The Great Merchant

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This is a Korean name; the family name is Kim.
The Great Merchant
Great Merchant-poster.jpg
Promotional poster for The Great Merchant
Also known as Merchant Kim Man-deok
Genre Period drama
Romance
Written by Kim Jin-suk
Kang Da-young
Directed by Kang Byung-taek
Kim Sung-yoon
Starring Lee Mi-yeon
Han Jae-suk
Park Sol-mi
Ha Seok-jin
Go Doo-shim
Country of origin South Korea
Original language(s) Korean
No. of episodes 30
Production
Producer(s) Park Ki-ho
Yoo Gun-shik
Production location(s) Korea
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time Saturdays and Sundays at 20:40 (KST)
Release
Original network KBS1
Original release 6 March (2010-03-06) –
13 June 2010 (2010-06-13)
Chronology
Preceded by The Reputable Family
Followed by Legend of the Patriots
External links
Website

The Great Merchant (Hangul: 거상 김만덕; hanja: 巨商金萬德; RR: Geosang Gim Mandeok; lit. Merchant Kim Man-deok) is a 2010 South Korean historical drama starring Lee Mi-yeon,[1] Han Jae-suk, Park Sol-mi,[2] Ha Seok-jin, and Go Doo-shim. It aired on KBS1 from March 6 to June 13, 2010 on Saturdays and Sundays at 20:40 for 30 episodes.

The series follows the life of Kim Man-deok (1739-1812). Kim was born on Jeju Island. Adopted by the head of a gisaeng house at the age of 12, she became a government gisaeng ― a type of Korean traditional entertainer who is designated and reserved specifically for government officials. After discovering a talent in business and commerce, she later became one of the most successful female merchants on the island.

When Jeju was struck by a deadly famine in 1795 (the 19th year of King Jeongjo, Kim sold all her assets and donated approximately 90% of her money (approximated to be ₩70 billion in today's currency) to save millions of lives. Kim was later praised by numerous scholars and philosophers, which was notable given her background as a gisaeng and the fact that she saved the people of Jeju Island, a place that was considered a place of exile at the time. Kim's heroic deeds were documented in Jeongjo Sillok ("The Annals of King Jeongjo") in 1796, and was even featured as a folktale called Mandeok-jeon ("The Story of Man-deok").[3][4] In 1978, a memorial was created for Kim Man-deok on Jeju Island, and annually Jeju Island presents the "Man-deok Award" to two outstanding women in philanthropy.[5]

The drama features Kim's life and achievements, along with her ongoing rivalry with fellow merchants during the Joseon Dynasty.[6]

Synopsis

Kim Man-deok was born into the noble class—her mother was a haenyeo of Jeju Island; her father was a high-ranking government official who met Kim's mother during the time he was exiled on Jeju Island. Kim's biological mother, Yi Eun Hong, does not tell her father, Kim Eung Ryul, about her pregnancy, as he and his clan could be punished by execution for inappropriate conduct during his exile. At birth, Kim is named Yi Hong. Her mother dies soon after her birth, leaving her daughter a flute that would one day help her reconnect to her father.

Kim is adopted by Madame Kim, a former palace lady, but who is known to Kim as "Hal-mae" (translated as "Granny"). Managing a training center in Hanyang for orphaned children, Hal-mae teaches the children marketplace skills and trades necessary for them to become successful in the future. During her time with the training center, Kim meets Jung Hong Soo, the son of high-ranking politician, Lord Jung Do-woong. Ill-fated circumstances causes Granny, Dong Ah, and Kim (who is now 12 years old) to run for their lives, forcing them to leave Hanyang and head to Jeju Island. In the process, they find the need to separate but agree to meet in Jeju. Kim is the first to arrive on Jeju Island. Dong Ah finds her, but the two are soon in trouble and they find themselves jailed after an altercation with young Kang Yoo-ji, the later Foreman of West Gate Market Brokers. To keep Dong Ah from undergoing torture, Kim is tricked into agreeing to become the foster daughter of the head gisaeng on Jeju Island. Rather than leave Kim, Dong Ah agrees to become her servant and protector.

Seven years later, Hal-mae finally arrives on Jeju Island and is reunited with Kim and Dong Ah. While Hal-mae tries to get Kim removed from the gisaeng registry, she finds that Kim's gisaeng foster mother and the Assistant Magistrate killed Yi Eun Hong, Kim's mother. To avoid public exposure of their misdeeds, they plot to frame Hal-mae and Kim as if the two were trying to escape the island. Hal-mae learns of the plot and in the process of finding Kim, the two are "caught". Hal-mae is confined in jail, while Kim is sent to the transitory wards (or quarantine camp) for epidemics as punishment. After being rescued from the camp, Kim begins to take care of those in the camp who are suffering from illness. During this time, Kim's father visits the island and discovers the birth of his daughter. Although he cannot publicly acknowledge her as his daughter, he gives her written documentation of her birth registry and bestows upon her the name, Kim Man-deok.

Later, Kim reestablishes East Gate Market Brokers,going into the business of importing and exporting goods between Jeju Island and the Korean mainland, and begins the process of restoring business ethics in Jeju. Kim's former childhood friend, Oh Moon-seon feels a sense of inferiority and underhandedly competes with her as head of West Gate Market Brokers. Man-deok's high standards and business ethics cause her business to thrive, while Madame Oh's jealousy and resentment of Kim, as well as her greed for wealth and power, eventually lead to her demise.

Transcending her lowly status as a gisaeng, as well as the restraints of her birthplace (Jeju Island was considered to be a remote place of exile during that time period), Kim Man-deok becomes the most successful female merchant of the Joseon Dynasty and one of the richest people on Jeju Island. A severe famine strikes Jeju Island in 1795, obliterating one-third of its population. Man-deok sells all her assets to help feed the starving people of her island, saving countless lives. In 1796, Kim travels to Hanyang (modern day, Seoul) to meet King Jeongjo, who bestows upon her the honorary title and position, Female Physician of the Palace Dispensary, as reward for her benevolous deeds.

Cast

Daughter of Lord Kim Eung-ryul and Yi Eun-hong, a commoner from Jeju Island.
Son of Lord Jung Do-woong; Assistant Section Chief of Board of Punishments; formerly Captain of Commerce Control Bureau.
Stepmother of Kang Yoo-ji; owner of West Gate Market Brokers.
Stepson of Oh Moon-seon; Foreman, West Gate Market Brokers.
Formerly Palace Matron Kim.
  • Kim Cheol-ki as Dong-ah
  • Lee Mi-ji as Deok-pal's mother
  • Lee Byung-wook as Kim Pan-sool
Junior Foreman of East Gate.
  • Kim Kap-soo as Kang Kye-man
  • Kim Myung-kook as Choi Nam-gu
Assistant Magistrate
Gisaeng.
  • Jo Yang-ja as Chok-sae's mother
Cook at gisaeng house.
  • Park Soon-chun as Yeong Cheon-daek
  • Choi Jae-sung as Lord Kim Eung-ryul
Father of Kim Man-deok; Inspector, Commerce Control Bureau.
Father of Jung Hong-soo; Minister, Board of Punishments.
  • Choo So-young as Eun-hong
  • Lee Deok-hee as Jung Hong-soo's mother
  • Song Yong-tae as Go Seok-joo
Senior Foreman, East Gate Market Brokers.
  • Jun Ye-seo as Baek Jo-rye
  • Jo Jae-wan as Deok-pal
  • Oh Yeon-seo as Lee Eun
  • Jung Soo-young as Kim Seo-joo
  • Jo Byung-gi as Lee Bang
  • Jung Jong-joon as Mu Maeng-dal
Loan shark.
  • Jung Joo-hee as Holjjugi
  • Kang Min-suk as Chil-bok
  • Maeng Ho-rim as Minister Chae
  • Yoo Yeon-mi as Kkot-nim
  • Kim Sung-hoon as Wal-pae
  • Im Hyuk
  • Lee Jooyeon
  •  ? as Chief Clerk Kang
  •  ? as Captain Hwang
  •  ? as merchant seeking deer antlers at East Gate
  •  ? as Skipper Jang
  •  ? as cook
  •  ? as black cow rancher

Episode summaries

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Summary from episode 15 to 18

Episode 15

Madam Oh Moon-seon tells the abalone divers to leave West Gate Market Brokers and removes Kang Yoo-ji as Foreman. She will give Lord Jung Do-woong 50% of the silk store's income because they botched up the abalone contract.

Kim Man-deok returns the jade ring, a symbol of friendship, to Moon-seon, saying thought Moon-seon would change from the time she manipulated Hwasoon, Daebang Kang's wife, to get him kicked out.

Jeju island receives news that the tribute ship bound for Hanyang capsized, the goods were buried at sea, and the ship was being repaired at Gangjin, but the whole island will be in trouble if they don't send the goods in time for the royal wedding and the new Queen's coronation. The Magistrate gathers the goods again.

Although West Gate is the only market broker with a ship, Man-deok proposes that East Gate Market Brokers enter the open bidding to win the tribute goods transport contract and lease a private merchant ship with full disclosure of operating expenses and precise profit sharing.

Yoo-ji plans for the ship he owns to get the contract, so he puts pressure on merchants to not deal with East Gate, which pleases Moon-seon. Having no luck renting a ship, Man-deok hears of a gambling addict, a Captain Hwang, who has lost all ships but one. She rents his ship for 50 nyangs and has him sign a letter of intent; she agrees to give him 200 nyangs for deposit the next day. Hwang's ship is in Haenam and he needs money to bring it to Jeju.

Moon-seon decides to appeal to Lord Jung for help in regaining commercial dominance. The gamblers beat Hwang. Moon-seon gives them the Man-deok's jade ring to show Man-deok when she comes looking for Hwang.

Jung Hong-soo joins the Board of Punishments as Assistant Section Chief.

The doctor advises Madam Oh that wearing a girdle is making the fetus weak and suggests she stop wearing it, but she is non-committal.

Episode 16

Madam Oh Moon-seon tells Kim Man-deok that she bought Captain Hwang's ship. Man-deok threatens to turn Hwang over to the authorities for violating contract. Moon-seon tells Kang Yoo-ji of East Gate Market Brokers' plan to bring back Hwang's ship.

To obtain a ship for sailing to Haenam, Dong-ah promises a merchant that he'll double his offer and use the merchant's ships to transport tribute goods. At the dock Yoo-ji attacks East Gate's staff and Man-deok discovers that Yoo-ji shoots and arrow into Dong-ah's arm.

Yoo-ji threatens to take the company from Moon-seon not to play him again, as she knew Man-deok would be at the docks when she sent him. He is determined to get Man-deok back and bring down East Gate.

Senior Foreman Go Seok-joo and Granny reprimand Man-deok for sending Dong-ah and Deok-pal to find a ship before consulting the Senior Foreman. He plans to return Hwang's ship lease contract because the bid for the tribute goods transport contract was too difficult for East Gate, on top of the new medical bills.

Man-deok is convinced that East Gate needs the tribute goods transport contract to build strength and security. She vows to go to Haenam even if no one else will do so, regardless of Granny's warning that she was once framed for trying to leave the island. When Dong-ah hears her commitment and persuades Senior Foreman Go to let the staff go to Haenam.

Junior Foreman Kim Pan-sool reports the plans to Moon-seon, who orders him to make the trip and prevent East Gate from getting the ship. When he discovers that Man-deok has dressed as a sailor, he insists that she travel with the crew composed of Dong-ah, Mangwan, Yoo Bong, Deok-pal, Pan-sool and herself. Moon-seon finds out that Man-deok is on board. Senior Foreman Go and Granny realize that Man-deok violated her departure prohibition order and make up a ruse that Man-deok is away from the East Gate compound on an errand to collect medicinal herbs.

Chok-sae promises her famous millet wine for buttering up a certain Skipper Jang in Haenam. When the staff of East Gate arrive, the crew refuse to give up the ship because they were not paid by Hwang. Man-deok negotiates the crew's pay out of Hwang's rental fee that would be provided every time Hwang's ship was chosen as the tribute transport vessel if they get the transport contract. Chok-sae's millet wine persuades Jang.

Pan-sool sabotages a ship line, but Dong-ah sees him on board. While sailing back to Jeju, Jang realizes that Man-deok is a woman pretending to be a sailor. He is angry about the bad luck of having a woman on board. The sabotaged rope gives way and wooden rigging hits Jang on the head. Later Dong-ah catches Pan-sool in saying that the rope snapped, but Pan-sool could not have seen what caused the rigging to fall.

Jang is blinded by the accident, but he still captains the ship to Jeju by letting Man-deok and the East Gate staff be his eyes. Man-deok apologizes for dressing as a sailor and is willing to leave the ship by canoe if her presence still aggravates him.

Knowing that Man-deok is on board, Moon-seon tricks Yoo-ji into asking Assistant Magistrate Choi Nam-gu to inspect the ship immediately upon arrival in order to reveal Man-deok's attempted escape. As the ship nears Jeju, Dong-ah sees government officials waiting at the dock.

Episode 17

Kang Yoo-ji discovers that Assistant Magistrate Choi Nam-gu is not merely inspecting the ship, but searching for Kim Man-deok on board; however, he does not discover her.

Dong-ah tells Granny that Man-deok was left at Woodo. He informs her of his suspicions that Junior Foreman Kim Pan-sool cut the rigging line, but Granny does not want him to suspect someone without proof.

Moon-seon invites Granny to work for West Gate, but Granny refuses. Moon-seon warns that anyone who refuses her will pay dearly for it.

Madam Oh Moon-seon rebukes Pan-sool for his failure, but he begs for another chance. His next mission is to make Senior Foreman Go Seok-joo turn against Granny and stop listening to her, as she outshines him as the person who makes East Gate Shipping Company successful. Pan-sool tells Senior Foreman Go that people say Granny is more capable than him and reminds him of the way Kang Kye-man was mocked for being in Granny's shadows in Hanyang.

When Granny informs Senior Foreman Go that she made a sale of deer antlers, he says that the product was spoken for by another merchant. She admits her mistake, but he instructs her to confer with him before making decisions in the future. When Pan-sool mentions Moon-seon's talk of Granny as the real authority of East Gate, Granny advices to not listen to the cunning, manipulative girl.

Pan-sool convinces Senior Foreman Go that East Gate must win the tribute goods transport contract without Granny's help. They want to lower the crew's wages to enter a more competitive bid and still make a profit. The sailors are angry that the company is reneging on the money promised by Man-deok to repay their six months' wages owed by Captain Hwang. When Granny brings food for the crew, a sailor recognizes her from Samgae Docks in Hanyang. Senior Foreman Go admonishes her for not asking permission before preparing food.

The crew threatens Man-deok that they will report her to the authorities for fraud if she breaks their agreement since the Foremen would forfeit the bid if they refuse to lower their wages. When Man-deok asks Senior Foreman Go to honor her promises made to the crew, she asks for authority to make adjustments that would leave no one short changed, but Senior Foreman Go won't make concessions.

East Gate will bid at 98,000 nyangs. The cost of renting the ship is 37,000 nyangs, equal to the labor cost. The only way to submit a competitive bid is to pay the crew nothing. Granny advises Man-deok to let the Foremen handle the bid.

At the last minute Man-deok suggests an idea to Senior Foreman Go, saying both sides must make concession. He gives her authority to negotiate and requires her to get everyone's signature in order to bid on the contract. Man-deok asks the ship's crew to become partners with East Gate for the transport contract, which would require three years of their labor, but equal sharing in earnings.

The Magistrate the contract submitted by West Gate Market Brokers and Man-deok's new contract submitted by East Gate. He finds both companies equally qualified and awards the contract with the lowest bid. West Gate bids at 67,000 nyangs, even though it is a 100,000 nyang job, which means they'll get no profits. East Gate bids at 60,000 nyangs and wins the contract. When East Gate is accused by West Gate of fraud, Man-deok reveals that the oarsmen won't be paid a wage because they are business partners, not hired hands.

Lord Jung Do-woong is humiliated by East Gate winning the contract and finds Moon-seon is of no use to him. Anticipating his rejection, she finds loan shark Mu Maeng-dal who made a loan to Hwang with the new tribute ship as collateral. Under her instruction, Mu goes to East Gate to collect on the money owed by Hwang and offers East Gate to buy the 300,000-nyang ship for 150,000 nyangs to cover the 100,000- nyang loan and 50,000 nyangs interest; he offers to loan money to East Gate. Man-deok realizes that the interest on Hwang's loan is exorbitant. Unbeknownst to East Gate, Moon-seon promises to pay Mu the remaining 150,000 nyangs for the ship. Senior Foreman Go agrees to buy the ship, and Granny has Dong-ah follow Mu.

Moon-seon visits Lord Jung to discuss former palace matron Madam Kim who discovered that Lord Jung had tampered with the King's food. Lord Jung thought Kang Kye-man had gotten her killed twenty years ago, but Moon-seon knows that Madam Kim now works for East Gate.

Myo Hyang tells Moon-seon that anyone selling Jeju black cows on the black market will get in big trouble because the black cows are sacred for consumption only by the royal family and the hides are only for use at royal funerals.

Episode 18

Madam Oh Moon-seon tells Lord Jung Do-woong that she will plant black cow hid on East Gate Market Brokers' transport vessel. She wants Lord Jung to make sure that Man-deok's father, Kim Eung-ryul, inspects the vessel and finds the contraband.

Moon-seon tells Kang Yoo-ji to sneak the black cow hide onto East Gate's ship, implicating East Gate Market Brokers but not hurting his "precious Man-deok." Junior Foreman Kim Pan-sool helps Yoo-ji by convincing East Gate's watchmen to take a nap while he watches the ship. A watchman who was away to relieve his bladder sees Pan-sool and Yoo-ji.

Jung Hong-soo sees Moon-seon leaving his father's office and tells him it does not look good for him to repeatedly visit with merchants.

At Hanyang Harbor Inspector Kim discovers the black cow hide hidden under boxes of tangerines. Lord Jung orders an investigation on suspected illegal trade and tampering with the King's food. Hong-soo questions why the tribute transport vessel would be used for illegal trade and suspects a conspiracy against the company running the vessel, since the tribute goods transport service is lucrative and the ship was not guarded by state guards. He recommends investigating only the limited people who had resources to acquire the contraband. Inspector Kim vows that the Bureau of Commerce Control will interrogate the smugglers and the attempt against the royal family. Hong-soo suspects his father is involved in assigning Inspector Kim to the investigation.

Assistant Magistrate Choi Nam-gu arrests both foremen of East Gate and tortures Senior Foreman Go Seok-joo. A black cow rancher is interrogated and admits to releasing black cow goods without permission from the Magistrate's office because a man claiming to be the senior foreman of East Gate said it was urgent and promised to bring the release order later.

Man-deok appeals to the Magistrate to stop the torture and investigate because Senior Foreman Go would never get involved in illegal trading and only a few have access to black cows, a rare commodity.

Senior Foreman Go apologizes to Granny for his lack of prudence and asks her to take care of East Gate.

Man-deok talks with the rancher. He couldn't see the man in the dark who requested the black cow products, and he won't provide her a description of him.

Junior Foreman Kim Pan-sool is released by the Magistrate and brings East Gate news that Senior Foreman Go will be exiled.

Granny and Man-deok decide to investigate Pan-sool's whereabouts the night the before the ship departed.

On Moon-seon's orders, Mu Maeng-dal goes to East Gate to collect repayment of his loan. He shows the loan agreement that left open the date for repayment and orders the staff to leave the property since Senior Chairman Go is in custody and unable to make his payment.

News spreads of Senior Foreman Go's death. Granny demands that Mu allow them to have proper mourning observance by bringing his body back to East Gate. Moon-seon pays her respects and invites Granny and Man-deok to work for her. Man-deok rebuffs Moon-seon's friendship. Moon-seon overhears how fond the island's people are of Man-deok.

During the funeral procession, Pan-sool sneaks into Man-deok's quarters and steals the paper that proves she is Inspector Kim's daughter. The inspector sees Pan-sool.

Moon-seon spreads a rumor that Inspector Kim rushed to Jeju when he found out East Gate was in trouble. She wants the islanders to think that East Gate used powerful connections to get contracts. She assigns the gisaeng Yoha to tell Assistant Magistrate Choi, who tries to intimidate the inspector.

Mu takes East Gate's merchandise to the market for liquidation and orders them to leave the compound. He refuses to extend the loan to Man-deok. Granny gives Pan-sool the task of finding new jobs for the staff.

When the staff member admits that he saw Pan-sool letting men on the ship with goods, he follows Moon-seon's orders and fingers Yoo-ji. Confronted by Man-deok, Yoo-ji confirms his role. He suggests that she has lost her home, so she should let him take care of her, but she rebuffs him. Kang vows that wherever she goes will end up like East Gate.

International broadcast

  • In Sri Lanka, it aired under the title, Diriya Diyani in October 2013 on Rupavahini replacing Dong Yi.

Notes

References

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External links

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