Korean dramas are reaching free TV channels in our country thanks to Atresmedia, setting a bold precedent with Turkish fiction as Nova launches on Monday, April 24. Saimdang: Diary of Light is a love story that has crossed borders and captured audiences in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, the Philippines, and Thailand.
In the series, Lee Young-ae takes on a dual role as Shin Saimdang and Seo Ji-yoon. She stands as one of the nation’s most celebrated film stars and marks a long-awaited return to television after a decade away, following performances in Saimdang: Diary of Light and Sympathy for Lady Vegeance.
Joining the production is Son Seung-heon, a prominent South Korean actor and model who portrays Prince Lee Gyum from the Joseon Dynasty. He is widely recognized in Korea for his work in television, film, music, and entertainment formats, bringing a formidable on-screen presence to the drama.
The narrative of Saimdang: Diary of Light blends intrigue, romance, political maneuvering, passion, and history. It unfolds across two eras, weaving past and present into a continuous thread throughout the episodes.
Seo Ji-Yon leads the central story as a young art instructor at Seoul University. Her mission is to verify authorship of a centuries-old painting that bears heavily on her professional future. Her husband is successful, and they live with their young son and mother-in-law in an affluent district of the city.
Unsettling doubts about the painting trigger a crisis: the head of her department dismisses her from the college, and her husband flees the country on fraud accusations. During a journey to Italy, Seo Ji-Yoon encounters a palace setting, where an ancient diary and a portrait of a beautiful woman named Saimdang appear to mirror her own likeness, reinforcing suspicions about the famous painting. From that moment, her path shifts as she seeks to restore her status and life.
Korea, 500 years ago. Joseon Dynasty
Saimdang, a young and talented painter, is the daughter of a high-ranking royal official and soon meets Prince Lee Gyom. They bond over a shared love of art and face resistance from both families, which drives Lee Gyom to request Saimdang’s hand in marriage despite opposition.
The court is in turmoil. A paranoid and misguided king orders the execution of Saimdang’s father, forcing the young artist into a loveless marriage to an unambitious officer. Lee Gyom flees in a bid to protect her, and two decades pass. Saimdang has become a mother of four and endured hardship, yet fate brings her back into Lee Gyom’s life, rekindling a bond that remains impossible to consummate in the eyes of society.
Even after their separation, their memories persist. The two cannot fully unite, yet their love endures in a platonic form as Lee Gyom remains determined to protect Saimdang and her family, even from a distance.
Saimdang decides to establish a workshop to relieve the family’s financial strain. The studio becomes a symbol of resilience, supporting neighbors who are also facing hardship as they share in the venture’s prosperity.
With Saimdang’s success, the family’s fortunes improve, inviting jealousy and distrust at court. Saimdang then retreats to the mountains to paint, a lifelong passion she pursued since childhood. Unaware of the danger surrounding them, she and Lee Gyom’s fate becomes increasingly fragile. In that secluded space, surrounded by nature, they confess a timeless love that defies the constraints of their era.
In the mountains, truth and beauty intersect as Saimdang’s artistry and Lee Gyom’s steadfast devotion shape a legacy that endures beyond their lifetimes. The journey reveals how memory, art, and destiny intertwine to redefine what truly lasts. This dramatic tapestry invites viewers to explore how choices echo through generations, shaping identity and legacy in ways that remain relevant today. Citations: production notes and press materials indicate strong thematic ties to historical romance and cultural heritage. [Sources: production briefings and media guides].