The Merchant: Gaekju 2015
Title: 장사의 신 – 객주 2015 / The Merchant: Gaekju 2015
Chinese Title: 生意之神 – 客主2015
Also Known as: God of Commerce: Gaekju 2015
Previously known as: 객주 (The Innkeeper)
Genre: Period, Romance
Episodes: 36+5
Broadcast network: KBS2
Broadcast period: 2015-Sep-23 to 2016-Feb-18
Air time: Wednesday & Thursday 22:00
Synopsis
Based on the ten-volume original novel “Gaekju” by Kim Joo Young which was published from 1979-June to 1983-Feb through daily newspaper “The Seoul Shinmun”.
A drama that tells the story of tradesmen in the late years of the Joseon era. Cheon Bong Sam (Jang Hyuk), the descendant of a merchant family, starts off in the market as a barker and makes his way up to become a wealthy merchant.
Cast
Main Cast
Jang Hyuk as Cheon Bong Sam
– Jo Hyun Do as Cheon Bong Sam (child)
Yoo Oh Sung as Gil So Gae
– Park Gun Tae as So Gae (young)
Kim Min Jung as Mae Wol
Han Chae Ah as Jo So Sa
Chun Family Merchant Group
Park Eun Hye as Cheon So Rye
– Seo Ji Hee as Cheon So Rye(child)
Im Hyung Joon as Oh Deuk Gae
Im Dae Ho as a peddler
Song Young Jae as Mung Gae
Park Hyo Joon as Ahm Mang Chi
Songpa Stables
Jung Tae Woo as Seon Dol
Ryu Dam as Gom Bae
Kim Myung Soo as Jo Sung Joon
Park Sang Myun as Song Man Chi
Yang Jung Ah as Bang Geum
Lee Dal Hyung as Choi Dol
Bang Hyung Joo as Wang Bal
Yuguijeon Merchant Group
Moon Ga Young as Wol Yi
Lee Duk Hwa as Shin Suk Joo
Kim Il Woo as Maeng Goo Bum
Kim Gyu Chul as Kim Bo Hyun
Kim Hak Chul as Kim Hak Joon
Kim Jong Kook as Park Seo Gi
Im Ho as Min Gyum Ho
Others
Jun Hun Tae (전헌태)
Kim Seung Wook
Kim Ha Kyoon
Kim Duk Hyun
Jun Jin Gi
Seol Ji Yoon
Gi Yun Ho (기연호)
Go Kyu Pil
Go In Bum
Kim Jin Tae
Jung Dong Kyu
Lee Ji Hyun
Lee Ki Yeol
Choi Ji Na
Ahn Jae Mo
Jo Duk Hyun
Woo Hyun
Kim Ki Doo
Park Yoo Seung
Song Bo Eun
Kim Yong Woon as king’s bodyguard
Cameos
Kim Seung Soo as Chun Oh Soo (Chun Bong Sam’s father)
Lee Won Jong as Gil Sang Moon (Gil So Gae’s father)
Choi Joo Bong
Production Credits
Chief Producer: Kang Byung Taek
Producer: Kim Min Kyung (김민경), Park Woo Ram (박우람), Ahn Chang Hyun (안창현), Han Hye Yun (한혜연)
Director: Kim Jong Sun, Kim Dong Hwi
Screenwriters: Jung Sung Hee and Lee Han Ho
Note
– The word “Gaekju” was used during the Joseon Dynasty period and has not been used in the present days and the meaning is “Broker” or “Commission Merchant”.
– The drama was initially announced as a 36-episode drama. Due to the high ratings of this drama, the production team decided to increase 5 more episodes to total of 41 episodes. (source)
Awards
2015 KBS Drama Awards: Best Couple Awards – Jang Hyuk & Han Chae Ah (The Merchant: Gaekju 2015)
2015 KBS Drama Awards: Best Supporting Actor – Park Bo Gum (I Remember You) & Kim Gyu Chul (The Merchant: Gaekju & Jingbirok)
2015 KBS Drama Awards: Excellence Actress (Medium Series): Kim Min Jung (The Merchant: Gaekju 2015)
2015 KBS Drama Awards: Excellence Actor (Medium Series): Jang Hyuk (The Merchant: Gaekju 2015)
Episode Ratings
| Date | Ep | TNmS | TNmS | AGB | AGB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | Seoul | Nationwide | Seoul | ||
| 2015-09-23 | 1 | 5.2 | (<6.7) | 6.9 | 7.3 (18th) |
| 2015-09-24 | 2 | 4.5 | (<7.2) | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| 2015-09-30 | 3 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 5.8 |
| 2015-10-01 | 4 | 4.3 | (<7.8) | 6.7 | 6.7 |
| 2015-10-07 | 5 | 6.9 (18th) | 7.2 (20th) | 7.8 (17th) | 8.2 (15th) |
| 2015-10-08 | 6 | 7.4 (19th) | 7.7 (18th) | 9.5 (12th) | 10.0 (12th) |
| 2015-10-14 | 7 | 8.7 (14th) | 9.1 (9th) | 11.1 (7th) | 11.5 (7th) |
| 2015-10-15 | 8 | 8.4 (19th) | 9.2 (16th) | 10.0 (11th) | 9.8 (13th) |
| 2015-10-21 | 9 | 8.1 (17th) | 9.1 (11th) | 9.9 (10th) | 10.5 (9th) |
| 2015-10-22 | 10 | 8.0 (19th) | 8.5 (18th) | 10.9 (10th) | 11.2 (10th) |
| 2015-10-28 | 11 | 8.2 (17th) | 8.5 (15th) | 10.1 (14th) | 9.9 (13th) |
| 2015-10-29 | x | Posponed | For | Baseball | Game |
| 2015-11-04 | 12 | 7.7 (17th) | 8.2 (16th) | 11.1 (7th) | 11.3 (8th) |
| 2015-11-05 | 13 | 7.8 (20th) | 8.3 (17th) | 10.2 (12th) | 10.2 (13th) |
| 2015-11-11 | 14 | 7.9 (17th) | 8.7 (14th) | 11.3 (8th) | 11.7 (7th) |
| 2015-11-12 | 15 | 9.5 (13th) | 10.2 (8th) | 12.1 (6th) | 11.6 (6th) |
| 2015-11-18 | 16 | Not | Available | 12.0 (6th) | 11.9 (7th) |
| 2015-11-19 | 17 | 8.0 (19th) | 8.9 (12th) | 11.7 (7th) | 11.6 (6th) |
| 2015-11-25 | 18 | 8.6 (16th) | 8.9 (11th) | 12.2 (6th) | 12.2 (6th) |
| 2015-11-26 | 19 | 9.2 (14th) | 9.6 (9th) | 13.0 (6th) | 12.8 (5th) |
| 2015-12-02 | 20 | 8.1 (15th) | 8.7 (12th) | 12.4 (6th) | 12.6 (7th) |
| 2015-12-03 | 21 | 9.7 (14th) | 10.6 (8th) | 12.2 (6th) | 12.3 (6th) |
| 2015-12-09 | 22 | 8.4 (15th) | 9.2 (9th) | 11.6 (7th) | 11.8 (6th) |
| 2015-12-10 | 23 | 8.5 (14th) | 9.4 (9th) | 11.4 (7th) | 11.6 (7th) |
| 2015-12-16 | 24 | 8.4 (17th) | 8.7 (12th) | 10.6 (12th) | 10.1 (10th) |
| 2015-12-17 | 25 | 7.4 (20th) | 7.6 (16th) | 11.6 (8th) | 10.9 (9th) |
| 2015-12-23 | 26 | 7.7 (18th) | 8.2 (11th) | 11.7 (6th) | 11.0 (8th) |
| 2015-12-24 | 27 | 7.6 (18th) | 8.0 (11th) | 11.0 (8th) | 11.1 (7th) |
| 2016-01-06 | 28 | 7.7 (19th) | 8.5 (12th) | 9.8 (7th) | 9.7 (8th) |
| 2016-01-07 | 29 | 8.8 (19th) | 9.6 (12th) | 11.4 (7th) | 11.6 (9th) |
| 2016-01-13 | 30 | 8.0 (19th) | 8.5 (17th) | 10.7 (11th) | 10.4 (11th) |
| 2016-01-14 | 31 | 9.2 (17th) | 9.5 (15th) | 11.4 (8th) | 11.5 (8th) |
| 2016-01-20 | 32 | 8.4 (20th) | 8.1 (19th) | 10.8 (12th) | 10.2 (11th) |
| 2016-01-21 | 33 | 9.8 (18th) | 9.3 (15th) | 11.5 (8th) | 11.0 (10th) |
| 2016-01-27 | 34 | 9.1 (18th) | 9.1 (14th) | 10.2 (11th) | 9.9 (11th) |
| 2016-01-28 | 35 | 9.9 (16th) | 9.6 (13th) | 11.8 (10th) | 11.0 (10th) |
| 2016-02-03 | 36 | 9.1 (18th) | 9.0 (14th) | 11.2 (9th) | 11.1 (9th) |
| 2016-02-04 | 37 | 9.9 (15th) | 10.1 (11th) | 11.4 (11th) | 10.6 (12th) |
| 2016-02-10 | 38 | 8.7 (20th) | 8.9 (20th) | 10.4 (16th) | (<10.0) |
| 2016-02-11 | 39 | 8.4 | 8.5 (17th) | 11.1 (10th) | 10.4 (13th) |
| 2016-02-17 | 40 | 8.5 (20th) | 8.5 (16th) | 10.4 (12th) | 9.7 (15th) |
| 2016-02-18 | 41 | 8.8 (20th) | 9.4 (13th) | 11.2 (10th) | 10.9 (10th) |
Sources: TNmS Media Korea & AGB Nielsen Korea
*** Different between TNmS Media Korea & AGB Nielson – Here
Poster
Related Photo
(Other Photo from Official Site)
Trailer I & Trailer II & Trailer III & Trailer IV & Trailer V & Trailer VI
61 Comments
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August 29th, 2015 at 4:32 pm
ANOTHER NEW DRAMA FOR JANG HYUK AND YOO OH SUNG THIS YEAR.
August 29th, 2015 at 6:13 pm
I am really satisfied with the cast right now, I’m about to scream! Really looking forward to this drama, though 25 days is a bit far……. FIGHTING!!
August 29th, 2015 at 11:06 pm
this i’d like to watch because of jang hyuk. he’s one actor who does justice to a role given to him, although i’ve only watched three. this should be the fourth.
August 29th, 2015 at 11:08 pm
the note on ‘gaekju’ – can it mean a ‘wheeler dealer’? that would be fun if that is jh’s role.
August 30th, 2015 at 5:24 am
Sounds like Merchant of the sea(Sea god).I really hope this will be interesting…jang hyuk is the only reason why I’m willing to check this drama,don’t know the other casts,nor do I like the writer’s previous works
August 30th, 2015 at 11:04 pm
OMG I can’t wait 😆 I’m really addicting to his laugh 😂 it’s Daebak 👍
August 31st, 2015 at 9:46 am
Welcome back Jang Hyuk Oppa ^^
September 1st, 2015 at 8:58 am
Jang Hyuk in a sageuk is daebak! (rhymes so well lol)
September 4th, 2015 at 8:27 pm
ALWAYS looking forward to Jang Hyuk’s new drama projects. He is the real King of dramas, top notch actor who portrays his role with heart and soul, daebak! 赞!
September 5th, 2015 at 2:20 am
I know this is going to be a great drama simply because Jang Hyuk is part of it. As Jang Hyuk known from being sincere and give his heart in everything he does especially in his work that makes him a great actor..
September 11th, 2015 at 7:46 am
Is Han Chae Ah the love interest of Jang Hyuk? Please someone enlights me here!!!
September 12th, 2015 at 10:50 am
@Ailee : i think the love interest of Jang Hyuk is Kim Min Jung
September 13th, 2015 at 7:42 am
[…] KorenDrama, […]
September 14th, 2015 at 11:52 pm
I love when they show a History drama in only 16-Episode,,,Short History drama, love it love it love it..Thank you
September 15th, 2015 at 4:07 am
@pineapple But, I’ve read on many articles that his love interest is Han Chae Ah and Kim Min Jung plays some kind of a villain.
September 16th, 2015 at 6:11 am
Jang Hyuk (my love ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤) fighting~~~~!!!!
September 16th, 2015 at 11:05 am
@AILEE : oh i see…. honestly i prefer Han Chae Ah than Kim Min Jung who is to be his lover… ^^
September 17th, 2015 at 3:57 am
omggg the drama seems legit. can’t wait for Jang Hyuk oppaaaaa~!!! >< <3
September 17th, 2015 at 11:16 am
Jang Hyuk is such an amazing actor regardless who he is team up with. Look forward to this drama!
September 17th, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Looking forward to Jang Hyuk’s new drama. No matter what drama he stars in, they are always great and I have seen them all. I don7t think I would watch this one if it weren’t for him.
September 21st, 2015 at 3:38 pm
this drama will air 36
epi not 16
September 22nd, 2015 at 3:12 pm
So,who are the main OPT?
Is it Jang Hyuk >Kim Min Jung or
Jang Hyuk >Han chae ah???
September 23rd, 2015 at 11:29 am
[…] Fuente: hancinema.net koreandrama.org […]
September 25th, 2015 at 1:42 am
36eps, 🙁
September 26th, 2015 at 9:09 am
I LOVE JANG HYUK!!!! He is THE BEST ACTOR in my list especially in period dramas and followed by OH JI HO. They’re the two most handsome and best looking men in period costumes!!! The characters they portrayed always done perfectly. True acting – 6⭐️s for them both!
Hope to see them in a period drama together again soon with lots of action and wit. Remember them in The Slave Hunters?! Daebak!!! 👍👍👍👍👍
October 6th, 2015 at 9:56 am
Can’t wait to see jang hyuk again. Love his laugh n his eyes. Great actor I’ve ever seen in korea. Not only just good looking. Fighting jang hyuk..
October 7th, 2015 at 11:30 pm
ep 4: the fun begins with adult chun bong sam!
October 21st, 2015 at 4:31 pm
ep. 8 there are unwritten but observed rules among merchants and they just need to be followed as consequences can be dire. i like this series.
October 29th, 2015 at 5:54 pm
This is like a drama where the old folks are acting younger characters..
Bong sum his sister his adversary all the veterans actors acting young folk
Hard to digest
October 31st, 2015 at 9:13 pm
@Dav: i think this is a drama where good acting skills can not be entrusted to young and ‘lacking acting experience’ actors. if the actors have to portray roles of their younger selves, then very good ‘make-up’ should do that, like make-up can also do their older versions. that’s where i find lacking in most korean dramas, but make-up can be expensive specially if prosthetics
are used. i’ve learned to ‘take’ what is presented to enjoy! cheers!
November 1st, 2015 at 12:52 am
JANG HYUK is simply the best! Really drawn to this commitment to acting. It’s so inspiring just to see his working on each new character. Actors like him deserves our support, actors like him are inspiration to our kids and makes kdrama not simply senseless love dramas for ahjummas. FIGHTING OPPA!
November 6th, 2015 at 12:42 pm
OK “killed” his own sister, the persistent lover got struck by lightning but won’t die. Will that make her storm of K X-men
Anything else We are prepared to digest from this writer ?
November 8th, 2015 at 10:21 pm
the characters lives are so intertwined and complications are inevitable, that’s how the story goes. getting interesting!
November 9th, 2015 at 11:27 pm
Is there romance between HCA and JH or not?
November 14th, 2015 at 2:48 pm
At ep 12, Yoo Oh Sung as Gil So Gae, is the worst guy so far in this drama – which makes me very boil.
Gil make Jang Hyuk kills his biological elder sister by not revealing who she is……. even she is Gil So Gae sweetheart during childhood days. Just want to protect his own life 😛
Wonder can continue to watch or not…. so much killing, arguing, scheming…..
November 15th, 2015 at 4:47 pm
am dying to watch eps. 14 and 15, english subbed, but can’t find it anywhere. any help is appreciated.
November 19th, 2015 at 6:07 pm
the great cast and great acting…..love love love dis drama so far
November 19th, 2015 at 10:55 pm
ep. 15: will bong sam die? maybe not, it’s only ep. 15!
November 20th, 2015 at 12:08 pm
It’s now getting interesting.waiting for the next few days subtitles
November 21st, 2015 at 7:14 pm
ep. 16: the characters who we thought died are alive and kicking! the complications continue!
November 24th, 2015 at 10:17 pm
EP. 17: am glad the writer did not prolong the reunion of the siblings. the guy who portrays gil so gae, i’ve never watched him in a role other than being a conniving s.o.b. he’s good at it though, although that would be boring as an actor. there are other challenges for him, or maybe, i should watch more of his work. many want bong sam die, but three women want to save his life!
November 29th, 2015 at 2:31 pm
for eps. 18 & 19: guess i have to wait for kbs official english subs as shown by kbs world. have not found copies with eng subs as yet!
December 2nd, 2015 at 6:36 pm
Jang Hyuk lovers must watch this drama..
December 8th, 2015 at 7:28 pm
ep. 20: chun bong sam’s father’s old followers’ loyalty is admirable. guess when there’s honesty and comradeship in the gaekju, members follow unquestionably.
December 13th, 2015 at 6:09 pm
ep. 21: chun bong sam wants to do business the righteous way, while gil so gae does the cheating, conniving faster way. both of them are really sons of their fathers.
shin suk joo and gil so gae are birds of the same feather, while the younger one is learning tricks from the old one.
i wonder what gae ddong has up her sleeve. the cares for bong sam but asks so gae to ruin him, so bong sam will come running to her?
December 13th, 2015 at 11:02 pm
ep. 22: gae ddong declares herself as the shaman, that she is destined to be with chun bong sam, and becomes bitchy because cbs loves jo jo sa. for all the hate expressed to jojosa by gae ddong because of rivalry, i find jojosa stupid enough to go to gae ddong when she is summoned, not thinking of her vulnerability of being pregnant, etc. tsk, tsk.
December 20th, 2015 at 10:50 pm
ep. 23: it’s frustrating when one’s honesty and hard work is envied and opponents do their best to put the person down. nothing is new in that aspect, but i want chun bong sam to win!
December 21st, 2015 at 6:26 pm
ep. 24: chun bong sam’s trials and tribulations made him resolve to fight his enemies with business skills. i was wondering when he would thrust his power to win.
December 27th, 2015 at 3:46 pm
It’s not about viewership ratings, it’s not about popularity, it’s not about awards,its all about the passion and sincerity towards every role play.Jang Hyuk – true and everlasting KING OF DRAMA , I will akways support youm keep it up! Victory is on your side😄
December 31st, 2015 at 5:57 pm
I have seen Chuno, Deep Rooted Tree, Shine or go Crazy. When Jang Hyuk shines….I go crazy. What seasoned and superb actor❤️❤️❤️
January 1st, 2016 at 10:12 pm
bagus banget filmnya nih.. semoga episodenya lebih panjang 😀
January 24th, 2016 at 11:51 am
I’ll continue to support jang hyuk, he deserves the name of kibg of dramasm kudos! Fighting!
January 25th, 2016 at 5:38 pm
Can’t believe Jang Hyuk would accept a role of a hero who is so stupid and ignorant that he is repeatedly fooled by Gil Sogae. He repeatedly is outfitted by all the bad guys and gets all his friends and family killed. I guess some actors will take any role for money.
January 29th, 2016 at 2:25 pm
i dont like this drama .
February 1st, 2016 at 11:22 am
same here. I dont like the drama. very slow and with no point with script badly written. Wasted Jang Hyuk’s acting.
February 17th, 2016 at 8:25 pm
nice
February 19th, 2016 at 1:20 pm
For me it is boring, too. Although I like period dramas a lot
February 21st, 2016 at 3:31 pm
Jang Hyuk best actor 😉
February 29th, 2016 at 9:50 am
why extend this drama ? not interesting!!!!
July 15th, 2017 at 7:36 pm
I’ve watched over 200 Korean, Chinese and Taiwanese dramas over the years, including about 60 historical Korean dramas. This one was about the WORST.
A great cast was wasted on a lousy script about subject matter presented in a boring way.
Jang Hyuk’s talents as an action hero were wasted, playing the role of a complete idiot. And it was boring.
September 24th, 2017 at 10:58 pm
very nice web site thanks for sharing….