대장금을 통해 본 조선 궁중 음식과 의료 편집하기 (부분)

===Eng===
The drama <i>Dae Jang Geum</i> vividly portrays the royal cuisine and traditional medicine of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), introducing Korean food culture and medical traditions to audiences worldwide. The protagonist, Jang Geum, begins her career as a court lady working in Suragan, the royal kitchen responsible for preparing the king’s meals. She later transfers to Naeuiwon, the royal medical institution responsible for the health of the king and royal family, to become a female physician (<i>uinyeo</i>), eventually serving as King Jungjong’s personal doctor. Through this journey, the drama provides detailed insights into Joseon’s culinary practices and medical system.

The Suragan was responsible for preparing the king’s meals and was one of the most important spaces in the palace. The royal table (<i>surasang</i>) was composed of dishes made from the finest ingredients gathered from across the nation. It was not merely a meal but carried profound meaning—safeguarding the king’s health and wishing for his longevity. A standard royal table consisted of twelve side dishes, including rice, soup, stew, kimchi, seasoned vegetables, grilled items, braised dishes, pan-fried delicacies, and fermented seafood, all meticulously arranged. The drama carefully depicts the preparation process, ingredient selection, and cooking methods, offering valuable insight into Joseon-era food culture.

The drama emphasizes the core philosophy of Korean medicine known as “<i>yaksik dongwon</i>” (藥食同源), meaning “food and medicine share the same origin.” This concept holds that proper food can serve as the best medicine. Guided by this principle, Jang Geum prepares meals suited to the seasons and individual constitutions, caring for the health of the king and the royal family. Medicinal cuisine incorporates herbal ingredients such as ginseng, jujube, ginger, and angelica root, balancing taste, nutrition, and therapeutic effects.

After leaving the Suragan, Jang Geum begins her formal training in medicine at the Naeuiwon, which employed both male royal physicians (<i>eoui</i>) and female physicians (<i>uinyeo</i>). The female physicians primarily treated the queen, concubines, princesses, and other women of the royal household—a unique system that developed due to Confucian principles of gender separation. In the drama, Jang Geum masters various medical techniques, including acupuncture and moxibustion, herbal prescriptions, and pulse diagnosis, growing into an exceptional physician.

The drama enhances its authenticity by referencing actual medical texts such as the <i>Bencao Gangmu</i> (Compendium of Materia Medica) and the <i>Dongui bogam</i> (Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine). The <i>Bencao Gangmu</i> was compiled by the Ming dynasty physician Li Shizhen (1518–1593) and serves as an encyclopedia of medicinal herbs. The <i>Dongui bogam</i>, compiled by Heo Jun (1539– 1615) during the Joseon period, is a seminal work of Korean medicine and has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. These texts reflect the advanced state of East Asian medicine at the time, and the drama draws on them to realistically portray Jang Geum’s medical education.

Additionally, the drama depicts royal banquets, showcasing Joseon’s royal food culture and ceremonial practices. Grand feasts were held on important occasions such as the king’s birthday, the investiture of a queen, and the reception of foreign envoys, featuring dozens of meticulously prepared dishes. These banquets were not merely about serving food—they also demonstrated the authority of the royal court and the cultural sophistication of Joseon.

<i>Dae Jang Geum</i> sparked global interest in Korean cuisine and traditional medicine during its original broadcast. Particularly across Asia, the number of Korean restaurants increased, and curiosity about Korean medicine and medicinal cuisine grew significantly. While using Joseon’s royal culture as its backdrop, the drama conveyed a universal message—“healing and maintaining health through food”—which resonated deeply with audiences around the world.