeum" was pretty much a forgone conclusion. It had been six and a half years since Lee's last television role and her reappearance attracted huge public attention even before the drama aired. Lee never once complained about the long working hours, instead concentrating on playing her part to perfection, sources said. The concern she showed for the other actors helped give the set a friendly atmosphere. No one objected to Lee being cast as the number one vassal of merit in the making of "The Great Janggeum."
◆Outstanding Performances by the Cast
"The Great Janggeum" also helped to create new celebrities. Court lady Jeong (Yeo Un-gye), Yeon-saeng (Park Eun-hye) and Min Jeong-ho (Ji Jin-hee) and others were the characters and actors favored by many fans. Court lady Han (Yang Mi-kyung) enjoyed adoration from her fans. Playing the role of a strict teacher and a loving mother figure, Yang's popularity almost equaled that of Lee's, and resulted in Yang signing TV commercial contracts and modeling for album covers.
◆Solidarity of the Crew
For most of the crew of "The Great Janggeum," this was their third production together after "Hur Jun" and "Sangdo." They were well aware of their strengths and weaknesses. The crew was also able to assist the actors by providing a comfortable atmosphere. Everyone in the crew worked as a team right up to the filming of the program's final scene, and this contributed greatly to the success of the hit drama.
◆Last but Not Least, the Royal Cuisine
The royal dishes presented throughout the course of the drama added the final touches to the success of "The Great Janggeum." The show dealt with royal cuisine, a subject which many TV viewers were unfamiliar with and thus curious about. Many viewers commented that the visual effects of the dishes were the best part of the drama. With the popularity of "The Great Janggeum," various restaurants specializing in royal cuisine opened nationwide. The drama also inspired jam-packed public lectures throughout the country on royal cuisine.
(Shin Nam-su, delta@sportschosun.com)