Janggeum

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Janggeum, also known as Dae Janggeum (Great Janggeum), lived around 1474 to 1550 in the Joseon era. She is said to be Korea’s first female royal physician and is mentioned ten times in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. King Jungjong trusted her to care for the royal family and gave her the title “Dae” (great) before her name. Some sources treat Janggeum as a real person, while others debate her exact existence because information about her is scarce. She is often described as a Medical Lady Janggeum and remains an important figure in Korean history. According to a medical journal, in 1524–1525 the king issued an edict making her Dae Janggeum, noting that she treated the king with food-based methods, a practice with no prior precedent.