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This review may contain spoilers
Ok, first of all. This review is something from my heart, and NO spoilers. This drama... I can't tell you with words how much this drama made my life. My heart experienced so much in this drama. My heart ached in all the funny, happily and super romantic scene (and trust me! It will hurt you heart how romantic it is), and my heart broke when i watched the sad and sorrowful scenes. You know what? I'm crying right now, yes, because writing this review makes me think about this beautiful drama. This is really a good and wonderful drama. I would get this drama 100 points, but MyDramaList.com just have up to 10 points! Which is baad...
And wait! This drama is funny to, sometimes i laughed like crazy! You'll get irritating sometimes, and angry sometimes. But this drama is worth wasting your time sittin' in front of the computer 24/7 watching. Because I did that. And now i'm gonna do it again! :) This is the fifth time I watch this drama.
I hope you'll love it as much as i did.
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Maybe I'm jaded?
For me, this was one of the worst shows ever. One of those dramas that at the end I'm mad at, because I'll never get the time I wasted back. Perhaps I might have felt differently if I had watched it when it was first released, and I was new to K-dramas. However, after having seen dramas done very well, this was hard for me to watch. I have to cut it a little slack because it is old - the production value was seriously lacking, and I think there have been developments in film value, etc.I thought this drama was extremely slow and drawn out. The overused "misunderstanding" trope went on entirely too long. Romance was lacking, seriously. And can someone please slap whoever was in charge of the costuming? The worst.
I'll give my usual disclaimer, since I appear to seriously be in the minority. These opinions are just mine and you might enjoy it, but you will really have to get past the fact that it hasn't aged well.
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This review may contain spoilers
The story starts with promising plot. An alternate modern kingdom of South Korea with nowadays royalties looking for a bride for the young crown prince. The first meetings between Crown Prince Lee Shin and Chae Kyung are adorable. The friendship between Chae Kyung and her girl friends is solid. The traditional wedding scene is extravagant, I love the wedding costumes and traditional ceremony. However, the story soon succumbs into boring conversations within the royal family elders, and between Prince's Yul and Chae Kyung. No wonder Chae Kyung feels suffocated, while her inattentive husband continues his extramarital relationship. It seems like this drama try to utilize actress Yoon Eun He's cuteness and hilarity to pull everyone up, cos everyone else but Queen Mother are boring and stiff. When I looked up the Goong crew in MDL, it seems the Director is also a rookie in directing dramas at that time, whether it's true or not but that may be a reason why this drama is a flop. Was this review helpful to you?
Crown Princess' wardrobe was amazing in this drama. I wish I could say the same for Yul. I mean, no offence, but what's with the tacky sweaters and the gold chain (if he was trying to give us a neck fetish - EPIC FAIL)? And oh gosh, that never-dying constipated look on his face. Crown Prince was cute. Kind of reminded me of Lee Min Ho.
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Story::
9/10
Really well put together story. I don't really know what else I can say about it..except that in royal dramas like these, it seems that these royals can get away with everything. It urks me but its most probably true. Anywho, the story was really good, event flowed the way you'd expect to in a drama, but the romance seemed really one-sided till the last couple of episodes and by last couple I mean last 4-5 episodes.
Acting/Characters::
10/10
Characters were flawed and that made it better. Actual emotions that normal people would have was portrayed by the main female lead, usually if the guy does something jerkish in Kdrama's the girl swoon forgivingly and follows. Not for this one though, and I liked it. What bothered me about the main male protagonist was that he didn't assert his position as a husband...ever..in the whole freaking drama. It was really bothersome. But the reason was explained later on in the series.
All in all everyone acted fantastically.
Music::
Sticks to you..10/10
Rewatch?
I dont rewatch any dramas.
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Goong shows touches of political issues, romance, friendships, and what have you. I don't really know if it follows the story of the manhwa, but it's good and interesting. Problem is, though, I don't think it really had much development. There isn't much character development, too! There are some points where it is draggy, though, but the good cinematography compensated for it.
Despite some draggy parts, though, I guess what really made this loved by a lot of viewers is the cute and fun scenes of the characters and, of course, the romantic scenes or the scenes of the leads with the ones who are not meant for them. I, myself, enjoyed Chaegyung's scenes with Yul (most especially because I cheered for him).
The cast are great, especially the leads. It is said that they were newcomers, then, but when I first watched Goong, it didn't feel like it was their first time. Yoon Eun Hye was really great especially in crying/sobbing scenes. Joo Ji Hoon also did a great job portraying the cold prince who has a warm heart yet didn't know how to express it. Eun Hye and Ji Hoon has chemistry, in my opinion, and that really makes their scenes squeal-worthy and fun to watch.
Kim Jeong Hoon is also good, although when I was watching the show, I felt like there was something lacking in his acting. Song Ji Hyo is also good, but I felt the same way as I was with Jeong Hoon's acting. In any case, the other cast did very well, even those who played as Chaegyung's and Shin's friends.
I really loved the music of this show. All of them are memorable to me. They are effective in creating the mood. Or at least for me.
Since this holds a place in my heart, I'd love to re-watch this someday, especially when feeling nostalgic.
This is a good show. The efforts of the crew behind the cameras can clearly be seen. I recommend this to:
- those who can tolerate the palace scenes (or more like, the conversation)
- those who like watching cold guys falling for bubbly girls
- those who are bored (because this may pass as something entertaining, although it may depend on the kind of person you are)
- those who are aspiring actors/actresses (because, y'know, the main characters are newcomers yet they managed to make this a well-known show)
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This review may contain spoilers
This was a wonderful spin on a fairytale like story
10/10 is my rating. This is a 2006 South Korean television series, with 24, 60 minute episodes. starring Yoon Eun-hye, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Jeong-hoon and Song Ji-hyo.a spin-off, Prince Hours, was broadcast in 2007.
The show is based on the premise and a "what if" scenario of modern Korea having retained its monarchy - much like England. The series centers around the royal family and, primarily, the lives of the young royals. Crown Prince, Lee Shin (Ju Jii-hoon) is being positioned to take on the role of Emperor as his father, the current Emperor, is ailing. This rushes the need for Shin to find a suitable marriage partner as he is on the verge of stepping into the role he has been preparing for nearly his entire life. Shin had the opportunity to select a bride of his choice, but his girlfriend, Hyo-rin (Song Ji-hyo) rejects his proposal as she knows becoming the Crown Princess would necessitate her giving up on her dream of becoming a famous ballerina.
With no other personal marriage prospects, the crown reverts to fulfilling a promise made by Shin's grandfather (the former Emperor) to his friend, to have one of his heirs to the throne marry one of his family. Shin Chae-kyeong (Yoon Eun-hye) is a commoner who is of marriage age in the line of the former Emperor's friend. Her family and her are struggling financially so she accepts the opportunity to marry the crown prince to better her families situation. However, Chae-kyeong has a long way to go in training to fill the role of Crown Princess and, eventually, wife to the Emperor. Word spreads that there is soon to be a succession in the throne and Lady Hwa-young (Shim Hye-jin) decides to return from a 14 year exile with her son. Royal matters are complex and Lady Hwa-young was actually the crown princess with her son, Lee Yul (Kim Jeong-hoon), the crown prince and next in line for the throne. However, Lady Hwa-young's husband, Crown Prince Lee Soo, died in an accident and the royals had to leave the palace based on the royal regulation which required no two Princes reside in the castle. Or at least that was the reason provided at the time (that mystery is revealed throughout the course of the series). Lady Hwa-young deploys a series of plots designed to return her son to what she feels is his rightful place as next in line.
The life of a royal is not always easy and isolation is a big problem for some. Loneliness drives Shin to develop an arrogant, cold and aloof exterior. His mannerisms are very hard for his young wife who is a newcomer on the royal scene. Her loneliness and sadness leads her to befriend Lee Yul who experienced similar loneliness in his exile. The young married couple are very different in their life approach and Chae-kyeong finds herself repeatedly drawn to Lee Yul as someone she can more easily relate to, whereas Lee Shin finds himself drawn back to his love, Hyo-rin. Having a change of hear, Hyo-rin is determined to win Shin back and is ready to give up her dream of being a ballerina to take on the role of Crown Princess. Through all the push and pull of outside forces, the young couple begin to develop feelings for each other although each is not fully aware of the other's feelings nor fully in acknowledgement themselves.
Can love grow and survive in such a turbulent environment? Scandal after scandal follows the young royals as they learn how to navigate the social realities of being a royal. Who will be next in line? Does anyone want the responsibility that goes along with the heavy crown?
Spoiler ? I really liked this series. So much that I was sad when it was ending. It is a little bit Cinderella in nature - but not quite. It gives a real sense of what it might be like to be in a position, such as a royal, where you cannot think and act outwardly, as everyone else does. The saying "it is lonely at the top" definitely comes to mind. In the United States the closest thing we have are celebrities and I observe that young celebrities are subject to a high degree of criticism when really they are acting no different than a lot of young people their ages. You give a young person a lot of power and money and the chance they will make mistakes just magnifies. The love story is well developed, believable and cute. This is one of my favorites!
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The main couple is extremely endearing. Their character growth and relationship isn't boring but extremely sweet. The setting is beautiful and the cinematography wasn't a slack job either. The music is my favourite among drama soundtracks, especially since I have no real interest in traditional Korean music. Nothing is really over-exaggerated and there are quite a few cheeky/funny scenes, predominantly in the first half of the drama.
The last few episodes did drag and there is a good reason for it; the drama became a cash cow and was extended for four extra episodes, which is the main and really only reason I'm not giving this drama 10/10.
If you haven't seen this and enjoy Korean dramas, then you should go watch it, like now.
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Princess Hours
In many respects this 2006 drama has aged well (some funny bedroom scenes and a welcome lack of childish reactions to physical contact), but in others it's a little dated.I liked the plot and characters, but the story became a bit laboured at times and pretty far fetched.
It's another case of what could be clever /sharp / witty dialogue between characters, being sacrificed to move the scenes into the scheming and under hand plans of those with their eyes on the throne.
The character of Chae Kyung was initially quite feisty, bright and no-nonsense, and whilst young, as the story progressed, she made some pretty dumb decisions, ignoring advice and what to most rational people, would be obviously bad choices. That was a shame, as she could have been so much more.
The Crown Prince was the usual aloof, cold and misunderstood character, with the third member of the love triangle being sensitive, romantic and warm. I see where many of the ideas for Boys Over Flowers might have came from.
Emotionally, between the leads, there was too much to-ing and fro-ing for me, which is what made the series a bit laboured.
I'd like to have seen less of the same falling out, getting back together and behaviour leading to misunderstandings and chaos, when it really needn't have; and more of their later relationship that was terribly condensed into the final scene.
The scheming that played such a large part of the story, was also wrapped up very quickly and didn't fit with the amount of time and scenes spent unfolding it.
I did like the cast and honestly would never have recognised Joo Ji-hoon's almost 15-year younger self. He is still a very attractive actor, but really has changed (not in a better or bad way, just very different).
I'm glad I watched it and if, like me, you enjoy seeing older dramas, it is a mostly fun watch overall.
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However, this drama really did suffer from a major pacing problem that led to the story falling flat somewhere in the middle and becoming rather vapid and repetitive. It really did not need to be 24 episodes and could have done with being 20, or even 18, episodes long. The writer was clearly trying to stretch the content of an 18 episode long drama into 24 episodes. All of the speed bumps that occurred in the main couples relationship really did not need to happen.
The ending, though, was nicely done and did manage to tie up and solve the major problems of the drama (even if some plot holes failed to be addressed).
The acting was decent, I guess. Our main couple weren't bad for young actors, but Song Ji Hyo and the second male lead were pretty terrible in their roles. Their screen presence was often forgettable due to their stilted and stoic mannerisms which were present even when they weren't needed. The Royal Family and the actors who play Yoon Eun Hye's parents are where the good acting chops lie. Nevertheless, nothing was overly unbearable (except Song Ji Hyo's performance which was just so...wooden).
Despite its flaws, I would probably rewatch this drama because the first 12 episodes are absolutely gold and Goong is blessed by a brilliant soundtrack (sans the one melodramatic song that absolutely got on my nerves).
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Don't miss this pearl !
I had postponed the viewing of this drama for a long time because I was afraid it would be outdated (2006).But when I started it, I stuck to my screen until the last minute!
The casting is great (from CL to supporting roles), the rhythm is perfect. I loved Scottish OSTs. The story (total fiction of course) is well written, fairly realistic, with the right amount of twists and turns and suspense.
Anyway, I loved this drama, which I would definitely rewatch because I had such a hard time leaving the characters ...
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