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Stockholm
The production value is really good in this drama with excellent special effects and settings. The ensemble of actors are great, with really good directing and amazing chemistry between the leads. The action scenes are well made and exciting. The protagonist and antagonists are believable because they are suppose to be over the top black and white from a webtoon. The story takes so many hard turns it's at times like a crazy joyride with death around the corner. You know what is going on, but then again it can all be flipped over by a stroke of the pen. As a romance it's pretty satisfying with the cheesy, sweet moments.
The existential crisis and growth could have been a tad bit more clear, however spelling it out to people would probably dumb down the whole feeling and clever people can read between the lines.
Even though I felt the story was wrapped up nicely, I still have loads of questions that were never explained. This is a MUST if you like SciFi/Fantasy/Supernatural dramas!
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The director and executive producer for SHR is Kim Kyu Tae, who is well known for his cinematography where he works with close-ups to show the actors detailed facial expressions and then pulling out to show the settings and location views sparkling with colours and textures. His style is very present in this drama, delivering the atmosphere of each scene and handling transitions very well.
The atmosphere becomes overwhelming when the soundtrack is added. This is the first drama I ever watched where I enjoyed every single piece of music used. The OST is a mix of modern songs (that works well because Soo is from the future) and more classical film compositions that gives of a more ancient feeling (even though we know orchestras weren’t a Goryeo thing). I will be crying for a long, long, long time every time I hear the song “Will Be Back” by Im Sun-hye.
The story is a supernatural type of fantasy. It’s also portrayed in my favourite type of way; where there is a fantasy element/catalyst but it doesn’t take up the whole story and isn’t the biggest part of the main story. The fantasy element in this story is the time travel. It happens straight from the top in the first episode. What it brings with it is the struggle for our main female lead to adapt to her new surroundings and the choices she makes. I would also say it’s more of a supernatural time travel, since she isn’t physically moved, it’s only her soul that is transported.
A drama full of flowerboys and idol actors, can be a scary thing to start watching if you’re not here for your favourite Oppa. However, the director has handled the juniors very well and made them all have their shining moments. And this drama is full of moments for each and every one in the ensemble. The veteran actors that support and lead this drama are all on fire and delivering perfectly.
I would say it’s unnecessary to worry about the novice cast. The idols where more present in the story during the first part, but screen time was slowly phased out until the end where we were left with what I would like to call “the real” actors. This worked well since the atmosphere in this story slowly turns from feel good to tragic, where the real talent was needed. It never really bothered me, because I didn’t notice any lack of talent. I believe this was well handled by the director.
I will give a quick shootout to my favourite characters in this drama.
Park Ji-Young who played the 4th, 3rd and 14th princes mother, Queen Yoo is a true veteran and an excellent actor. Her role was incredibly hard and she pulled it off completely believable. I hated her to bits and constantly wanted to bitchslap her. She helped balance and portray the struggle of acceptance the 4th Prince constantly had, giving a good backstory to his character and his drive and motivations.
Ji Soo playing 14th Prince, is an up and coming actor (should he now be called a veteran after portraying support characters in 7 dramas and two films?) and he truly shined. In the last part of the series his role became more crucial to the story and his screen time showed his potential to become something really big. I will for sure keep my eye out for more dramas with him in the future.
Nam Joo-Hyuk playing 13th prince, is also an up and coming actor (soon to be the lead in his own drama, with 4 previous supporting roles on his resume list) who definitely nailed the role. It was as if this character was written just for him. He has never disappointed me and he is firmly on my list as a very talented actor.
So how were the leads doing? Lee Joon Gi as 4th Prince, Kang Ha-Neul as 8th Prince and of course Lee Ji-Eun (IU) as Hae-Soo. I have high expectations of these leads and would say they delivered to my satisfaction. What was a bit confusing before I got used to it is the different acting styles, that the director didn’t really manage to meld into something complementary of each other.
Lee Joon Gi (4th) is a historical/fantasy veteran, this is his element, this is where he is on fire and burns as the hottest star in Hallyu land. In his scenes he really pulls the show and I get the feeling not only the audience is swept away but also the actors he is acting with. What I love most about this actor is not only how he carries dialogue and can use minimal face gestures to deliver his emotions, but how he actually uses his whole body to convey and tell. It’s electric. I was fully enjoying LJG as an anti-hero in a dark and sometimes truly evil type of role for the first time in his career.
Kang Ha Neul (8th) has sadly passed me by and I have not noticed him in previous dramas. However, he is wonderful and was well casted as the 8th Prince. I believe he did a good job and the difference between him and 4th was very obvious, as it should be since this is a big part of the story.
Lee Ji Eun (Soo) should after this be considered not only an idol but also an actress. I will now stop calling her an “idol-actress” and I think she deserves to get recognition. She was good. She has some talent. I wasn’t really disappointed with the results. I am however hugely disappointed with the director who failed to melt her stiff porcelain doll face for more than a twitch. I am actually just going to guess that this has been so drilled into her during her idol career as a baby doll/Lolita, that she is having troubles moving on from the idol baby open lips constant surprise face. But apparently the Koreans love that kind of shit so… it didn’t bother me the first half of the show, but it did start to bother me the second.
The leads chemistry… personally for me… well, not really. Still I was super invested in the love between Soo and 8 and Soo and 4. Really! I wanted it, I needed it, I was immersed and found it believable. The guys were super hot and I understand that I just don’t get the sex appeal of the type of innocent stiff as a rock thing that Soo brought to the table. You, however, might find this the hottest thing since Pompeii. There’s something there. I just need more response from the woman than what was shown.
The main story is the romance, their lives the character development. This is well paced and well supported by the side plots who all tie in with the main story. How do these people come to know each other, why and how do they all fall in and out of love and friendships. They show that people are not completely black and white. Someone can be loveable but still have a dark side. Especially well written was the story about Wang So (4th Prince) who has a terrifying and tragic past, you can't dismiss it. Even though he changes for the better, going back to a monster is not out of character and never really far away. He is pushed and pulled from all sides.
I’ve been struggling with how to write this review without drawing parallels and comparing to the Chinese drama, how to only describe my impressions of this series excluding my impressions and memory of the story portrayed in the Cdrama. Especially since I know this series was based on the book, which I haven’t read, and not the Cdrama which I have seen. But let’s be honest, I am heavily influenced in my opinion of this drama by my experiences, not only the Cversion but also other historical romantic dramas I have watched, which is how we all form our opinions. Above I have tried to write my review towards both those completely new to this story and those who have watched the Cversion or read the book. I will now get into the comparison with the Cversion.
I am absolutely amazed of the excellent adaption they made with the script. This is not an easy remake to produce. The original book takes place in China and a lot of work has gone into rewriting the setting around the story to become Goryeo era, assigning roles to the historical people but still keeping the main story without destroying the very special core that is so emotional and wonderful. This is not a drama to watch if you want a history lesson, or a drama where you are entitled to become annoyed when it’s not historically correct. It’s a fantasy that borrows times, names and places from the real world and then warps them. But I think it's important for viewers to know, Goryeo era worked different from Joseon era, especially when it came to women rights, how their beauty standards was a real thing (scars are unacceptable in the royal court) and also that the 4th Prince was known to have been thrown away, shunned and he actually did have a scar on his face. There are more things accurate in this drama, but those are the main issues I have seen people question.
I seriously wish the Kversion had 35 episodes as the Cversion! However, I am amazed at how they managed to produce it with 20 episodes. They skipped a third of the Chinese drama and lots of really nice side plots, but it turns out they weren't really needed. Some of the side stories were shuffled around and didn’t happen in the same order as the Cversion. I felt that worked well, but I can’t pretend I wasn’t worried until I realized they had been reordered.
I enjoyed the relationship changes, they were much better portrayed in the Korean version. I do understand them, their changes, their frustration the issues they can't overcome and how Soo feels she needs to get away. But I am wondering if it's the Chinese version that is leaking into my understanding? Because I see fans complaining about different issues in the story development and I can't agree with them. For me, it has been clear as day. So why do I see what others don't see?
I found it much clearer in this version how the love became corrupted and how new love blossomed. How love is different, how we can love people in different ways, even if it’s just as strong. My biggest pet peeve with the Cversion was when Royxy left 8 and moved on to 4. I just didn’t follow that transition and it took some time before I got invested with them. In the Kversion, there is a spark established very early on and the actual moment she moves on is clear as day and very believable.
Some points of comparison I feel I want to mention are:
Prince 13th story and friendship with Soo wasn't built up as well as in the Cdrama. This could be due to them moving his whole arch until the later parts.
I also didn’t really follow Soo's friendship with all the girls. I realize this was a time issue. It happened, we just didn’t see it developing on screen in the Kversion.
I also wish they had built and strengthened 14th relationship with Soo. In the Cversion he constantly nagged her to come out of the palace with him. But perhaps this was enough for people to understand how he was the one who was there for her in the end, how she could trust and chose him to be her safe haven at the very end.
I am surprised of how much airtime they gave 10 without clearly managing to show how he truly came to love his wife. This part is much more clear in the Cversion with just as much airtime.
Again I need to mention that the love changes from 8 to 4 was incredibly well done. And that by the atmosphere, acting, cinematography and cutting. Immensely satisfying.
The 4th Prince had a much deeper and more tragic background than in the Cversion. This suited the story better. I never really thought 4th had the build up for becoming so cruel as he did in the Cversion.
I do miss the kneeling scene from Chinese version. You know the one… the one we all want. Imagine having 8 royal Princes kneeling in the rain for you (well it was because of 13, but Rouxy was the trigger). It was my favourite scene. Though, they did keep the scene where 4 covering her from the rain with his cloak.
The Kversion teased much more action than the Chinese... I was ready for it but it never executed. None the less, since I know the Cversion didn't have that type of all out war/action I am ok with it.
My final conclusion is that Koreans really know how to produce dramas. This adaption is just as good as the Chinese version. I think it’s one of the best dramas I have ever watched and will recommend it. It is definitely on par with the Cversion, both having their own strong points and weak points. I would say this is a must watch for drama lovers who like historical fantasy, can do without really deep political issues and just want to get into the love, rivalry and friendship parts.
As a finishing side note: Should you watch the Cversion before the Kversion?
I really don’t think you have to. But I highly recommend the drama because it's also very good and because it's one of the Chinese classical must watch dramas. Perhaps you know… you can be wild and crazy and start with the Kversion and then go watch the Cversion, because they both hold up equally towards each other. Not to mention the Cversion will surely give you more, much, much more of what you will love about the Kversion. Let me know if that worked for you! I actually wish I still could watch the Cversion for the first time again after watching this.
Thanks for reading I hope I helped make you decide. :)
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The usual Cdrama issues applies like low audio quality and annoying dubbing.
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I also don't know how I could stand watching this to the end considering it had, not one, but two female backstabbing trouble making bitches. That's by now such a bad cliche any drama that uses it should get poked with heated iron rods and thrown out for the dogs to rip apart.
Good music, cute side characters, lots of eye candy, super tropy and sadly rushed ending.
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It's a bickering slow burn romance for both parties without much relationship angst until the very end. The story and atmosphere was believable and realistic but still had a manga-esque feel to it. The female lead is one of the usual female stereotypes of being innocent, pure and much to kindhearted for her own good. However this stereotype is what the main story is about. It turns out that she is weak and strong in a nice mix of different personal traits. Depending on how you view it, something considered a flaw can actually be the opposite.
Usually I am allergic to guys who tell women how useless they are and that all their traits are worthless. But the lead here didn't really give of the usual "jerk" vibe and their bickering felt more like sibling/friend type of chatting. He did give a fair bit of explanation and constructive feedback on why she should strive to develop/change her behavior. Also she eventually gets a scene where she gives back just as good as she has gotten which felt immensely satisfying.
The music was ok. The ensemble of actors were ok. The directing and editing was ok. The series was ok until the last couple of episodes where it became very good. I do recommend this if you like dramas based on webtoons/mangas/animes or if you usually enjoy light Japanese doramas.
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Loved it so much. It's cute, cute and cuter. Usually hate amnesia tropes, but when it's used as main story and a comedy and not a desperate plot device then it works and can be fun. I can't say I cared for the story, the char development or anything really that was going on with the supporting characters. I was bored to bits but kept coming back because of the cute main couple. They didn't have chemistry but they can act....
Nothing amazing, but still well produced and wins my heart because of the good acting with a cheesy script. And... I love cheese!
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This script - these actors - the directing! I can't believe how well they put it all together. The situation was so believable and I became incredibly immersed in the unfolding of the story. Such a fun main story and well handled darker/tragic subjects. What really got me was how the sideplots were paralleled to the main story, same situations of jealousy and love triangles that were solved differently due to different context or personalities.
Amazing talented veteran cast, great directing of the juniors, an ensemble that worked very well together and never disappointed. As most of the time with Kdrama the supporting characters were well fleshed out and got to have their own char development.
Brilliant editing and scinematography, keep an eye out for what goes on in the background. So many fun easter eggs, symbolism and telling through props. The music was really good and suited the scenes and atmosphere of the drama.
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Some of the usual Tdrama problems where not present, like horrible audio quality. However the female lead acted out the usual cute and whimsical aside some clown characters performing the usual Taiwanese style slapstick.
The music was very good but repetitive. The audio was dubbed and thank the maker they changed Siwons dub after 2 episodes.
The story is engaging and at some points even deep enough to be immersive. Just when it's serious and you're holding your breath someone falls over and the moment is ruined.
I couldn't help wondering how these novice actors felt about meta acting, especially when they were supposed to portray acting perfection. I believe the director did a superb job with them.
I don't know why I wished for more romance. What was shown suited the story. However I wished we'd get a final confrontation that was a bit more than what they ended up doing.
I watched this because I love Choi Siwon as an actor and think he's a comical genius. His role here was much more mellow and stiff. So a tad disappointed.
Then there's the other Super Junior dude who I have no previous knowledge about. Can't really say he did bad.
Overall an ok drama with some moments that are fun, sweet, sad-ish, exciting. Good cast, good directing and good story.
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Not a story about finding love and the struggle of getting together, but a story about how to make it work to stay together. Also, a military drama disguised as a medical... Nah, this was straight up a romantic comedy with some sprinkles of action and suspense. Nonetheless extremely engaging and entertaining. A must watch!
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Trigger warning applies to this drama. In fact some romantic elements are extremely problematic and abusive. Continuous emotional blackmail into relationships etc. Also, I tried to see past that both her coaches were into her and were pursuing her. This is a big NO NO when a student is in a dependent situation towards a teacher. I understand the romantic fantasy trope this is. But coupled with the emotional blackmail it just became too much.
Good production value, nice OST, fun competition and a pretty ok story until the last two episodes where we aren't given answers and a great deal of the side characters stories aren't wrapped up.
In the end I am really disappointed with the investment I felt I had with her friends and no solutions to their problems. Everything was loose ended (not even open end).
Rewatch value is low. In fact you can just watch the last two episodes and you'll get the whole drama in endless flashbacks.
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