WARNING! After watching this drama:

• You will be grateful for being born and privileged to have seen this drama
• You will feel like taking a plane to South Korea and hugging the drama creators and actors for existing and bringing you such joy
• You will thank the inventor of electricity, and the internet + whoever is paying those bills (Extra hugs, if it is you)
• You will comeback and rewatch the scenes from this drama or whole, when you are feeling down/happy/unsure of which drama next.
• Maybe you'll thank me as well - or whoever suggested that you watch this drama!

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I have been watching dramas since 2011, and I can proudly say that this drama is close to perfection.
Just for one thing (read: the cousin/second lead ending) it would have been a 10/10 - masterpiece. But it still is in all the other ways and has become my go-to drama to uplift my mood/when I don't know which new drama to start.

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• The Story
It flows like a river or poetry. In just 10-15 minutes, we get the background of what happens in the present world and what kind of a guy, Jang Bong Hwan is. And after that, is just a roller coaster. All emotions ✔ - laughter, sadness, jealousy, anger, happiness - as the story progresses. It has romance, comedy, mystery, politics and action sequences.

• The Characters

♥ The FL/Mr Queen - Shin Hye Sun, I have been waiting for her to get a lead role after I saw her act as a petty-turned-good character in She was Pretty (Still 17 and Angel's Last Mission was close, but this has established for the world to see what a great actress she is.

From the first episode, her stance (keeping her legs apart like a man, shaking her feet, trying to find her Dragon) were such quirks - the body language brought out the comedy. Then the angst she shows when she discovers it was the King who tried to kill her, and when the young maid was punished to be killed. The romance - which she didn't want but still happened with the king (trying to assess whether she is a man/hormones have overpowered her) as well as flirting with the maids and Bin were such brilliance. And all in all - she kept true to her profession, playing her cards right - using her culinary skills to win them all as well as her wit to navigate through the dirty politics (Cue: 2NE1's I am the Best)

While the voiceover over Choi Jin Hyuk brought out a lot of nuances in her character, Shin Hye Sun shone the brightest of them all. I know this would be the benchmark and one of the highest points in her career, but I wish her the best and wish we get to see her brilliance in more dramas of such caliber that do justice to her art.

♥ The ML/The King Cheol Jong
This is my first drama watching Kim Jung Hyun - and man I am in love. (Waikiki, School 2017 and Crash Landing 😪 would be next).

His switch from acting like a fool to being cold and cunning - his eyes becoming slits and that unamused smile *shivers down the spine*. But then as we get to know his agenda to be a better king, the action sequences and his gradual but sure way to love his wife - just melted me away. What a great way to showcase - how a person can carry so many emotions and be a different person as situation demands.

The way your eyes slowly tear up - if you start getting angry or reflect upon something of the past, if a male actor can do it brilliantly - always scores a high point in my mind (the first one to do was Lee Min Ho as Gu Jun Pyo for me - when he decides in his car that he must marry the other girl - Ep 14/15 I think). Kim Jung Hyun does it too and wow - just moves you.

♥ Court Lady Cho | Hong Yeon | Kim Hwan [Byung In's cousin] | Grand Queen Dowager Sunwon | Man Bok [Royal chef]
While all characters did their part well, these support characters stole the show for me - and are worth mentioning. Most of them are seasoned actors and some new and young, but they were all well thought out, adding their value to the story. They are characters who actually supported the mains - while establishing themselves and carving a spot in our minds of their own accord.

♥ Na In Woo as Kim Byung In/Second-Lead
While Na In-Woo was good as the conflicted cousin/lover, trying various ways to show his love and protect the FL, it was all great except the end. The scene (Ep 9) when he finds the main leads kissing, that anguish and helplessness was palpitate and moreover, he was asked to keep watch (uff, burn).

The ending though was non-sensical. Had he not been killed (in the most weird manner, may I add - seemed like a desperate attempt to remove the SL and add tears) - he could have taken So Yong to safety to the camp along with the King, joined the rebellion and fought alongside them to help the King. Later on, he could have made peace when he would have seen So Yong is back in her body - and left to another place than the capital as a minister, or left altogether on good terms. (cause he ultimately wanted So Yong to be happy). Or stayed back and been alive. This plot line is the only reason that makes me give the drama a 9.5/10. 😭

• The OST - 10/10
From the comic songs to the soft romantic ballads to the brilliant action background score (Remember that lantern scene in Ep 3 - WOAAAHH - Goosebumps!) - Masterpiece and deserve a place in your music playlist!

• The clothes, the set, the direction - the pace, the apt cliffhangers - all done tastefully - making you click that next episode button automatically cause you just can't get enough of this drama!

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To all my new chingus and old drama-lovers, if you are reading this - just watch it, and come and thank me later!
I am controlling myself and not going overboard to just sing praises and write on and on about this sheer brilliance.

MR QUEEN - is a benchmark for years gone by and yet to come in the world of K-DRAMAS

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