It’s an epic story from a far away country and a time long ago.

But it tells of eternal truths, a legendary love that defied ancient tradition and deadly enemies and still inspires a nation. It tells a tale of love and hate, of honour, integrity and courage, of vicious intrigue and violent death in a world where people learn to smile at father murderers and sit with back stabbers.

And all set in the painted beauty of Korean palaces with their ancient, curving roof tops, wooden trellis panels, sliding doors and carved stone sculptures; court ladies who float in and out of scenes in long, elegant dresses all awhile the men, dressed in long flowing silk jackets over their trousers and high black horse hair hats covering their top knots, defend their territories, protect their loved ones and fight for freedom or for power.

The story of Dong Yi is based loosely on the lives of people who really lived in the times of the Joseon dynasty in Korea under the King, Sukjong, around the end of the seventeenth century. It is the story of a girl who rose from the lowest rank to become favourite concubine of the king, the most powerful ladies of the court despite her lowly start in life and the mother of the next King of Korea, a king who was exceptional in his time.

This story is told beautifully. It is fictionalised because little actual detail of these character’s lives was recorded at the time. Even so, many of the details of daily life, the landscape and culture are authentic. They are backed up by some amazing martial arts fights, elaborate court music scenes played on traditional Korean instruments, with entertaining dance displays from the palace dancing girls.

It is a story of freedom fighters, fighting back against oppression and evil, against injustice and the final triumph of good over evil.

Yet it is done with honour, without vicarious violence or soft porn love scences. All the more commendable!

It is a television series of 60 episodes, yet it is so gripping just through the skillful drama and story telling of the scriptwriter and director that many people who watched it could not stop until they had watched all 60 episodes. And quite a few went back to the beginning and have watched it over and over again.

It is a series that never stops giving from the incredible acting of Han Hyo-Joo as the legendary Dong Yi and Ji Jin-Hee as King Sukjong.

It is a surprising find on YouTube where you can find all 60 episodes with English subtitles or find on Netflix.

i wish you many hours of delightful viewing, tears and laughter and moments of beauty.