Damo (Korean: 조선 여형사 다모; RR: Joseon yeohyeongsa damo; lit. 'Female Detective Damo in the Joseon Dynasty'; also known as The Legendary Police Woman) is a 2003 South Korean fusion historical drama, starring Ha Ji-won, Lee Seo-jin, and Kim Min-jun. Set in the Joseon period, it tells the story of Chae-ok, a damo relegated to the low-status job of a female police detective who investigates crimes involving women of the upper class. It aired on MBC from July 28 to September 9, 2003 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 14 episodes.
Contents
Plot
Chae-ok is the daughter of a nobleman, who was framed for conspiracy and thereafter committed suicide. She got separated from her brother at the age of 7 when she was caught by the officer who then took her to be the slave of Hwangbo Yoon's family. Alongside him, she was raised in the mountains and learned martial arts and sword fighting. She has loved Yoon silently for years, knowing they cannot be together because he belongs to a higher social class. Instead when he becomes a police commander, she joins his bureau as a damo to continue being near him and working with him.
When Chae-ok goes undercover while investigating a counterfeiting ring, she meets the rebel leader Jang Sung-baek.
She must try to arrest Sung-baek, but despite her bravery and resolve, she finds herself falling for him.
Cast
Ha Ji-won as Jang Jae-hui / Jang Chae-ok
Jung Min-ah as young Jae-hui / Chae-ok
Intelligent, virtually unbeatable and a great asset to the law enforcement establishment. Straightforward and honest, she cannot stand other people's lies and dirty deeds.
Lee Seo-jin as Commander Hwangbo Yoon
Baek Sung-hyun as young Yoon
Born to a nobleman and his concubine, Hwangbo Yoon feels the loneliness of not belonging to either the noble class or the servant class. His only friend is Chae-ok, whom he loves with all his heart, but his love remains unspoken. Hardworking and diligent, he is quickly promoted through the ranks of the police force, leaving his rivals jealous. As the police commander of the Left Police Bureau, Yoon is loyal to the government, and has a deep, abiding love for his countrymen.
Kim Min-jun as Jang Jae-mo / Jang Sung-baek
His family was destroyed when his father, a nobleman, was framed for conspiracy. He is adopted by lepers, and after training himself, soon becomes famous for his swordsmanship. Idealistic and passionate, he leads a group of rebels in protest against the Joseon social class system they deem unfair and unjust. When he meets Chae-ok, he must face the choice between love or duty to his cause.
Supporting cast
Lee Moon-sik as Ma Chook-ji
Noh Hyun-hee as Ta Bak-nyeo
Park Yeong-gyu as Jo Se-wook
Lee Han-wi as Baek Joo-wan
Kwon Oh-joong as Lee Won-hae
Yoon Mun-sik as Ahn Nok-sa
Kwon Yong-woon as Noh Gak-chul
Ahn Kye-beom as Kato Masayuki
Kim Min-kyung as Soo-myung
Shin Seung-hwan as Ahn Byung-taek
Jung Wook as Jung Pil-joon
Jung Ho-keun as Choi Dal-pyung
Chae Young-in as Jo Nan-hee
Hyun Seok as Jung Hong-doo
Sunwoo Jae-duk as the King
Jeon In-taek
Seo Beom-shik
Byun Hee-bong
Cho Jae-hyun (cameo)