The Forbidden Marriage: Joseon Cinderella Tale (But Better!)

Wait... You said Cinderella??? Riiight...  ▶ Evil stepmother? Checked. ▶ Evil stepsister? Checked. ▶ Glass slippers? Kinda. Actually, they're Korean traditional flower shoes called ggotsin or gatsin. She ran away, too. ▶ Prince charming? Better. He's the King. ▶ Fairy Godajumma and ball party? None of these. The heroine actually swindles her way into the hearts of the King and the people.

The Forbidden Marriage	Native title: 금혼령, 조선 혼인 금지령   Country: South Korea Genres: Historical, Mystery, Comedy, Romance Aired: Dec  9, 2022 - Jan 21, 2023 Episodes: 12  |  Duration: 1 hr. 10 min. Trailers: Teaser 1  |  Teaser 2   |  Teaser 3 Where to watch: Amazon Prime  |  Viki  |  Kocowa
	Adapted from the 2019 web novel "Geumhonryeong: Joseon Honin Geumjiryeong" (금혼령-조선혼인금지령) by Cheon Ji Hye (천지혜). The webtoon version is illustrated by: San Chaek (산책). Cheon (pictured) is also the screenwriter.
Here is a short and sweet summary: Set in a fictional period within the Joseon dynasty, the series follows the story of King Lee Heon who issued a marriage ban after the death of his wife seven years ago, and con artist So Rang who claims that she can be possessed by the late crown princess's spirit.

The Con-Artist: Ye So Rang (Park Ju Hyun)

The marriage ban doesn't affect Ye So Rang negatively, on the contrary, she benefits from the booming illegal business of marriage and compatibility predictions. So Rang has made money as a scammer in this lucrative underground business, thanks to her adoptive father's ability of fortune telling. She came to Hanyang, the capital of Joseon, to run a marriage prediction business moonlighting as a tea house. But she was caught and thrown into prison. That's when So Rang heard about the ghost of the belated Crown Princess and pretends to be possessed to get herself out of punishment.

The King: Lee Heon (Kim Young Dae)

Seven years ago, following the tragic death of the Crown Princess, the royal family is on the hunt for a suitable, hence a marriage ban is declared. But seven years have passed, and there’s still no new queen. To this day, the now King Lee Heon has not been able to get over his beloved wife's death. Over the years, the royal family and government members have tried to get the King remarried without success.  One day, King Lee Heon hears of a woman named Ye So Rang, who claims the spirit of the king's late wife exists within the royal palace.

The Investigator:  Lee Shin Won (Kim Woo Seok)

The stoic, upright, and loyal Lee Shin Won is the chief of the Royal Bureau of Investigation and King Lee Heon's best friend. While investigating the suspicious tea house he put So Rang, the owner, in jail. She acted as being possessed by the late Crown Princess' spirit to free herself, and thus was given an audition with King Lee Heon. The King appointed So Rang as a special court lady, who could be called to channel the Crown Princess's spirit. Shin Won is tasked to guard her. However, the investigator suspects So Rang is someone else he knew from many years ago.

Usually, I also added important supporting characters as well as character relationship charts in my recap articles. I won't do it here, as I noticed that the descriptions of supporting characters in this drama can be major spoilers for the readers who haven't watched it. Anyhow, there is one character whom I will talk about next since I feel that, in a playful way, Author Cheon created this character to pay tribute to manhwa/webtoon creators out there. Introducing him will not spoil the plot, either. 

So, not only that The Forbidden Marriage has a con artist, but it also has...

The Real Artist: Jung Do Seok (Giriboy)
Jung Do Seok is a popular Joseon manhwa artist. Known as Painter Jung, he is often seen with a paintbrush stuck to his hair. Don't get fooled by his nerdy look, since he is a genius artist with phenomenal works. Painter Jung's humble start was as an erotic comic artist.  He lost his job when the marriage ban was implemented. Luckily, his talent was discovered by So Rang, and the rest is history. Soon, even the Joseon VIPs are his fans. Read what they said about his early works (from left to right):
So Rang, celebrity con artist: "There is love for humanity in this piece" [thumbs up] Oh Deok Hoon and Wang Bae from the political group Mosuldan: .......... [beyond words, enlightened] [Refused to disclose name], custom officer: "Such precious ones" [and enlisted in the bribe list] Lee Shin Won, Chief of FBI RBI (Royal Bureau of Investigation): "This has artistic angles" Lee Heon, King of Joseon: "I should own this one for information purposes". [His Majesty received the special edition: anime!]

As Painter Jung's fan base gets wider,  his career path is pretty much smoother. From mature genre, he ventured the vast horizon of literature to other genres (from left to right):

Mature: In the beginning, although "it's not a crime to draw erotica", Painter Jung's life was always in danger because his works fueled the growing dissatisfaction against the marriage ban, thus subject to confiscation. Romance: After knowing love, he produced romance manhwas. This particular book was most likely a predecessor of the modern-day manhwa-into-drama adaptation. Melodrama: Even during a heartbreak, he's still a prodigy. His best-seller melodramas not only touched the hearts of women but also men; even the unworldly ones (the monks: "Is this the joy of heaven?") Political: He became a mass crowd puller, and a social media influencer, causing anti-government political groups to lobby him [Note: Museoldan or Born Sul Ro group is a Korean wordplay of "Born single"]. Family: Now that he settled down, Painter Jung's works are mainly family portraits. Even the prominent families wait in line to be drawn (So Rang to King Lee Heon: "I heard that characters resembling us would appear in Artist Jung's next work. So we must cooperate with him", Episode 12).

OK, enough for a fan guide diversion on the scene-stealer Painter Jung, lol, let's return to the main topics! I will discuss some issues from historical, romance, comedy, and mystery genre points of view.

Sageuk 101

Sageuk refers to any Korean TV show or film based on historical figures, incorporating historical events, or using a historical backdrop, reserved for shows taking place during  Korean history. According to Wikipedia, at the beginning of the 2000s, sageuks were preferred by older generations. Young people chose to watch contemporary series, which they could better relate to. Sageuk were often complicated, archaic in language use, and mainly employed older actors — thus were less appealing to younger generations, not until they introduced fusion sageuk. 

According to koreanhistoricaldrama.com, there are three categories of sageuk: 

• Authentic sageuk: a dramatized version of real historical people or historical events.
• Fusion sageuk: completely fictional dramas that only use a historical backdrop to tell the story. 
• Faction sageuk: these sageuks have the framework of an authentic sageuk by focusing on actual historical figures and events while taking varying degrees of artistic liberties to weave in a fictional storyline.  

It's obvious that The Forbidden Marriage is a fusion sageuk, since it mixes historical themes along with either modern or fantasy elements. I even called it sageuk 101 (introductory sageuk). Because of its lightness, this drama definitely can be watched by people who even dislike historical dramas.

Being the novel author and also the drama screenwriter, Cheon made a statement right off the bat to avoid any possibility of Korean viewers' critics or show cancellation. The first episode opens with: "the infinite universe has a planet that resembles the Earth" followed by a disclaimer of the critical use of the word 'Joseon' as shown below:

Marriage Ban

What is a marriage ban? 

According to thetalkingcupboard.com, a marriage ban, or geumhonryeong (금혼령), is a decree issued by the Ministry of Rites during the royal marriage selection process. The marriage ban was carried out to prevent the loss of potential consorts through other marriages, securing the best potential matches for the intended royal marriage, especially those with prospective backgrounds. The ban was not only applicable to the potential candidates, as in the noble class, but also included the entire nation. Hence geumhonryeong literally means "golden spirit", possibly because of the atmosphere of the entire country during the royal marriage selection process, as the people wholeheartedly anticipate the future royal consort.

Why 7 years?

That's what makes the Joseon people mad in this drama. Firstly, the marriage issuance was contradictory to the tradition. As shown in episode 1, a citizen asked "It has been only a short while since the Crown Princess passed away. How can they select a spouse for the royal family already?" There is a mourning period for the death of the royal members, and in this case, there was no need for the royal family to look for a new crown princess replacement during the mourning period. Secondly, the royal marriage selection shouldn't take 7 years, even if it's for a potential queen. The whole country suffered, not only the romance part but there is also economic, political, and social unrest. The future of the country is at stake. Are the royal family and the committee too picky or the selection process is too complicated? Or, the King can't forget about his wife? 

That brings us to the discussion on the romance part of The Forbidden Marriage, specifically a crucial aspect that may or may not ruin a drama.

Love Triangle version 1.0

Love triangle... ah, love triangle... is it necessary in a romantic drama??? A lot of romantic drama watchers hate unnecessary love triangles and ask others about the love triangle prior to watching a drama. In The Forbidden Marriage, the love triangle version 1.0 (Crown Princess - Lee Heon - So Rang) is part of the plot thus I could say it's necessary. When we read the drama synopsis on MDL, it stated that King Lee Heon's beloved wife died and he has not been able to get over her death. We have the impression that he loved her very much. Therefore, when So Rang came into the scene, the viewers wondered how she would be able to win the heart of the King who couldn't let go of his love for 7 years. The above GIF clearly shows that Lee Heon tried to build an intimate relationship with his wife, Crown Princess Ahn Ja Yeon (Kim Min Ju). Their marriage was definitely arranged, but he fell in love with her at first sight when they tried on their wedding attires.

Initially, when So Rang became a personal court lady whom Lee Heon could ask to channel the Crown Princess' spirit, she used her scamming skills for her benefit. She tried hard to make him forget the Crown Princess so he remarries and lifts the marriage ban (thus she can continue her business). As the King and So Rang get to know each other, they discover each other simply as equal humans, not as a King and a subordinate. So Rang also started to pity him for his misery of losing a wife and sees him as a mere man to be cared for, not as a King to be scared of. When she fell for the King, she was sure about her feelings. But there has been a question bothering her, as shown in the GIF below, whether the King sees her as the Crown Princess or as So Rang. Because Lee Heon, although married before, had no clue about the falling and the feeling of mutual love. Lee Heon and So Rang gradually fell in love with each other naturally.

Love Triangle version 1.0 helped our main couple with character growth individually and learning to get to know and care for each other. 

Love Triangle version 2.0

Romance storylines are pretty much standard, the to-be-couple characters go through conflicts and resolutions in their relationship. In addition to the couple's interactions, love triangles provide the perfect frame for conflict and resolution. Believe it or not, as many viewers absolutely hate love triangles, they are actually engaging. Love triangles can make viewers excited and agitated enough simultaneously. Viewers may feel like they are actually dwelling inside the story, alongside or even in the point of view of the protagonist themselves.

Author Cheon purposely chose Lee Heon-So Rang-Lee Shin Won's love triangle as an important plot to weave her story around the main coupling. It's obvious: from the novel cover we saw above to how she set up So Rang and Lee Shin Won's connection (if you watched the drama you know about the two images below). I have my own opinion, though, I don't think Love Triangle version 2.0 is necessary. A lot of times the love triangle trope is used because the plot or the characters are flat. But Lee Heon and So Rang are two interesting characters and their romantic circumstances, Love Triangle version 1.0, is quite an innovative plot. Moreover, the mystery part is intriguing. 

It is very apparent when a character is there to only be a love interest, and this is how Lee Shin Won, in my opinion, is just simply a filler to the main romance. So Rang never felt any romantic feelings for him, she only regards him as a friend. This is a spoiler for readers who hate love triangles and haven't watched it yet but want to know what happens to the Second Male Lead at the end of the drama: he finally found his own love.

I am sure that the manhwa creator and screenwriter's forte is comedy and she used a lot of wordplay in Korean for humor. We have seen some examples above, especially when I introduced you to Painter Jung and his works. There are more in this section, and if you haven't watched the drama yet, I invite you to look at the 3 images on the top and 2 images on the bottom, and comment below your guesses on what they are parodies of!

Audiences love to laugh and will remember good and funny dramas, including laugh-out-loud funny lines of dialogue or parodies from dramas for years to come. We will remember the humor from The Forbidden Marriage. However, even if Author Cheon can write the funniest lines and characters, the audience won't think it's funny without the right casting for characters who act out such dialogues and scenes. In this case, casting Park Ju Hyun as Ye So Rang was just perfect. She could deliver lines and showed the right comedic timing in every step of the heroine's character growth, whether she is a young miss, a mischievous scammer, a hardworking palace lady, a social activist against the marriage ban, a lover, or a queen. 

I don't want to dwell in this section too long, as explaining jokes in The Forbidden Marriage just makes the drama not funny anymore. If you haven't watched it, go watch it and see the hilarious So Rang with her antics! She could carry the show alone on her back. I can watch this character doing her schemes throughout the entire drama, even without a love line, because she "never gets caught!" (bottom left image)

And speaking about Cinderella... were the Charming Prince from the fairy tale had his horse ready during the dance ball, he wouldn't have to scour the entire country looking for the runaway girl who owns the glass slippers! In the GIF below, the Charming King just needs to jump onto his horse to catch the huffing-and-puffing Joseon Cinderella!

Besides romance and comedy, The Forbidden Marriage also contains the mystery genre. A sageuk, or any historical drama, that has a palace plot always brews mystery of power struggles. Some rom-com fans complained that they anticipated a light-hearted romance, but its plot turns dark quite fast. When we have a king as the main protagonist, we should anticipate that palace politics is on the horizon. 

Although I wrote that rom-com seem to be the author's strong point in story-telling, I doubt that the mystery genre is. I'm not really satisfied with the mystery plot. As a fan of the genre, I look for a compelling mystery that surprises and excites me. The secrets that are revealed along the way, make me want to go back and look at all the clues and details I might have missed along the way. But for me, this drama shows every clue as plain as the day, with the bad characters practically introducing themselves as the villains. We only wait until the protagonists find out who the villains are and what they did. At least, Cheon didn't use the usual sageuk trope of using a state councilor or an illegitimate heir as the villain!

I won't spend much time writing about the mystery part of this drama, because it's the main plot I don't want to spoil.

No, I won't give you any major spoilers of what happens to the ending, But if you're a rom-com fan, you know that the ending of this genre is almost always happy; unless the drama makes it an open ending with a possibility for a sequel. But many times we find out that the happy ending a drama promises us is merely a last-minute reunion after a time jump with one protagonist popping out from nowhere. Another unsatisfying happy ending is when it's a vague one, making you wonder if the last scene is just a dream or imagination. Or, two alternative endings that viewers can choose they either want a happy ending or a sad one. And how about the happy ending that is hidden after the final credit? [speaking about the final credit, there is an easter egg you can watch after the ending credit of the final episode]

The ending of The Forbidden Marriage is wholesome and extremely satisfying. I shed tears and smiled at the same time watching the entire final episode and I felt very happy. And that is the reason why I wrote this article I didn't plan before. In addition, the winter scenery is so dreamy and enchanting, like in a magical wonderland.

If you have watched this drama, you probably agree with me about loving this type of ending. Which scenes in the last episode really stand out for you? Comment below in a spoiler tag.

For me, the ending of a side story pictured below stands out the most. During a solemn winter in the solitude of the wilderness. The snow is bright but the hearts are gloomy. A man and a woman are standing at a gravesite. The woman is wearing simple attire and is only accompanied by a few maidservants. Both came to pray for the deceased one. Not as the Queen and her subordinate. But as a mourning father who lost his child, and a daughter who lost her father.

"I cannot dare to say what it is like to lose a child.  But I wish to do what I can to comfort you." (So Rang, Episode 12)

I will end my article with what I think the message Author Cheon Ji Hye tried to convey through her web novel/manhwa. Remember my introduction to Painter Jung? The drama ends with a big found-family gathering in which Painter Jung requested them to appear in his new work, which becomes the title of this drama. In his book, besides a group portrait, he also drew characters in couples. My guess is that Cheon, through Painter Jung, wants to tell us about second love and second chances; and opportunities to find love beyond the boundaries of status and other circumstances. There will always be a chance to meet your love, even in a different time, as So Rang's adoptive father pondered: "or is it not possible for me [to find love] in Joseon [era]? Do I need to be born again [in my next life]?" (Episode 12)

I will just give you two examples of themes above that are not spoilers. The first example, The Forbidden Marriage tells about King Lee Heon's second love. As much as romance drama watchers love the 'first love never dies' trope, in reality, people who lost their first love need to move on in life, hence this drama's second love theme is realistic. The second example is the love beyond the boundaries theme. In this drama, the boundary is the social status differences between Lee Heon and So Rang that blossomed when he was a king and she was a palace maid. They were also strongly supported by people who did not oppose their love regardless of their differences. 

Speaking about love between two entities with differences, the drama poster, albeit it's cartoonish like a children's storybook, symbolically represents the drama theme.

Finally, if you haven't watched it yet or want to recommend it to others but don't know how to tell them, below is a simple checklist to summarize my article:

Wait... did I say that there was no ball party?

 Thank you for reading and happy watching!