Jang Geum (Lee Young-ae) was born in a pariah family. Her father, Seo Cheon-soo, was an officer of the Imperial Guards. He was ordered to give poison to the deposed Queen Mother Yun. Later, Yun's son Yeonsangun ascended the throne. Cheon-soo resigned to save himself. Cheon-soo saved Jang Geum's mother on the way, and the two got married and lived incognito. Unexpectedly, the Emperor Yeonsangun wanted to avenge his mother and ordered the arrest of all those who participated in the killing of Queen Mother Yun. Jang Geum's mother died on the way to escape. Before she died, she asked Jang Geum to enter the palace. Little Jang Geum, who lost her parents, was fortunately taken in by the family of Kang Dejiu, a skilled hand in the palace, and entered the palace kitchen to work under his arrangement, starting her long journey in the palace. Han Sang-Gong (Liang Mi-kyung) takes good care of the smart and studious little Jang Geum. However, Choi Sang-Gong makes things difficult for Jang Geum because of her discord with Han Sang-Gong. Every time Jang Geum is framed by Choi Sang-Gong, she resolves them one by one with her kindness and perseverance. However, the secret of her mother's life experience gradually surfaces, and there are even greater difficulties standing in Jang Geum's way.