Kim Man-deok/Yi Hong
Lee Mi-yeon
Kim Man-deok/Yi Hong

This drama is based on a real life figure Kim Man-deuk who was living in Jeju Island. She goes through a lot of changes in her life; at first she becomes a Gisaeng but turned herself into a merchant, and then becomes one of the biggest philanthropists in Joseon Dynasty. Man-deuk gets adopted by Granny at a young age. With great efforts, she becomes a Gisaeng who has outstanding talents in various areas. However, she gives up everything and runs away with her lover Jeong Hong-soo. She gets caught and sends to the transitory wards for epidemics for one year. When she came out from the wards, she starts to take care of the Gisaengs who are suffering from illness. Man-deuk goes into a business and restores the business ethics in Jeju. Meanwhile, Moon-sun, who used to be a friend of Man-deuk, feels a sense of inferiority and competes with Man-deuk’s business.
Kim Man-deok/Yi Hong
Lee Mi-yeon
Kim Man-deok/Yi Hong
Yi Hong (young)
Shim Eun-kyung
Yi Hong (young)
Jung Hong-soo
Han Jae-suk
Jung Hong-soo
Hong-soo (young)
Do Ji-han
Hong-soo (young)
Oh Moon-seon
Park Sol-mi
Oh Moon-seon
Lee Eun
Oh Yeon-seo
Lee Eun
Lee Bang
Jo Byung-Gi
Lee Bang
Steward Oh
Kim Kyu-chul
Steward Oh
Granny
Goh Doo-shim
Granny
Kang Kye-man
Kim Kap-soo
Kang Kye-man
Kang Yoo-ji
Ha Seok-jin
Kang Yoo-ji
Kkot-nim
Yoo Yeon-mi
Kkot-nim
There was an attempt to create something but we got this. There was absolutely no need to have the first 5 episodes about her childhood then followed by another 6 episodes adulthood update. Her journey to become a merchant doesn't start until episode 12, almost halfway through!! Once again, the advertised theme doesn't get the intended focus it deserves, instead it gets bloated by redundant elements that take away rather than adding to the drama, case in point the love triangle. Why not delve deeper into the world of traders/merchants and explore all the intricacies surrounding it, it would make a much more stimulating experience. Anyway, the male cast performance wasn't good.
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