Jewel in the Palace is a historical drama that all kdrama connoisseurs should watch. When it came out it was a smash hit in Korea and it's heavily referenced in Korean pop culture even today. It has a story that will grip you from start to finish and that is quite a feat considering this is a story about cooking and medicine. I do not recommend this series to someone who is new to kdramas, this is for those of us who've already delved deep into Korean culture before. Story (9/10): The absolute strong point of this drama is the story. In every single episode something interesting is going on and it never seems forced or manufactured. The story arch works really well and the pacing is the best I've ever seen in a drama. The story also has historical facts and intricate details that will keep you interested. Also it was quite special to follow the main character from birth to maturity. The romance in the story was really well done - built for a loooooong time upon mutual trust and respect. Instead of the usual kdrama perks: hotness and wealth... Acting/Cast (7/10): The acting was extremely good at parts. Yang Mi-Kyeong and Ji Jin-Hee for example were awesome, but there were some side characters that were really lacking. I am not a fan of over-acting and they made you feel like you were at a summer theater watching a kids' play. The main character (Lee Young-Ae) relied too much on exaggerated facial expressions and sometimes I found her character really annoying due to this, although the story gives her all the tools to really grab your sympathies. All in all though, I think the acting was this dramas weak point. Music (9/10): This drama has a soundtrack that you instantly recognize. Some might not like it, since it's a weird combination of synthesized sounds and traditional instruments and choirs. I feel the music really played a big part in building the epic atmosphere and I can still remember the main theme although it's been a while since I last heard it. Can't say the same for about 95% of all the dramas I've watched. Also I enjoyed the fact that the music was mostly instrumental or choir notes, no lyrics to draw you away from what you are watching. Rewatch value (7/10): This drama is quite long and I doubt I will be watching it again any time soon. I usually rewatch a drama if it has those super cheesy, romantic scenes and this one has almost none of those. Still it's possible I might watch it again when I'm in a retiring home... :D Overall (8.5/10): I remember dropping this drama a few times. It is a bit much to chew on, especially when compared to dramas that come out these days. Still I really recommend it to anyone who loves kdramas A LOT, or who is interested in cooking and Korean history in general. It will definitely suck you in if you let it, but it requires some determination to invest so much time into one drama (54 episodes). If you want to give it a try, please watch at least 10 episodes before you make up your mind.