Dong Yi

Set during the reign of King Sukjong in the Joseon dynasty, the story focuses on Dong Yi, a water maid who gains the trust of Queen Inhyeon and later the favour of the king when he is moved by her prayers for the health of the Queen during the court disputes caused by Jang Hee Bin. Dong Yi becomes a concubine with the rank of sook-bin and bears a son who will later become the 21st king of Joseon, Yeongjo.

Jewel in the Crown (2010) is a South Korean historical drama miniseries created by Kim Yi-young for MBC. Set during the reign of King Sukjong in seventeenth century Joseon Korea, it follows Dong Yi, a water maid played by Han Hyo-joo, whose quiet devotion wins the trust of Queen Inhyeon (Park Ha-seon) and later the favor of the king (Ji Jin-hee). The engine of the story is a woman navigating a crowded palace where rival consorts, court factions and shifting alliances turn every ambition into risk. Lee So-yeon plays the jealous Jang Hee-bin, whose rivalry gives the drama its sharpest friction, while Jeong Dong-hwan and Bae Soo-bin anchor the political maneuvering. Told across sixty episodes in a single continuing storyline, the series unfolds in the slow, accumulating rhythm of a long-form Korean period melodrama, with lavish costume design, formal court ritual and intimate scenes of prayer and loyalty. Its tone blends sincere sentiment, melodramatic reversals and a wistful sense of dignity under pressure. Viewers who loved Jewel in the Palace, Queen Seondeok and Yi San will find the same mix of palace intrigue and emotional sweep.

Viewers are sharply divided, with some praising the historical court drama and its lead performance while others find the sixty-episode runtime slow, repetitive, and reliant on melodrama.

• Jewel in the Palace (2003)court intrigue, palace power struggles, period melodrama with a commoner rising in royal favor
• Queen Seondeokjoseon court drama, royal politics, historical biography of a palace figure
• Yi Sanjoseon era royal drama, king and court factions, sweeping historical melodrama

Created by

Kim Yi-young

Release Date

2010-03-22

Episode runtime

65 min

Rating

8.1 / 10 (46)

What is Dong Yi about?

A lowborn palace water maid rises through Joseon court intrigue to become the mother of a future king.

What is Dong Yi like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dong Yi as slow, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is Dong Yi violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Dong Yi as mild.

What did critics think of Dong Yi?

Viewers are sharply divided, with some praising the historical court drama and its lead performance while others find the sixty-episode runtime slow, repetitive, and reliant on melodrama.

Which shows are like Dong Yi?

Shows with a similar feel include Jewel in the Palace (2003), Queen Seondeok, and Yi San.

How long is Dong Yi?

Dong Yi: 1 season, 60 episodes.

Is Dong Yi still running?

No, Dong Yi has ended.

Where can I watch Dong Yi?

In United States, Dong Yi streams on Rakuten Viki, OnDemandKorea, Kocowa Amazon Channel, Kocowa.