Set during the reign of King Sukjong in the Joseon dynasty, the story focuses on Dong Yi, a water maid who gains the trust of Queen Inhyeon and later the favour of the king when he is moved by her prayers for the health of the Queen during the court disputes caused by Jang Hee Bin. Dong Yi becomes a concubine with the rank of sook-bin and bears a son who will later become the 21st king of Joseon, Yeongjo.
Log it
Sign in to log this.
Character
Earnest, classical in form, resolved and grave.
- earnestironic
- classical in formformally daring
- resolvedopen-ended
- gravecomic
- contemplativerelentless
Who loves it, who doesn't
No profiled raters yet.
Where do you stand?
Answer first; then see how everyone, and your circle, split.
“Would Jewel in the Crown hit harder if it came out today rather than in 2010?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
“Is it the best drama series of its decade?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
“Is Jewel in the Crown a masterpiece, not merely a very good series?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
Ask the title a question
Answered from what people have written, never made up: a verdict, how much when it's a matter of degree, and the sentences that say so, quoted with their names. Reviews here first, then TMDB's reviews and the title's Wikipedia plot and reception. If nothing settles it, you can put it to the curators.
Reviews
No reviews yet.
Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Curator Co.'s numbers.
- POCODRAGONon TMDB · Oct 20231/10
The drama is BAD. Dong Yi was an absolute letdown, and I can't sugarcoat my disappointment with it. This series was a torturous ordeal to endure. The pacing was an agonizing exercise in watching paint dry, and it felt like they were stretching a thin plot to the breaking point. The character development, particularly for the supposedly central character, Dong Yi, was so shallow that it bordered on insulting. This show wallowed in the worst of K-drama clichés, relying on contrived plot twists and over-the-top melodrama that made it cringe-worthy to watch. Dong Yi wasn't just bad; it was a masterclass in how not to make a historical drama, leaving me longing for something, anything, more innovative and less painful to endure. Can't recommend!
Read the whole review on TMDB - ParkMinon TMDB · Oct 20234/10
It's a watered down tale with low tension and disappointing baddies which all made the insane runtime just a tad bit more unbearable. The entire story is confined to in-palace drama where the king likes a commoner while another woman grows to be super duper extra jealous. You may imagine how the story will pan out for 60 episodes. Its length turned out to be its biggest weakness, this is further emphasized with its first and last 5 episodes of which they were dull and redundant. It would've been significantly better with a short runtime since the main leads were likable. Speaking of which, the main leads scenes were generally enjoyable, they had a good chemistry but only when it's NOT romantic. Their romance sucked! Making the king physically a weakling was a nice touch. Although the drama is named after the historical character and we were shown and told about her having ambitious ideologies but we rarely got to see that side of her character in the drama, just a few scenes in the middle and around the end. Instead, we got a typical melodrama in a historical setting while borrowing small bits and pieces from the real historical character for world building. The main leads were doi
Read the whole review on TMDB - STUMPDon TMDB · Nov 202310/10
One of the BEST tv shows i have ever seen. I rank it with "Jewel in the Palace" and "Yi San, and "Queen Seondeok" I have seen this drama at least 3 times and watch till i drop then resume when i wake up. I give this drama a 10! This type of TV show does not exist in the USA. closest thing to this format is 24 the series. I highly recommend this TV show (called a Korean Drama). I even own it in boxed set. There are a few things different about watching Korean Dramas. For one thing they have subtitles. this can be good or bad.. good because you have to focus on the show.. bad because if you are distracted you miss things. A few hours in i don't even notice the subtitles anymore. i read them without qualms. Another pretty unique kind of thing is this drama is ~ 60x 1hour episodes. It is like a 60 hour movie. the story spends HOURS building the foundation .. more time than typical western movies are in full duration. the immersion is incomparable. pay detailed attention for an hour and your likely hooked for a wild 60 hour ride. Finding Korean TV shows opened up a whole new universe of high quality content right when i had thought i had seen it all. In Dong Yi you meet the characters a
Read the whole review on TMDB
Cast
- Han Hyo-jooDong Yi
- Park Ha-seonQueen Inhyeon
- Jeong Dong-hwanOh Tae-suk
- Ji Jin-heeKing Sukjong
- Lee So-yeonJang Hee-Bin
- Bae Soo-binCha Jeon-Soo
- Jung Jin-young
- Kim You-jungDong Yi (young)
- Lee Kwang-sooYeong-dal
- Kim Dong-yoonShim Woon-taek
Crew
- Kim Yi-youngCreator
- Kim Yi-youngWriter
Where to watch
Checking availability…
Seasons
- Season 160 eps · 2010
Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Curator Co. Other media included when they land close.
Ju Mong, Prince of Legend 200673% alikeBoth earnest, grave, contemplative.
The Great Queen Seondeok 200971% alikeBoth earnest, grave, resolved.
Griselda 202470% alikeBoth earnest, grave, classical in form.
Moon Embracing the Sun 201270% alikeBoth earnest, resolved, classical in form.
World Without End 201268% alikeBoth earnest, classical in form, grave.
Law & Order: Organized Crime 202168% alikeBoth earnest, grave, classical in form.
Wu-Tang: An American Saga 201968% alikeBoth earnest, classical in form, grave.
Snowdrop 202167% alikeBoth earnest, grave, classical in form.
Game · Both earnest, grave, classical in form.
The Alamo 196073% alikeFilm · Both earnest, grave, resolved.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Curator Co.
