This Guide is to point out thing to look out for when buying Asian (Chinese, Korean, Japanese)Drama series on ebay and a review of Dae Jang Geum (A Jewel in the Palace).

Buying on ebay...be very careful as many Asian Drama Series DVDs are "bootleg/homemade" copies. ALWAY read the entire description and how the item is packaged. Many sellers will list an USA based account but ship from overseas...be very wary of this...if they can't ship Priority Mail or UPS Ground, then you know it's not USA based. Futhermore, many sellers will steal "photos" and make it look like a BOX set, so it's ALWAYS best to ask questions FIRST (ie "is this an original copy with the box" or "can I get a pic of the actually item I'm getting - digital camera shot preferred!") before buying!!! These are just a few examples of how to protect yourself from scams.

Review: I just wanted to give my thumbs up to this historical Korean Drama Series that I fell in love with in 2005. I have seen this series 6 times and STILL love it to this day. I consider this my favorite Asian Series every! The highest rated series in many Asian countries!

The series is based on a true storyabout Dae Jang Geum, the 1st recorded women to become the King's personal physician! Suh Jang Geum (played by Lee Young-Ae) becames a court lady in the Royal Palace to take revenge for her parents. In doing so she mets many challenges from people that don't want her there. Time and time again, she overcomes these challenges through her cooking and later on with her medical skills. Intertwined, in all this she falls in love (which was forbidden at the time because she was to serve the Knig only) Min Jung Ho (played by Ji Jin Hee) who was a scholar-official! Anyway, this series which is 54 espisodes never let up as food, drama, intrigue, and love keeps it moving at a excellent pace...I just wish it never ended. For us Americans, who are used to see sex, drugs and voilence in our TV soaps, this series is just the opposite - done entirely without even a KISS!!! Oh well...even if you think it's "foreign" and wouldn't interest you - think again - that's what I thought too and now I'm semi addicted to Asian series!