The Tale of Lady Ok 옥씨부인전 [Current - Sat/Sun]

[mademoiselle]

 

• Drama: The Tale of Lady Ok (English title)
• Revised romanization: Okshibooinjeon
• Hangul: 옥씨부인전
• Director: Jin Hyeok
• Writer: Park Ji-Sook
• Network: JTBC
• Streaming Site: Kocowa | Netflix
• Episodes: 16
• Release Date: November 30, 2024 – January 26, 2025
• Website: Official | NamuWiki | MDL

 

Plot Summary

Set during the Joseon period, Ok Tae-Young (Lim Ji-Yeon) is a legal expert. She is smart, has an excellent work ethic, and is athletic. Even in difficult situations, she doesn't hesitate to help people. That is why she is loved by people around her, but she has a secret. Her secret is that her name, husband, and her status are all fake. She happens to meet Cheon Seung-Hwi (Choo Yeong-Woo). He is a storyteller and travels all around the country reciting novels to people. He happens to meet Ok Tae-Young and falls in love with her at first sight. He stays near her and helps her no matter what (source: AsianWiki).

Cast

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by mademoiselle

[mademoiselle]

Preview Trailer

 

Meet The Cast

Spoiler

 

 

[mademoiselle]

OMG, episode 6!!!

 

@abs-oluteM I created the thread because I need to discuss/let out thoughts on episode 6. LOL! Notifying @Chocolate to come here.

 

First, I need to rant! SEVEN YEARS?! D site didn't translate it, so I was hoping 7 months because 7 years is too long. Not until I saw grown up second brother, then it confirms I wasn't wrong. OMG, SEVEN YEARS OF ABSENCE FROM THE HUSBAND!? WAEEEE? WHYYYYY?

 

Secondly, why did he turn away from her at the end? He better have a good reason! Maybe he thought it's better off he's out of the picture, so she can move on, but he should at least release her of the daughter-in-law's duties first! Gaaaahhh! That said, I would like to believe he actually came back to "check up on them" from time to time, and just decided not to show his face.

 

Thirdly, who is that new girl named Cha Mi Ryung?! Why is she conning them? She seems to specifically after them, as if she is out for revenge. Hmm... I wonder.

 

I shed a few tears when Seung Hwi and Tae Young bid farewell. Though, I was wondering why because we're only on episode 6, still long way to go for the drama. I didn't realise we'll have another time jump. Man, these two lovebirds are going to be old hag & geezer by the time they could get together, huh? I don't believe he's married and with a son. I'm sure Man Seok lied to Tae Young so she would go with him.

 

Edited December 24, 2024 by mademoiselle

[abs-oluteM]

@mademoiselle  Thanks for opening the thread ! Really no time given it’s Christmas soon & I have a lot things to sort out . I saw the spoilers about the time jump. Arghhh my heart is aching . 
 

I will watch the full episodes soon & be back with some thoughts.

[ktcjdrama]

Thanks for the thread @mademoiselle I haven't started on this one. Hopefully I can start it during this holiday season with some other dramas finishing.  

[abs-oluteM]

In eps 5 when SeungHwi told her the story when they were up in the mountains, painting the life he would have wished they had, I shed some tears. Their love story is such a journey. SeungHwi is a good person, that many times over I wish she'd just run off with him. But then I suppose, having taken on TaeYoung's identity already changed her destiny and life's trajectory

 

And given that I saw spoilers of a 7 year time jump my heart aches further. SeungHwi waiting all his life for her 

[mademoiselle]

Episode 7 Pre-release

Hahahaha! I don't need Eng sub to know that this is about the lies Man Seuk made about Seung Hwi being married and had a son. @abs-oluteM Are you up-to-date? What about you, @Chocolate?

[Chocolate]

@mademoiselle I haven’t watched yet since ep1. Next week I will get back to it. Is it still good?

 

 

[mademoiselle]

33 minutes ago, Chocolate said:

@mademoiselle I haven’t watched yet since ep1. Next week I will get back to it. Is it still good?

Yes!

[abs-oluteM]

@mademoiselle Yes am up to date. Seung Hwi waited 7 years for  her  ...SYG needs to let her go. That coward ...how can he just leave her like this ? And ignore her. Interesting that I am rooting for one character and hating another. And both played by Choo Young Woo 

And that young girl whom she wants to marry her BIL to...omg what a snake!!! 

[mademoiselle]

1 hour ago, abs-oluteM said:

@mademoiselle Yes am up to date. Seung Hwi waited 7 years for  her  ...SYG needs to let her go. That coward ...how can he just leave her like this ? And ignore her. Interesting that I am rooting for one character and hating another. And both played by Choo Young Woo 

And that young girl whom she wants to marry her BIL to...omg what a snake!!! 

IKR! I was shocked he never returned home OR written to her once in 7 years! How can he be so heartless? I honestly hoped he had a good reason. I don't want to hate him yet.

 

Yeahhhh, I thought she's going to be good for him but turn out she has an agenda. Wonder who she is.

 

[ktcjdrama]

I started this. Finished ep.3. Quite a refreshing watch. Actually made me rather pensive about life in general. I don't know why. LOL...

 

The story is progressing quite fast for 3 episodes, I was wondering what's in store for later episodes. Then I saw spoilers about a time jump of 7 years. I guess it's going to be a looong tale of her entire life. Please, please let this be a drama with happy ending. Maybe I should've waited until it is finished before starting  The opening scene definitely did not help ease that worry about whether or not there will be a happy ending. 

 

The "stalker" and "doppelganger" thing was so funny for me 

[mademoiselle]

 

[abs-oluteM]

Oh yay @ktcjdrama. Glad you started this. This drama moves very quickly and the storyline is quite hard to predict. The leads are doing such a good job - special mention to Choo Young Woo who is doing a dual role. I end up loving one and getting really pissed off with the other - and both are played by him. This actor has such a bright future ahead. @mademoiselle Definitely I will adopt him .Hahahahah

 

But tell me in eps 7 

Spoiler

Did SYG die or what? I was pissed off with him for ignoring her when she saw him at the dock. Like I know that romantically it's not possible between them ( plus I am fully rooting for Seung Hwi) ...the least he could do is stay in touch , and show some concern. Didn't he promise he will be her shelter when they married? I know he needed to hide but at least release her somehow ...I know I ranted earlier but I need to rant some more especially when I see Seung Hwi's unconditional love for her 

 

[mademoiselle]

@abs-oluteM

Spoiler

How could SYG have died if he was seen at the dock, and clearly ignored her...? She had assurance from Man Seuk first that Seung Hwi is locked up before running towards him. Unless it was planned*, the person at the dock is actually Seung Hwi. He left first, so plenty of time for him to pretend he was locked up when Tae Young arrive.

 

*And the person who requested this was SYG. Still, need a good reason because technically his family's name and reputation has been cleared 7 years ago, and he could just divorce Seung Hwi and let her free. It would still be better than putting up a show that he "left" her. It's not good for her reputation either way.

 

 

P.S. I thought Choo Young Woo is adopted already.

Edited December 29, 2024 by mademoiselle

[abs-oluteM]

How talented is this Choo Young Woo. He did a duet for the 3rd OST

 

[abs-oluteM]

@mademoiselle

Spoiler

I don't think the person at the dock is SeungHwi. He was so angry for her when he found out SYG ignored her

 

 

 

[mademoiselle]

@peperomia This is another promising drama if you are interested. You can wait a little since we have just hit half way. The show has great twists and cliffhangers.

 

---- *Spoiler* ----

 

Episode 7

 

The prison scene and conversation between Seung Hwi, Man Seuk and Tae Young are hilarious. I'm glad he made up with his father, but I also was hoping he never made up with his father so that he could take Sung Yoon Gyum's place later. Dilemma. It's honestly so hard to predict this drama and what is in store for us still.

 

There are some really lovely lines written there for the scenes of Seung Hwi and Tae Young. Seung Hwi is such a wonderful man. He keeps his respect and distance because of their social status, yet he's not shy to let her know his thoughts and feelings about her. Honestly, he keeps tugging at my heartstrings here.

 

Ah, ok. So Cha Mi Ryung is the daughter of Baek Nam Gi. It now makes sense, but OMG, I totally didn't expect Sung Do Gyum to marry her so soon! I see hope that she'll come around once she knows Tae Young. Fingers crossed.

 

Episode 8

 

Loved the angry scene where Seung Hwi found out the truth. I like the acting there. 

 

This show is really hard to predict. I didn't expect Mi Ryung to find out the truth and turn on her mother so soon. It's also quick of Do Gyum to find Yoon Gyum. Makes you wonder what the drama has in store in the next 6 episodes!

 

And Yoon Gyum is returning home, right?! Are both men going to Tae Young in the next episodes?

 

The preview showed Mi Ryung's mother giving out orders to Sung's servants. Did she resume the head of the household because she is Mi Ryung's mother...? That doesn't seem right by the culture.

 

Edit: Wait, no, now that I rewatch the preview, is that Seung Hwi getting a tattoo. At first, I thought Yoon Gyum was trying to get rid of his tattoo.

 

Edited December 30, 2024 by mademoiselle

[Chocolate]

It feels like I’ve watched a lot but it is only episode 4. Because each episode is 1.5 hours long 😅

 

I’m confused now. When Seong said he couldn’t lie with a woman, I thought it was because he just wanted to reassure her as she was worrying about children. But turns out, is he really gay? And the young master is going to “replace” him?

 

[abs-oluteM]

18 minutes ago, Chocolate said:

But turns out, is he really gay? And the young master is going to “replace” him?

He is gay. As to your 2nd question (spoiler)

Spoiler

This will only happen next week.

 

Yes @mademoiselle I don't know if SYG has amnesia or not ....one viewer on X says that it is possible. If he doesn't and still does not return to save TaeYoung, we can really write him off because he is just a coward.

 

 

 

SeungHwi doing everything he can to save her ....my heart. If these two don't end up together , I am gonna cry. I read some comments that sad ending is possible.   But regardless, SHwi's love for TY is pure and unconditional. One of my favourite bits was in ep 7 when she asked him why he had not married in those 7 years  ( so long , sniff ), he said it's because Goodeoki alone is enough. I also love that he wrote that book for her. Or rather to remember her. ....SHwi is a an idealist and a true romantic. 

 

In Eps 8, the highlight was definitely seeing Mi Ryung's character redeemed so quickly. I believe that TY will tell her not to bring this up to Do Gyum. But MR's real mum may use that against her later. 

On 12/29/2024 at 2:51 PM, mademoiselle said:

P.S. I thought Choo Young Woo is adopted already.

hmmm yes but I will elevate his status now  

[mademoiselle]

@abs-oluteM If Yoon Gyum has amnesia, wouldn't he be more willing to go home, logically speaking? It wouldn't have matter either and even better if he has amnesia because that would make a valid reason for him not going home for the last 7 years.

 

Yeah, I really like the things Seung Hwi said. Even the book, he doesn't plan to publish it because he wants to cherish it as a memory. Aww. As long as the ending isn't like My Dearest, I think I'm OK with a sad ending. My Dearest's ending annoys me because after all the hardship they went through, FINALLY, they got together and the writer gave us another amnesia. WTF.

 

Choo Young Woo can be my backup candidate for adoption this new year. Hahaha!

 

[abs-oluteM]

On 1/1/2025 at 5:35 PM, mademoiselle said:

 If Yoon Gyum has amnesia, wouldn't he be more willing to go home, logically speaking?

If he has amnesia, he might not even remember the bro? The last time he saw the bro, the latter was a kid. But anyhow, this amnesia thing is mere speculation. I am looking forward to SeungHwi taking his place for awhile. 

 

 

 

3 Viewing points for 2nd half:

1) Will nobleman Ok Tae-young be able to protect her new fate amidst endless hardships?

 

Ok Tae-young has faced endless hardships since becoming a nobleman from a slave. She almost lost her precious family members and her family's honor, and now she is in danger of losing her husband and herself. After hastily leaving home in a situation where she would be driven to the brink of ruin, she was forced into a widow due to her husband Seong Yoon-gyeom  not showing up for seven years. This is the work of Mrs. Song (played by Jeon Ik-ryeong), who has been sharpening her sword of revenge on TY for a long time, and those who wish for the downfall of TY for their own interests. The movements of those who dislike the righteous Ok Tae-young are growing stronger. In addition, she has also encountered her former owner, Kim So-hye (played by Ha Yul-ri), who still looks for her in the marketplace; so attention is focused on how she will overcome these numerous hardships and protect her new life.

 

2) An unattainable relationship with his first love Cheon Seung-hwi... What is the future for these two?

 

As Ok Tae-young takes a step forward as a nobleman, her relationship with her first love, Cheon Seung-hwi , becomes more entangled. The two, who had a bitter breakup for a while but repeatedly met to help each other in difficult situations, gradually grew fond of each other. In particular, her desperation reached its peak when she admitted and confessed her love for him. However, unlike Cheon Seung-hwi, who would give up everything if he could to be by her side, Ok Tae-young felt more responsible for what she had to accomplish. Although they had a sad breakup every time due to the reality that they could not follow their own hearts, attention is focused on what will happen in the future for the two who deeply care for each other.

 

3) Cha Mi-ryeong, who stopped taking revenge on Ok Tae-young, what is her relationship with her husband, Sung Do-gyeom?

 

It was revealed that Cha Mi-ryeong  was the daughter of Mrs. Song, who planned revenge on TY, and intentionally approached the Sung family. She finds out that she was used for revenge. Because of her mother's lies, her desire for revenge has lost its place. Ok Tae-young has decided to embrace her sister-in-law Cha Mi-ryeong, who grew up without proper love since childhood, but her husband Seong Do-gyeom  still doesn't know about this. If he finds out that she got married to him for revenge, he will feel a great sense of betrayal. There is a lot of curiosity about how the relationship will unfold between Cha Mi-ryeong, who will now be more devoted to the Seong family who treated her like family than her mother, and Seong Do-gyeom, who will learn the shocking truth.

 

Source: https://star.ytn.co.kr/_sn/0117_202501031600125203

[mademoiselle]

@abs-oluteM It's hard to predict this drama, which is kind of cool, I guess. At first, I thought it is only natural Seung Hwi will replace Yoon Gyum since (1) Yoon Gyum wants to be free, (2) Seung Hwi was disowned by his family. But not anymore! His father took him back! Argh. Even if these two swipe identities, it is unlikely that Sung family would take in a son that is gay. The bit that mentioned Seung Hwi is now the eldest son in the Sung family worries me. He isn't the only son, is he?

 

So yeah, don't know

 

[abs-oluteM]

5 minutes ago, mademoiselle said:

The bit that mentioned Seung Hwi is now the eldest son in the Sung family worries me. He isn't the only son, is he?

I also don't understand why suddenly he became the eldest son. Wasn't he the illegitimate son his father had with a gisaeng? I was under the impression he had other brothers 

[mademoiselle]

9 minutes ago, abs-oluteM said:

I also don't understand why suddenly he became the eldest son. Wasn't he the illegitimate son his father had with a gisaeng? I was under the impression he had other brothers 

Or he's always been the eldest son, but because the wife was alive and refused to acknowledge him...