‘Legendary Doctor’ is in the country

Legendary Doctor (Hur Jun) is a South Korean television series about the life of Joseon -era doctor, Heo-Jun. This period drama was broadcasted by MBC from 1999 to 2000, and reached record-breaking viewership ratings of 64 percent.

It was also aired in Taiwan Television in 2002 and Hong Kong’s TVB in 2005, after the finale of Daer Jang  Geum (which was also directed by Hur Jun Lee-Byung Hoon). 

In 2011-2012, the broadcast of the series in Kurdistan led to the naming of a hospital after the historical Hur Jun and a 2012 visit by the series’ lead actor, Jun Kwang-ryul, to the country.

The story is set in Joseon, primarily during the reign of King Seonio, 50 years after the death of Jang Geum (reputedly the first female doctor in Joseon).

Hur Jun was the son of a devon (untouchable) mother. Due to his mother’s social position, he was also considered sangnom under Joseon law at the time, even though his father was from the ruling caste and held office as a local magistrate. As a result, he faced much discrimination, which caused him to lose focus and direction, and eventually led him to participate in smuggling operations. At this time, Hur Jun became familiar with Da-hee, an upper-class lady who was in exile. Her father was branded a traitor and died in exile. Hur Jun sympathized with her and handled ail of her father’s funeral affairs. Not long after that, Hur Jun’s smuggling activities were discovered, and his life was saved by his erstwhile uncaring father, who also rescued his mother and Da-hee, and smuggled them out of their town. Hur Jun and Da- hee eventually got married and moved to Saneum, in Gveongsang Province.

Once, Hur Jun’s mother fell ill, and he sought the help of a famous local physician, Yoo Ui-tae. Hur Jun became interested in medicine and became Yoo Ui-tae’s pupil to study it. He proved to have an aptitude for medicine, and being very studious, he progressed very quickly. His studies attracted the attention of Ye-jin, an orphaned lady who lived with Yoo Ui-tae, began to mentor Hur Jun in the area of medicinal usage.

Hur Jun’s medicinal prowess continued to grow, but he still had no chance to practice. He received his first patient when an elderly couple brought their unconscious daughter to his house. Apparently, she tried to hang herself and had almost died. Hur Jun, with some innovative remedies, managed to revive her, but refused to accept payment for his services. The couple decided instead to spread news of their benefactor’s deeds to their friends and neighbors. This unwittingly brought Hur Jun many impoverished patients who had heard he was both skilled and offering free examinations.

Yoo Ui-tae was initially angry because he thought Hur Jun had not acquired sufficient medical knowledge to treat patients in the first place and was only making use of his own name to earn some money quickly. Nonetheless, Yoo Ui-tae investigated Hur Jun’s diagnoses and prescriptions for each of the poor patients he treated, and realized Hur Jun was indeed competent and correct in his practice. He was further pleased that Hur Jun had not profited at all from the poor patients. To reward Hur Jun, Yoo Ui-tae placed him in charge of the local drug store.

Later, Hur Jun received the opportunity to treat the wife of a high-ranking gentry. She had suffered a stroke, which rendered her paralyzed and bedridden. All of the physicians who had examined her had concluded that her condition was hopeless, but Hur Jun managed to cure her completely..

To follow the saga of the Legendary Doctor, watch its exciting episodes this November to be aired every Saturdays and Sundays on PTV-4.

Nora, Eddie support Grace Poe

Nora Aunor and Eddie Garcia, both from the Bicol region, expressed their unequivocal support for Senator Grace Poe’s bid for the presidency in 2016.

“Iba talaga kapag babae na may puso na marunong at madaling lapitan. Sigurado ako riyan na malaki ang maitutulong niya sa ating mga kababayan,” Aunor said in a recent interview.

In fact, Aunor defended Poe when Sheryl Cruz, her cousin, said Poe wasn’t ready to be President of the country.

On the other hand, Eddie Garcia has expressed his support for Grace Poe. He will campaign for Grace even if he would be offered a big sum by other candidates.

Poe is very grateful for this expression of support from the two movie icons, especially because they have worked with his late father when he was still alive.

“I’m very proud of the movie industry and the television industry. Iyon naman ang kinalakihan ko, iyan naman ang nagpaaral sa akin, iyong mga tumataguyod ng pelikula kaya I’m proud of that,” Grace said in a radio interview. 

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Another character in Beautiful Strangers

Rafa Siguion-Reyna is the latest artist to join the cast of Beautiful Strangers. In the series, he plays the cousin of Noel (Rocco Nacino). When Noel was hit by a gunshot after taking the evidence that could put Kristine (Heart Evangelista) in prison, Tatay Nestor (Emilio Garcia) brought his son to his cousin’s house.

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Is Mikael Daez ready to be a daddy?

Mikael Daez and the girl playing Munding in My Faithful Husband are always seen together, bonding perhaps. In fact, they have lots of photos together posted on Mikael’s Instagram account. Obviously, Mikael is having a great time with the kid. And even on screen, it shows how Mikael is reacting very positively to Munding.  Is he getting ready for a real life role as a daddy?