The Tale of Lady Ok

Presentation

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Overview

Synopsis

Ok Tae Young is a legal expert during the Joseon period. She’s smart, eccentric and athletic. She doesn’t hesitate to help people. But she has a secret: her name, status and husband are all fake. She meets Cheon Seung Hwi who’s a story-teller traveling around the country. He fell in love with Tae Young at first sight and follows her around.

My Opinion (No Spoilers)

I’m utterly surprised that this drama is so underrated, because it’s literally a gem. In some ways, it reminded me of the excellent My Dearest (intrigue spread out in time, complicated romance, emotional roller coaster) which makes me like the drama even more. Beware, the plots are absolutely different though! Moreover, I think that The Tale of Lady Ok is one of the most credible and emotional historical dramas I’ve ever seen. The female lead is strong, determined, stubborn and resilient. But she’s also magnanimous, kind and generous. She goes through so much over the years, and yet never resents people. She’s fair and upright making her the perfect leader. As for the male protagonist, he’s funny and aloof, but 100% devoted to her since the moment he laid eyes on her. In terms of intrigue, one of the drama’s biggest assets is the way they play with doppelgängers and dual characters. Indeed, Tae Young is impersonating someone and hiding her real identity, while her lover has a double who looks exactly like him. The drama uses this as a triggering element to either save or put in danger characters. In a nutshell, the drama is an excellent historical drama that tells the story of an incredible woman really worth watching.

Analysis

• Timeline
  The origins of a maggot
  The twist of fate
  The new identity
  The arranged marriage
  The legal advocate
  The reunion
  The grand finale
• The art of storytelling
  A story within a story
  The play on identity
  Purposeful characters
• Law and lessons
  All human lives are worth it
  One people, one law
  An enemy today, an ally tomorrow
  Everyone deserves a second chance
  Your good deeds will pay off
• Actin performance and direction

Timeline: As if it’s a real story being told, The Tale of Lady Ok spans over a decade and follows the adventures of the protagonists, as they navigate life, love and politics.

The origins of a maggot: Goo Deok (Im Ji Yeon) was born a slave to the Kim Family. Her life and that of her parents have never been considered as valuable by their masters which led to a difficult upbringing for our heroine. Slaves at the Kim Family are mistreated, tortured, belittled, humiliated, beaten up and subject to many types of punishments. For example, Goo Deok’s mother was buried alive because she was sick, as the noble family didn’t want to take care of her. Later on, her father is almost beaten to death because of a small mistake she makes. Even her name Goo Deok, ‘maggot’ in Korean, is proof that the Kim family has little respect for slaves and treats them like vermin that can be easily trampled. Despite her humble origins and daily ordeals, Goo Deok is a bright and clever girl. She taught herself how to read and write, she’s very good at studying, is quick-witted and a fast-learner. Moreover, she works hard to earn enough money to pay for her and father’s freedom. Her harsh, but simple life is turned up down when she meets Song Seo In (Choo Young Woo). He’s a nobleman from a prestigious family who’s promised to Goo Deok’s mistress Kim So Hye (Ha Yul Ri). Kim So Hye is the demon of the Kim family who takes pleasure in torturing her slaves. She is and will remain Goo Deok’s main antagonist until the end of the drama. By a twist of fate, Song Seo In and Goo Deok meet and fall for each other immediately. The slave girl knows her place and thus is aware that loving a man beyond her status is impossible. But Song Seo In is a man led by his heart. He thus pursues Goo Deok. Though it all seems innocent, the situation becomes critical when Kim So Hye discovers that Song Seo In refuses to marry her because he prefers her slave. This is a huge humiliation for Kim So Hye who takes her anger on Goo Deok. She asks her father, Kim Nak Soo (Lee Seo Hwan), to sexually assault her as part of her punishment. To save herself, Goo Deok grabs a sickle and cuts his cheek open. She then proceeds to throwing the chamber pot full of poop on Kim So Hye, before escaping with her father in the middle of the night. The maggot has come out from her hole and is now a runaway slave. These origins and this incident will remain concealed for a decade, before her past catches up with her.

The twist of fate: After her grand escape, Goo Deok finds refuge in an inn. She’s however separated from her sick father. She loses his trace and will only reunite with him a decade later, after discovering that he’s been imprisoned by Kim So Hye all along. Goo Deok hides as the daughter of the innkeeper and works at her restaurant for a year. This pause in her tumultuous life not only brings her happiness and security, but it is also the starting point of a whole new chapter of her existence. One day, a young noblewoman named Ok Tae Young (Son Na Eun) arrives at the inn, accompanied by her father. She’s on her way back home and looking for a place to stay for a few days. When she meets Goo Deok for the first time, that is a woman her age, she’s impressed by her capacities and knowledge. She feels like Goo Deok would be able to do much more and become someone. She’s also the person who inspires Goo Deok. This is the first time that a noblewoman shows kindness, generosity and interest for the people. Indeed, Tae Young’s dream is to become a legal advocate and help the powerless who fall prey to legal loopholes. She also considers that all human lives are equal, whether you’re a slave or not. This philosophy of life will forever remain engraved in Goo Deok’s mind. Never before had she heard someone display such respect for slaves. This also comforts her in the idea that she can surpass her condition. She should not feel miserable and inferior just because she’s a slave. Though it will take over a decade for Goo Deok to really adopt that mindset and not see herself as a runaway slave, but as a person first; this encounter marks the beginning of a long journey for our female lead. When Tae Young and her father are about to leave, the noble lady pleads on Goo Deok’s favor to convince her father to adopt her. She wants her to become her sister and learn together. Goo Deok is stunned and can’t actually believe that she’s about to turn a new leaf, surrounded by good people. Unfortunately for her, tragedy strikes again. One night, the inn is attacked by a group of bandits. They kill Tae Young’s father and the innkeeper, before burning the place to the ground. In a twist of fate, Ok Tae Young pushes Goo Deok out of the burning barn, ending up trapped inside. She dies in the furnace and Goo Deok loses consciousness. Later on, Goo Deok is saved by Ok Tae Young’s grandmother. She’s recognized the Tae Young’s jade ring that the lady had offered to Goo Deok some time ago, leading to the confusion between both women. A new life begins for Goo Deok.

The new identity: Goo Deok is the only survivor of the events that took the lives of her mother figure (the innkeeper), her friend Tae Young and her friend’s father. She’s brought to Cheongsu County. There, Tae Young’s grandmother is sure that she’s managed to rescue her granddaughter. But time, distance and her grandchild’s ring play against her. Indeed, no one had seen the noblewoman since her childhood days, so no maid is technically capable of recognizing her face. Hence the confusion with Goo Deok. Though the latter rapidly confesses that she’s not a noblewoman, Tae Young’s grandmother sees things otherwise. She sees that Goo Deok is not ill-intended and has a good heart. On top of that, she can’t bear the idea that none of her family members have survived the tragedy and that there’s thus no one to continue the family line. So, she decides to trust her family’s instincts and take Goo Deok under her wing. The former slave assumes the identity of Ok Tae Young and hides her humble background and identity behind her noble disguise. From then on, she also makes a promise to herself. She shall fulfill the real Ok Tae Young’s dream of defending powerless people. The noblewoman sacrificed her life to save her, so she has a duty to pursue her dream, no matter the cost. This identity change is a pivotal moment in Goo Deok’s life, as it will greatly impact the rest of her actions in the drama. Goo Deok feels like she has a debt towards Tae Young and her family. They’ve protected her until the end, so she can’t morally betray them. Hence her desire to become a legal advocate. Though it was her dream as well, its realization was only possible because of Tae Young’s death. However, there’s a downside to this identity theft that imprints Goo Deok’s mind. She doesn’t feel legit as a noblewoman. She’s convinced that she stole someone’s bright future, and therefore has no right to be happy. Who is she, the slave, to desire happiness when the pure and kind Ok Tae Young has passed because of her? Goo Deok feels guilty and resentful towards herself. She feels like a hypocrite who should not be greedy for more than what she was given – which is way more than what she could’ve ever hoped for had she remained as a slave. All of these elements cement Goo Deok’s beliefs, leading her to reject her one true lover several times.

The arranged marriage: Some years pass by and Goo Deok has now fully become Ok Tae Young. She is constantly stepping in to defend cases. She’s admired and feared by people living at Cheongsu County. Indeed, she can be magnanimous, kind and gentle, but also ruthless, fierce and heartless towards those who abuse power and hurt those in need. She’s also a solitary soul, quite elusive, and difficult to decipher. Proud, cold, dignified are other adjectives that qualify her perfectly. That upright personality grabs the attention of a nobleman named Sung Yun Gyeom (Choo Young Woo). Strangely, he looks exactly like Goo Deok’s first love, Song Seo In. This uncanny resemblance comes as a shock to the fake Ok Tae Young, who’s suddenly reminded of her lover. However, she doesn’t pay much attention to him until he proposes to her. Goo Deok accepts the marriage and becomes the respected daughter-in-law of the County’s magistrate for a time. Though this propels Goo Deok forward when it comes to nobility and rank, her marriage is not based on love. Yun Gyeom offered her a deal: He would give her protection and help whenever she needs to (considering that unmarried women have no power at that time). In exchange, she would keep his secret. Yun Gyeom is indeed homosexual and at the head of the Devoted Heart Association, a group that aims at rescuing people with the same sexual orientation, when society turns its back on them. Although it’s a noble cause, this group has to stay hidden to avoid retaliation. Goo Deok and Yun Gyeom both find their interest in this deal, hence their marriage. On top of that, the now noblewoman gets along really well with her father-in-law, Magistrate Sung (Sung Dong Il) who shares the same vision as hers.

The legal advocate: Following her wedding, it seems like Goo Deok has everything she needs to lead a good life. But tragedy comes knocking on her door again. The Devoted Heart Association is uncovered by evil magistrates who use it as leverage to get rid of Magistrate Sung. In a blink of an eye, Goo Deok’s husband is accused of treason and thus disappears, her father-in-law is killed and she’s left alone with her 10-year-old brother-in-law Sung Do Gyeom. Her family is in ruins, so is her reputation. But instead of leaving it all behind like others would’ve done, Goo Deok stands strong. She becomes the head of the family, promising herself to recover the family’s honor. She raises Do Gyeom like her child and denounces the corruption in Cheongsu County that led to her father-in-law’s death. Her status as legal advocate allows her to directly defend herself. Her knowledge also shelters her and her newly-found family against unlawful practices.

The reunion: 7 years pass by and Ok Tae Young is now an established member of Cheongsu County. She’s got her legal firm and a pile of cases to work on. Her brother-in-law, Do Gyeom (Kim Jae Won), has passed the state exam and got first place. This brought honor to the family whose reputation is back on track ever since Goo Deok uprooted corruption. Though enemies from the past reappear and try to shake Goo Deok’s life up, like Cha Mi Ryeong (Yeon Woo), the noblewoman forgives and forgets. She’d rather look forward instead of dwelling on the past. However, she won’t condone any actions that attack her family directly. Years later, we can clearly see that Goo Deok has evolved. She’s more assertive, determined and confident. She has faith in her skills and knowledge. She also loves her family and would do anything to protect its members. Her loyalty towards her disappeared husband is still strong, because she’s always considered him an ally. Although Goo Deok could have been resentful and punished evil people more than once, she chooses to teach them a lesson and forgive them, considering that everyone makes mistakes and bad choices in life. This particular behavior will save her life later on in the drama. However, the most important part of Goo Deok’s life at that time of the story is her reunion with her lover Song Seo In. After Goo Deok’s escape, Song Seo In also discovered some dark secrets regarding his origins. He found out that he was an illegitimate child of a gisaeng. Upset and deeply wounded by this news, Seo In cut ties with his family never to return. He looked for his birth mother but quickly learned that she had died. His life took another turn when he decided to remain at the gisaeng house and work as an artist. He became Cheon Seung Hwi, the famous storyteller, capable of dancing, singing and narrating tales like no other. His reputation preceded him everywhere. Despite his fame, he never forgot Goo Deok. He had crossed paths with her once or twice over the years, but had given up on her love when she announced him that she would get married to someone else. Heartbroken, Seung Hwi had respected her choice and left with his performing troop. But there’s a catch here. At some point in the drama, Goo Deok is accused of being a widow who’s not mourned her dead husband. The risk of losing her life is high, so Do Gyeom leaves to find his missing brother. Little did he know that he would be encountering his doppelgänger on the way. Do Gyeom informs Seung Hwi of the dangers Goo Deok faces. The artist doesn’t hesitate a minute and takes Yun Gyeom’s place instead. Goo Deok is no fool and rapidly uncovers the masquerade. However, Seung Hwi’s devotion and profound love conquer her heart. His constant pleas to see her happy change Goo Deok’s mind who finally accepts to be happy. She accepts his confession and is on her way to a happy life, if only the one last danger was not lurking around.

The grand finale: The reason that caused Goo Deok’s life to go astray in the past is the same reason that shatters her existence now: Kim So Hye. The evil noblewoman has been set on getting her revenge. She’s spent years looking for Goo Deok and dreaming of the day she would finally be able to make her pay. The last episodes showcase the confrontation between Kim So Hye and her terrible husband Park Jun Gi (Choi Jung Woo) and Goo Deok and Seung Hwi. Things start to look bad for our leads when their real identities are both uncovered. Song Seo In is in fact an artist who went agains the royal order to perform in Qing by faking his death, while Goo Deok is a slave who impersonated a noblewoman for years. Both crimes are punishable by the death penalty. In Seo In’s case, he miraculously saved by Yun Gyeom who makes a big return. He’s sick and about to die, so he switches places with Seo In one last time and dies in his stead. As for Goo Deok, she manages to defend herself as much as possible, counterattacking against her enemy Kim So Hye. She eventually gets rid of her for good, but is still in danger. That’s when all the good deeds she’s done over her life come into play. People who benefited from her skills unite and plead in her favor. Cheongsu County, peasants, nobles and soldiers, even ministers advocate for her. She uprooted corruption in Cheongsu, got rid of Park Jun Gi, protected numerous slaves and peasants from famine thanks to her business in aloe. She’s done so much for others that the King decides to grant her a special pardon. The drama ends on a happy note with Goo Deok and Seung Hwi together, parents of a son. They have settled down in their dream house next to the sea. Goo Deok has even reunited with her long lost father, while Seung Hwi writes stories. As for Do Gyeom, he and Mi Ryeong have also welcomed a daughter. Their family’s reputation is intact and he pursues his duty as an official at the palace. It took a very long time for our characters to be finally happy and together, but the journey was as worthwhile as the destination.

The art of storytelling: The Tale of Lady Ok, as the title suggests, is an actual tale. What I mean is that the drama gives the impression that you’re reading a novel. Chapters of characters’ lives are like chapters of an actual book. You have new encounters, but also separations, new lives and deaths of beloved friends and family members. Moreover, the storytelling in itself is a red thread in the drama. Cheon Seung Hwi is an artist, famous for its ability to tell and write stories. Not only has he written numerous novels, but he’s also put down in writing its greatest work: his journey with Goo Deok.

A story within a story: The drama is the perfect depiction of what we call in literature a “mise en abime”, aka a story within a story. Indeed, Cheon Seung Hwi is a storyteller who writes and then tells his chronicles to the audience. As a rising artist, he’s written the tale of his romance with Goo Deok in which he relates how they met and how much he loves her. At the end of the drama, he does it again by writing his own Tale of Lady Ok that traces back Goo Deok’s life work, her ordeals, the good deeds she’s accomplished, as well as her journey from slave to legal advocate. The writing of this novel starts while Seung Hwi is imprisoned and he finishes it 3 years later after all is well for him and his family. In the drama, it’s as if Cheon Seung Hwi was the narrator of Goo Deok’s life story. The “mise en abime” effect is best displayed in the final scene, when Seung Hwi reveals his novel that has exactly the same title as the drama itself. This anchors the novel into an overarching narrative, giving it credibility and legitimacy.

The play on identity: The art of storytelling is also demonstrated by the use of twists and turns. In the drama, these twists are largely due to the play on identity. Indeed, Goo Deok is impersonating Ok Tae Young and eventually takes her place. When Yun Gyeom disappears, it’s Seo In’s turn to replace him as he’s his doppelgänger. That’s how he becomes Goo Deok’s lawful husband. Though Goo Deok’s identity theft is unintentional, that not the case for Song Seo In. All his life, he’s pretended to be someone else. He was first playing the legitimate son of the Song family. Then he learned his mother was just a concubine. That’s how he joined the gisaeng house and eventually became an actor. From then on, he could become anyone he wanted on stage. He endorsed the identity of multiples characters, aware that even his was uncertain. Cheon Seung Hwi gets the biggest role of his life when he becomes Goo Deok’s husband Yun Gyeom. The play on identity is at the core of the plot. Both leads pretend to be other people, disguise themselves and use other names for protection purposes. This red thread allows the intrigue to unfold from Goo Deok’s escape to the reveal of her slave origins. There is a very good balance between Yun Gyeom and Seung Hwi in the drama, as one character is replaced by another depending on the event. They are in the same room only for big events like the end in prison or when they discover that they are actually lookalikes. Otherwise, they switch numerous times, which confuses people around and emphasizes the surprising effect when the truth is told.

Purposeful characters: Each character has a part to play in the story. Like in any well-structured novel, secondary characters have their importance. Their actions may be seen as independent and unrelated to the plot at first, but they actually have a ripple effect on the main narrative. In the Tale of Lady Ok, that’s the case for many secondary characters that you see here and there, but without whom the plot could not function. For example, you’ve got Ok Tae Young and her grandmother; Park Joon Ki, the evil antagonist working in the shadows; Song Mi Ok (Jeon Ik Ryung) who comes back for revenge by using her daughter Cha Mi Ryeong; Lady Kim (Yoon Ji Hye) who’s a fervent supporter of Goo Deok; Heo Jung Man (Kim Jong Tae) who’s a Provincial Governor allied to Goo Deok; Hong Su Hui (Jung Soo Young) who spreads rumors about Goo Deok constantly; and the list goes on. Servants, officers, ministers, noblemen- and women, all of them serve a purpose in the drama that impacts main characters’ actions or personalities. Ok Tae Young insufflates the will to live and to become a legal advocate to Goo Deok, Yun Gyeom offers Goo Deok a family, Kim So Hye is the root cause of the female lead’s lies, her in-laws are the result of her accomplishments, even the jealous and critical noblewomen of Cheongsu County are reformed by Goo Deok.

Law and lessons: I loved the Tale of Lady Ok for its compelling storytelling and engaging plot, but also because there is a good number of lessons to take away from it. These can and should be applied to our daily lives.

All human lives are worth it: If Goo Deok manages to go so far in life, despite being a slave, is become she met Ok Tae Young. She instilled in her one single belief: all human lives are worth it. She doesn’t discriminate between people, hence her desire to become a legal advocate and defend those who are mistreated by the powerful nobility. Kim So Hye who sees herself as superior to slaves and thinks they are disposable goods, while Goo Deok sees only human beings. Slaves and noblemen all belong to the human race. They have feelings, emotions, they go through difficult times and joyous moments as well. Everyone is just trying to survive and should thus be put on an equal footing. Moreover, Goo Deok is originally a slave. That’s why she can’t turn her back against them, as she knows what it feels like to be treated as cattle, belittled, mistreated. However, she doesn’t resent noblemen- and women either. She’s conscious that Kim So Hye is a vile woman, not because she’s a noblewoman, but because of her horrible personality. There are plenty of noblemen who do good deeds, which is proven throughout the drama, and thus deserve to be respected and protected if difficulties come their way.

One people, one law: As we’ve mentioned earlier, Goo Deok believes that all lives are worth it. This means that there’s no difference should be established between people when it comes to law. It is the same for everyone, no individual should be able to bypass it just because they have more material goods or a better social status. Ok Tae Young judges with equity and fairness. That’s also the reason why she’s so appreciated by the villagers. One day, she protects a peasant from an abusive law, when the next one she fights for a nobleman who’s wrongfully accused. What matters to Goo Deok is not social status, wealth, or family reputation, but right and wrong. If you’ve committed a crime, you should be punished; if you’ve done nothing, then you should be protected. Moral values, justice and ethics are the main drivers of her life and work as a legal advocate. Another example that perfectly highlights this saying “one people, one law” is the ending of the drama. Goo Deok’s ally, Governor Heo Jong Mun, has no other choice but to arrest her and her husband for breaking the law. She’s impersonated a noblewoman, while Song Seo In has defied a royal order. Though these characters have always been on the same side, their respective righteousness oppose them this time. Finally, the drama emphasizes on the fact that having legal knowledge is important to protect yourself, if you don’t want others to take advantage of it against you. Even today, these ideas are valid.

An enemy today, an ally tomorrow: Interestingly, Goo Deok encounters many enemies who switch side at the end, when faced with the truth. That’s the case for her daughter-in-law Mi Ryeong, The Yuhyangso ladies and the chiefs of the County. Mi Ryeong’s mother has brainwashed her into believing that Goo Deok is responsible for her brother’s suicide and family’s decline, when she’s the sole culprit. The Yuhangso ladies dislike Goo Deok from the start because she disrupts their plans to abuse people and enrich themselves. As for the chiefs of Cheongsu County, most of them are greedy and in cahoots with money-grubbing ministers, so obviously Goo Deok is a pebble in their shoe. Nevertheless, Goo Deok’s determination, resilience, and sense of justice move and inspire. She’s capable of swaying people’s hearts and winning them over. This turns her enemies into allies, which benefits her in the end.

Everyone deserves a second chance: Like mentioned earlier, Goo Deok is a symbol of righteousness. She doesn’t hold grudges nor resents people who wronged her. On the contrary, she’s magnanimous. Her only wish is to live a happy life, surrounded by those she loves and doing what she’s fond of. She doesn’t have time or energy to spend on hatred. She’s a forgiving character who believes in second chances. She herself had the occasion to start from scratch her life after Tae Young’s grandmother forgave her for taking her granddaughter’s place. Many characters in the drama, such as Lady Kim and her husband, Cha Chun Sik (Yoon Hee Seok) and his wife, eventually find repentance by asking for forgiveness after trying to eliminate Goo Deok. They tried to kill her, spread rumors about her, sided with her enemies and caused great pains to Goo Deok. Yet, she teaches them a lesson and prevents them from becoming more evil by destroying their schemes. Goo Deok reaches out to her county people and gives them a helping hand, even if she’s estranged with them. That’s how well she embodies the idea that everybody deserves a second chance.

Your good deeds will pay off: At the end of the drama, Goo Deok’s life is saved thanks to the people. Peasants, slaves, noblewomen from Cheongsu County, her family, even governors, scholars and ministers appeal to the King. They all voice out their desire to save her and for the monarch to be lenient towards her, hoping he would grant her a special pardon. We only understand at that moment the good influence Goo Deok has had on others, but also how many people she’s helped and protected throughout her life. She’s helped the nation by uprooting corruption and getting rid of Park Jun Gi, she’s prevented the deaths of hundreds of people quarantined, and the list goes on. After a decade of working as a legal advocate, Goo Deok is not alone anyone. She has the support of the people and comes out of the tribunal on a flowery path. Her good deeds triumph against tragedy and the ruthlessness of the law. That’s a great lesson to take away: Good deeds will eventually pay off. It may take some time, but people don’t forget generosity.

Acting performance and direction: The Tale of Lady Ok is one of my favorite historical dramas. Alongside other masterpieces, like My Dearest for example, this show offers an incredible acting performance from Im Ji Yeon and Choo Young Woo. Indeed, it’s the actress’ first historical drama after The Royal Gambler back in 2016. Im Ji Yeon carries the entire show, demonstrating a wide panel of emotions from despair to dignity. She portrays with brilliancy the journey of a slave who elevates her condition by becoming a legal advocate and using her skills to protect the people. Choo Young Woo is also excellent in his two roles. He oscillates very well between the taciturn nobleman and the expressive storyteller. The direction of the drama supports the impressive narrative and top-notch acting performance. All the ingredients are definitely there to make this drama a show to remember.