Watch Dong Yi

TV-Y
2010
1 Season
8.1 (2,218)

Dong Yi is a historical Korean drama series that aired on MBC America in 2010. It tells the story of a young woman named Dong Yi, played by Han Hyo-joo, who rises from being a lowly servant to becoming a concubine of King Sukjong, played by Jeong Jin-yeong. Despite not being from a noble family or of high status, Dong Yi proves her worth through her intelligence, kindness, and perseverance.

The show begins with Dong Yi's childhood, where she and her father were forced to live as fugitives after being framed for a crime they did not commit. They eventually settle in Hanyang, the capital city, where Dong Yi starts working as a maid in the Bureau of Music, a government agency responsible for designing and performing music for the royal court.

Dong Yi's life changes when she saves the life of Queen Inhyeon, played by Park Ha-sun, who was unfairly accused of poisoning the king. In gratitude, Queen Inhyeon takes Dong Yi under her wing and helps her climb the social hierarchy. Dong Yi's talents soon catch the attention of King Sukjong himself, who appoints her as a court lady and later as a concubine.

As Dong Yi navigates the complex and treacherous political landscape of the palace, she also falls in love with Captain Jang, played by Bae Su-bin, a royal guard who has dedicated his life to protecting the king. However, their love is forbidden, as Dong Yi's status as a concubine means that she can never marry anyone else.

Throughout the show, Dong Yi faces many challenges and obstacles, including political rivals who want to bring her down, conspiracies to overthrow the king, and personal tragedies that threaten to break her spirit. However, she never gives up and remains loyal to the king and the people she loves.

The show also features many other memorable characters, including Queen Inhyeon, who becomes Dong Yi's mentor and friend; Seo Yong-gi, played by Choi Cheol-ho, a powerful minister who becomes Dong Yi's enemy; and Cha Chun-soo, played by Jin-hee Ji, Dong Yi's boss at the Bureau of Music who helps her hone her musical talents.

The production values of Dong Yi are impressive, with beautiful costumes and sets that bring the historical setting to life. The acting is also top-notch, especially by Han Hyo-joo, who gives a captivating and nuanced performance as Dong Yi. Jeong Jin-yeong is also excellent as King Sukjong, portraying the character's complexities and contradictions with skill and charisma.

Overall, Dong Yi is a compelling and engaging drama that combines romance, politics, and history into a captivating story. It explores themes of class, gender, and power in a nuanced and thought-provoking way, while also providing plenty of drama and suspense to keep viewers hooked from beginning to end. Whether you are a fan of historical dramas or just looking for a well-crafted story with great characters, Dong Yi is definitely worth watching.

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Seasons

60. Dong Yi 60

December 28, 2010

The Crown Prince Yun thanks Bo Gyeong Dang for helping him regain the throne, and Sukjong & Choi Dong Yi walk the streets of Doseong. There, the couple reflects their time spent together and talks about their concerns of the public’s safety. Later, Dong Yi realizes that she is just a commoner after seeing Suk Bin Mama released from prison and reunited with her daughter.

59. Dong Yi 59

December 28, 2010

Jang Mu Yeol & Officer Min show up to arrest Suk Bin Mama, but the officer’s soldiers stand down. The event sends Oh Ho Yan into a raging tantrum. Meanwhile, Dong Yi learns that Cheon Na wants to give up his right to the throne, and the king’s lover finally admits her true feelings to Sukjong.

58. Dong Yi 58

December 28, 2010

Jang Mu Yeol takes military control of the palace, and Cha Cheon Soo reluctantly complies with the commander’s orders to vacate the temple. Hwang Jung Gu then informs his subjects of the change in the monarchy, ordered by the Minister of Military. Meanwhile, Queen Inwon has a conspiring talk with Jang Mu Yeol, and Choi Dong Yi contemplates suicide.

57. Dong Yi 57

December 1, 2010

Sukjong and Choi Dong Yi discuss Prince Yeoning’s right to the throne, just before Chief Eunuch Han enters the room to have a discussion on a possible military seizure of the palace. Meanwhile, Prince Yeoning and Princess Consort Dalseong visit Queen Inwon, a visit that irritates Bong Sang Gung after the royalty steps out of protocol.

56. Dong Yi 56

December 1, 2010

Dong Yi and Queen Inwon struggle with Prince Yeoning’s pending wedding celebration. While Yi, Inwon and Head Eunuch Han argue about the need for the royal court to review the basis of this unexpected marriage, other parties vie for authority over the throne. Dramatic power struggles come to a vengeful climax in this highly theatric installment.

55. Dong Yi 55

December 1, 2010

Ok-jung dies after taking poison. The nobility do not want commoner Dong Yi as queen. In-won becomes queen instead. The new queen is manipulated into trying to arrange marriage for Dong Yi's son. By law, once he is married, he must leave the palace and Dong Yi's protection.

54. Dong Yi 54

December 1, 2010

Cheon-soo saves Dong Yi after she is stabbed. Guards take Jang Hee-jae away. Ok-jung confesses after a brutal interrogation. King Sook-jong demands Ok-jung kill herself. She is presented with poison to take.

53. Dong Yi 53

December 1, 2010

Prince Yun suffers impotence and wants Prince Yeoning to become king. The royals and staff want to keep the illness of the crown prince a secret.

52. Dong Yi 52

December 1, 2010

Prince Yun and Prince Yeoning are missing. The Captain of the Palace faces death if he does not find the princes. The staff wonders if the princes left of their own volition.

51. Dong Yi 51

December 1, 2010

The staff debates whether Prince Yun or Prince Yeoning will be king. Missing books show up with Prince Yeoning’s texts. The staff believe an intruder entered the palace.

50. Dong Yi 50

December 1, 2010

Queen Inhyeon faces death and asks Sukjong to protect the royalty and staff. After her death, the palace goes into mourning and prepares the funeral. Choi Dong suspects Mudang performed a Bang Ja on the Queen.

49. Dong Yi 49

December 1, 2010

Queen Inhyeon suffers a coma from heart problems. Kim Gu Seon pushes Prince Yeoning to eat potentially toxic acorns. Prince Yeoning looks for an herb to help the Queen.

48. Dong Yi 48

December 1, 2010

Queen Inhyeon tells a surprised Choi Dong Yi how Prince Yeoning should take the throne instead of Choi Dong Yi’s son. Jang Hee Jae searches for Prince Yun’s doctor.

47. Dong Yi 47

December 1, 2010

The Namin Faction asks Sukjong to reconsider the decision to let Choi Dong Yi back into the palace. Queen Inhyeon is glad about the decision but Jang Hee Bin is unhappy.

46. Dong Yi 46

November 9, 2010

Yi Geum’s teacher recommends Yun Han Kim Gu Seon as a tutor. Choi Dong Yi asks the teacher to keep Yi Geum’s great intelligence a secret.

45. Dong Yi 45

November 9, 2010

Dong Yi finds a great opportunity to teach everyone around her, about the philosophy of the ancient wise men and how they can help all people prepare for the future. All characters reflect the seasons of the harvest and the Great Learning texts are reintroduced.

44. Dong Yi 44

November 9, 2010

The King follows Dong Yi to Han Sung Bu. Cheon-soo is banished from the court. Dong Yi becomes pregnant and gives birth to a boy. The King names the prince Geum.

43. Dong Yi 43

November 9, 2010

Dong Yi confesses to King Sook-jong that she is the daughter of Choi Hyo-won. The King orders Mu Yeol to drop the investigation of Dong Yi. But he interrogates her court ladies anyway. Dong Yi travels to Han Sung Bu.

42. Dong Yi 42

November 9, 2010

Oh Tae Seok looks forward to regaining power while Shim Yun Taek still blames him for the assassinations. Choi Dong Yi remembers a hand gesture which leads to an assassination connection to Jang Hee Bin.

41. Dong Yi 41

November 9, 2010

Flashbacks occur during episode 41 when Jang Ik Heon and others are assassinated. Oh Tae Seok blames the incident on the Geumgae Group. Gae Do Ra is the new Geumgae leader.

40. Dong Yi 40

November 9, 2010

Choi Dong Yi follows Queen Inhyeon’s orders and leaves the palace, under mysterious circumstances. Choi Dong Yi is about to be attacked in her new home.

39. Dong Yi 39

November 9, 2010

Choi Dong Yi becomes a member of the Royal Household. Sukjong reviews government documents and watches military training. Jang Mu Yeol accuses Oh Tae Seok of murder.

38. Dong Yi 38

November 9, 2010

Ok-jung loses her position as queen and is once again only a royal concubine. The King feels guilty for allowing Ok-jung's antics and for doubting Queen In-hyun. Queen In-hyun returns to the palace and her former position. She is Dong Yi's firm ally against Ok-jung.

37. Dong Yi 37

November 9, 2010

King Sook-jong learns of the forged documents. He arrests Oh-yoon, Jang Hee-jae and all of the Namin. The King decides changes are in order to prevent the power plays that have disrupted the court from happening again.

36. Dong Yi 36

November 9, 2010

Having forged the crown prince documents, Jang Hee-jae is pressured by the Qing delegation. Dong Yi is invited to a banquet for the delegation. No one is allowed to leave the banquet hall on orders of Ok-jung. Guards from the Ministry of Justice and the King's personal guards are sent to the hall.

35. Dong Yi 35

November 9, 2010

Seo Yong-ki learns Dong Yi's real identity. Dong Yi begs to be allowed to explain her origins to the king. Ok-jung discovers Seo Yong-ki looking for information about secret swordsmen societies in the archives.

34. Dong Yi 34

November 9, 2010

Tensions are high after Jang Hee Jae gives Quing China the phony military log. Jang Hee and Queen Jang are relieved when the Quing Chinese Emissary issues the Imperial Endorsement for the Crown Prince Investiture.

33. Dong Yi 33

November 9, 2010

Shortly after Dong Yi visits Queen Jang to ask her for more time to unearth the cause of the mysterious illness, Ae Jung becomes infected. Pressed for time, Don Yi’s feverish quest for the source of the illness leads her to the Court ladies of Suragan.

32. Dong Yi 32

November 9, 2010

Oh Tae-seok searches for Dong Yi as he tries to sabotage her. An apprehensive Ok-jung and Jang Hee-jae wait for Qing to recognize her son as the crown prince. See Yong-ki and Cheon-soo work to uncover evidence of Ok-jung's guilt. The young prince falls sick and rumors blame Dong Yi.

31. Dong Yi 31

November 9, 2010

King Sook-jung gives Dong Yi the rank of Seung. Overwhelmed by her new status, Dong Yi flees the palace. Ok-jung tries to bargain with the King for her brother's release.

30. Dong Yi 30

November 9, 2010

The King admits his feeling for Dong Yi. Jang Hee-jae is arrested and tortured. Oh Tae-seok fears what will happen when the King discovers the Queen's innocence. The King gives Ok-jung the opportunity to come clean but she refuses. Ok-jung devises her next plot.

29. Dong Yi 29

November 9, 2010

Dong Yi and the King are reunited. Ok-jung becomes suspicious when the King's attitude towards her changes. Dong Yi testifies about the government corruption. Ok-jung's servants are investigated by the King's personal guards.

28. Dong Yi 28

November 9, 2010

Two court ladies are arrested for the attempted murder of Ok-jung. Evidence of a plot is found at the banished queen's residence. Dong Yi makes her way into the palace. Seo Yong-ki and Cheon-soo search for her.

27. Dong Yi 27

November 9, 2010

Dong Yi's progress to the capital is hindered by wanted posters of herself. Seo Yong-ki is given royal authority to investigate anything related to Dong Yi. After giving secret orders, Ok-jung becomes extremely sick after sipping tea during a public ceremony.

26. Dong Yi 26

August 17, 2010

After learning about Jang Hee-jae's Province dealings, Dong Yi is captured. Spurned on by the novel, the public is outraged on the banished queen's behalf. Ok-jung and Namin are forced to plot against the Queen again.

25. Dong Yi 25

August 17, 2010

Dong Yi, in Pyeongan Province, tells her story to Shim Woon-taek. They work together to find out what Jang Hee-jae has been up to. Oh-yoon is heartbroken to learn the King has feelings for Dong Yi and is looking for her.

24. Dong Yi 24

August 17, 2010

Ok-jung moves into the Queen's quarters. However, her son has not been recognized as the heir by the Qing Empire. A supposedly fictional novel of the framing of the Queen makes many nervous. While searching for Dong Yi, Cheon-soo and Seo Yong-ki hear about messages written on rocks.

23. Dong Yi 23

August 17, 2010

Dong Yi, armed with evidence of the Queen's innocence, tries to escape assassins. Hit by a dart, she collapses. The King decides to hunt deer for fur to make Dong Yi slippers. Instead, he is told Dong Yi has run away after setting fire to the Interior Ministry building.

22. Dong Yi 22

August 17, 2010

Dong Yi finally has the support of the other court ladies. She begins an investigation into the interior ministry. Jang Hee-jae used some of its funds to pay for the false testimony against the queen. The King orders the investigation stopped. Ok-jung decides to kill Dong Yi.

21. Dong Yi 21

August 17, 2010

After asking Dong Yi to care for the King, Queen In-hyun is banished. Jang Hee-jae is thrilled his sister, the royal concubine, can rule as queen now. Dong Yi puts Ok-jung on notice while Ok-jung plots against her.

20. Dong Yi 20

August 17, 2010

Jang Hee-jae and Oh Tae-seok move quickly to have the Queen stripped of her rank and banished. Dong Yi would be vulnerable if that happened. The King is very troubled by the evidence against the Queen. Dong Yi offers Jang Hee-jae a deal after she nearly uncovers evidence of the Queen's innocence.

19. Dong Yi 19

August 17, 2010

A doctor claims the poisoner is Queen In-hyun, shocking the King. Queen In-hyun confronts Ok-jung over her lies. Dong Yi tries and fails to find evidence proving the Queen's innocence.

18. Dong Yi 18

August 17, 2010

Ok-jung's attendant is suspected by Dong Yi of the poisoning. Young-sun is shocked to learn she is a suspect. Ok-jung discovers her brother has tampered with the medicinal herbs. She enlists Dong Yi's help in covering it up but is refused.

17. Dong Yi 17

August 17, 2010

Ok-jung announces her pregnancy after she receives the royal concubine rank. She later gives birth to a boy. Her brother, Jang Hee-jae, receives a promotion to royal police chief. The Queen Mother interferes with plans to make Ok-jung's son a crown prince. The court ladies are called in to investigate the suspected poisoning of the Queen Mother.

16. Dong Yi 16

August 17, 2010

Ok-jung suspects the King has feelings for Dong Yi after he nearly provokes a war with the Qing Empire over her. Dong Yi surprises the head of the Qing delegation.

15. Dong Yi 15

August 17, 2010

Dong Yi is horrified to learn the true identity of King Sook-jong. Kim yoon-dal commits suicide after leaving a note claiming he was framed. The Qing delegation accuses Dong Yi. The King is shocked speechless when the Qing declare they will take her with them.

14. Dong Yi 14

August 17, 2010

Cheon-soo and Dong Yi are reunited. Kim Yoon-dal is investigated for illegal currency control. The investigation is dropped after Kim Yoon-dal spots the court ladies. Dong Yi continues anyway and sneaks into the Jangak Pavilion while everyone is meeting with the Qing Empire's royal delegation.

13. Dong Yi 13

August 17, 2010

Dong Yi is nearly fired after missing the Bureau's annual ceremony. The Queen Mother and the Seoin party are unhappy that Ok-jung is chosen to be the King's royal concubine. Dong Yi discovers Cheon-soo is a member of her father's secret society.

12. Dong Yi 12

August 17, 2010

Dong Yi finds her job as a court lady at the Special Investigations Bureau difficult. The other women look down on her because of her low born status. They plot to get rid of her. Seo Yong-ki and Jang Hee-jae have high positions at the royal police station.

11. Dong Yi 11

August 17, 2010

Dong Yi is saved by the king. Ok-jung, grateful to Dong Yi for proving her innocence, asks the King to give her a special job. Jang Hee-jae arrives in the capital.

10. Dong Yi 10

August 17, 2010

Ok-jung is interrogated by a special investigator for the murder of the queen. King Sook-jong tasks Seo Yong-ki with finding the real killer. Oh Tae-seok tries to frame Dong Yi for it.

9. Dong Yi 9

August 17, 2010

Dong Yi is questioned by the police about the disappearance of a doctor. The King notices the Queen's freckles have changed color. The Seoin and the Queen Mother try to throw suspicion on Ok-jung after learning she brought medicinal herbs into the palace.

8. Dong Yi 8

August 17, 2010

Namin party members replace the Seoins in ministry positions. Police Chief Seo Yong-ki suspects Dong Yi of being the daughter of Choi Hyo-wan. The Namin fears being blamed after someone poisons the King's tea.

7. Dong Yi 7

August 17, 2010

Dong Yi and King Sook-jong are threatened by masked men. The Queen Mother is involved in a conspiracy with the Seoin political faction. Dong Yi discovers the reason for the different sounding musical instrument. Ok-jung blackmails the Queen Mother.

6. Dong Yi 6

August 17, 2010

Dong Yi wakes up in a shed next to a murdered man. The police can find no body when they investigate. Lady Jang is blamed for the unpopular sound change of a musical instrument. Dong Yi meets a man who is actually the king in disguise.

5. Dong Yi 5

August 17, 2010

Now an adult, Dong Yi is obsessed with Jang Ok-jung's ornamental key. She is convinced the butterfly shaped key could clear the names of her father and brother. She is kidnapped just as she is about to take the key.

4. Dong Yi 4

August 17, 2010

Chen-see puts Dong Yi in Seol-hee's care. A body is identified as Dong Yi's. The police chief knows otherwise but says nothing. Seol-hee passes Dong Yi to the head of the royal music school, Hwang Joo-shik.

3. Dong Yi 3

August 17, 2010

Choi Hyo-won and his men are arrested and escorted to prison. On the way, the men are attacked and killed. Cheon-soo was tasked with protecting Dong Yi. She flees from the police officers.

2. Dong Yi 2

August 17, 2010

The Society is accused of murdering more political leaders. Choi Hyo-won discovers Oh Tae-seok is behind the crimes. He takes Dong Yi to a safe house but she runs away. Choi Hyo-won is framed for the murder of the police chief's father.

1. Dong Yi 1

August 17, 2010

Oh Tae-seok, the Namin political leader, frames the murder of Minister Jang Ik-hun on a secret swordsmen society. The society is led by Choi Hyo-won, a commoner. His daughter, Dong Yi works with other poor childen unloading boats. She was one of the last people to see the Minister alive.

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