65 minSeason 1 • Episode 60
LatestDong Yi leaves the palace and set up her own citizen's advice bureau to help lowborn who have problems with corrupt nobleman. Then, she discovers that the Finance Minister and Police Chief are involved in corruption and they also frame a lowborn for the murder of an official. But, thanks to her investigation, the framed lowborn are released and the corrupt officials are caught. A few years later, the King and Dong Yi are both dead. Dong Yi's son, who becomes the new King of Joseon, visits his mother's grave with Cheon Soo and promises to be a good King.
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.
Acting
Han Hyo-joo's luminous transformation from servant to royal.
Production
Lavish Joseon court recreation, every hanbok a character.
Writing
Jang Hee-Bin: villain you hate yet devastatingly understand.
Creator
Kim Yi-young
Han Hyo-joo
Dong Yi
Park Ha-seon
Queen Inhyeon
Jeong Dong-hwan
Oh Tae-suk
Ji Jin-hee
King Sukjong
Lee So-yeon
Jang Hee-Bin
Bae Soo-bin
Cha Jeon-Soo
Jung Jin-young
Kim Yoo-jung
Dong Yi (young)
Lee Kwang-soo
Yeong-dal
Kim Dong-yoon
Shim Woon-taek
Yeo Hyun-soo
Ge Dwo-ra
Oh Yeon-seo
Queen Inwon
Choi Cheol-ho
Oh Yun
Nam Da-reum
Prince Eunpyeong
Jeong Yu-mi
Jung Eum
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Dong Yi is based on historical figure Choi Suk-bin, mother of King Yeongjo—one of Joseon's most celebrated rulers who instituted the 'Equal Service Act.' The drama fictionalizes her origins since historical records about her early life are sparse.
This role catapulted Han Hyo-joo to stardom and cemented the 'sageuk with a plucky heroine' template that dominated Korean period dramas for years. The 'Dong Yi effect' became industry shorthand.
KR
