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The upcoming K-drama The Righteous Woman, Dae Jang Geum starring Lee Young Ae will have no connection to her 2003 hit series Jewel in the Palace.
On February 5, the production company KPJ and writer Kim Young Hyun officially gave their side regarding the reports about the continuation of the story of Jewel in the Palace in a new K-drama.
KPJ revealed, "The K-drama that Fantagio will produce will have no relation to the 2003 series Jewel in the Palace and its original writer Kim Young Hyun. The writer was only informed about the production of the new K-drama through media reports.
Last January 30, Fantagio revealed that they will be producing the historical K-drama The Righteous Woman, Dae Jang Geum and actress Lee Young Ae has also confirmed her casting. It was also stated that they will begin their production this October. Fantagio also stated that the new K-drama will continue to showcase the life story of Dae Jang Geum and her journey of becoming a uniyeo (female physician).
The production company KPJ stated all the rights to the content of the 2003 K-drama Jewel in the Palace such as the setting, main characters, the relationship of the characters, the development of the story, and more.
Therefore, they believe that the reported upcoming series The Righteous Woman, Dae Jang Geum will have no relation to the original Jewel in the Palace and it will be a completely different drama. They suspect that it will not be a spin-off, sequel, or even prequel that will be based on the hit 2003 K-drama.
The reports of the revival of the K-drama Jewel in the Palace garnered mixed reactions. Some were excited to see the comeback of Lee Young Ae as Dae Jang Geum, while some wanted the K-drama to not have a continuation and leave it as it is.
Jewel in the Palace premiered in 2003 through MBC. The K-drama had a total of 54 episodes. It garnered the highest viewer rating of 57.8% in South Korea. Aside from being popular locally, K-drama was loved overseas and it also led to the Korean Wave craze.
The 2003 K-drama was directed by Lee Byung Hoon (The Flower in Prison and Dong Yi) and written by Kim Young Hyun (Arthdal Chronicles, Six Flying Dragons, and Queen Seon Deok). There is no confirmation yet on who will be responsible for the new K-drama The Righteous Woman, Dae Jang Geum.
