The King's Affection (2021)

The Invasion of Korean Culture through KDramas

King’s Affection holds a special place in my journey in KDramas. Although I’ve seen a number of Kdramas before, this particular series made me sit up and realize how beautiful and well-made Korean dramas are. I suddenly understood all the rave and why there are so many networks giving airspace for them… Obviously I’m not Korean, so this historical drama is a delight to my senses. I am more aware of Chinese and Japanese culture, so the costumes, the makeup, and the set made me realize how rich Korean culture is. It’s beyond kimchi. I always thought Korea pales in comparison to aforementioned countries but the history (though this is fictional), the culture, the people are as interesting and as beautiful.

The story and the actors, most specially Park Eun Bin’s Lee Hwi/Dam-I, it brought me all the emotions that the director wanted his viewers to experience. I cried, I fell in love, I swooned, then I cried again! Specially with their lovely theme songs, how can I not get swayed and sing with tears?. Some found the story too long and slow, but the story is all about Lee Hwi/Dam-I’s strength and his determination to make the best out of the situation for her people and his loved ones. Second is the fierce loyalty and love of Ji-Woon and the other people closest to the Crown Prince. It’s a magnificent battle of good vs evil, underhanded maneuvering and power play. Casting is almost a coup, the actors embodied their characters (with just one main support to me that I found too pretty and not manly enough for his role). I am not a fan of melodrama but King’s Affection tightly held my hand and brought me to the very depth of our crowned prince’s pain and dilemma. And rejoiced with everyone after her arduous journey… after everything I went through with the Prince, I rewatched it again and willingly dove down that lake of tears again! I did this three times and will most likely do it over and over. And I am not a fan of melodramas!

After King’s Affection, I binged on numerous KDramas and I am amazed on how the film industry of Korea was able to imbed their culture to the world. I am now craving their ramen, my cupboard stocked with Soju, Kimchi’s my quick veggie fix, and compare my wardrobe to the dramas that I watch. The saying “the pen is mightier than the gun” leveled up to “the camera is mightier than a gun”.

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To live life without living life

This drama is a gem. It is not the in your face love story nor is it trying to be something that it is not. Rowoon def played the part of a lovesick guy who wants to protect his love. Like even when his character didn't know what we knew, he still pursued the relationship. I think he played the part so well def a great actor as we all know. I also liked the lead lady Eun bin, she def played a strong lead "female" (wink wink). I do know that most might think that this drags, and it does a little but it still is really cute and heart warming with a play on when you are kind and gracious people will back you through anything. :)

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Romance Fluff

First, there's potential to the story. Second, the cast is good which is why I became more and more frustrated as the episodes piled up. I dropped it at ep 14 and went to YT to see the last few minutes of the ending.

It is meant to be what it was drawn as; a comic romance. The entire drama revolved around the two main leads getting together and trying not to be caught. The problem is, the environment around them didn't try very hard to be an obstacle. I cringed every time they were together in the last few episodes I watched and concluded romance dramas definitely isn't for me. The knowledge that it isn't possible for the two main leads to get together so easily makes it so much harder to watch. More so when the FL is cross dressing, a Crown Prince and a King later.

Royalty is always stringently protected, there is always an entourage and there are always bodyguards. More so for crown princes. I would have preferred the drama take on a serious tone, better written and directed to show the intellect, creativity, talents and skills of the FL to plan her way through the obstacles around her and how the ML supported her through his abilities. That the relationship between her and the ML is subtle and yet powerful. This would have made it more interesting, imo.

As it is, the potential is wasted, more so with a good cast for this drama. They're not fully utilised.

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Interesting premise, no tension or momentum.

Many Joseon era dramas these days feel like they are just recycled over and over again. It's a shame as I enjoy the dramatic situations available to historical romances, and due to the premise I was willing to give this show a chance.

The scenario that the woman is in the 'high power position' compared to the man is refreshing. But, it doesn't result in more tension or difference in dynamic compared to your standard gender bending (changing clothes, bathing etc.). There's lots that could be done to truly flip your expectations, but so far not much has happened.

Six episodes in, we are still at the show synopsis stage. You could read the summary, pick up at episode six and know exactly what is going on. There's now been episode after episode of long looks, and speculative glances with no real character development or real dramatic tension.

This is a competent effort, but does not add anything new to the genre. At this stage I couldn't figure out a reason to continue watching.

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um that the main character lee hwi (played by park eun bin) is gorgeous and i can't get over it :)

WELL PARK EUN BIN IS SO GORGEOUS AND IM A SIMP. (especially her smile sjbfjsbf so cuteeeeee) but honestly this drama is MWAH I can't wait for the rest of the episodes to release! I'm so fucking excited, waiting week after week... but it's worth ittttt
yk I was doubtful at first but I'm like that about all dramas i watch, but yk watch 2-3 episodes (or well more if you'd like and if 1 episode is quite short then, like get ur head in the storyline and see) if you still don't "like" it then drop it. can't say much more cuz yk we all have different taste and thoughts so might love it but someone else might not like it all cuz it's not their style but yeah well this is a really good drama for people who like kinda foreign Korean history with love^^ and dramaaaa (obviouslyyyy)

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I Loved It Until About 1/2 Way Through

I loved it until about episode ten-eleven. I was completely with it, loved the pacing, the sets, the storyline, the acting, and the costumes. And then I got about half-way and my brain just got completely derailed by the plot.

So here's a guy who spends about 4-5 hour long episodes coming to terms with the fact that he loves a man, and may not even be hetero, willing to endure that conclusion in a time that no one accepts that kind of thing and BAM!

"This is my secret!" I have breasts! Lmfao I'm sorry, but that just annoyed me so much because they made such a big deal of him coming to terms with everything, and then WHAM! I've got lady parts! Do you know how upsetting that would be? I mean, sure, bend the gender normative stereotypes -- but dang, that would be a REALLY uncomfortable turnaround for SO many people.

Also -- why doesn't she tell him that she's the court maiden he's been looking for RIGHT THEN? Like, BAM, I'm a woman, AND I'm Dam-yi! It's ONE sentence. Just Darth Vader it.

"No, _I_ am Dam-yi!"

Also, he recognized the Crown Prince AS A WOMAN the VERY next time he meets her/him -- and YET, for some reason just nixes that entire idea with the slightest nudge, even though he SAW her.

No? No. Okay, anywaaaay...

The bodyguard, who is the strong, silent type (and takes his job VERY seriously -- seriously, that scene where the four of them sit down for drinks together and he chases Ji-un around the danged table - HILARIOUS) -- is the only man in the entire kingdom, the entire palace, no, the entire danged SHOW with bangs/fringe in his hair or a memorable talisman on the sheath of his sword -- and yet, he wears a mask while trying to hold up the king at sword-point. All I kept thinking was, "Dude, I don't think your mask is going to do much." Albeit, let's face it, the bodyguard's lack of talking really made some points truly hilarious. Funny.

I truly loved the Crown Princess' eunuch. He was hilarious and adorable all in one. The cast made everything enjoyable even though I lost my mind arguing with my danged television at some points at the stupidity of some moments. It actually annoyed me so much I didn't think I could continue. However, I _am_ on episode 14 (only six episodes/hours left) -- so I'm trying to stick in there. Will update when I finally finish it, if I can.

P. S. I'm still giving it a seven, because even if I ended it right then (which really, you COULD do) -- hey, dethroned, left the palace, managed to connect with Ji-un again, and BAM - happily ever after, free to live her life with the man she loves, show OVER. Honestly, I could walk away right now and just pretend the rest didn't happen and be content.

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Great one and time worthy to watch

Seriously I don't like historical theme dramas but because of rowoon I watched 2 episodes and now I can't wait to see the next episodes they were really great also the OST was so soothing rowoon really did the great jon and also the casting of child actors representing the younger version were so on point that I kinda felt that these actors will definately be look alike of each other in near future. Time worthy please watch it. Also the storyline is great and kinda uniqoeyso Im hoping that it'll grew more interesting on future episodes so I'm really satisfied with the series and will follow it till the end

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Had me so hooked!

I hate historical dramas and by hate, I mean I have never fully finished one but this show had me so hooked from the first episode. I have only watched 2 episodes so far but its so good. They did such a good job with the casting because the FL is so pretty and the ML is so fine. I will surely be watching all eps of this drama. Netflix is doing a really good job with the kdramas that they've been putting out lately. I really recommend that you give it a try. I really think I won't be disappointed with the show. Every aspect about it is so interesting & I also like how the side characters have a huge impact on the overall plot.

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