Jang Geum


 * For the South Korean TV series see Dae Jang Geum.

Jang Geum (fl. early 16th century) is the reputed only female Royal Physician in Korean history. She was mentioned about seven times in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, albeit with very vague and sketchy details. It is known, however, that King Jungjong was pleased with Jang Geum's medical knowledge and trusted her with taking care of royal family members. Henceforth, Jang Geum was made a third-ranked officer in the Court, and was granted the use of Dae (which means "great" in Korean) before her first names.

Scholars still argue to this day whether Jang Geum is a real person or just a generic name for certain people, whose origins are lost in history. If Jang Geum is a real person, it is worth noting that ever since her tenure ended, no Korean leaders has ever had a personal female physician, even to this day.

Mentions in Annals of the Joseon Dynasty
Mentions of Jang Geum, or a "female doctor", happened on these occasions:


 * March-April of 1515, when Jungjong's second wife died as a result of complications from childbirth. Imperial court officers were persuading the king to punish all medical women who treated the king's wife (that includes Jang Geum) severely. King Jungjong refuses, saying that:
 * "Jang Geum deserves a big credit for her role in the safe childbirth of palace ladies, but I have never awarded her for her actions until now, because of other affairs. Now you (the court officers) are telling me to punish her because the Queen is dead, but I won't do that as well as I won't reward her. That's enough."


 * 1524, when The Annals noted that:
 * "Dae Jang Geum was better than any other medical women in the Palace. As a result, she was permitted to look after the King"


 * 1533, when The Annals quoted a comment by the King on his health:
 * "I have recovered from several month's sickness. The Royal Doctors and Pharmacists deserve praise. Jang-geum and Kye-geum, the two medical women, also will be rewarded with 15 rice bags, 15 bean sacks, and 10 cloths, respectively."


 * January 29, 1544, when The Annals quoted an order issued by the King:
 * "I haven't executed my duties for a long time since I caught a cold. A few days ago, I attended an academic seminar (to discuss philosophies), but the cold weather made my condition worse. I already told Bak Se-geo and Hong Chim, the royal doctors, and top medical woman Dae Jang-geum to discuss about the prescription. Let the Medical Minister know that."


 * February 9, 1544, when The Annals said the King praised Dae Jang Geum for his recovery from a cold.


 * October 25, 1544, when The Annals recorded a conversation between an Imperial Minister and Jang Geum on the King's health, which is rapidly deteriorating. Jang Geum was quoted for saying this:
 * "He (the King) slept around midnight yesterday, and has also slept for a short time at dawn. He just passed his urine, but has been constipated for more than 3 days."


 * October 26, 1544, when The Annals quoted this from the King:
 * I'm still constipated. What prescription should be made is under discussion. The female doctor (Dae Jang Geum) knows all about my condition." Later, Jang-geum explained her prescription for the king's symptoms to the ministers.


 * October 29, 1544, when The Annals reported that the King has recovered and he granted all his medical officers a holiday. (The King eventually died 17 days later, on November 15, 1544.)

The entry on October 29, 1544 was the last entry regarding Jang Geum.

Mention in other medical annals
Jang Geum was also mentioned in the "Rhee's Korea (another name for Joseon Korea) Medical Officer's Journal". The following was a text regarding Jang Geum's origins and achievements, as recorded in the medical journal.

"Medical Lady Jang Geum, whose origins cannot be traced, received the right to be called 'Dae Jang Geum" under an edict issued by the 11th Emperor of Korea, Jungjong, in the 18th year of his reign. At that time, there was no precedent of a Medical Lady treating the Emperor, but the Emperor trusted in Jang Geum's method of treating illness with food. Jang Geum, with the granting of the right to use "Dae" in her name, is certainly an epic lady whose name will be recorded in the history books."

Portrayal in television
Jang Geum was portrayed in the popular Korean drama series Dae Jang Geum. The main role was played by Lee Young Ae. The show was critically well-received and was an incredibly successful ratings success in many Asian countries. However, the portrayal of Jang Geum in this series is considered to be fictionalized because Jang Geum was portrayed as a Palace Chef-turned-Medical Lady. This is mainly because of the vague details on Jang-Geum's Life.