Dong-yi Character Stats

Translations are not 100% accurate, but they should have the general gist of things. Character sheets are at the bottom.

General Stats

(Choi) Dong-yi
– Portrayed by Han Hyo-joo, younger self portrayed by Kim Yoo-jung
– Age in drama: 11-49
– Born 1670
– Outgoing, intelligent, compassionate, good at math
– Her father and brother were framed and killed when she was young
– Had to keep hiding from Inspector Seo for same reason
– With the help of gisaeng Seol-hee (who was in love with her brother), took shelter at one of Pyongyang’s gisaeng houses and learned the arts
– Selected for service in the palace due to her natural intellect and generous nature
– At the same time Cha Chun-soo, her brother’s good friend, did his utmost best to keep her safe
– Eventually attracted the attention of King Sukjong and became Choi Sook-bin
– Was object of jealousy for Jang Hee-bin, but a great favourite with the queen

King Suk-jong
– Portrayed by Ji Jin-hee
– Age in drama: 24-60
– 19th king of the Yi dynasty
– Reigned from 1661-1720
– Was the sovereign with the most power in Korean history
– Became king when he was just 14
– Deftly managed the slippery courts with his intelligence and ability to manipulate
– Engaged in reforms to broaden and strengthen the king’s powers
– Compassionate, paid attention to detail, idolized by his subjects

Cha Chun-soo
– Portrayed by Bae Soo-bin
– Age in drama: 20-55
– Later becomes a member of the police force, but was also covert Sword Society member
– Greatly talented at fighting, but of low birth
– When the Choi men died they passed on the care of Dong-yi to him, and he’s taken this to heart
– Has started his own ‘Sword Society’ leadership in order to fight corruption and help the lower classes
– Has never forgotten that Dong-yi once said she would marry him when she was older

Jang Hee-bin
– Portrayed by Lee So-yeon
– Age of appearance in drama: 24
– Born 1659, died 1701
– Royal concubine, second in rank to the queen and a great favourite of the king
– Was kicked out of the palace by the Daebi (king’s mother)
– Was part of the Southern faction
– After Queen Inhyeon’s status was annulled, Jang Hee-bin became queen, but after In-hyeon showed signs of remorse, she was re-instated and Jang was demoted back to her original status as Hee-bin
– Is a sworn opponent of Dong-yi
– Dies from poison by royal mandate (history indicates that she was discovered with a shaman in the middle of performing rites to curse the queen and sentenced to death by poison)

Queen In-hyeon
– Portrayed by Park Ha-seon
– Appears from age 16 onwards
– Born 1667, dies 1701
– Retiring, compliant, easily ignored
– Was victim of circumstances and chased out of court as a commoner
– After a change in politics, was reinstated as queen but quickly succumbs to illness
– Shields and helps Dong-yi, her junior by 3 years and a favourite

Seo Yong-gi
– Portrayed by Jung Jin-young
– Enters drama at 30, ages to 60
– Inspector at local police, rises to Prefectural Chief (?)
– Possesses a strong sense of fairness, right and wrong, very careful of details in everything
– Felt deeply betrayed when his mentor, Choi Hyo-won (Dong-yi’s papa) is revealed to be the head of the Sword Society and makes it his life’s mission to eradicate the group
– At the time that Dong-yi becomes a court lady he already holds a high position within the police hierarchy
– Attempts to help her when she is older – good intention, bad execution

Originals

Sources: Baidu Tieba, MBC