A young orphan dreams of working in the palace and becoming the head of the Royal Kitchen.  So she is overjoyed when she passes the test to begin training.  But while her natural talent and intelligence grant her many successes, her curious nature also causes her plenty of trouble.  Years later, she has achieved her goal to work in the royal kitchen, but her life is full of people who will undermine her skills at every turn to maintain their generational control over the the palace and it’s court ladies.  Watch as she climbs through the palace ranks, from a poor orphan to become the first female Royal Physician in history.  

But at 54 full episodes, this is a drama that requires you to get comfortable and settle in for the long haul.  The story is slow and carefully told, and the romance is so slow-burn that by the time they get around to it, there isn’t much time left.  Also, the extended political intrigues and endless royal meetings can be a bit wearing after a while.  For me, the story was enjoyable and I loved the themes.  But don’t enter into this one thinking it’s a quick, easy watch.    I give ‘Jewel in the Palace’ an 9 out of 10 ramen.  

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