The Forbidden Marriage (2022)

Great young actors!

To be honest, Kim Young Dae was my main reason to see this drama, only later did I notice that the story is very interesting as well. I liked his performance as "The Penthouse" more that I would expect and was curious that he would be able to perform well in completely different environment - the role of a king in the Joseon era. AND HE DID I!

The start of the drama was difficult because the first two episodes seem to turn in all directions but as soon as I reached episode 3 everything came to one point. Forbidden Marriage contain some popular clichés: intrigues at the palace, wicked stepmother, Cinderella-like heroine but this doesn't affect its positive reception. Humorous and romantic situations increase that reception. I love how they incorporated handsome men showing off their biceps, reading books to "wake them up" and unexpected references to other dramas like Hotel Del Luna considered bedtime stories 😆😋

The drama was still very well balanced between the aforementioned himoristic elements and the seriousness of the situation in which the main couple is. I fought with myself for a long time whether to give the drama 7 or 6.5 points, but because of poor chemistry between the leads, it ended up on 6.5/10. Certain shots and actions of the actors showed that there was something between them, but it was not enough to accept it as a real feeling between the lady-swindler and the king 😒 These are young actors who need to learn a little more or have better screen partners 😬😅 Nonetheless Kim Young Dae and Park Ju Hyun are on the verge of being great actors.

I speak more about this and other dramas on my blog! Come and visit me there: my-asian-dramas.blogspot.com

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Unlike other histrocal dramas

When you think of a Korean historical drama 9 times out of 10 you think serious, heart breaking, and LONG. However this Saeguk was different.

You have a King who has lost his wife and set a marriage ban until he remarries and So rang a girl who has lost her way, working as a swindler and now has somehow ended up in the Kings palace pretending that she has been possessed by the late Queen and yet this was was HILARIOUS. The comedy in this historical drama was literally a breath of fresh air. I started this drama while I was in a slump and omg it brought me right back to life. Of course, their is treason, scheming, murder all of the tropes that a Saeguk has but somehow it never felt that serious and always managed to make me laugh, Now, there is a love triangle and although I used to LOVE a love triangle Korea has manged to make me hate them! In the beginning, I actually was enjoying it surprisingly and then after 4 episodes began to quickly hate it as it turned into an overly persistent sml who can't take no for an answer. I have seen some people complain and say that the show lost its fun in the last third of the drama however I have to disagree. The show was more funny and light hearted in the earlier stages of the show, but there is still major plots that need to be resolved and can't help but be a little more serious as the show comes to an end, but the quality was always the same. Anyway, I still thought the show was funny and unserious throughout and was quite obviously not historically accurate.

THE MAIN COUPLE!! One thing that I will always love in historical dramas is the TENSION and omg was it great. The drama was the opposite of a slow burn and they came to like each other very quickly although the king took a little while to recognised his feelings. Their chemistry was so GOOD. I kept rewinding scenes while internally screaming because the tension and chemistry was hitting DIFFERENT.

The acting was up to scratch Park Juhyun is always a plessure to watch and was so good in the comedy genre and slayed her emotional scenes of course. Kim Youngdae, is literally so FUNNY, he has amazing comedic timing. I hope to see him in more romcoms soon. The supporting case were also great, some actors were doing their job a little too well because at times I wanted to punch the screen.

The music was enjoyable so no complaints.

The forbidden marriage is the sort of drama you rewatch because you know you'll keep enjoying it over and over again.

I don't actually have any complaints other than the the love triangle but it didn't take away from the show.


Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this drama and would recommend this romcom to any one who wants to watch a Saeguk that isn't gut wrenching but will instead a have you smiling and blushing.
Quick sidenote I have seem this drama being compared to the Cinderella trope but I would disagree it's not really rags to riches after you learn about her character.

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excellent comfort sageuk

Excellent comfort sageuk. Big budget production.
The salty beginning abounds in double entendres surrounding sex and marriage, both gay and straight. The end episode is a lot of fun likewise. I liked the silly moment where the king decides not to have sex with So Rang because he suddenly is enlightened about how dangerous childbirth actually is for mothers. Since sneakily the show implies that they have become lovers relatively early on, this makes no sense but it's still cute.

In the middle the baddies stay very very worrisomely bad until their satisfying punishments. Unsatisfactorily, the madness of the king means that So Rang is removed from the streets where she shone and is confined to the palace. She weeps and suffers and actually visually and in behavior returns to her well-brought up self before having escaped her stepmother's murder attempt many years before.

Aired in 2022, this feels as if it were from a more hopeful era. The FL Park Ju Hyun is the clever jokester girl we see portrayed in a time of gender role change. Confucian values are sometimes relied upon and sometimes undercut. The bits and pieces of the plot sometimes feel as if they are surrounded by air -- this is not an elegant show, not nuanced, not a great love story (yet their affection and desire feels very real), but it is a story with enough heart, in the end, to win you over. Underlying issues brought up are sex trafficking and improved government support for families.

As with many basically good kdramas, the secondary characters shine. My favourites, eccentrically: Court Lady Won and the chief eunuch, played by true veterans. Kim Woo Seok of course. Also the strangely glowing Ban-tan (Noh Min Woo, accompanied by his actual brother!), who runs a secret haven for lovers and their children.

first posted on viki july 10th 2024

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A pallate cleanser after any traumatic drama experience

I recently entered into the world of historical kdramas and this was my 2nd one after i was traumatized by the 43 episodes of Love in flames of war(cdrama) i need something funny and i wanted tolaugh hard it hurts,few reels on tiktok brought me this master piece.From the first scene to the last,it was laughter, the FL carried the whole thing and she was quick,witty and had the funniest personality,I dont know much about kdrama actresses but am sure they chose her for a reason and she did what she was paid to and added icing sugar on top.The ML was also outstanding even the SML, the blend of these 3 gave us an amazing project
10/10 I would recomend for people who dont take things too serious

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Romance got lost

I liked the drama, however, towards the midpoint it veered off course.
The acting is not terrific and the main couple are possibly not the best pairing.
The ML is a traumatised king who is being kept emotionally unbalanced due to a series of grisly murders reinforcing his wife's supposed suicide.
Enter the FL who is hiding from her evil, murdering step mother and has become a con artist involved in the marriage compatibility business. She is a fast talker and not averse to pretending she has Shamanistic skills to save her own neck.
The comedic aspect is in play here as this clueless heroine behaves as though she was never been privy to a wealthy family background, although, as we find out later she has only been on the run for 7 years.
I actually like the 2ML best. He comes across as strong, caring and respectful. At all times he is protecting the king and the FL.
The introduced baddies and their nefarious plots to keep the kingdom's marriage ban in place so they can traffic kidnapped women is jarring.
The evil mother is a suitably Korean Melodrama character whose power and influence gets ever increasingly bigger without ever being suspected.
Luckily the script writers finally wrapped up the crisis, gave the bad guys a suitable end and marry off the two leads. What follows is more cute fun and fairy tale ending to wash away any bad taste left over from those middle episodes.

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A gem!

This Kdrama was an absolute gem! It had me in stitches with its humor, and I couldn't help but fall in love with the main characters. The blend of cuteness and comedy in the storyline is simply delightful, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining series. I've rewatched it numerous times, and each watch brings back that same sense of enjoyment.

For those who appreciate healthy relationships in their dramas, you'll find a strong female lead here who not only stands up for herself but also adds a touch of playful charm to the story. The male lead, too, is endearing and lovable, making for a perfect on-screen pair. Set against a historical backdrop with elements of romance and action, this drama checks all the right boxes.

Now, about the initial deception by the female lead – it's crucial to note that her actions are motivated by a desire to help the king or the male lead and, at times, by a bit of jealousy. However, rest assured, all these aspects are addressed and resolved by the end of the series, leaving you with a heartwarming and happy conclusion.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the drama, I did feel like something was lacking at times, though it wasn't a major annoyance. One area that could have been improved was the ending for the supporting cast. It would have been fantastic to have more information and scenes depicting their future. Such insights into their lives would have added an extra layer of depth to the story and enhanced the overall experience.

I recommend you to give this Kdrama a try – it's an absolute must-watch that's well worth your time, and I'm confident you'll thoroughly enjoy it!

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The king who wears his heart ❤️ on his sleeves!

This is one of the most underrated kdrama in 2023... it am surprised why this has not gained much attention that it truly deserves. But I'm highly recommending this for a lit of reasons:

Timeliness - 12 episodes is just sweet perfection for me, I binge-watched this in less than a day and I am pretty much satisfied with how the writers kept it this short but without sacrificing the content.

Story - I didn't have to use up a lot of my brain energy to try and figure out how the story might end but I love the wit, the twists and how everything else fall into their rightful places up to the very end of this kdrama.

Chemistry - great casting! 👍 and i simply can't believe that a king have this much love!

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A done well job.

This is probably one of the best dramas I have watched. No hits were missed. This drama having 12 episodes is perfect, there are no boring or unnecessary scenes in every episode. It is very endearing in a way it just pulls you in for a coaster.

The story was good overall, it's simple and eventful yet played and executed in a nice and beautiful manner.

The casts were amazing. Each presented their character well.

The only small thing I didn't like—was how they started liking each other, it felt as if it was just a flash.

But despite that this definitely deserves a great review. It was a very nice drama to try out.

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Good start, weak finish, a series of two halves.

I really liked the start of this and was hooked. The effects of grief, loss and guilt, and how you can become isolated I thought were being portrayed in an interesting, way. The solution was perhaps comedic, but it wasn't making fun of the emotional pain.
Depending on how you view the FL, she is either really annoying, like an over enthusiastic sales person, or someone who just wants to do her best in a bad situation, and trapped in a role she has made for herself. The ML,Kim Young-dae, for me came out best in this, when given the chance he has acting range. The rest of the cast were pretty much given stock roles, not their fault, just a poor script.
Mid way through the story and script fell apart, and the last episode was like someone had made a poor cake as was decorating it with too much sweet icing to hide the cracks.
My score is based mainly on the first 60%, the rest had so many plot holes, and the twist at the end, sign posted from about episode 6. Just a bit disappointed.
I like the main OST song.

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Stunning Series!

This series was stunningly good with a tight, tight script, an amazing cast, and ample thrills and chills for every romance junkie anywhere. I began it on a whim, because at the time of this review...I was bored waiting for the next episode of Reborn Rich.
I thought "oh what the heck, I will watch 15 minutes of it" and just like that... I was hooked! It was so good, that I could barely enjoy it for thinking oh, no...I have to wait 5 more days for this? You have got to be kidding me!
At first .....it began rather typically, so I was thinking ...ahhh, yeah...so what?
And then...bam...just like that ...I was hooked and frantically began flipping to see....
how many episodes are released so far? Whoa...how many minutes are left in this episode?
You know the feeling, right? When you don't want it to end? When it hits you right in the heart and it feels oh ...so...right.
That is the good stuff.... the stuff of dreams.

Things I Loved:

I loved The Cast:
Kim Young Dae was so perfect for this role, it would be impossible for anyone else to embody it. This guy deserves serious props and not just because he looks good..although can I interrupt this highbrow review to say... how much I love it when he takes off his shirt in this one...ahem...sorry, but seriously... he can act his socks off and after a few more challenging roles he will be a powerhouse someday, I am expecting big things from him.
And Kim Woo Seok...
Does it get any better than this? He was sooo good in this role, that I loved it when he came on the screen. A total delight to watch him in action. So both male leads were exceptional, for reasons unrelated to shirts.
And Park Ju Hyun...
Wow, I loved her! At first I worried her character was one dimensional. Again, I thought hummm...rather typical.
But it didn't take long ...for me to sit up and say ...oh my...this girl is incredible. She was a fascinating study..to see how she looked/behaved differently depending on each scene. I know that sounds weird, so let me explain it like this. At the very end of the second episode, there is a clip of her in what looks like hunting gear, I swear you could look at her in that clip and do a double take. She was intriguing as heck and......I adored her. So if impassive, expressionless leads are your pet peeve,
well, you won't find that here. Lol.
This series had a very solid cast, with truly exceptional talent and at the time of this review..our ML's had just won well deserved awards for this series. They were a delight to watch but wow, were they ever given roles that fit them perfectly.

I Loved The Script:
I can't remember a series where the script has so consistently delivered as this one has. Not one episode was a disappointment. That is a rarity. As I watched other series during the lengthy wait for this one, I realized just how often the scriptwriters disappoint us. There will be a great episode and then a not so great one. It is inconsistently good.

I Loved The Pace:
This series presented the romantic angle differently. Rather than stringing the viewer along for 10 episodes leading up to a single kiss, they have chosen to keep us intrigued and engaged using two things:
First, they used a more daring dialog that was fresh and enticing. Words matter, and when they are provocative and used well they add excitement to a scene. When the dialog is spot on as it was here....it is tantalizing.
Secondly: They generously used intimate moments to keep the viewer engaged.
Instead of a romantic moment here or there..they lavishly sprinkled those ah ha moments throughout.
I thought this pacing of the romance was interesting and perhaps it mimics real life better. As I thought about this..most every romantic comedy that is truly successful uses this formula.. Which means that every episode is rewatch worthy because the thrills are included in every one. This feels more satisfying to the viewer.

Conclusion: (at time of review)
Awwww, just watched the ending and wow, what a satisfying wrap up. How many endings can we say that about?
They left nothing unresolved, where justice was needed, they delivered. Nothing felt rushed and the loose ends were tied up. What a solid 10 this series was! It goes immediately in my rewatch list. I don't think you will find another RC out there like it.
It belongs in the same category as Business Proposal. Both in my view were the best in class for RC's of 2022.
This was a joy to watch, truly laugh out loud funny and catch your breath romantic.
Many thanks to the cast and everyone involved with this project...you lit up our world with your smiles and laughter. ❤️

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Good Enough

Korean Drama " The Forbidden Marriage " is a historical romantic comedy, with a bit of political drama.

The story is acted out smoothly, with the comedy genre being strong and overflowing from the beginning to the very ending. Without overdoing it, it aided the romance and it gave a fresh twist to the story.

The romance, in addition, was sweet and enjoyable, though it started out a bit off key, with the second lead taking the lead and having more interaction with the girl compared to the king. Still, it was a nice romantic story with some melodrama to spice things up.

The palace politics were, moreover, a bit on the low tempo, there to make things more dramatic, but not the main focus of the drama.

The performances, finally, were all enjoyable by everyone in the cast.

So, overall, eight out of ten.

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