Watch Hwang Jin Yi Online - Full Episodes

Hwang Jin Yi is a historical drama series that chronicles the actual life of a famous Korean entertainer. It features many veteran Korean actors and several notable up-and-coming actors, Kim Young-ae and Kim Bo-yeon among them. Composed by the television writing team of Yoon Sun-joo and Kim Chul-Kyu, the action takes place in 16th century Korea, during the reign of King Jungjong, during the Joseon Dynasty.

Born from a low social class, Hwang Jin Yi is the unclaimed child of a nobleman and an accomplished Gisaeng, the Korean equivalent of a Japanese geisha. She is considered very beautiful, intelligent, charming, and of an independent spirit. Like her mother, she falls in love with a man from a higher social class after moving into a Gisaeng home to learn her craft. Kim Eun-ho, Jin Yi's love interest, is at the mercy of his aristocratic parents, who reject his relationship with the lowborn Jin Yi. While trying to elope with Jin Yi, Eun-ho contracts pneumonia and dies.

Hwang Jin Yi is more than a mere Gisaeng. She is also a poet, musician, and dancer, and the Hwang Jin Yi series follows every aspect of her life from humble beginnings to riches. After the death of Eun-ho, Jin Yi is pursued by other men, including a member of the Imperial family, and an old childhood crush, Nom Yi, who was long ago banished from the household for an infraction, only to return years later to be a steward to Jin Yi's family. Devastated by Eun-ho's death, Jin Yi takes to drinking, and at one point attempts suicide, but is rescued by her bodyguard.

Hwang Jin Yi's tale is comprised of 24 episodes, each one shedding light on the considerable social challenges faced by female artists, entertainers, and women of all classes in 17th century Korea. Elsewhere in the series, Jin Yi engages Nom Yi as her procurer, one who intercedes on her behalf, safely drumming up business for her.

Jin Yi manages to survive by her wits, eventually becoming the greatest Gisaeng in all of Korean history.