Both dramas are realistic historical dramas, focused heavily on the details and customs of the time and place (Korea's Joseon dynasty), both drawing inspiration from real historical figures. They can both be categorized as medical dramas (although Jewel in the Palace's main genres are also food and the royal palace/court), both focused on character growing and the main characters' career paths as well as development of medicine in general (more so in Jejoongwon). Both have brave, intelligent and persistent main characters, as well as strong female characters.
Compared to Jewel in the Palace which is set in 16th century, more in the beginning of Joseon dynasty, Jejoongwon is set some hundreds years later when Korea's Joseon dynasty is drawing near and Western medicine is gaining foothold in the country for the first time.
Jewel in the Palace is historically accurate, well-made, big budget drama that was and still is, one of the most popular and most well-reviewed sageuks that shows the life of the royal court through the eyes of a servant and concentrates on the strict hierarchical system of the Joseon dynasty especially from the female point of view. The production value of Jejoongwon is not as good as in Jewel in the Palace but it has a good script, great characters and interesting themes (the rapid development of medicine, Korea's final dynasty drawing near, Korea opening to the West and Japan, the dynasty's strict hierarchical system crumbling and so on).
Compared to Jewel in the Palace which is set in 16th century, more in the beginning of Joseon dynasty, Jejoongwon is set some hundreds years later when Korea's Joseon dynasty is drawing near and Western medicine is gaining foothold in the country for the first time.
Jewel in the Palace is historically accurate, well-made, big budget drama that was and still is, one of the most popular and most well-reviewed sageuks that shows the life of the royal court through the eyes of a servant and concentrates on the strict hierarchical system of the Joseon dynasty especially from the female point of view. The production value of Jejoongwon is not as good as in Jewel in the Palace but it has a good script, great characters and interesting themes (the rapid development of medicine, Korea's final dynasty drawing near, Korea opening to the West and Japan, the dynasty's strict hierarchical system crumbling and so on).
Maybe it was the "smallpox" vaccine's presence or the fact that both have the same "foreign" actor (and theme) and a great female lead, that I recommend watching both kdramas. Of course, Rookie Historian is much lighter and has "young actors" but Jejoongwon is so worth the time you spend. It's much more mature and makes you feel a lot of emotions. Both want to break "prejudices" and discrimination against a certain group of people: women and foreigners in Rookie Historian and "butchers" or"untouchables (baekjong) , women and foreigners in Jejoongwon.
They are set in different times and countries but they have some similarities. They both have the "indipendence" element against Japanese colonialization (in BoC more). Both have great (and mature ) romance and respect between the leads. They are VERY different but I feel like many people who watched one or vice versa will be satisfied. Both are great dramas and have great characters which you will be connected with.
