Decent comedy historical drama
The plot is simple, and fell flat towards the endingHowever the actors did a good job and leverage the drama.
Despite his appearance which I consider not suitable enough to be a crown prince, Do Kyungsoo' expressions and sageuk tone really melt my heart, he is really talented for sure
As for Nam Jihyun, I don't quite fancy her voice , her acting is witty and make viewers feel comfortable unlike the others
Kim Seonho has become so big nowadays but he was really charming in this one
Han Sohee. I prefer her portrayed modern dramas, she doesn't fit sageuk but her acting was decent
The music was okay and the ending seems rush and intolerateable
But still this worth 1 rewatch from me
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Very good, some parts are an exception
Something I really disliked was that Won deuk was so….like idk what’s the word but he expected Hongshim to comply with all his requests and he was so hard-headed and not in a good way. I love that Hongshim really didn’t let him walk all over her though but those moments were he tried I was so furious:p I guess that’s probably how society was back in that era so… idk anyway I also didn’t like that Hongshim’s adoptive dad had this weird voice and it wasn’t pleasant to hear every time he talked I was so annoyed, anyone else?? At the beginning it really seemed like Hongshim and Wondeum would never fall in love it just seemed so impossible since he despised everyone and even her I just never expected them to get as close as they did I mean I new it was bound to happen bcz they’re literally on the cover but it just seemed impossible at the beginning. I didn’t like that fact that Han seo hee was in this kdrama I just can’t stand her! I only liked in My Name and that was ok but in other kdramas she just acts like such a victim and so quiet and submissive and idk I just don’t like a lot of the roles she has. Anyway, it was all right, not as good as my favorite kdrama of all time: the king’s affection !! <33333Was this review helpful to you?
One of my favourite dramas now
I didn't have high expectations going in to this drama, but BOY did I fall in love!!First up, the story might be cliche, but I have yet to watch a drama with a similar story line. During the whole drama, there was a main plot that was maintained in all seriousness, without taking away from the comedic parts of the drama. The drama was both funny and serious at the same time. In the first episode alone, I found myself awing, crying, and gasping because of the story and the acting.
THE ACTING!!! First of all, the kid actors looked SO much alike to the adult ones it was fairly easy to tell who was who. Second of all, the children actors were absolutely amazing!! From their interactions to facial expressions to how well they acted out their characters, I was really shocked (and it was adorable) during the first episode. Kyung Soo, Ji Hyun and Seon Ho were brilliant, I loved them so much!! They had amazing chemistry (Won Deuk and Hong Shim) and their marriage was extremely realistic based on the circumstances.
I also really enjoyed the music, I wouldn't say it was particularly memorable like Kill Me, Heal Me's OST, but it definitely fit the drama. One of the songs got me crying every time it was played and it just fit so well with the time period and the drama/story itself.
I thoroughly enjoyed the drama from beginning to end. It wasn't boring at all during the 100 days away from the palace and there were touching, sad, serious, AND funny moments. It's more of a funny drama with a good plot so if you're looking for some serious historical and shocking dramas I suggest Kingdom instead. I also really liked how they ended the drama with everyone becoming so happy and relaxed, instead of being tense and plotting something. I really loved the drama and I highly suggest watching it!!!
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OH-HO! ALL HAIL PRINCE D.O.!
If you don’t mind the historical period dramas then you’ll like this one, too. Overall, it has the usual good storyline, the romantic or not so romantic connection between the two leads and enough comedy to get you laughing throughout. It’s the typical royalty storyline with lots of plots, deceit and conspiracy to gain status or get closer to the throne, etc. but what makes it good is when the writers can make it interesting enough to catch the viewer. I don’t know what it is, but for me I am always a big fan of dramas that add in the younger actors to portray a past connection of the main characters. I guess I like how they show more of flashbacks to explain the past, gives it more depth in storytelling IMO. There’s a pretty sizable and recognizable cast of actors that all did a good job, the costumes always make the characters plus a good OST usually gets me humming even after watching an episode. I first put this on my watch list because of actress Nam Ji Hyun (Suspicious Partner) now after watching this, I’ve definitely become new fan of the lead actor Do Kyung Soo aka D.O. (and EXO). Many times I come across a good drama I tend to steer and watch the other works of the actors, and I find myself loving them more and more. There’s just something this kid D.O.’s look, he came across so well as the prince, it’s gotta be those big eyes and pouty lips lol —he’s so handsome! Well, hope you enjoy the show, too!Was this review helpful to you?
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Could have been wonderful, ends up just fine.
A nice series until episode 15.The plot is classical, with two characters fated to one-another by their encounter as young kids, but it's entertaining enough to keep watching. The costumes and settings are a pleasure to the eyes, the music is nice and the acting is great.
However, it feels like only the existential crisis of the crown prince is what makes the plot worth it.
The amnesia of the crown prince has him to mull things over what's happening to him, which makes his character development very deep and interesting.
The underlying theme of the clash between the social classes is would have been very relevant but not that much exploited. The crown prince only mentions it slightly when he has regained his memory back and misses his life as a peasant ( once while he sees the amount of food he is served, and once when he says he still is Won Deuk )
Hong shim is probably the worst character. She stands as a strong and independent woman, yet does nothing apart from yelling at poor Won Deuk. The more the story goes, the more useless she becomes.
No need to add that relationship between her and the crown prince is dull, and their falling in love is unfounded. The story tries to make us think that they went beyond fate ( the proposal as children ) and fell in love for who they truly are, but they actually have no other reason than that for loving one another. Won Deuk proves that he actually is not useless, can read, is smart and quick-witted, but she does not show anything worth being loved.
As for the side characters, they are useless and annoying. While their jokes are probably made to lighten the atmosphere, it is never relevant nor appropriate to the situation.
There are also a lot paradoxical elements in the plot itself.
At the beginning, Hong Shim agrees with her father that they should lie to the amnesic crown prince, making him think that he actually is Won Deuk. However the next episode, she acts as if she was duped by her father that he is that Won Deuk ( and a few episodes later yells at him for manipulating the poor young man )
We can also quote the problem with the man who is appointed magistrate in the village, as he has this condition making him unable to recognize faces, yet still recognizes her even if she is dressed as a peasant, but does not recognize the voice or the attitude of the crown prince.
And those are only a few points why the plot seems rushed and focused on the love story, which could have been put aside for more coherence. The plot is full of such incoherence .
That being said, the series was still enjoyable mainly thanks to the character of the crown prince... until the point of no return, which takes place at the episode 15. Every character meets when they couldn't or shouldn't, the brother's death is too quick and not at the right time, everything seems rushed to end the series as soon as possible and untangle the sub plots.
On the whole, when an interesting theme pops up, never is it taken account for the sake of the love stories... that are not that passionate in the end.
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DOWN TO EARTH CROWN PRINCE
I rewatch this drama that I have abandoned (on ep 6) for over a year and realize very late that I missed the good drama. The palace intrigues not just pulling our interest in the drama, seems like everyone wanted crown prince to die for their own benefits; crown princess (the wife), the step mother (the queen), and ministers. When crown prince was little he witnessed his first love's family being killed by his own father and his trustee/supporter...not to mention he also overheard his mother got kill for this bloody coup....since then he hated his father the King...he held the grudges and contempt. When he survived from the murder attempt, he saved by Hong Sim's adoptive dad Mr. Yeon but has amnesia. They married by crown prince's degree (himself), with amnesia he couldn't remember anything of his background - he became commoner Na Won Deuk who knew nothing and good for nothing husband until found out that he's literate and an expert of martial art.I love the whole casts especially Kim Ki-Doo (Gu Do, husband of Keutt-nyeo) he has the cutest expression. The crown prince Lee Yul (Do Kyung-Soo) is a baby face handsome man, as crown prince he was a lonely sad arrogant harsh man but as Won-Deuk he learned common life in hard way who's also fallen in love with his (fake) wife. Won=Deuk has attitude problem and gentleman arrogant speech, bearing and demeanor that only suitable for high born rather common folks he's surrounded with. When Won-Deuk memory started to come back, he decided to live as a commoner instead of back to his royalty status and more interested to live with Hong-Sim and moved away hiding from everything.
The interaction between village people are really tight knitted big family - even supposedly mean shark money-lender was familiar with the whole family. Mr. Yeon was a very nice kind dad who loves his adopted daughter and son-in-law to no end...very proud to whatever Won-Deuk did or didn't do. The portion scenes of palace intrigue, relationship in ML, village people, local politicians were diversely balance tied to the story flawlessly. For the unborn royal baby all hell and deadly causes aiming the dead of crown prince. Great drama..overall score 10 is well earned and deserved, nothing that I don't like.
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I love historical dramas, they really have this cool vibe, the set and all feels likes like a different world, that isn't enough to emphasis the love i have for them. 100 days of my prince is the perfect to watch.
( I was so surprised on how well D.O acted, he is really so talented. )
Okay so, now the review :
☆ Though using amnesia again...can be cliche but i think it delivered well and suited the drama, without it, there was no way they would meet😆.
☆The drama is so freaking funny, like literally i can't explain, besides that the story's good, not boring but can get a lil laggy here and there....... which isn't much of an issue. Plot's good, story line fits. Nothing too dramatic or out of line. It's doable and understandable where things take a turn. Besides, that it was good piece of work i would say.
☆Cast is good. D.o, Nam ji-hyun, Kim seon-ho, han so-hee damnn. Acting exceeds the expectations i gotta say that. Chemistry is really good. The actors did a great job delivering the rom-com genre in a historical set.
Some things i would mention these aren't much of an issue but I'm just letting you know.
•Has a triangle. Ughh! ☹🤌😭
•Can get laggy, as i said. Few things for me in the plot felt unnecessary
•they were dirfting apart i thought it might end like that....but it's ends on a happy note.
• injustice to second couple😭.
The drama is exceptionally well crafted. I love the set, the cast, the acting.
That's it.
Hope you enjoy.
Worth the watch.
Perfect to binge.
Mixture of all, on top of that a historical drama.
Must watch if you ask me.
Byee!!
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Am I the only one uncomfortable?
This drama is a pretty cute and cliche one. Some people might watch it and forget about it, some might adore it and some might hate it but I guess we all can agree that this drama was pretty entertaining. I love watching saguek and honestly, I binged watched this show even if it was predictable. Why? Because it's entertaining and funny at times. The aesthetic of the show is really beautiful. The show itself is very vibrant and made me feel the enthusiasm. The story was kind of uncommon too, I mean how many times do you get to see the crown prince roam around in a village like an ordinary person?Now that we are talking about the village, everyone in the village is so ADORABLE. Except one old hag.
But I have to admit, some scenes were not satisfying (you'll know when you watch it) and that's why I deducted a star off the ratings. The acting was great and I will definitely watch the show (maybe not all of it) but only some scenes
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The Bottom Line: It's Entertaining
The beginning of this show instantly pulled me in, and I was really intrigued. It kind of slowed down for a bit, but the latter portion of this show really heated up and I enjoyed that a lot. To get the bad things out of the way first, this show has flaws. There are some plot oddities, definitely some cheesy acting, and clichés. Some parts were predictable, and I do not know if it was just me but some parts of the plot made me scratch my head and I had some questions. That aside, I did enjoy this show. I was rarely bored, and I was always excited to watch it. The costume design, set design, and the historical aspect of this show was really well done. For me, the love story was not amazing, but the Joseon politics were done very well. I was really invested in the plot surrounding what was going on with the King and his inner circle. I wish they showed more of that, that is one of my complaints, but that is because it was done so well. While some of the elements of this show seem familiar and not super original, the plot surrounding the royal family was very intricate and brought this show up to a higher level. Other praises for this show include good music (both background music and singing), and the villain of this show was truly evil, and that actor did a great job. At the end of the day, this was a fun show to watch. There were many serious moments, and very light moments, all of which were fun to watch. Also a lot of this show was just...cool. I do not know how to describe it more eloquently, but I was watching this and going "wow this is cool." If you are looking for a cool historical drama to sit back and relax to, and not overanalyze, then 100 Days My Prince will entertain you for sure.Was this review helpful to you?
Intrigue of palace politics and laughter in a single bowl
The character of Yul is a perfect cut for D.O., it's as if the role was written for him. The comical nature, the coldness, and the hidden tsundere are very typical of him. 100 days my prince impressed me with its plot, the intrigue it carries and the uniqueness it ensures. Korean dramas around palace politics are always intriguing in their own unique way but 100 days my prince stands out with a cast very strong in their craft and a storyline that is not found yet. Amnesia, love, angst, pangs of unrequited love, and loss are all tied up into the wild mix of raging wars of succession and power inside the walls of Hanyang.Even then there are missed spots and one of them was Nam Ji Hyun as the female lead. For me, her acting didn't cut for the role and felt incredibly shallow. Han So Hee shined more than her even though the subtotal of her screentime is far less than the lead. The side characters of the show are an incredible cast, each giving justice to their characters. From Kim Seon Ho to Jo Sung Ha, from friends to follies, each brings forward a masterclass in living their characters and making them into breathing ones.
Filled with major laughter scenes with the arsenal of villagers, it does not feel too dark even though it is. 100 days my prince brings to you a fresh take on palace politics in a light mix filled with fun, frolic, romance, and much more.
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Great main story, not so good side plot
Not gonna lie, the main reason I watched the show was for Kyung Soo and So Hee, however, it was a fun, charming, and gracious ride.I've watched a couple of dramas that had this historical plot somehow, but never one that was fully committed to it. I ended up enjoying it a lot, it was nice to see a representation of the old (but really old) days, even though I know it's impossible to get a 100% accurate portrayal of it.
Story: I enjoyed the main story and the first half of the side plot, but after a while, the second narrative going on became a little repetitive and confusing.
Acting: Amazing cast, all the emotions were portraited perfectly for each character.
Music: The mixture of old new sounds was a perfect addition to the show, it has a great OST.
Rewatch Value: I will watch it again, perhaps paying more attention this time to the second narrative than to the main story I may be able to understand why everything became so weird at some point.
Overall: Recommended for those who like classical stories dramas, but don't expect a lot of romance or fighting, it has both, but not in excess.
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This review may contain spoilers
Cliches Work
Wondeuk and HongshimThere are several notable tropes that serve as the foundation of Wondeuk and Hongshim’s relationship, and 100 Days My Prince handled them in a way that makes the progress of romance between these two characters feel natural instead of relying on the audience’s expectations that they must fall in love because they’re the main leads of a K-drama.
For example, in typical Asian drama fashion, our leading man Wondeuk/Lee Yul grows up never forgetting his childhood love, Yoon Yiseo. But instead of him harboring some sort of linger obsession with a random girl he met who was nice to him once, as it often is the case in other dramas, he’s driven to look for her by the very real and understandable guilt from watching her entire family die by his father’s orders.
What follows is his amnesia, which not only does the job of providing the perfect foundation for a slew of comedy and miscommunication, but frees Lee Yul from the constraints that comes with being the Crown Prince, allowing him to become “Wondeuk” and fall in love with Hongshim while being, arguably, his truest self.
This drama puts in the work of making its main leads grow through shared experience and confrontation of not only each other, but themselves. And what comes out of a pretend marriage built on deceit, lies, and secrets is one of the sweetest, most honest romances you’ll ever find in Asian drama land—second only to Kkeutnyeo and Gudol (Hongshim’s best friend and her husband) of course.
Dissecting Kim Chaeon
Watching 100 Days My Prince early on, I thought Kim Chaeon was a lacking villain, created to play a role but with little reason to explain why he is the way he is. To tell the truth, I still kind of feel that way about him, even though he turns out to be a bit more complicated than I anticipated.
Kim Chaeon starts out as an enigma of an antagonist. You kind of don’t understand what he wants, so much so that I initially wondered if he was a red herring and the actual villains were the Queen and her family’s political faction.His actions comes off peculiar at first. He forces Lee Yul’s father to become king, but won’t allow him to keep his wife/Lee Yul’s mother as Queen. Okay? So he successfully replaces her, only to let the replacement queen and her family become the thorn in his side sixteen years later. But hey, that’s all right. His daughter is married to the Crown Prince. Except wait, he may or may not have masterminded the Crown Prince’s assassination…
Everything he does makes sense if you watch on and follow the threads closely. He wants to replace Lee Yul’s mother because she came from the former king’s family. Her replacement turns out to be more crafty than he anticipated, and he isn’t able to stop her family’s rise to power in time. His assassination of the Crown Prince, it turns out, is to protect his daughter’s crown princess position after she fell pregnant by someone who’s not her husband. So yes, his actions do line up to his overall motive—to be the true power behind the throne.
Except, at some point, the audience and multiple characters in the series have to start wondering why he didn’t just take the throne for himself all those years ago. Why stop short of absolute power? Instead of being king—and he could’ve been king—he chooses to be a puppeteer over and over.
Along that same illogical train of thought, in the face of accusations of treason, he colludes with a foreign force to bring down his country. And instead of loving his children and ensuring they live a happy life, he chooses to sacrifice his life and saves his family via the blank royal decree, except he’s doomed them to live out their days as prisoners and exiles.
We eventually get a glimpse into his inner psyche during his final conversation with his daughter where she tells him how much she hates being his child. He reveals that he had nothing growing up, that there’s an ever-growing desire inside him to not have to answer to anybody, and that nothing he does ever seems to fulfill it.
It’s only then we learn that this is a man who’s lived his entire life in survival mode, and who, despite all his cunning, doesn’t really understand himself or what he wants, which explains everything about this character to me. In universe, he’s a lost man living moment to moment, trying to stave the hunger he experienced as a child growing up in a dog-eat-dog world. On a story-level, he’s a one-dimensional villain whose only function is to be a hindrance to the protagonist, which he’s very effective at, even if it means his choices come off arbitrary and incoherent. Hey, this random line alluding to his tragic backstory should make enough sense to cover up the plot holes!
An Overly Upbeat Finale
Someone once said to me that you can tell how historically accurate a historical Asian drama is by how happy the ending is, and I agree. 100 Days My Prince, a drama of pure fiction, ended very happily.
For the people of Songjoo Village, life goes on for the better. Mr. Yeon clearly acquired some nicer clothes and renovated his house. Kkeutnyeo and Gudol are expecting their first baby while acting as warden to Kim Chaeon’s son, a job they’re collecting some nice cash on. Park Seondo is stripped of all his wealth and sentenced to eternal servitude under the new county magistrate, Park Bokeun. Even Machil manages to turn his life of loan sharking around.
In the capital, the Kim clan is no more. Lee Yul reconciles with his father, who fixes his marriage with the Queen, who, as it turns out, isn’t looking to unseat the Crown Prince in favor of enthroning her own son as much as she wants to spend more time with her husband, who just wants to see his eldest son married before retiring with his wife to the countryside. Even Eunuch Yang returns to serve by Lee Yul’s side, now with the leverage that he once almost died because of Lee Yul to make his job easier.
The last twenty or so minutes of this drama is also the weakest, if only because there are no consequential conflicts driving the reconciliation between Lee Yul and Hongshim, now a noblewoman. Realistically, it’s probably a good thing that the couple took some time apart after defeating Kim Chaeon to settle into their new selves. Narratively, the separation serves no purpose and drags things out too long. Nevertheless, watching our main leads finally coming together for real with the support of their friends is immensely satisfying.
Oh, and I’m so happy that the Crown Princess is alive and well with her son.
Other Thoughts
1) Jung Jaeyoon strikes the perfect balance as a second male lead—not too great that he overshadows Lee Yul, not too awful that you dislike him. His face-blindness is an amazing use of plot device by this drama. Plus, his relationship with Ae Weol the gisaeng is a highlight for me
2) The complicated yet clearly real love between the Crown Princess and Mooyeon is fanfiction worthy material
3) The whole subplot with the Ming Dynasty envoy and his daughter feels out of place and serves too obvious of a contrast to 4) Lee Yul and Hongshim’s situation
5) Prince Seowon is an angel
Final Rating and Recommendations
100 Days My Prince is insanely bingeable and insanely good. The main romance is the perfect example of when a fictional relationship can be based on cliches but not be dictated by them. The ending is almost too upbeat and cheesy, but you honestly won’t mind it after the emotional rollercoaster that is this drama. The comedy is top-notch, with amazing costumes and a well-plotted story, not to mention its amazing cast: To fans of Exo-K’s D.O., this is a must-watch.
My Rating: 8.5/10
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