'The Tale of Lady Ok' captivates viewers with strong female lead in Joseon Dynasty

By Park Jin-hai

JTBC's fusion period drama, "The Tale of Lady Ok," tells the story of a lowly female slave in the Joseon Dynasty. However, unlike the typical damsel-in-distress trope seen in many historical dramas, the show has won the hearts of modern audiences by featuring a strong and independent female lead, Goo-deok.

The drama, which premiered on Nov. 30, follows the story of Goo-deok (Im Ji-yeon), a woman who escapes her abusive master's house and is later adopted by the noble Ok family. However, when the family's daughter, Ok Tae-young, dies, Goo-deok assumes her identity and her elevated status.

Im, who gained widespread recognition with the Netflix series, "The Glory," landed her first leading role in this drama and has been a driving force behind its popularity. The 34-year-old actress plays a woman who, after gaining noble status and becoming a renowned lawyer, takes control of her own life, defying the traditional image of women in the Joseon Dynasty.

The drama is part of a growing trend toward more empowered female characters in historical dramas. While past series like "Dae Jang Geum" (2003) and "Dong Yi" (2010) featured strong female leads, those women were often portrayed as more passive, with the men around them taking the lead. Although they were still resilient, the narrative often centered on the actions of the men.

However, times are changing, and "The Tale of Lady Ok" is a prime example of this shift — in this story, the women are the ones driving the plot.

When a nobleman tries to harm her, Goo-deok is the one who fights back with a sickle and escapes her life as a slave. After rising to the status of a noblewoman, she doesn’t stop there. Goo-deok is determined to live her life in Ok's place, embracing the subversive yet beautiful ideology of human equality that she had taught her.

Goo-deok then discards the headdress she had worn to conceal her true identity, stepping into the public eye and boldly voicing her opinions. Recognizing her ability to speak out against the injustices faced by Baek-i, her maidservant, and her mother Mak-sim, she takes on the role of an "oejibu" — a figure in the Joseon Dynasty who acts as a legal representative for the common people. These individuals would write legal documents and represent clients in court for a fee, as most commoners had little knowledge of the law.

After embarking on the path of a oejibu, Goo-deok marries Seong Yoon-gyeom (Choo Young-woo), the son of a magistrate. When her family faces ruin due to the scheming of those who envy the magistrate, Goo-deok takes matters into her own hands. She restores her family's honor and protects her loved ones, proving her strength and resolve.

Furthermore, as the master of her own destiny, Goo-deok's efforts lead to the rescue of slaves exploited by their masters, children forced into illegal mining, and the exoneration of innocent widows who had been victimized by the construction of chastity arches in Confucian society — where it was considered immoral for a woman to remarry after her husband's death. Through her actions, she challenges the injustices of the time and fights for the oppressed.

By extending her influence beyond her own happiness and beliefs, Goo-deok demonstrates the true meaning of a life lived with responsibility. In many ways, she becomes a superhero for the underprivileged.

The actors and the people behind the scenes were committed to emphasizing the character's independence.

"Goo-deok, as Ok, wanted to live her life on her own terms", Im, the main character, said.

Writer Park Ji-suk added, "Although Goo-deok was born into a low social class, she never gave up. She fought against her fate and forged her own path. Despite facing numerous challenges, she always survived, proving her strength and determination."

The drama started with a 4.2 percent viewership rating for its first episode, but word of mouth spread quickly thanks to Im's performance. As a result, the drama gained popularity, reaching a self-recorded high of 11.1 percent in its 10th episode.

Instead of merely depicting the past as it was, the period drama incorporates modern ideas about what truly matters. Ok's proactive actions, defined by her unwavering pursuit of her ideals and her compassionate heart, even in the face of adversity, bring depth and emotional resonance to the intense web of deception surrounding the runaway slave storyline.

The Saturday, Sunday drama will air its final episode on Jan. 26.