Dong Yi : Jewel In the Crowd

Title: 동이 / Dong Yi

Also known as: Dawn
Genre: Historical
Episodes: 60
Broadcast network: MBC
Broadcast period: 2010-Mar-22 to 2010-Oct-12
Air time: Monday & Tuesday 21:55

Official Site : http://www.imbc.com/broad/tv/drama/dongyi/

Original Sound Track & Lyrics : Click Here

Picture Gallery : Click Here

Synopsis

"Dong Yi" is a historical drama based on the life of Dong-yi later known as Choi Suk-bin. Choi worked in the royal palace as a lowly water maid. King Sok-jong then selected Choi as his concubine. Choi would then give to birth Yeong-jo, the second son of King Sok-jong and the future king of Joseon. After the birth of Yeong-jo. Dong-yi would become Suk-bin.

Dong Yi (played by Han Hyo Joo) is orphaned at a young age when her father and brother are unjustly executed. She is watched over by Cha Chun Soo (Bae Soo Bin), a friend of her brother’s who promised to look out for her. Naturally kind and gentle, she gains a position as a a water maid at the palace, where she quickly wins favor, particularly from the queen, and she becomes the queen’s trusted companion.
When the queen falls ill, Dong Yi cares for her, and her kindness brings her to the king’s attention. When the queen dies mysteriously, probably poisoned by another power-hungry concubine (Lee So-Yeon), Dong Yi becomes the royal concubine, shining brilliantly in the court.

As Lady Choi Sook-bin, she bears the king a son while struggling to survive and maintain her position in the tumultuous court life. Protecting her son with all her wiles and wisdom as he grows up, she strives to make him someone worthy of the throne, and successfully brings him to succession as the 21st king of Joseon, Yeongjo.

Awards

- 2010 MBC Drama Awards: Grand Prize (Han Hyo Joo)
- 2010 MBC Drama Awards: Male Top Excellence Award (Ji Jin Hee)
- 2010 MBC Drama Awards: Female Excellence Award (Lee So Yeon)
- 2010 MBC Drama Awards: Female Newcomer Award (Park Ha Sun)
- 2010 MBC Drama Awards: Drama of the Year Award
- 2010 MBC Drama Awards: Special Child Actor Award (Kim Yoo Jung, Lee Hyung Suk)
- 2010 MBC Drama Awards: Golden Acting Award (Kim Yoo Suk)
- 2010 MBC Drama Awards: Female Popularity Award (Han Hyo Joo)

Cast

Main Cast :

Han Hyo Joo as Choi Dong Yi, 
later Choi Sook-Bin

Kim Yoo Jung as Dong Yi (child)

11—49 years old. Born on 1670 (11 th year of King Hyunjong)

Later, Mother of King Youngjo. She was honored as Sukbin which is located third level in Chosun lady’s hierarchy system.

She is very bright, smart and witty. Not only smart but also warm heart, she cannot pass poor person freely. After her father and brother was executed bitterly, she became a orphan. As police officer Mr. Seo Yongki chase her continuously, she hide herself in Jangakwon, which is music academy, with the help of Suli. With her born familiarity and wit, she is chosen as a helper in palace from the slave position. Behind her, there is Cha Chunsoo, who gave her a love in spite of all kind of sacrifice. He is best friend of her brother, Dongju.

Later, surprisingly, she was picked up by Sukjong to sleep with. Then, discord against queen Chang Heebin, then, return of queen Inhyun, giving birth to a prince, Yeonangkun. Love from Sukjong, trouble with queen Inhyun. Education of prince Yeonangkun, whose position was always in danger. Within the difficulty which lady of harlem would face and her son’s royalty to her, her life faced incredible turning point.

Ji Jin Hee as King Sukjong

24-60 years old. The 19th king of Chosun dynasty (1661—1720)
His- childhood- time name was Soon.

He was absolute monarch of Chosun. He recovered the authority of king which had dropped before. Though he became a king when just 14 years old, with the powerful leadership and wide knowledge, he succeeded and ruled experienced old his subjects. To recover royalty of king which had dropped through 2 times war, he eliminated Song Siyul who was the biggest scholar in Chosun. With the powerful leadership and gut, he controlled his subjects and used the power game among his subjects. Though he was scareful king to his subjects, he is delicate and smart. That means, he was smart and fantastic king to the numerous lady in Halem. He met Dongyi first time during palace festival, then, he was impressed by her warmth and smartness.

Lee So Yeon as Jang Hee Bin / Jang Ok Jung

24 years old(1659 –1701) Second queen of Sukjong.

She entered palace with the help of Cho Sasuk. Her first name was Chang Okjung. She received love of Sukjong, but she was expelled by Sukjong’s mother. When her party, Namin, succeeded to get power, she could come back to palace and succeeded to give birth to prince, Kyun. When her son became a successor of king, her position was upgraded to second queen.

When Sukjong’s first queen, Inhyun was expelled, she became first queen. But, afterwards, Sukjong regrets his mistake, he recovered Inhyun’s position, then, made Heebin Chang to second queen again.

From the start to the last, she made rivalry with Dongyi. Finally she died by the penalty of death.

Bae Soo Bin as Cha Chun Soo

20-55 years old. New leader of Hanyang Gumgae, which is secret swordsman organization.

He worked as corpse inspector during the day and acted as a key member of Gumgae, whose purpose was cleaning the governmental disorder during the night. Though he is in low class person, he has academic ability and can use sword very well. He is trusted very much by Choi Hyowon, who is father of Dongyi. He was a young staff of Gumgae organization and best friend of Dongju, who is brother of Dongyi. When Mr Choi and Dongju were executed, they ask him to take care of Dongyi. Afterwards, he took care of Dongyi for his whole life. After Choi Hyowon died, he rebuilt Gumgae organization and became a new leader. He never forgets the word of baby Dongyi, which is, “When I grow up, I will marry with Chunsoo”. He loves Dongyi with his whole life.

Jung Jin Young as Seo Yong Gi

30 – 60 years old. Police chief.

He has fair and straight personality and careful.

He valued high the ability of Choi Hyowon who was working as a corpse inspector, which is the lowest job. Mr. Seo has treated Mr. Choi as a normal class person in spite of his low society position. But, after his father was killed by Gumgae member, he feel betrayal and swear to clean Gumgae. When Dongyi became the helper of police, he met her again. At that time, he was high official, then, help her lots of times.

Park Ha Sun as Queen Inhyeon

16 years old (1667 – 1701). 

First queen of Sukjong, who was 19th king of Chosun dynasty.

She has warm heart , but she was paid no attention by Sukjong. She was expelled out of palace once, then, she came back as a queen again. But she died early. She trusted Dongyi very much and gave many helps to her.