Fantasia, the production company behind the Korean TV drama series, has confirmed that it will be producing a sequel to the 2003 drama “Dae Jang Geum”. Lee Young-ae, who played the lead role in the original series, has already confirmed her appearance, and the company has reportedly found a writer to write the script.

But anyone who has seen “Dae Jang Geum” may be wondering. In the finale of “Dae Jang Geum”, Jang-geum leaves the palace and all of the conflicts surrounding her seem to have been resolved.

The protagonist of “Dae Jang Geum”, “Seo Jang-geum”, is a fictional character based on the real-life person “Jang-geum” in 16th century Korea. She was a royal physician, known as “Eui-nyeo”, who served in the Joseon royal court and was the personal physician of King Jungjong, the 11th king of the Joseon dynasty. In the 2003 TV drama series, the setting was changed to include her working as a royal chef, and she is more widely known among modern viewers as the chef for King Jungjong.

“Dae Jang Geum” ends with 50-year-old Jang-geum leaving the royal palace and continuing her work as a physician. Therefore, the 2024 drama series “Eui-nyeo Dae Jang Geum” is expected to tell the story of Jang-geum after she leaves the palace at age 50. Actress Lee Young-ae is 53 years old, which is similar to the age of Jang-geum in the final episode of “Dae Jang Geum”.

However, this is all that can be predicted right now. In the “Joseon Wangjo Sillok”, Jang-geum informed King Jungjong’s subjects of the king’s impending death, and she disappears from the records after that. Therefore, “Eui-nyeo Dae Jang Geum” appears to be a completely original story for the TV drama series.

However, the final episode of “Dae Jang Geum” depicts a scene that takes place in the 7th year of the reign of Myeongjong, the 13th king of Joseon. This means that Jang-geum may have been involved in actual events that took place during the reign of Myeongjong.

The historical event closest to the ending of “Dae Jang Geum” is the “Eulmyo Waebyeon”, which took place in the 10th year of Myeongjong’s reign. In 1555, Japanese warlords invaded the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Notably, the Japanese warlords attacked Jeju Island, where Seo Jang-geum learned medicine. Jang-geum could have been involved in the war as a physician, and she could also revisit Jeju Island, where she was exiled.

Several supporting characters may also make a comeback. In “Dae Jang Geum”, Queen Munjeong, who appears as a supporter of Seo Jang-geum, ruled Joseon for 8 years in place of King Myeongjong. Actress Park Jung-sook, who played Queen Munjeong, is 54 years old, which is similar to the age of her character in the ending of “Dae Jang Geum”.

Of course, there is still very little information known about “Eui-nyeo Dae Jang Geum”. As the title suggests, it will focus on Jang-geum’s role as a physician, and the fact that actress Lee Young-ae will be returning is all we know for now. “Eui-nyeo Dae Jang Geum” is aiming to be released in the first half of 2025.