· Lee Young-ae as "Seo Jang Geum"
An intelligent and introverted woman whose outgoing nature and
enthusiasm allow her stand out from the crowd. Ever since her parents died
during a political massacre, she has suffered many hardships and obstacles,
especially in the palace, but she overcomes them with strong determination and
perseverance.
Being strong-willed, Jang Geum strives to reach her goal
regardless of the obstacles she is facing and it is with her extraordinary
medical skills&knowledge as well as her integrity and high ethics to only
use her knowledge to heal and cure that she becomes the first female physician
to the Emperor, and named the Great Dae Jang Geum, ranking third in the
officers, something unheard of at the time during the Chosun era.
·
Ji Jin-hee as
"Min Jung-ho"
An educated, very intelligent and good-looking man, he is an
outstanding scholar who combines both learning and the martial arts. Min Jung
Ho is a judge of the Hang Sung Boo, the Ministry governing the affairs of the
capital Hang Sung. Unaware of who he is Jang Geum saves him upon being shot at.
They then meet again when she goes to him to borrow books. They become
romantically involved as he moves to Nae Geum Wee, the Royal Military Guard as
Jong Sa Gwan, a senior officer.
·
Hong Ri-na as
"Choi Geum-young"
Ambitious and arrogant, Choi Geum-Young starts her life in the
palace as the niece of the influential Lady Choi, becomes Jang Geum's lifelong
rival. Although she is with the Choi clan, she yearns to find her own way -
never really accepting the Chois' way of doing things but unable to find her
own independent identity. Her intelligence and talent often put her
head-to-head with Jang Geum and she competes with her in order to become better
than her. Eventually Lady Choi's influence and her unreciprocated attraction to
Min Jung-ho prompt her to keep mostly to the Choi clan's ways.
·
Im Ho as
"Jungjong of Joseon"
The 11th king of the Chosun Dynasty, he is very gentle but
extremely irresolute and indecisive. A kind man who, after his first wife was
forced to be commit suicide by cabinet ministers for political reasons, has
shut down his heart. The Emperor deeply mourns over his beloved wife, powerless
to protect her. He is constantly aware that he is only a puppet to the
appointed ministers and angry that he is helpless to do anything about it. The
Emperor gets to know Jang Geum in the midst of his aggressive efforts toward
pushing for a political reform and grows fond of her warm personality and
outstanding talents. He finds an understanding companion in her and later, for
the first time in a decade, becomes attracted to her.
·
Yang Mi-Kyung as
"Han Sang Gung"
As one of Soo Ra Gan's Sang Gung, she possesses a talent in
culinary art and is able to identify the source of the ingredients in a dish.
Best friend to Jang Geum's mother, she often misses and regrets not being able
to save her friend. She is a rigorous, steadfast person who is not to be swayed
from her purpose. Although obdurate in nature, she is actually very
kind-hearted. Jang Geum's presence allows her to open up and she treats her as
both a strict teacher and kind 'Ersatz' mother.
·
Kyeon Mi-ri as
"Choi Seong-geum"
Choi Pan Sool's younger sister and Geum-Young's aunt. Comes from a
family of high hierarchy and is to be the successor of Soo Ran Gan's Highest
Sang Gung from a long bloodline. She learns and is being taught about the
delicacy of food from a young age. Arrogant and too proud, she has a fierce
need to get what she wants and will stop at nothing until she gets what she
wants. Sharp-minded and quick to act, she is always a step ahead of plotting
against Jang Geum and Han Sang Gung.
Early life
·
Jo Jung-eun as Seo
Jang-Geum (child)
·
Park Chan-hwan as Seo
Cheon-Soo (Jang-geum's father)
·
Kim Hye-seon as Park
Myeong-yi (Jang-geum's mother)
·
Im Hyeon-sik as Kang
Duk-gu (Jang-geum's adoptive father)
·
Geum Bo-ra as Na
Joo-daek (Deok-gu's wife and Jang-geum's adoptive mother)
Time as a palace chef
·
Yang
Mi-gyeong as Han Baek-young
·
Park
Eun-hye as Lee Yeon-saeng
·
Lee Ip-sae as Yoon
Young-roh
·
Kim So-ih as Min
Mee-geum
·
Yeo
Woon-kay as Jung Mal-geum
·
Park Jeong-soo as Park
Yong-shin
·
Choi Ja-hye as Chang-ee
·
Jo Gyeong-hwan as Oh
Gyeom-ho
·
Lee Hee-do as Choi
Pan-sul - Lady Choi's brother
·
Na Seong-gyun as Yun
Mak-gae - Young-roh's uncle
·
Choi Seong-geum's aunt
was the Top Lady during Park Myeong-yi, Choi Seong-geum, and Han Baek-young's
time as palace maids. She was the executor of Myeong-yi's secret "death
sentence" administered to all palace maids committing moral errors.
Time as a medical woman
·
Jeon In-taek as
Doctor Jeong Yoon-soo
·
Maeng Sang-hun as Prof.
(and Doctor) Jeong Woon-baek
·
Kim
Yeo-jin as Jang-deok
·
Han Ji-min as Shin-bi
·
Lee Se-eun as Park
Yeol-i (Her "adoptive" mother was the previous Head Lady
Park Yong-shin)