Grand Prince (2018)

I'm really into historical dramas. Before I watch the drama, I will search for its plot and some reviews to determine if it's really good. This one really got my attention, above all the dramas that I found, and it's really worth watching. Chemistry between the main characters is wonderful. It tells an interesting story, also its music that adds greatness to the scenes. Acting skills of the characters are moving that I, myself, imagines that I am the person I'm watching. I can feel the sincerity of the actors and actresses in each word they say, like it's really their lives they're living. The setting of the drama is great too. From the palace to the smallest house, it portrays the past as I imagine it. Shots of every scene is good. I love this drama and I will remember the lessons I learned from it.

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Grim Prince

The spoiler/teaser introduction and that first episode in general left a bad taste in my mouth. There was no need to show moments from 10 episodes later this early, if their intent was to try to hook the viewers by showing spoilers then they failed. And don't even get me started on that loathsome love triangle that seemed to stain the entire drama. The pacing was all over the place—slow moments that dragged on forever and irrelevant sidetracking. The whole sibling rivalry angle was given a generic development. The not so good brother tried to justify himself but the writer didn't put an ounce of effort into that. On another note, Yoon Shi Yoon looked weird with his baby beard.

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This story was very sweet but the trajectory of my thoughts while watching was basically:

Oh no. Yoon Shi Yoon is crying.

Oh man, Yoon Shi Yoon can really cry.

Damn, all the crying.

So. Much. Crying.

For real though.

I wasn’t impressed with the writing…the story wasn’t all that original or exciting. I never really developed much emotional attachment to any of the characters.

Having said that, many of the moments between Lee Hwi and Ja Hyun were very sweet and endearing. I won’t go so far as to say they had “sizzling chemistry” or anything like that but their devotion to one another was inspiring and they did have some moments that made my heartbeat speed up.

I think this was an interesting role for Yoon Shi Yoon. He was great as Lee Hwi but…I don’t know, maybe it was the facial hair? I just didn’t quite buy it. I’m so used to him playing cute, bubbly characters that seeing him in a more serious role was…weird. His gentle demeanor was spot on though and one of my favorite scenes was when Lee Hwi and Ja Hyun spend what they thought could be their last night together and he laid her back and just…stared at her in the gentlest, sweetest way. Gawd, that scene was perfect and HIGH FIVE to the director and Yoon Shi Yoon for that!

Since Lee Hwi and Ja Hyun’s relationship progressed so quickly though, a lot of the tension fizzled early on and it made many of the moments between them throughout the later part of the series pretty dull and repetitive. They managed to bring it back here and there but overall it just wasn’t that epic. Even though it was very different in many ways, this story and relationship dynamic reminded me a lot of The Princess’ Man (which was much more intense and impressive, in my opinion).

Hats off to Jin Se Yun and the first time I’ve watched her play a character I don’t loath (Bridal Mask—this is me, looking at you…) Ja Hyun had some good development but I would have liked to have seen her grow so much more, instead of just talking about how much she’s changed. Oh well.

Overall it was worth the watch and I don’t regret it. I just probably won’t bother ever coming back.

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Grand Prince Ep 1: First Impression

I started this drama randomly on Viki and I had a hard time getting into it, because it also shifts between past and present and ep 1 feels a bit like when you arrive late at the cinema and miss the beginning of the movie. that's what this felt like. It felt like you missed the beginning of the story and that made it hard to figure out why characters where doing what they were doing, you know ?

I've seen the FL in bridal mask so I just see her as mok dan..

[ also the colouring and production quality makes not only this drama, but some others hard to really get into the world of the drama if you know what I mean..like in dramas, which feel higher quality or even older dramas like the princess' man or even moon embracing the sun just make it easier to into that time.. ]

I feel like I've heard this music in other dramas..maybe not the exact OSTs but the song sounds familiar..

I've seen quite a lot of bad reviews but some good ones of people saying they loved or really liked this drama..

I picked this drama up again, after having it on hold for a while and am on ep 8. there are some things that don't makes sense and the plot may not be a whole lot original, but I like the main couple, but feel like they've picked the wrong drama..(which so much drama and stuff)

Also the SML feels like a fickle kinda guy..

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