Smooth Sailing Plot So Grab Your Popcorn!!... Mine!!
Mr. Queen was a breath of fresh air because at that point, I had lost my interest in Kdramas and was moving onto Cdramas.Surprisingly, Mr. Queen got me hooked from the start of the drama to the end, it was a smooth journey. Most Kdramas become tiring to watch by Episode 12, 13 or 14 but I didn't want this drama to end.
I have to applaud our Main Female lead for her exceptional and professional acting skills, it really impressed me.
All other casts worked really hard and put their best. There was almost no character I could dislike even the supposedly antagonists.
The OST is also good.
I really enjoyed the drama and it's a big go ahead for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
Comic, well acted, clever , a must to watch!
Ok you need to watch this! It is hilarious, super funny, great acting, great facial expression, intrigued political schemes, a bit of drama... Yes, it also makes you cry a bit... well at the very end.. but everything just turned up fine... with a great and satisfactory finale. This is my second Kdrama as i usually watch Cdrama... but i think it got me converted to korean productions now! The FL is amazing, fantastic, she can impersonate a man in a female body so naturally, jeez made me laugh out loud a few times...Every episode is worth watching, you got very strong friendships and unrequired love, which was dealt with in a mature and realistic way. I have appreciated that people were direct, straightforward. Nice!
On my list of re watching when i want something funny ? ? ?
The second lead for me was the chef, and the court lady and those two were so well matched and super funny! Ahahahahhaha i LOVE THEM! Ah, also, please don't get me started on the way the king laughter! Oh my god! A strong, deep voice, nearly a sarcastic one, dome with a serious look... he was taking the piss, big time! BRAVO!
And... I also must comment on the flirting side... the kissing... oh my oh my... love that kissing! Initially I didnt particuarly like the king , both the actor and the character... just to realise later on that i found him super sexy.. and every scene this couple was spending together... was hilarious! Add this kdrama to your list to watch, you won't be disappointed
Was this review helpful to you?
Things I liked-
1. Casting was perfect
2. All actors acted very well especially the actress who played queen.
3. Cinematography was good.
Things I didn’t like-
I thought the show was a little draggy. In some episodes same thing was happening again and again, it was entertaining but after a certain point I felt bored and I skipped some unnecessary scenes. If they made 17-18 ep instead of 20 ep then it does not make any difference to story.
Minor spoiler-
If u watching this because of BL then don’t watch it because it’s not BL. I could say go princess go was sort of BL but this is not.
Was this review helpful to you?
WHAT A GREAT SHOW! Loved the ending too, it was perfect!
Our Queen Shin Hae Sun was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND INCREDIBLE. Her mannerisms, her acting, her reactions, her voice, her humour, her aura, everything was perfect! She made the role iconic in every way possible. Her iconic dancing scene alone was worth watching the whole drama, to be very honest.Our King, Kim Jung Hyun, I've already seen him in two shows (CLOY, and School 2017) and he was brilliant as always. He was the perfect balance of dumb yet mysterious. I didn't like the arc where he was kinda involved with two women at once, and tbh I got the romantic angle but it did make me very uncomfortable that our straight male lead had to be physically and romantically involved with the King butttt but the actual leads looked so cute together! (I wish I could've enjoyed it as a gay/bromance type thing but I just couldn't).
Also I LOVED Kim Byung In AND Hong Byul Gam SO MUCH.
Kim Byung In was SO SEXY in his relentless love for the Queen, and he was steadfast and determined and didn't change his feelings till the very end! Hong Byul Gam was SO DAMN HOT whenever he had any action scenes, and he had a confidence in the show which was damn SEXY. Also he really reminds me of Oh Jung Se.
Also the Court Lady Choi, she was hilarious. Her arc with the Royal Chef was funny as hell.
The villain arc in the show could have been better, but I LOVED watching Kim Jwa Geun as the 'real power behind the Kim clan'. The other villains were forgettable lol.
However the story would've been great in a 16 episode format. The episodes were perfect till about 14, afterwards it dragged till 20.
Overall the show was fresh, thoughtful, all the characters had GREAT comedic timing, and the show was overall a delight to watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
Perfection in Drama: Mr Queen!
I've been watching dramas since 2011 technically, and this one is close to perfection. This drama sets a benchmark in the world of K-DRAMAS. It offers everything that you want in a drama - political drama, mystery, romance, comedy (no end to it) - skillfully delivered through great acting, OST, cinematography! MR QUEEN is a standout for years past and yet to come.Special Mention for:
♡ Shin Hye Sun as Mr Queen: She is such a talent! Have been seeing her as a support actress for so long, this is the drama that will catapult her to a leading lady. It is her time to shine and how! Her dialogue delivery, facial expressions, body language bring out the duality and conflict that she is experiencing as a man in woman's body. This role was made for her!
♡ Kim Jung Hyun as King Cheol Jong: This was my first drama of his and what a talent. The way he switches from acting like a fool to being cold/cunning and then bringing in the warm/kind personality is masterful.
♡ Supporting Characters: Court Lady Cho, Hong Yeon, Kim Byung In, Kim Hwan, Grand Queen Dowager Sunwon, and Man Bok add significant value to the story. They support the main characters while establishing their own memorable presence.
♡ Cinematography: The clothes, set, direction, pace, and cliffhangers are all tastefully done, making you click the next episode automatically.
♡ OST: 10/10. From comic songs to romantic ballads and action scores, the OST is a masterpiece and deserves a place in your music playlist.
This is an iconic drama that you should watch and recommend to others forever! I know I will #BongHwanA
Was this review helpful to you?
Well-deserved hype
Story: The plot is straight to the point. A king wants power to eradicate corruption & evil doings in the palace and have his revenge as well. The key to enjoy this drama is not to expect anything and it’s what I did, that’s why it was very entertaining for me. First few episodes were highly entertaining, the middle was a bit flat while the rest were good enough for you to be curious to know what will happen next. The drama will get you hooked first that you have no choice but to find out how it will end.Acting: They were all amazing and perfectly casted, even the side characters. I think I only noticed one acting that was not passable and it was one of the court maids who were gossiping but overall, they were all phenomenal actors.
Music: Ahhh, the music(not all osts but effects) is like a mix of mission impossible & ocean’s series. When it’s time to cry, the songs were just perfect to cry on.
Rewatch value: Definitely the funny parts. Those laugh out loud ones.
Overall: It was 8.5-9 for me. The politics issue was just right and there were some unpredictable moves from the queen and king. However, there were some episodes that I found boring and some humor of the side characters weren’t that hilarious. Despite that, I still recommend this drama and will be one of the top kdramas this pandemic years.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
SO GOOD exept the very end
I loved it so much at first !! One of the funniest drama for me, So Yong / Bong Hwan kicks ass and is so entertaining. The acting is flawless, the side characters are amazing.But the ending made no sense to me... We don't know the real so yong, she is not the main character nor the one we get attached to during the whole show. Seems to me like they just wanted to avoid the gay part of the story at the end by blaming everything on hormones or something like that and that they didn't know what to do about real-so-yong's soul wandering alone... It also makes no sense bc it's not a happy ending they want it to be : CheolJong didn't fall in love with real-so-yong. How many time until he realizes that the queen is not the witty and arrogant woman he loves ? Or even worse, if he doesn't realize then the whole love story falls appart.. It's a cruel situation for him but also for Bong Hwan who wanted to stay and fell hard for CheolJong but then in a heartbeat is just satisfied to be set aside and go back to his old life as if nothing happpened... He was also exited to have his baby and so attached to it and then what ? Nothing ? We just see him happy that history changed a bit and that's it. What a heartbreacking twist. The ending really tarnish the show in my opinion because it turns a fantastic story into the background of a dull relationship... Kinda feels like the writers chickened out at the end to avoid writing a gay story...
If it was not for that, perfect !!
Was this review helpful to you?
In awe of how they had turn such an absurd, random concept into this masterpiece.
This experience has been such a delight. This drama has shown me lots of colors. I am especially in awe of how they had turn such an absurd, random concept into this masterpiece. I was honestly worried on how they could pull this off after reading the premise, but everything just worked.There are some debates on the ending but personally, I wouldn't change a thing. Well except to get additional perception on one of the characters who had such a strong impact on the entirety of this drama. I think knowing and understanding her more would give the story, especially the ending, a stronger justification. I also really wanted to explore the ending not only for the main characters, but other support characters, as well.
I would love one more episode so we could see how the characters adjusted and lived but even without it, I firmly believed that everything fell into place. In a way, I loved how they didn't force a definite explantation of things on us so we are free to interpret it how we want to and depending on what feels right to us. I always love dramas where I could give it a touch of my own imagination. In some dramas, this may appear like a huge plot hole but if done right, it's such a nice element to add flavor to the story.
I loved every second I spent with this — from the setting, the vibe, the characters, the plot, the twists and turns, and the various lessons and realizations this has inflicted upon me.
The comedy hits on the right spot and there wasn't a single episode where I wasn't laughing out loud. I could be watching this at 3AM and I would be rolling on my bed, laughing.
I would also want to praise Shin Hye Sun and Kim Jung Hyun for such remarkable performances. I appreciated their versatility. One second they're serving us peak comedy, then powerful emotions the next. I love them so much! Their chemistry, too, is through the roof!
Was this review helpful to you?
This is an Anti-Fan Review #iykyk
I started watching this drama with not so much expectations but I was blown away by its solid storytelling from start to end. They have incorporated comedy so very well that it left me laughing just remember the scenes lol. The cast were all commendable especially Shin Hye-sun (SHS) and Kim Jung-hyun (KJH). SHS's complex character stood out so great and it was never overbearing. Meanwhile, KJH portayed a two-faced character which was a great challenge to execute but he pulled it off very well. Those last few scenes where he got up and walk towards the palace and then it started snowing is still vivid in my memory. That's how his acting is-- memorable. I was one of those people who watched this show as an ongoing series and then there's also previews... so you know how our patience is tested for this kind of viewing hahahahaIf there's anything that this show is so good at, it is THE PLOT TWISTS. There are so many plot twists in this show and those were all succinctly delivered. Each 60-minute episode seemed to pass by so fast!
Anyway, I am rating this as a 10 because of a solid story, meaning all scenes that were shown are vital in weaving this masterpiece. Effective storytelling is birthed when there is teamwork from ground up and this happened in Mr. Queen. Kudos to everyone involved in making this drama a spectacular masterpiece!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
It has it all and more!
Where to start?Maybe from the beginning - I love sageuks, they're my favourite genre of kdramas that can be offered. I was still seething from watching The Red Sleeve and I was looking for something to wash down the bad taste that sageuk left behind. Lo and behold, this came up as a suggestion and I remember reading the infobox and thinking "this is like Go Go Princess". Imagine my surprise when I realised that it was the korean remake of the webdrama! From the onset the show was ticking all the boxes: a sageuk with a wacky premise that is balanced with romance and comedy, and a tasteful side of politics (I will die on this hill of me loving the political side to sageuks). Plus, the show was finished which meant it was binge watch time.
Premise:
Like it's predecessor, this show keeps the general gist that GGP did; playboy Bong-hwan has an accident that results in him being thrown back to the Joseon era, and not only that, he's in the body of the seemingly meek and obedient So-yong, Queen to King Cheoljong. The first few episodes deal with Bong-yong trying desperately to get back to his body and doesn't really care for the politics that are happening around him, remaining aloof and uncaring to the situation at the palace. But things are brewing and people are plotting and political intrigue is happening whether Bong-yong knows it or not, all the while he's being dragged into it.
I will defend the political side to sageuks with my dying breath and this show is no exception because we, like Bong-yong, are outliers and are learning who's who and what they want and we learn this alongside Bong-yong; it's not just good guys v bad guys, because everyone has their own side and are willing to do what they want to get it, Cheoljong is no exception to this. And we learn alongside Bong-yong, that palace life is not as perfect as it seems.
Characters:
Oh man oh man, where to even BEGIN? Bong-hwan is your typical playboy: he's kind of a chauvinist, a misogynist, doesn't really care about anyone but numero uno: himself and you don't entirely believe he's a good person, even though we know he isn't bad per se. I didn't generally care for Bong-hwan as his present day self because there isn't anything to really like about him, until he wakes up and is suddenly in So-yong's body; this, dear readers, is where the fun kicks in.
So-yong is a blank slate, portraying the meekness that is commonplace amongst girls at this time. She's sweet, she's quiet and soft, she has no big plans or goals other than one: to be queen and to love the king, and even be loved in return. By all accounts, she is innocent and the most innocent in the show as the sins of the father and family should not be on her shoulders. But Bong-yong isn't going to lie down and take any crap from people, and trouble and chaos ensues.
Bong-yong is a mix of So-yong and Bong-hwan; Bong-yong is loud, is brash, doesn't know etiquette, doesn't have a filter but Bong-yong is also kind and caring and sweet to those around her. Bong-yong is not Bong-hwan or So-yong, but the best (and worst) of both. Bong-yong's main storyline branches out from the need to get home, and instead becomes a journey of identity, both in terms of gender and sexuality. Bong-yong falls in love with Cheoljong, and at no point do you doubt that it's really only So-yong who is in love, and not Bong-hwan. And of course Bong-yong is thrown into chaos - she has never fallen in love with a man, let alone be attracted to one, and she doesn't know who she really is - her soul is Bong-hwan, but her body and heart is So-yong and she has lost all sense of who she truly is. But she never loses her way - in the end she decides it doesn't matter who she is, she loves who she loves and nothing will change that.
Cheoljong - my love, my life, how to even describe you? I believe i was like many in the beginning: i remember his first on screen appearance and i was like "uh, he's hardly going to be the main love interest?" He's goofy, he's simple, easily led astray and manipulated by his family and his government members. The literal definition of no thoughts, head empty, brain smooth. He was chosen simply because he was thought to be simple minded and could act as a puppet. However, we learn that this is very much not the case.
Cheoljong is an act: he knows how corrupt his government and the palace are, he knows the true nature of everyone who tries to make him think he can trust them and he is working secretly and tirelessly to bring down all the people in his way. He's cunning, meticulous, calculating and cruel at times, and sometimes that goofy façade cracks and his real self peers through, frightening those who begin to realise they were wrong about him from the start but this realisation comes all too late for many of Cheoljong's adversaries.
But the best part of Cheoljong? When he's in LOVE. In the beginning, we know he doesn't care for So-yong, let alone love her (insert second female lead here) and didn't seem entirely concerned when she decided to kermit sewerslide (in fact, I would say he would have loved for nothing more than for her to have died then). But So-yong has changed since her accident: she's no longer obedient and meek and quiet in any shape or form. She's eccentric and loud and does what she wants when she wants, and also seems to have forgotten her love confession to him. Cheoljong realises that maybe there's more to his queen and, despite objections, begins to place trust in her about his plans.
Cheoljong fell in love like how a person sleeps: slowly, and then all at once. He doesn't care about Bong-yong's constant monologues and quirky sayings (he even creates a queen's dictionary so he can understand Bong-yong's 21st century slang), her carefree attitude and nonchalant displays of affection touch Cheoljong as he has remained deprived of such things all his life. He is the number one supporter of "no touch", though doesn't seem to know exactly what it means other than "we live happily together separately". He wants Bong-yong to be happy, and he wants to be happy with her. And we never really do find out which side of Bong-yong that Cheoljong fell for, save for the end where he comments he feels like he's missing something once Bong-hwan and So-yong have been returned to their old selves. But Cheoljong loves Bong-yong, he fell first and oh boy did Cheoljong fall the hardest; he tries his best to understand Bong-yong's modern slang, has grown accustomed to her outbursts that freak everyone out and eventually she becomes the main reason he needs to keep fighting when everything seems lost.
Other characters include: second male lead who loves main female lead and then does everything to make her hate him while thinking he's doing it to protect her, second female lead who lied to male lead about being the girl from his childhood and hates the female lead, evil plotting baddies group 1 and 2, female lead's entourage and female lead's dad who is a cutie patootie and redeems himself for good. I don't have much to say about these side characters; they were good, they were fun, they did their parts in stirring up trouble and there was nothing really spectacular about them.
Other points:
The ACTING - mein got, Shin Hye-sun is a a GODDESS, you could really tell there was a difference between Bong-hwan and So-yong and then when the two become more connected how Bong-yong is a mix of the two, feminine and masculine all in one. Kim Jung-hyun was fantastic, he really sold the idea of Cheoljong being an idiot, puppet king in disguise and by GOD, when this man would lose his temper and start yelling? I would have to pause and fan myself because woooo boy. These two stood out from the entire cast, which isn't too say everyone else was bad, it's just these two were a powerhouse of acting and chemistry that I don't think anyone else could beat these two. Oh god, and the COMEDY - Shin Hye-sun needs to do more comedy because she is FANTASTIC, there are times i would pause and have to catch my breath because of her comedic skills. The same can be said of Kim Jung-hyun but his comedy is subtle and more unaware, the two actors meshing and rolling off of one another.
COSTUME/SET DESIGN: the thing about GGP was that it was super low budget and they made it work because their low budget was part of the comedy. You won't find that here; amazing costume designs and set designs really make the show a treat for the eyes. I think my favourite part about sageuks is their costuming and set designs, it's a treat alongside the actual show itself.
MUSIC: imma keep it real, I did not listen to any of the soundtracks, opening or credits. But it's not bad, i think? I can't really remember the soundtrack to this show.
Writing this review has made me want to watch the entire show again. It's definitely one of the best dramas 2020/2021 has had to offer!
Was this review helpful to you?
Consistently entertaining and unique!
This is perhaps the first time that I'm not even slightly hesitant that a drama deserves 10/10. 2020 dramas proved to me that most kdramas, no matter how good, lack consistency. And frankly, I was slowly losing interest in them. But Mr. Queen on the other hand was the definition of being an effortlessly fun and engaging watch from start to its very last minute. Even better, the fun never took away from the drama's seriousness in its plot and emotions, making it impossible to not get attached to the characters and their stories.The acting was also never lacking, even by the supporting characters. Shin Hye Sun doesn't need to do more to prove how versatile she is as an actress. Even just within this drama, she perfectly portrayed the two contrasting roles given to her. First, the heartbroken and innocent So Yong who is about to marry the King which doesn't love her back, and the hilariously outspoken 'Mr Queen' who is Jang Bong Hwan, a chef from modern times whose soul somehow gets trapped in So Yong's body. Jang Bong Hwan has to live as a noble woman in the palace, marrying a dissatisfied 'puppet king' planted by the So Yong's family, which was played by Kim Jung Hyun.
The above was a recipe for misunderstandings and uncertainty between the Queen and King, so I was quite unsure of how their relationship would progress but the writer outsmarted my thinking every time.
Also, I see how the ending could have ruined it for some, but I thought it made perfect sense as the drama justified it with proper explanation on the soul's control in So Yong's body.
Its been a while since I was so entertained, all-in-all, Mr. Queen is a flawless watch, no matter what genre you enjoy!
Was this review helpful to you?
This is a lover letter to our queen
I loved this drama beyond words, I laughed and cried and laughed again, pretty much all the cast is phenomenal. So here let me gash about it.Story: the plot is so good!! although the falling in water and appearing in another timeline or world thing trope is so overused, but here it was brilliant because we didn’t know what happened to her all the series is she dead is she not where is she?! So good I was thinking about it day and night.
Acting: the queen it’s all her she is a queen she got my heart, she is so funny and played the “guy” part like a..well guy hehe. 10/10
Ending: the perfect ending in history I cried buckets in the last episode the ending was everything I wished for!
WATCH THIS DRAMA! YOU ARE MISSING OUT!!
Was this review helpful to you?
