Saimdang, Memoir of ColorsAn art history lecturer, unfairly disgraced for refusing to certify a suspicious painting, endeavors to set the record straight by exploring the mystery of a 16th-century artist using a diary that may lead her to the genuine painting.
DirectorYoon Sang-ho
WriterPark Eun Ryeong
Episode 1
Jan 26, 2017
With a full-time professorship in sight, Seo Ji-yoon, a lecturer in Korean art history, gets swept up in a scandal surrounding a monumental painting.
Episode 2
Jan 26, 2017
Ji-yoon shows what she brought back from Bologna to her friend Hye-jeong, a conservation scientist, who tells her that restoration will take a while.
Episode 3
Feb 1, 2017
Lee Gyeom visits Saimdang's parents to seek permission for marriage. King Jungjong sets out to see for himself the woman who won Gyeom's heart.
Episode 4
Feb 2, 2017
Back at the temple, Saimdang witnesses a scene she shouldn't have seen. On the run, she gets hurt, and her belongings land in the hands of another.
Episode 5
Feb 8, 2017
After sending back the presents from Gyeom, Saimdang sets out for her new home in Hanyang, but an unpleasant surprise awaits her.
Episode 6
Feb 9, 2017
The truth behind Saimdang's words hurts Lord Uiseong. However, inspired by watching Saimdang and her children interact, he picks up his brush again.
Episode 7
Feb 15, 2017
In Hanyang, paths cross for Saimdang, Lord Uiseong, Min Chi-hyeong and Hwieumdang. In the present, Professor Min's underlings are on Ji-yoon's tail.
Episode 8
Feb 16, 2017
Hwieumdang scolds Hyeon-ryong for being on the school grounds again. Lord Uiseong hears about Hyeon-ryong's situation and the Mothers Association.
Episode 9
Feb 22, 2017
To support her family, Saimdang decides to make paper, but it's easier said than done. Hwieumdang suggests a mother-son illustrated poetry contest.
Episode 10
Feb 23, 2017
Saimdang gets worried when Hyeon-ryong doesn't come home late into the night. Lord Uiseong tries to find out what happened at Temple Unpyeong.
Episode 11
Mar 1, 2017
Risking retaliation from the vagabonds, Saimdang goes back to her paper workshop. Later, she tells the head of the group why she decided to come back.
Episode 12
Mar 2, 2017
Lord Uiseong's Great Aunt warns him not to dig up the past lest he endanger his and Saimdang's lives. Saimdang needs a sample of true Goryeo paper.
Episode 13
Mar 8, 2017
Hwieumdang calls for an emergency meeting that Saimdang must attend. Meanwhile, Lord Uiseong suggests a hunting outing for the king and the council.
Episode 14
Mar 9, 2017
The king declares a contest to find the best papermaker in Joseon. Lord Uiseong gets authority to investigate the corruption behind the Goryeo paper.
Episode 15
Mar 15, 2017
Soon after they arrive at the site of Temple Unpyeong, Saimdang and Pal-bong are pursued by Hwieumdang's men.
Episode 16
Mar 16, 2017
King Jungjong decides on the proper punishment for Min Chi-hyeong. Meanwhile, the deadline to find the true Goryeo paper is fast approaching.
Episode 17
Mar 22, 2017
For King Jungjong, nothing else matters except finding the real Goryeo paper. Saimdang presses on to decipher the poem from the painting.
Episode 18
Mar 23, 2017
Ji-yoon tries to get Director Sun's help in ensuring the safety of "Mount Kumgang," but Director Sun wants to avoid getting more bad publicity.
Episode 19
Mar 29, 2017
In the present, Ji-yoon gets an alarming call about her husband. In the past, Lord Uiseong hears of the Yangryu Paper Mill from the villagers he helps.
Episode 20
Mar 30, 2017
Saimdang is becoming a prominent figure in the city for her wisdom, benevolence and artistic skills, but trouble brews at home.
Episode 21
Apr 5, 2017
The princess is reported missing. King Jungjong is furious that the crown prince is spending time outside the palace walls with Lord Uiseong.
Episode 22
Apr 6, 2017
The crown prince commissions Lord Uiseong to paint King Jungjong's portrait. Lord Uiseong wishes to recruit new painters for the important project.
Episode 23
Apr 12, 2017
The Confucian scholars protest against Saimdang, and the king plots to use this to his advantage. Min Chi-hyeong is hell-bent on reclaiming his power.
Episode 24
Apr 13, 2017
Lord Uiseong is shocked to learn what King Jungjong ordered Min Chi-hyeong to do. Meanwhile, Hwieumdang has a tearful request for Saimdang.
Episode 25
Apr 19, 2017
While visiting a museum to collect her thoughts, Ji-yoon discovers a note card with a curious portrait that's left behind by a mysterious man.
Episode 26
Apr 26, 2017
With the help of Rade, Ji-yoon and her friends are devising a plan to secure "Mount Kumgang" again when a surprise visitor drops by their hideout.
Episode 27
Apr 27, 2017
Despairing Saimdang asks Ji-yoon what happened to Lord Uiseong. Piecing the clues together, Ji-yoon provides Saimdang with a way to save Lord Uiseong.
Episode 28
May 4, 2017
Director Sun publicly reveals her intentions regarding "Mount Kumgang." Saimdang spends her time with those who matter to her the most.
ParkMin
@ParkMin
The drama, on paper, had potential. A mix of historical and contemporary narratives sounded intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The pace was slower than a snail's crawl, and the plot dragged on without significant development. The portrayal of the female lead's life in the past often felt overshadowed by the mundane occurrences of the present, causing a lack of focus and direction in the storytelling. While attempting to blend history and modern storytelling, the transitions felt disjointed, leaving me disconnected from the characters and their journeys. The drama's portrayal of the protagonist's life and the historical context lacked depth and failed to evoke a genuine emotional connection. The overall quality felt subpar—amateurish directing and filming made it hard to believe people were doing their jobs professionally. It's like they were clueless and just pretending. Such a shame that a big budget ($18+ millions) ended up wasted on this drama. The poor broadcast ratings weren't surprising at all. They even chopped off two episodes, probably to cut their losses. It shouldn't have been longer than 12 episodes max. It's almost like Lee Young Ae went on a very long hiatus to the point, when she returned, she no longer had any negotiation power and her agency just picked up whatever project they managed to get.
