Runaway serf Im Ji-yeon steps into The Tale of Lady Ok

2 October 26, 2024October 25, 2024

Runaway serf Im Ji-yeon steps into The Tale of Lady Ok

by solstices

The first peek into JTBC’s upcoming Joseon sageuk The Tale of Lady Ok is a heart-wrenching one, shining the spotlight on a woman who escapes from serfdom and takes on a false identity. Forging a new name, identity, and husband for herself, she dreams of living with her head held high.

Embodying the titular role is Im Ji-yeon (The Killing Vote) as Ok Tae-young, a Joseon attorney who knows the law like the back of her hand. Born with an intelligent mind and skillful dexterity, Tae-young can achieve anything she puts her mind to — now that she’s fled from her past shackles, that is. Through brief flashes of arduous memories, we see the suffering that Tae-young endured in her days as a serf, from being brutally battered to freezing in the frigid winter.

“My dream is to die of old age,” a weary Tae-young admits, fists clenched as a lone tear falls from her eye. “To die not from being beaten, or from starvation, but to age gracefully and pass away.” To that end, Tae-young musters her courage to escape her oppression. As a jade ring slides from what is presumably the real Lady Ok’s hand to Tae-young’s own finger, our browbeaten heroine is born anew.

A montage of Tae-young sweeps past, showcasing her in various garb — from bloodied rags to refined silks, plain white cotton to vibrant wedding attire, a commoner’s straw hat to a noble lady’s hairpin. Amidst her many faces, Tae-young stands steadfast and unwavering. “I am a runaway serf — the fake Ok Tae-young.”

The rest of our main cast aren’t featured in the teaser, but they play significant roles in Tae-young’s life. Falling for our heroine at first sight is Choo Young-woo (Oasis) as the masked storyteller Cheon Seung-hwi, who devotes himself to protecting Tae-young and her secret. By Tae-young’s side, we also have Yeonwoo (Bittersweet Hell) as her attorney apprentice Cha Mi-ryung, in addition to Kim Jae-won (Hierarchy) as her brother-in-law Sung Do-gyum.

Helmed by PD Jin Hyuk (Sisyphus: The Myth) and penned by Park Ji-sook (Uncle), The Tale of Lady Ok is slated to premiere on November 30.