Hooked me, bored me, lost me
The palace intrigue trope is the backbone of most sageuk and it is the focus of this show as well. Amnesia is another popular trope that is fairly timeless as far as plot device goes. Combine the two and we should have an engaging plot full of potentials, right? Well, sort of, but only if the writer-nim was up to the challenge.100 Days actually started well enough. The flashback was quite impactful but in their rush to set up the OTP's backstory and their fated love story, it gave away too much of the main characters' stories and motivations. With no change to the rationale over the intervening years, that removed a lot of the "intrigue" from the palace intrigues. This is not necessarily a lost cause because the plot switched up with the ML (a Crown Prince, no less) suffering an injury which brought on amnesia and he was a fish-out-of-water in a backwater village. This conveniently set up the fake marriage trope with the FL. Hey, when you already ticked two major trope boxes you might as well go for the trifecta!
The Show has a dash of romance, a hit of angst, a measure of intrigue and a sprinkle of comedy but nothing really dominated. It really felt like the Show is fishing for a genre but it swung from a sageuk to a rom-com then stretches of full-on melodrama and bits in between. None of the traits stuck though. This drama doesn't hit you with the feels but more like flick you with a wet hanky.
The writer-nim did try to make us ship the CP by using all the clichés in the playbook. In that sense, I have to give full credit to the FL (loved her in Suspicious Partners) as she did most of the heavy lifting here. The ML was handsome but he spent way too much time being stoic/poker faced/detached or feeling unease. That is a source of frustration at times as all you see is his stony countenance even though the script is clearing saying "you are in love" (is that the idol curse?). By the time he started to show some real emotions later in the show, the script dumped us straight into a long stretch of melodrama and he underwent a full face Botox treatment. This could have been a decent rom-com but the chemistry of the OTP was slow to develop and always felt a bit scripted which is a shame.
The Show wasn't bad and it was watchable but the writing has some issues. Old cliché power struggle plots were the only game in town and they were hardly original. Most characters were standard archetypes with little growth so an archvillain was just that. A petty local bully stayed petty. The found village/family setup was nice and sweet. The close knit set of villagers provided the thankless backbone of the show and some colour. Even the so-called machinations and scheming were fairly transparent and is oft given away by long expositions (even though the viewers are well aware of the plot by then). The odd revelations were more like confirmations and not surprise twists.
There was no doubt a HEA ending was mandated but the last couple of episodes were really awkwardly written (even by the Show's standard). After the longest set up regarding the ultimate showdown between the ML and the antagonist and how they were manoeuvring to outsmart each other. When it happened, it was a disappointing fizzer. It was poorly set up and poorly executed. Why did the ML charged into war still wearing his fancy court robes? There wasn't even any attempt to put on the simplest leather armour let alone anything befitting a royal personage. Speaking of THE war, it was more like a skirmish. It felt like an afterthought with minimal attention to details (did they run out of money?). To be honest, they could have skipped that completely and still achieve the same outcome. There was little narrative logic as the script rushed all the sub plot to conclusion and gifted everyone a happy ending. It was not so much "no questions asked" but more like "ask no questions and hear no lies".
I really felt sorry for the FL, she hasn't been in many dramas since Suspicious Partners and this is not a career highlight. She did her best but the drama let her down.
OST was serviceable but repetitive. Rewatch value is low. Not that many swoon worthy moments to relive.
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A great drama, not just for EXO fans
I went into this show already knowing that Kyungsoo is an amazing actor, based on previous works. But I understand that a 16 episode drama is different from a movie.The main character with memory loss is nothing new, nor does this drama take it somewhere surprising. The cast was wonderfully picked. I can’t say anything bad about any of the actors. In special I’d highlight, besides Kyungsoo, Kim Seon Ho and Nam Ji Hyun.
I do feel like the story drags a bit around the halfway point, since it’s still to early for the prince to come back, but the show doesn’t exactly know what to do with the village plot. The "villains" work well in this show, specially in the palace.
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Should have been shorter..
100 days isn’t exactly a kdrama with great depth, however it manages to be entertaining. The acting makes up for what the storyline lacks. Perhaps my biggest problem with the plot is the unnecessary dragging. This could have easily been a 12 episode drama.The show actually starts off well- it manages to be funny without being over the top. After that, the focus starts shifting to political affairs and becomes somewhat melodramatic, with the main couple not talking to each other for a lengthy time. This is all resolved in the final episode, which - in my opinion - was slightly disappointing.
I am having mixed feelings, because despite this, I did enjoy the acting. I don’t think it was necessarily out of the world, but it felt suitable for the kind of drama 100 days my prince is. I think that it might even be worth rewatching, but I think I would skip through many unnecessary scenes.
Overall, you might enjoy this if historical dramas are your cup of tea, or if you’re a big fan of Kyungsoo. 100 Days My Prince didn’t amuse me, but I did feel all sort of emotions while watching it, which, I feel, should be the end goal of any series.
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Like a Sweet Folks Tale Adaptation
The whole show has the feeling of a lovely folks tale adaptation, like a story you heard many times as a child that you grew fond of. "The Never Smiling Prince" and what happened to him. It was nice to watch and sometimes even had a fairytale feeling to it. It's very low on "drama", even though it has its sad moments, and a few scenes that were very well cut and done by the actors.Overall it is a sweet show with some very great tracks on the soundtrack (for that alone its worth it in my books), that is enjoyable to watch without getting too deep into the feelings.
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A slow start but...
The beginning, from episode 1 to 3 is rather slow. I had to kinda force myself to watch the sequel thinking it was going to be just as slow AND boring. The more the series progressed, the more interesting it became.We see very clearly Won-deuk and Hong-sim's relationship "improving" as the episodes progress. The character of "rich heir who doesn't care about anything" gradually improves into a generous and helpful person, although sometimes he comes to the surface (don't forget that he is still the crown prince...).
Conclusion : It's a pretty good series but I won't watch it twice, I think.
Good viewing to you ! :]
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Good start, but just got boring
The first few episodes were really interesting . The palace intrigue and backstory of our main characters was fascinating and high stakes. It made me feel so many emotions and I was rooting for them.But around episode 4(?) it started going downhill for me. The pace slowed down and I was getting pretty bored. It didn't feel like the plot was going anywhere and it could have easily been cut down to 12 episodes.
The acting was superb and I ended up looking up what other dramas these actors have been in because I want to watch them in something else (hopefully more exciting).
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It's simply amazing.
Entertaining, emotional, original and new ideas. It was a pleasure watching this series. I really loved the cast (new faces for me). The regular comedy characteristics of the program, through characters as Hong-Sim's neighbours, brought life to the long episodes.There's nothing to say or do besides congratulating the whole cast and film directors.
The historical aspect in which the series was developed wasn't a problem when it came to creating, for this context, open-minded personalities.
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"Am I the only one feeling uneasy?"
I've put this one off for awhile, I just wasn't all that drawn to it.I found myself stuck in bed, so gave this a go.
What a nice surprise (given the last few Netflix fiascos).
I didn't expect much; the whole amnesia concept is not one of my favorite story lines.
This one was fairly well done.
I liked the natural progression between the two leads, we already knew who they were prior so watching them learn one another was fun.
The ML had a great air of superiority about him the whole time, kudos to the young actor.
There were some sweet scenes between the two main leads, delivered with little more than looks.
They had it - chemistry.
These two had a very natural flow about themselves.
I enjoyed it mostly from start to finish.
Were there hiccups along the way? Of course.
It was a decent watch.
This is probably not one I would re-watch, but others might find it enjoyable a time or two more.
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Less About The Story...More About The Romance
It's literally as the subject line suggests- yes, I enjoyed watching the whole drama but honestly, it was more for the romantic side than the actual story of the Prince. The acting from both ML and FL was great, as always from these two and it made me watch the whole thing; their romance and how it progresses kept me interested. It was for sure predictable and not that exciting but it's a cute drama and definitely an easy watch, you won't find a new angle or some unique storyline but it's cute and enjoyable.Was this review helpful to you?
Acting of all the cast are perfect ?
I am watching this drama again as i really loved this drama. D.O oppa's Oho! Makes me smile and laugh everytime..i am an EXO L and his acting is what made me love and fall for him more. His 💋 kisses, his voice and also the plot is perfect for me..in an ancient drama plotting is always there...but still this drama is different for me❤️...the OST cherry blossom 🌼 by Chen is my all time favourite song in my playlist. Please do listen to the OST after watching the drama...it will hit different ☺️. I am still not disappointed by watching this drama for the 4th time😌....i just wished that his security guard (Ban Ryeu from Hwarang) should not have died so early....i cried from the beginning 😭...overall i really loved this drama...i will recommend it to all specially our EXO LsWas this review helpful to you?
Average historical show with an alluring performance from the cast
It’s always been politics, the throne, and love stories when it comes to Korean historical drama. Despite the norms that the show presented, it isn’t much of a cliche since they manage to pull an attentive storyline that triggers the interest of the audience.The best element of this drama is the portrayal of all the characters, immersing their great acting skills. From the main characters to the supporting ones, everyone is firm with the emotions that their characters need to build from time to time.
D.O. is such a cute and handsome man. With his expressive facial gestures and engaging way of delivering his lines, he surely deserves to hold the title of one of the best idol-turned-actors in the industry. Also, Nam Ji Hyun once again nailed her role. No doubt, she and the rest of the cast performed an excellent presence in the story.
The plots are predictable but still satisfying to watch. The comedy here was good too, the same with the heartbreaking scenes. The ending isn’t that extravagant compared to other historical shows. But I guess this is their charm here, making it as simple as it is. Overall, this show is a light and feel-good drama to consume.
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Not very good one
I'm not an exo fan (please don't kill me xD) so it was a little more difficult to watch, because I didn't have the fangirl motivation here xDSomeone said is a shopping king Louis in joseon and...well that's where the problem lies. Everything, like every trope of this drama it's already seen and already done. The similarities with skl are many, but also with like every period drama I have seen. (Speaking of which: there is a saeguk not focused on the royal family? Or at least not only, like there's nothing else to write about that period??) There's no suspance, no really twists in the story or mysteries - we all knew that the assassin brother was the father of the queen's baby. Even the death of the evil vice minister was unsatisfying...well the whole plotting against the crown was too bland and boring.
Also! There was the "solution agency" which was an interesting thing, but they drop it pretty soon only to bring it back at the end just to feign ignorance about the fact they forgot about it lol
Ps. My extremely unpopular opinion: I had the second lead syndrome... I felt much more chemistry between Hong Shim and the magistrate...maybe because I liked more his characterization or to me he has better acting skills (not saying the ml sucked...I just preferred the sm) when he almost proposed at the end I hoped they would've take the "realism" route and have the prince marry a noblewoman (ugh bitter isn't it?) and let them become a couple.
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