The Great Merchant

Watch The Great Merchant

  • TV-PG
  • 2010
  • 1 Season
  • 8.6  (12,707)

The Great Merchant is a 2010 South Korean historical drama series directed by Kang Byung-taek and starring Lee Mi-yeon as the lead character. The show is set in the 15th century and tells the story of a female merchant named Kim Man Deok and her journey of becoming a successful and influential merchant in the male-dominated society of that time.

Kim Man Deok is a bright and intelligent woman who grows up selling goods at markets with her mother. She is determined to succeed in the business world and refuses to be held back by her gender. When her mother dies, Kim Man Deok decides to travel to Hanyang, the capital city of Joseon (present day Seoul), to pursue her dream of becoming a merchant.

In Hanyang, Kim Man Deok meets Baek Dae Gil, a young man who is also trying to make a name for himself in the world of business. Although they become business rivals, they also develop a close friendship as they navigate the challenges of the market.

As Kim Man Deok becomes more successful, she also becomes more involved in political affairs. She uses her wealth and influence to help people who are oppressed or unfairly treated, and she becomes a beacon of hope for ordinary citizens who feel ignored by the ruling class.

However, Kim Man Deok's success attracts the attention of the powerful and corrupt nobleman Choi Tae-joo, who sees her as a threat to his own business interests. Choi Tae-joo will stop at nothing to take down Kim Man Deok and protect his own power and wealth.

The Great Merchant is a fascinating and engrossing drama that offers a glimpse into the world of Korean merchants in the 15th century. The show is beautifully shot and the costumes and sets are stunning, bringing the historical setting to life in vivid detail.

At the heart of the show is Lee Mi-yeon's powerhouse performance as Kim Man Deok. She brings a depth and complexity to the character that makes her always compelling to watch, whether she is scheming in the marketplace or fighting for justice in the halls of power.

The supporting cast is also excellent, particularly Kim Myung-min as the morally ambiguous Baek Dae Gil and Han Jae-suk as the ruthless Choi Tae-joo. The relationships between these characters are complex and constantly evolving, adding layers of tension and intrigue to the plot.

While The Great Merchant is primarily a historical drama, it also explores themes of gender inequality, social justice, and the corrupting influence of power. These themes are woven seamlessly into the plot, giving the show a deeper resonance and making it more than just a simple historical romance.

In conclusion, The Great Merchant is a must-watch for fans of historical dramas, Korean culture, or anyone who enjoys a compelling story about a strong and capable female protagonist. With its top-notch production values and outstanding performances, this drama is sure to capture the hearts and minds of viewers around the world.

The Great Merchant
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Seasons
Episode 30
30. Episode 30
June 13, 2010
With the ongoing drought and a bad harvest, people start a riot and attack the West Gate Company.
Episode 29
29. Episode 29
June 12, 2010
Jung DoWoong rejects ManDoek's wish to attend the funeral. ManDoek is devastated.
Episode 28
28. Episode 28
June 6, 2010
After hearing the details of his father's corruption, HongSoo sends a report to his superiors in HanYang.
Episode 27
27. Episode 27
June 5, 2010
As the police close in on her smuggling, MoonSeon frames it all on MyoHyang and promises to get her out.
Episode 26
26. Episode 26
May 30, 2010
HongSoo saves MoonSeon from YooJi just in time and YooJi is injured by HongSoo.
Episode 25
25. Episode 25
May 29, 2010
When YooJi tells ManDoek that there is a big demand for Chinese accessories in HanYang, ManDoek buys out the pearls from the divers and sells them in HanYang.
Episode 24
24. Episode 24
May 23, 2010
HongSoo returns to JeJu as the new Governor and he tries to carry out a reform against the corrupt business practices of West Gate.
Episode 23
23. Episode 23
May 22, 2010
ManDoek plans to have the nomadic merchants sell JeJu products all over JoSeon.
Episode 22
22. Episode 22
May 16, 2010
DongAh is surprised to learn that the head of the nomadic merchants is YooJi.
Episode 21
21. Episode 21
May 15, 2010
Through her tavern, ManDoek pays off her debts and takes in information from the traveling merchants.
Episode 20
20. Episode 20
May 9, 2010
Jung DoWoong learns from MoonSeon that Granny is still alive in JeJu and comes down to see for himself.
Episode 19
19. Episode 19
May 8, 2010
Kang YooJi is furious when he learns that he still can't have ManDoek, even though East Gate is destroyed.
Episode 18
18. Episode 18
May 2, 2010
To frame the East Gate Company, Kang YooJi hides black cowhide on board their ship and it is found by Kim EungRyul in HanYang.
Episode 17
17. Episode 17
May 1, 2010
ManDoek escapes from getting arrested by Chief Choi by getting off at a nearby island. MoonSeon declares war on Granny when she refuses to join the West Gate Company.
Episode 16
16. Episode 16
April 25, 2010
ManDoek gets Captain Hwang to sign a contract and DongAh gets ready to go to HaeNam to get the ship.
Episode 15
15. Episode 15
April 24, 2010
The East Gate Company is giddy with happiness and MoonSeon fires YooJi from his position.
Episode 14
14. Episode 14
April 18, 2010
ManDoek is shocked to find Baek SolYi has disappeared with the cured abalones. The East Gate Company suspects ManDoek of stealing the abalones.
Episode 13
13. Episode 13
April 17, 2010
A rowdy crowd of traders flock into the East Gate Company to see ManDoek.
Episode 12
12. Episode 12
April 11, 2010
Kim EungRyul accepts Hong as his daughter and gives her the name Kim ManDoek.
Episode 11
11. Episode 11
April 10, 2010
Kim EungRyul is shocked after learning that Hong is his daughter.
Episode 10
10. Episode 10
April 4, 2010
Kang YooJi meets his step mother, MoonSeon, for the first time when he goes to HanYang for his father's funeral.
Episode 9
9. Episode 9
April 3, 2010
Hong is thrown into the quarantine house by Myo Hyang and falls sick.
Episode 8
8. Episode 8
March 28, 2010
Reunited with HongSoo, ManDoek is moved that he accepts what she has become.
Episode 7
7. Episode 7
March 27, 2010
Granny and Hong are reunited but Granny is devastated to learn that ManDoek has become a Gisaeng.
Episode 6
6. Episode 6
March 21, 2010
7 years later...ManDoek is a famous Gisaeng in JeJu.
Episode 5
5. Episode 5
March 20, 2010
After entering JeJu safely, ManDoek stays at the East Gate Company to look for DongAh and Granny.
Episode 4
4. Episode 4
March 14, 2010
ManDoek, Granny and DongAh try to escape Kang GyeMan and Kim EungRyul and leave HanYang, but it is not easy.
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
March 13, 2010
To escape going to prison, Kang GyeMan burns all his silk.
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
March 7, 2010
ManDoek gets arrested for selling rice on the streets without a permit. He is about to get paddled as punishment when the son of the high judge steps in and offers to get paddled in her place.
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
March 6, 2010
ManDoek is praised by the king for helping the people during a famine. She thinks back to her childhood.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    March 6, 2010
  • IMDB Rating
    8.6  (12,707)