Imagine the most predictably unpredictable main character. Yeah.
I love dramas where the main character is in peril (character development! high emotion! fun!), and I definitely started this show absolutely knowing that this main character is going to be put through the wringer every second of her screentime. I was ready. I was so ready.But...she, supposedly, saw it all coming. What? All the lying, the scheming, the action, the nail-baiting tension...she was always, ALWAYS, one step ahead of everybody else. And that's just unbelievable.
Therefore, this character had zero growth and zero flaws. Her only "flaw" was loving her sons too much? Give me a break! All the other characters, including the Queen Dowager and the concubines, are given well-fleshed out, thoughtful arcs where they grow as characters, but our main character is born so perfect that from start to finish, every decision she makes, every word she speaks, every punishment she mettles out, is thought through with the world's most elaborate game of 3D chess playing in her head.
Acting wise, while everyone was okay, the Queen Dowager and First Consort really stole EVERY scene they were part of! And with characters as rich, deep and well-rounded as them, it's a real treat to see how these talented actors make them come alive so incredibly. Which brings me back to the conversation about the Queen's character because this is, after all, an entire 16 episode TV show about the Queen protecting her children from certain death. The slight overacting aside, I really don't think the Queen's character really made me feel anything for her except, "Damn, she thought of this too?" Some of the "logical deductions" she made were absolutely insane given how shoddy, incomplete and limited the evidence for it was, and yet, with an eyebrow twitch and run-walking, she managed to outsmart some really, really smart people/plans.
Which is just boring, in my opinion.
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Under The Queen's Umbrella
I don't have the words to describe this kdrama because I just think it's the most beautiful series I have ever seen.I fell in love with historical kdramas after Moon Lovers and honestly, none of them have ever disappointed me so far, but I have to say that Under The Queen's Umbrella is just a masterpiece.
Far from the usual throne debates, it simply depicts a mother's pure love, ready to do anything for her children, to protect them at all costs, against all odds. A mother who accepts and embraces her children as they are and encourages them to follow their destiny...
I couldn't have said it better than Kim Hye Soo for playing the role of the queen. She interpreted the character so well that at one point I wondered if she wasn't simply born to be a queen.
I know, so much praise for a series that others consider "been there, done that," but you really have to experience the story to understand the beautiful message it conveys. Love.
I've watched it over and over, and I never get enough. The story is so well written that you never grow tired of it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Complete Perfection
Once in a while a series is so great, it's difficult to put into words the magnitude of its greatness. This is one of those series.From the very beginning, episode 1, it grabs onto you and just doesn't let go. Drama, comedy, romance, suspense, it's all intertwined throughout every single episode. Hye Soo is so fantastic as the queen, giving us a rare look at how Her Majesty worries and protects her children inside and outside the palace walls, showing how motherhood takes center stage over being the Queen. The four rambunctious teenage children, her Princes of the palace are wonderfully fit into so many different story lines, you really get to appreciate the bond these four brothers have toward each other, along with the love they have toward their mother.
Each Prince has their own personal problem to deal with throughout the series, and the actors that play them are matched spot on. Without a doubt, the most emotional story comes from Grand Prince Gye Sung. Sun Ho gives such a touching performance, with several tear-jerking scenes between a mother and her son ... beautifully written.
There are so many good antagonists in this drama, but non better than Hae Sook. She is brilliant being the evil Queen Dowager, self centered and so wicked. You can't help but despise her and her sinister laugh. She brings out the worst in everyone, making you wish her a horrible death as you move deeper and deeper into the episodes.
Another major plus in this series was the pacing of the different plots ... nothing dragged on and nothing was rushed either. So many times you see a plot get boring, carrying over too many episodes, only to get rushed at the very end to find completion. That doesn't happen here. Nothing ever gets boring, with a final episode that delivers complete satisfaction to each and every plot of the story.
There's a line delivered early on in the series that really spells out the two sides of this drama ... "When a cow drinks water it becomes milk. When a snake drinks water it becomes poison."
Extremely enjoyable, wonderful entertainment!!!!
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An amazing family/political/historical drama!
This is my first historical drama! I liked how it mostly focused on the women and all their behind the scenes schemes. How the queen outsmarted all of them every time was absolutely amazing! She was the definition of a mama bear, the sons were super loyal (even though they drove her up the wall), and she gained many people’s loyalty through non-blackmailing means. There was never a boring moment, one plot led immediately to another without a break, but I’m glad there were 30mins of healing happiness at the end. The little romance of Seongnam and Cheong-Ha was super cute and Muan and Cho-Wol and their daughter was also adorable. I honestly think Muan was the queen’s biggest headache and it was hilarious to watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Drop Everything and Watch This
You know when you binge-watch a drama and feel like absolute crap afterward. Well, this drama is a series worth binge-watching and will leave you feeling good. It is just so immersive. I was completely entrapped with the plot and characters. The Queen herself is just such a charismatic character. I am constantly rooting for her to out plot her rivals. While this is a more political/power struggle drama, there is a small plotline of a love story, which I loved so much. Honestly, I'm very glad that I watch this!Was this review helpful to you?
Awe inspiring
For some strange reason I put off watching Under the Queens Umbrella and now I’m kicking myself that so much time has passed when I could have been watching one of the best k-dramas that I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. There is not a single part that I would change and the sheer professionalism of the acting of everyone concerned was simply awesome. If you haven’t watched it yet don’t be like me and delay any longer because it’s a true work of art. The story is mesmerising and keeps you on the edge of your seat but in reality every episode goes by so quickly that the 16 episodes are over before you know it. Well done to all the cast and crew you all deserve a pat on the back for producing such a gem. Excellent work 10/10 💫♥️Was this review helpful to you?
My favourite KDrama as of now
Wow, this was amazing from start to finish.I have only heard of this Kdrama because everyone was mentioning the Queen for Mother's Day and I got curious. I love me a good family drama and this hit differently.
The storyline is intriguing, full of backstabbing and madness but also gentleness and motherly love that isn't only watched but can also be felt.
The cast did amazing, especially Kim Hyesoo's acting is outstanding. You did not doubt for a second that she would lay out her whole life to save the princes.
Sometimes, I didn't like some of the writing choices but I LOVED a lot of them. The love you were able to see between the characters made me cry regularly. The Queen shows strength when needed and shows vulnerability not as a weakness but as a part of her that makes her human. She truly is the epitome of kindness is strength. The people weren't lying when they said she was THE mother of all times.
It has now become my favorite Kdrama ever (besides Mr. Queen). I just rated the rewatch value low because I don't think I can handle crying this much again.
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This review may contain spoilers
Cross dressing prince and his understanding mother
I typically enjoy historical dramas as I find them fascinating. I prefer the traditional ones where characters act and talk like they belong in that time period. I guess this one is called fusion drama (?) where it’s a mix of old and modern ways of doing things. I did enjoy the first couple of episodes because even though these historical shows are all about palace politics, I found this angle to be fresh and intriguing. The queen trying to save her own princes from certain death while trying to hide the crown prince’s seemingly incurable illness. This premise was fascinating and I loved Kim Hye Su’s performance as the queen.Well, that was until I watch the third episode where we find out one of the queen’s own sons is a cross dresser who likes to wear make up. The palace people find out about it including the queen grandmother who seems to have no love for these princes. I guess all that is certainly a possibility and the queen trying to hide the fact is also a possibility. What I have a hard time believing is that the queen not only empathized with the prince, she took the prince out of the palace in the middle of the night (without even trying to cover themselves) and took him to some guy who painted the prince dressed up as a woman? What? Wouldn’t this artist tell others? What was he told in the first place? Completely ridiculous. I don’t know where this is going but it’s completely out of the question in this time period. If you wan to insert your 2022 PC stuff, at least use the appropriate time period. I have no idea why they thought a plot line like this was even necessary but hopefully, they’ll move on from this arc.
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Sobresaliente
Que gran drama nos ha dejado el 2022Siempre tengo mis dudas con los dramas históricos, especialmente porque suelen comenzar bien y luego estancarse por el desarrollo que suelen compartir de primera parte romántica y segunda parte política.
Sin embargo, uno de mis dramas favoritos es histórico (My Country) entonces siempre estoy dispuesta esperando una grata sorpresa, y finalmente llego con este drama
Gran historia y desarrollo, fascinante actuación de Kim Hye-soo y sus grandes príncipes
Sumamente recomendado
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Una reina fuerte, poderosa, admirable, simplemente mujer
¿Cómo describir a tan admirable mujer?Su inteligencia y audacia hizo que tras cada capítulo quedara encantada. Nunca había visto en un drama de época a una mujer así.
Por otro lado, valoro mucho la conexión que logré tener con las historias de cada uno de los personajes, hasta incluso con la reina madre, a pesar de su maldad. Es que, aunque no soy madre, logré empatizar con cada una de las madres, su dolor y esfuerzos para hacer lo que creían más conveniente para sus hijos.
Recomendadísimo drama de época, lo tiene todo
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Emocionante
Es un drama que tiene un poco de todo, me gusta que haya habido momentos dramáticos y otros un poco cómicos. Lo que más resalto del drama es la actuación, tanto del grupo de adultos como el de los jóvenes; en mi opinión hacen un trabajo estupendo.Me hubiera gustado ver más escenas de los príncipes interactuando entre ellos pero después de todo como indica el nombre, la verdadera protagonista es la Reina y que pedazo de reina.
En definitiva, es un drama agradable que se puede disfrutar en familia y que tiene un mensaje muy bonito.
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Obra prima!
Não tem outra definição pra esse drama além de obra prima. Tudo é excelente: a direção, a trilha sonora, as atuações... enfim, tudo! Como só vi comentários em inglês, decidi escrever essa review em português pra todos os meus parceiros brasileiros que não sabem o que esperar desse drama.Confesso que adiei assistir diversas vezes. Não tenho o costume de assistir doramas do período Joseon, por isso estava com medo de não gostar, mas nossa... Devia ter assistido antes! A história não deixa pontas soltas e nos apresenta uma protagonista forte, corajosa e extremamente digna, que faria o impossível pra proteger os filhos (que são os mais encrenqueiros da corte). Nesse dorama você encontrará de tudo: um drama político extenso que vai sempre te deixar curioso pra o que vai acontecer, um drama familiar muito bem construído e cativante (o que mais me prendeu pra assistir foi o relacionamento da rainha com os filhos), um pouco de romance (ainda que não seja o foco da história, o romance apresentado é MUITO fofo) e um pouco de comédia (que serve como um alívio cômico pra todas as intrigas).
A história é muito bem balanceada, com início, meio e fim, apesar de ter me deixado desejosa de uma segunda temporada.
Essa também foi a primeira vez que fui atrás da OST de um dorama, pois a trilha sonora complementa perfeitamente as cenas, sendo uma música mais linda com a outra (principalmente By Your Side e Child - meu Deus, essas músicas arrepiam dos pés à cabeça).
Enfim, se vocês assistirem com certeza não vão se arrepender. Entrou pro meu top 3 doramas preferidos da vida.
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