The Great Merchant (2010 TV Series)
The Great Merchant (Korean: 거상 김만덕; RR: Geosang Kim Man-deok) is a South Korean historical television drama that aired on KBS from March 6 to June 13, 2010. The series consists of 30 episodes and chronicles the life of Kim Man-deok, a historical figure from the Joseon Dynasty.
Plot
The drama follows the life of Kim Man-deok (played by Lee Mi-yeon), who was born into a noble family but orphaned at age 12. After being adopted by a gisaeng on Jeju Island, she eventually sought to reclaim her status and independence. Through her efforts in trade between Jeju Island and the Korean mainland, she became a successful merchant. The narrative culminates in her decision to liquidate her assets to provide aid to the people of Jeju during a devastating famine.
Historical Basis
The series is inspired by the life of Kim Man-deok (1739–1812), a merchant renowned for her philanthropy. During a severe famine on Jeju Island, she reportedly donated a significant portion of her wealth to assist the starving population. Her legacy is commemorated on Jeju Island, where a memorial was established in 1978 and an annual award, the Man-deok Award, is presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to those in need.
Cast
The production features an ensemble cast including:
- Lee Mi-yeon as Kim Man-deok
- Park Sol-mi as Oh Moon-sun
- Han Jae-suk as Jeong Hong-su
- Ha Seok-jin as Gang Yu-ji
- Ko Du-shim as Granny
