When we see historical dramas or films, there are always court ladies who are near the king, like a shadow. They existed from the Goryeo Dynasty to the Joseon Dynasty. As times changed, they changed little by little, but the ultimate role of the assistants of the royal family did not. Then let's find out about them and the ladies-in-waiting, who were as different as chalk from cheese when compared to their European counterparts after medieval times.

  Their typical responsibility was to stand by the royal family, especially the king and queen. Because of their presence, the king and queen could have a comfortable palace life. Sometimes they formed close relationships with royal family members by being their closest associates.

  In contrast, ladies-in-waiting after the Middle Ages in Europe were mostly royal and noble woman. They talked to the queen, played games, walked and dined with the queen. They didn’t do chores but rather were the assistant to the queen. Their role was similar to that of a personal maid. In other words, ladies-in-waiting took charge of supervising the management of servants. They were able to get married, of course. It was an honor for them to be a queen’s lady-in-waiting, and few nobles would refuse to be one. At Versailles Palace, in France’s best days, it was a great honor to be granted a small room in the palace and stay there. The noble women felt proud to give the queen her underwear to wear and to participate in the king's ritual of entering his bedchamber.