The Music is very breathtaking and get's you excited and moves you reminding you of scenes that were incredibly upsetting and also accomplishing.
I have never watched anything like it and to have watched it all in such a short space of time.
The characters were all individual and unique to watch bringing their own components to the show.
My favourite was Sowha, Young Deokman/Deokman and Bidam. All of them were very good.
With Mishil's gang of the deadly sins meets opposition with Deokman and her team of blending different characters to make an unstoppable entertainment that makes this a show you will never forget. Making you think and be taken into this world of intrigue and power struggles, war and strife, to complicated relationships and feelings, watching Deokmans life unfold from the beginning. The courage and bravery of Lee Yo Won character Deokman just made it an incredible adventure to watch I really loved her interaction with everyone how she stands up to fight such a refreshment.
I understand why this was so popular and how many of the cast won awards for it as it was well deserved.
I have to say please watch this if you have not already, you will be dazzled even long after the last episode. I will watch this again for sure!
10 /10!
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Then there was Ko Hyun-jung who plays Mishil.
I don’t think a K-Drama villain has had a better screen presence than Ko Hyun-jung’s Mishil. It was a combination of the music, the costume, and the close-up shots of Ko Hyun-jung’s Cheshire Grin, featuring a raised right eyebrow and dilated unblinking eyes, not to mention the character’s habit of referring to herself in the third person, that made Mishil THE character you loved to hate. It was the finest example of doing a lot by doing very little, a stroke of directorial genius.
Having said that, the drama had a glaring weakness; namely, the fictional liberties taken with Bidam only to try to have it both ways and make Bidam resemble his historical version. Though the same strategy is successfully applied to Deokman/Queen Seonduk, I never quite bought the love that supposedly existed between Bidam and Queen Seonduk, which was key in affirming Bidam’s historical credentials within the drama’s context. If Queen Seonduk loved anyone, that was Yushin. Friendship, sympathy, and compassion were more plausible when speaking of the feelings that existed between Bidam and Queen Seonduk.
Having said that, Queen Seonduk has a lot more going for it than against. The episodes dealing with Mishil’s palace coup, Princess Deokman’s staging of a solar eclipse, and Deokman’s formative years in the desert, are some of the most colorful, cinematic, and compelling K-Drama I’ve ever seen. They themselves are worth investing the 62 hours of one’s life that Queen Seonduk demands of the viewer.
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This drama portrayed the story of Queen Seondok of Silla in a fictional way. You will find some scenes unbelievable and some scenes were just out of this world LOL but irregardless, this was still a good drama.
The actors were good specially the antagonist, Lady Mishil! Go Hyun Jung portrayed her character very well. As a matter of fact, she won the grand prize in baeksang awards and daekasang awards last 2009 for her Lady Mishil portrayal. Funny because instead of hating her, you will love her. To be honest, she's the one who gave spice on the story, not the main character :D I love her and Bidam, they're my favorite characters on the show. Mother and son :D
Other actors were also great, Lee Yo-Won gave justice to her role as deokman/queen seondeok. She fits the role very well. Perfect choice for me. The young deokman also did a good job! Very clever, funny, wise and cute :3 I also like the characters Jookbang and Godo. Their tandem was very funny! Also one of the reason why this drama is perfect.
The background music was awesome! It was an additional excitement when the scenes were intense. It will rise you up from your sit and will give you a goosebumps!
The ending was tragic, very sad, it makes me shed tears :'( but still a good drama!
This is a perfect 10 for me! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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This review may contain spoilers
For me, the series finale is what cemented it into the classic it is today. Shakespeare could not have thought of a more devastating ending. It was tragic and glorious at the same time. And I loved every minute of it.I'll admit I got interested because I was fangirling with Kim Nam Gil since watching the Fiery Priest. And after reading that his character Bidam was the secret weapon to the success of this drama, I gave it a go. The casting was on point from the leads to the supporting actors. I mean did Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones get any lessons from Lady Misil? I swear they are so similar that I loved to hate them both. The perfect antagonist that would make you shed tears when they die.
And of course there is my tragic, ruthless, cunning, naive yet very clever Bidam. Although he appeared late around episode 20 or so, he stole the show the minute he walked out of a cave, barefoot and dirty, yawning past Deokman and Yusin without a care in the world. Right then I knew why he was the reason the series was extended from 50 to 62 episodes. He was the breath of fresh air that made you step back from the drama and exhale. How dare he look so hot with splashes of blood on his face!? He's so unpredictable that he kills as he pleases and doesnt care about royalty and all that bull. Yet, like a duckling he imprinted onto Deokman and her purpose and dreams became his. Overnight, it seems that he did a 180 degree turn from a carefree swordsman with no allies to a powerful politician backed by equally powerful supporters.
And so the romantic part s-l-o-w-l-y begins.
Deokman and Bidam met at a point where both their lives where in a mess. Maybe the reason why they found comfort in each other. Deokman took her sweet time choosing between Yusin and Bidam, but when she did, oh my poor Bi-Deok heart! How can a romantic scene be so emotionally charged with just a look, a smile and a hug!? I was so proud when Bidam finally won the Queen's heart. I was screaming with joy when she confessed she loved him and eventually announced their engagement. You'd know theyre destined for tragedy with their family background and all and yet you cant help but hope and pray that they will finally get their happy ending.
I found myself mentally preparing for the finale because I knew it would be a heart wrenching ending. It was sad. So sad. I was already crying the moment Bidam drew his sword to get to his Queen while counting the steps as he get near her. I was sobbing uncontrolably when he fell dead just 5 steps before her after whispering the words she most wanted to hear. I hated Deokman and admired her at the same time. How could she stand watching him die like that? Why did she not fight to save Bidam like she did for Yusin? Why did she gave up on him? But then she suddenly fell right beside him. Looking at his dead, bloody eyes before loosing conciousness and eventually her will to live. Although Im a self confessed sucker for tragic endings, this one is on a different level that it migjt take me a while to move on 😭
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Story: The dramas main focus is on Deokman becoming Queen (but it is in no way non-fiction lol - I read up on the real history before and while I was watching this and more than one account is fictionalized lol - The only fact was that she becomes Queen & Yushin a great general - that's it lol - everything and I mean everything else is fiction - but I have to say I loved it - I especially LOVED how they portrayed Bidam's character (who was the most fictionalized of all - but who knows MAYBE that's what really went on in history & we just don't know it lol)). The story is about Deokman who is abandoned b/c of a prophecy of Twins being a bad omen for Kings to have - her journey to finding out who she really is, the people she meets along the way (the gender bender in the first quarter) her loves, and her loneliness once in power and the fight to defeat her enemies and protect her people. *I'm not a huge fan of Women rulers (even though I'm a woman myself) they just come off as arrogant and rude to me lol (maybe that's the girl in me though fighting the girl on screen :P)*
Acting:
Bidam = 10+ for acting and character <3 I fell head over heals for this man and he became my reason for watching as soon as he came into the drama <3 He was so hilarious when he first entered - all the way through episode 34+ He would have me laughing so hard at this antics :P I could never figure him out - was he all he seemed to be? Was he really innocent? Does he have ulterior motives behind what he does? Does he really care for Deokman or is it a farce? Is he a psycho? or just misunderstood? His character was so gray that he never let me let my guard up but I couldn't help but fall for him despite that - he was the real mystery of the drama and one you really only come to fully understand by the end - and he is the only one (besides Cheongmyung) that made me cry on several occasions :'( and I was left sobbing for him in the end :'( *Heartbroken* I loved him SO much! He'll never be forgotten!
Yushin = 7- for good character but his acting needed improvement. I liked him a lot in the first quarter of the drama (first 20-25 episodes or so) and I shipped him so hard (I jumped ships around episode 30 something hehe) but his acting became dull and lifeless after that - he didn't show many emotions at all anymore :/
Deokman = 8 for character and her acting was mostly good with a few flaws. I loved her as a "boy" lol, she played that part SO well!!! <3 but when she "changed" somewhere around episode 24...or so *can't remember what episode exactly* after something happened. She just looked rude and arrogant :/ I wondered how someone could change so much in such a short amount of time... her character was totally different - so I had conflicting feelings with her character for quite some time... but I came to feel for her again later in the drama - and I loved all of her scenes with Bidam - it hurts just thinking about them :'( *crying*
Young Deokman = 10 Nam Ji Hyun did a WONDERFUL job as the young Deokman - I loved her character so much! she was a joy to watch! Such a talented actress - she never disappoints me in any drama I've seen her in.
Young Yushin = 9+ Lee Hyun Woo - what's not to love? ^_^ He was so serious it was cute ;)
Cheongmyung (young & adult) = 9 Both of the actors that played this character did an amazing job - and that's saying something b/c I generally don't like Shin Se Kyung but I loved her in this drama *maybe historicals suit her*. I missed Cheongmyung when she left. (talking about the character not the actor this time).
Mishil = 9.5 - acting was flawless, I could admire her cleverness but I couldn't like her b/c she was bad - but played a great villain. She was graceful even in her departure. My favorite spouse of hers: Seolwon played by Jun Noh Min <3 His heart was completely devoted to her with no ulterior motives - only love. *Seolwon and Bidam strongly resembled each other in this aspect*
Archeon = 10 My beloved Archeon <3 This man was another favorite of mine - I loved seeing him on screen <3 He's loyal, trustworthy, honest, and knew the feelings of the people he was around.
Chunchu = 8 Seung Ho played this character flawlessly but I couldn't come to like him b/c he was the biggest threat to my beloved Bidam (and this was what Chunchu thought and a reason why I disliked him more in the end b/c of something he does that hurts my poor Bidam).
Music: I love Balbambalba by Hong Gwang Jo - it was the most beautiful and sad song of the drama <3 Wind Flower by IU was also beautiful ^^ I personally loved Kim Nam Gil's song: 'Can't I Love You' (but I never actually heard it in the drama :( even though it is listed in the OST list... 'Mishil's theme' was kind of creepy lol and the song by Uhm Tae Woong was pretty ^^ There was also 1 instrumental I noticed and liked but I can't find it... It was always played where it didn't seem to fit lol - but it was really pretty ^_^
I think I would re-watch this at least every scene that Bidam was in anyways <3
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Excellent drama. Watch it, no ifs. Maybe think twice if 1) You don't like historical dramas, 2) You're looking for something with a detailed, developed love story, 3) You're looking for comedy, 4) You only watch shows with fairy-tale endings. But then still watch it. It will shatter all your prejudices, trust me.
THE STORY
Amazing. Just amazing. This is officially the bittersweet tale of victory over enemies and succession to the throne. A tale that explains just why one person should become king of the nation (being of royal blood is not a good enough reason), and what is the price to pay for it. But it's really so much more. It's the story of two women ahead of their time, the story of two different political perspectives where at times you see right and wrong and at times you don't, the story of personal growth, the story of having to choose between your love and your nation...The script is fabulous, with numerous conversations that make you think about politics, justice and morality, back then and today. The characters are for the most part complex, with flaws, qualities, mannerisms, and the plot is driven by their personalities, character evolution and individual decisions, not by the writer's wish, which means that while there's things you don't like about the story, there's nothing you can't understand, given the characters' way of thinking and doing things. It makes the story coherent and real.
THE ACTING
Perfect. Nothing else to say. Everyone was absolutely perfect in their role, but if I have to choose, I pick three in particular. First, to date, one of my favorite drama characters has been Mishil, Queen Seon Duk's mentor and enemy, and as a consequence, one of my favorite drama actresses has been Go Hyun Jung, who brought her to life with incredible talent. I also must mention Bidam, probably one of the most innovative characters in Kdramaland, both dark and scary and innocent and pure, and the superb rendition of the actor who played him, Kim Nam Gil. Lastly, I was greatly impressed by the young Queen, played by Nam Ji Hyun. Very moving performance, especially in two-three scenes.
THE MUSIC
Great music in this show, that really does a good job accentuating the emotions of each scene. I've downloaded many of the tracks. In terms of the instrumental OST, Mishil's theme is awesome (great Halloween tune), but the main theme and Crystal Glasses are also cool. In terms of songs, IU's Wind Flower is my favorite, but another amazing track, Come, people of god, will give you goose bumps.
REWATCH VALUE
Rewatched. Twice.
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mishil - this woman needs several awards for best female villan. Shes not the regular bad guy like in other dramas, she is a "daunting specimen" no one could contend with her. at first u will hate her for what she does but the more u are invested in the show by ep 30 u will realise her importance in the show. And how many babies and clans and followers does this woman got....
Bidam - wot in the wot, we dint need to see him shirtless or showering like normal but u will crumble inside with feels esp when his hair covers his face/eyes. Hes freaking hot and knows how to use the sword and fight and that smirk and smile will leave u dreaming. I wanted some romance but it doesnt go as far as huggin. For more u have to watch his movie "portrait of a beauty" he strips naked. i will miss bidam and bi-deok couple. He just wanted to be loved and touched and reassured, it was so pitiful i cried for him.
deokman -our favorite little girl is now a woman and a princess. The younger version did an amazing job to bring her character out. I loved her in 49days and i could see the two versions of her in this too. She did great being the ruler and was wise in her decision making.
yushin- just have to mention him coz his character was commendable to the end. He remained righteous all through the drama which was a trustworthy trait, others swayed but he never did. The younger version of him is my fav little actor lee hyun woo
Hwarangs- what was that about putting on makeup, on another note it was full of hot men in uniform (bojong shirtless i almost choked) . Wolya was hot too just had to mention him.
Music - from the theme song to the slow ones to the ending song the osts were great esp "come people of God by lee so jung" it just gave me feels
MUST WATCH
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Well, enough of my Mishil raving. The story was just splendid. It was this mixture of sadness and joy, of hope and despair, of intrigue and clarity through and through.
It talked about family, love, ambition and all those elements that are hardly on just one drama. The last few episodes were both heartbreaking and fulfilling at the same time.
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STORY: I have such great respect for the writers. Kim Young Hyun original wrote Jewel in the Palace/Dae Jang Geum before this and Park Sang Yeon was the original author of the novel that inspired the film Joint Security Area. After this drama, they also made Tree with Deep Roots and Arthdal Chronicles, other great dramas for me as well. Six Flying Dragons is also a drama by them, though I haven’t seen it but I heard its good too.
Queen Seon Deok is fantastic because it was able to show us motivations of many of the main characters and why they acted the way they did. They also showed that the good characters didn’t have to be perfect and that characters on the opposite side have some good in them and have their characters’ backgrounds explained clearly in a way so we can understand their actions .As a female, I also applaud that the drama has strong female characters (on opposite sides) who are both strong and smart, and stand firm on what they believed in. Except for sageuks, this was rare in Kdramas in 2009 when it was aired because the popular dramas then were simplistic love stories about rich guys and weak girls, so I really applaud them for this drama’s storytelling.
ACTING CAST: All actors deserve respect for signing up in a lengthy drama with the most difficult genre (sageuk). I dont think actors today would ever sign up for a 50 something episode show, never mind a serious sageuk of this length.
The best actors for me are, Go Hyun Jung as Mishil, Kim Nam Gil as Bidam, Nam Ji Hyun and Lee Yo Won as Deokman, Seo Young Hee as Sohwa, Jeon No Min as Seolwon, and Jung Ho Bin as Munno. I have no words for Go Hyun Jung’s performance for Mishil. She was beautiful and menacing at the same time. The aura she showed can either make viewers love or hate her character. Oh Bidam! Bidam is the reason why Kim Nam Gil became a lead actor in dramas. He had such a charisma in this show, that even the writers found it difficult on how to continue the story because of his great acting and charisma on the character he portrayed. Nam Ji Hyun was excellent in portraying desert girl Deokman. I know some didnt like Lee Yo Won’s acting, but I believe she did well in carrying the character and the show, even with Go Hyun Jung’s popularity. Seo Young Hee as Sohwa, she was simple fantastic in bringing out a character who had to go through a lot of changes, from a silly young maid to everything in the story that happened to her character. Jeon No Min as Seolwon, it was a supporting character but I never fail to notice his character and his acting. Jung Ho Bin, from Jumong to here he was always excellent in playing warriors and swordsmen.
Other actors that I also think did really well are Lee Seung Hyo as Alcheon, Park Ye Jin as Cheonmyeong, Yoo Seung Ho as Chunchu and Park Eun Bin as Boryang, Shin Se Kyung as young Cheonmyeong, Ahn Kil Kang as Chilsuk, Kim Jung Hyun as Hajong and Jung Woong In as Misaeng. Great cameo by Kim Yoo Jung too in one of the first few episodes as little Cheonmyeong.
One actor I didnt particularly enjoy was Uhm Tae Woong as Yushin. I find his portrayal mostly bland. However, I felt his characters love for Deokman in a scene when he was looking at her eyes and like I said, I respect him for taking up this drama (I heard he was great in other dramas, so I don’t think my opinion of him here should be any indication of how he is as an actor in general).
MUSIC: The music is the best on this show. Almost 10 years since I watched it and Crystal Glasses Instrumental is still among my most favorite instrumentals. I love how the instruments is used to portray Mishil’s character while she is doing what she is doing in the story (in the first scene it was played, she was literally playing on glasses. Balbambalbam was such a beautiful sad love song, perfect for this drama. I also really love Mishil’s theme, too bad the version I like best (with the violin sound, I think) is never on youtube. I also love the other instrumentals, especially the ones that were the themes for Deokman’s female relationships like Sohwa and Cheonmyeong. Thumbs Up!
COSTUMES/PRODUCTION DESIGN: How I wish this is also a category on mydramalist since the costumes and production design are fantastic. Despite being an older drama, I like the costumes better here than the other Silla drama Hwarang as the characters are more realistic and you can really imagine 600-700 a.d. Silla with those costumes. At the time of watching this drama, I thought the costumes and the hairstyles won by Cheonmyeong, Mishil, and even Deokman, were the most beautiful costumes worn by women from the historical Asian period, apart from Hwang Jin Yi's costumes. Even today, their clothes can still live up as good costumes in comparison to newer historical dramas with higher budgets. I also love the color coding on Hwarang and Nangdo clothes, it was easy to identify which Nangdos are under which Hwarang. I also love the realism of this dramas’ production design. Can you imagine a shower in 600-700 a.d. in Silla? Unlike the drama Hwarang, this one doesn’t have that prop (which is too modern for this period) and thus more pluses for this show.
REWATCH VALUE: really takes a lot of time to rewatch a long drama but I am giving a good score on this drama for this category because I was continuously rewatching many of my favorite scenes when I decided to check even just one episode in youtube years after I watched this.
OVERALL: With the elements I mentioned above making this drama great, the combination of them makes a gripping story of how a woman overcomes all to fulfill her dream of greatness for her kingdom. The way the story shows on how she overcomes her trials makes great storytelling.
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Anyways I really liked this drama but then I skipped a lot of episodes because I was getting bored, BECAUSE their was just too much talking and I didn't like that! They really could've pulled this drama off in like 40-50 episodes really. If they had minus all the talking and really just gotten to the point then everything would've been better. It's not bad to talk it's just every episode has like 10+ talking scenes!
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After I watched the last episode, this line from Bidam suddenly struck to my mind from episode 28.
Bidam: My life’s expectancy is fated…. To be three days shorter than the King of this heavenly Kingdom. You will know what I mean…
Characters:
Deokman9/10-As stated above, both young and adult Deokman did a really good job as Queen Seon Duk. At first I’m not fascinated to her acting maybe because of her facial expression but as the story goes by I get used to it and in the end she really stood out as a queen.
Bidam10+/10 – What can I say. He’s the only one I know that surely looks dashing while covered with blood. That very first scene my heart throb so much. I read many comments and 90 percent of the commentators really praise him and what will be his fate in the end. So I tried not to get attached to his character. But damn, he shows in episode 21 and he really drives to my heart with a bang! A very complex character that was Bidam is. And also a very pitiful one. He’s a cunning, kinda psychopath, but if you watch the whole show you will understand and love him deeply. For me he is kind, sweet, has a very cute and childish smile with a serious fighting skill. Chincha! I was mesmerized how he used sword and that awesome fighting technique. Until now I keep replying his entire fighting scene.I wonder what will be the best adjective that I can give to him. At first it was “innocent” but the writer was right, a term ‘sincere’ will fit him. And so in the end I cried soooo much.. jeeezzzz.. Having attached to his character I just want him to be happy together with Deokman. Bidam of the nameless guild. I am very proud and magnanimously rooting for him when he doesn’t have any allies. He’s not your typical hero like Yushin. But how he thinks, calculate situation, act, everything that he do and sometimes being a villain made him an unforgettable person and a worthy partner for Deokman.
PS. I love the promise ring of Bidam and Seon Duk?
Yushin7/10- The righteous man from start to the end. Don’t get me wrong I think he did a good job being yushin but he didn’t get to me until the end. What I love about Yushin is he’s really honest and devoted to his nation especially Gaya people.
Mishil10/10- A very good artist indeed. Even though she just sit there, gave Cheshire smile, instruct her supporter ,not that much fighting scene(but she’s badass in the first episode) She really shows the other ways on how to be an effective villain. I didn’t hate her coz there’s a feeling that she wanted to protect Shilla and she really is concern to her siblings and clan members. She died as a very dignified woman and Deokman learned a lot from her. That’s why our queen admires her in the end.
All the characters from Alcheon, Bojong, Muno, Chulsuk, Seolwan and others did a very magnificent acting. I hate them when they do bad things especially to my Bidam and love how devoted the other characters to the queen like Alcheon, Gubang and the others.
Overall I think I will watch it again if I have time because of Bidam. In my opinion it was more enjoyable watching QSD than Empress Ki. It’s just my opinion. So try it guys. Don’t be intimidated with the number of episode because it will entertain you until the end. ?
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