‘The Tale of Lady Ok’: A Slave’s Success Story, Starring Lim Ji-yeon

The Tale of Lady Ok is likely to be a solid K-drama since it comes from Jin Hyuk. I mean, that’s what I’d expect from a director who made shows like Brilliant Legacy (2009), City Hunter (2011), Prosecutor Princess (2010), Master’s Sun (2013), Doctor Stranger (2014), and, of course, The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016).

Brilliant Legacy (Shining Inheritance), Jin’s debut television series, was quite a hit, winning him a nod for Best New Television Director at the 46th Baeksang Arts Awards, and the rest is history. His works have often received glowing reviews from all quarters, evocative of classics such as Master’s Sun and The Legend of the Blue Sea.

The Tale of Lady Ok, his new offering stars Lim Ji-yeon playing the titular “Lady Ok,” Ok Tae-young, a woman in the Joseon era who rewrites her destiny and rises to success. It’s a chronicle of her unbreakable spirit and her journey from oppression to opportunities and empowerment. Tae-young is a slave for real but she turns into a legal expert while navigating the complex social landscape of the Joseon Dynasty, her dedication to helping others, and a facade that conceals her true identity.

The Tale of Lady Ok’s poster has Lim sitting on a decked palanquin facing the camera. Her skin is pallid, with cut marks on her upper lip and forehead. Her predicament is palpable through her drab, bulky robe, but it also stresses how women were groaning under the burden of Joseon culture when their rights and freedoms dwindled and all privileges were meant for the men. Lim’s stance in the picture, though, reflects a strong woman. A phrase printed on its upper right side translates to “The fate of a slave born in a flower palanquin,” highlighting her hardship, perhaps her past, and her resolve to break barriers.

Lim’s Tae-young is admired as an expert lawyer in Joseon who never holds back from helping others. Her journey is inspiring, overcoming the social mores of the time. But the twist in the tale is that Tae-young is cloaked in deceit and hides every aspect of her existence. One day, she runs into storyteller Cheon Seung-hwi (Choo Young-woo), who falls for her right away. As the plot thickens, he comes to know her real story but stays by her through it all.

The Tale of Lady Ok expands on Lim Ji-yeon’s diverse body of work. I believe Lim always finds the means necessary to portray strong female characters within her. Her talent, charisma, and intensity make her a killer draw and contribute to these kinds of roles. 

The history of Joseon informs on the choices, challenges, and conflicts between its ideals and the reality of the common woman. Lady Ok’s story sheds light on that and offers a glimpse into the strength and independence of women during the time. She mirrors a deeper narrative of Korean women’s voices in the past, which I’m sure Lim Ji-yeon’s fine portrayal will breathe life into.

The JTBC period romance drama will premiere this November 30.