6
10
JulesL
This review may contain spoilers
Under-rated fusion sageuk - great balance of comedy, drama and intrigue
Indeed a worthwhile watch, and I enjoyed the cheeky contemporary details that the writers slipped into this sageuk drama. Elements like a manicure bar, cafe, taxi stand, and the male lead's knowledge of mixed drinks were not what I expected, but they certainly established the show as a fun and interesting one. I have not seen the other versions so my review is solely based on this drama.
For a lighthearted rom-com, the story was well-written and even better executed, switching between serious and hilarity, between dark themes and fluffy romance. Yes, cringe-inducing K-drama tropes were deployed, and the villains were somewhat predictable and not fully developed. Still, I never found myself wanting to fast forward.
The story flowed nicely, and the introduction of the characters and sub-plot lines felt organic. Comedic moments were on point, and there were often curveballs. Scenes that felt like the romance was about to kick off were often disrupted by unexpected unromantic developments. These twists kept me watching non-stop, and I was elated when the OTP finally got together! Even though 16 episodes felt just right, I did wish for only one more just to see a grand finale wedding.
Being a fusion sageuk, I liked how progressive the women were portrayed. Good or bad, these women were not afraid to go after what they wanted. I mean, Princess Hye Myung was the boss! Always questioning traditions and rules, and choosing to study medicine over getting married to her beloved Gyun Woo first. We also have Da Yeon going against her father's wishes and instead openly asking him to help her get Gyun Woo, and even her servant, Mal-Geum unabashedly chased after Gyun Woo's friend.
That said, I did like how it was Gyun Woo who made the first move with Hye Myung. Sounds contradictory, I know, but I still relish the romance of traditional courtship, and Gyun Woo scored major points when he asked the Qing prince to back off. Also, his confession to Hye Myung was so heart-felt and endearing.
My favorite thing about this show was the chemistry between Joo Won and Oh Yeon Seo. They played off each other so well, and they looked good together. Both actors were excellent and have proven their acting range. They emoted so effectively, especially Joo Won, who displayed grief and anguish so well just with his eyes.
The supporting cast deserved a shout-out as well, not only the actors but also the characters they played. Lee Jung Shin as Lieutenant Kang won me over - I was kind of hoping that he was the SML, and others who worked for me included: Prince Wonja (Choi Ro Woon) and Choon Poong (Shim Hyung Tak).
The music was another plus point. The OST was well selected, and I loved the usage of Pachebel's piece, Canon in D, and the adaptations of it.
Last but not least I have to mention the dimples! Not only did our OTP have the most adorable dimples, so did the little prince, the scheming queen, the villain, Gyun Woo's friend, and other characters. Everywhere I looked, it was dimples galore!
Overall, I recommend this show for its amazing OTP, cute romance, and satisfying ending.
For a lighthearted rom-com, the story was well-written and even better executed, switching between serious and hilarity, between dark themes and fluffy romance. Yes, cringe-inducing K-drama tropes were deployed, and the villains were somewhat predictable and not fully developed. Still, I never found myself wanting to fast forward.
The story flowed nicely, and the introduction of the characters and sub-plot lines felt organic. Comedic moments were on point, and there were often curveballs. Scenes that felt like the romance was about to kick off were often disrupted by unexpected unromantic developments. These twists kept me watching non-stop, and I was elated when the OTP finally got together! Even though 16 episodes felt just right, I did wish for only one more just to see a grand finale wedding.
Being a fusion sageuk, I liked how progressive the women were portrayed. Good or bad, these women were not afraid to go after what they wanted. I mean, Princess Hye Myung was the boss! Always questioning traditions and rules, and choosing to study medicine over getting married to her beloved Gyun Woo first. We also have Da Yeon going against her father's wishes and instead openly asking him to help her get Gyun Woo, and even her servant, Mal-Geum unabashedly chased after Gyun Woo's friend.
That said, I did like how it was Gyun Woo who made the first move with Hye Myung. Sounds contradictory, I know, but I still relish the romance of traditional courtship, and Gyun Woo scored major points when he asked the Qing prince to back off. Also, his confession to Hye Myung was so heart-felt and endearing.
My favorite thing about this show was the chemistry between Joo Won and Oh Yeon Seo. They played off each other so well, and they looked good together. Both actors were excellent and have proven their acting range. They emoted so effectively, especially Joo Won, who displayed grief and anguish so well just with his eyes.
The supporting cast deserved a shout-out as well, not only the actors but also the characters they played. Lee Jung Shin as Lieutenant Kang won me over - I was kind of hoping that he was the SML, and others who worked for me included: Prince Wonja (Choi Ro Woon) and Choon Poong (Shim Hyung Tak).
The music was another plus point. The OST was well selected, and I loved the usage of Pachebel's piece, Canon in D, and the adaptations of it.
Last but not least I have to mention the dimples! Not only did our OTP have the most adorable dimples, so did the little prince, the scheming queen, the villain, Gyun Woo's friend, and other characters. Everywhere I looked, it was dimples galore!
Overall, I recommend this show for its amazing OTP, cute romance, and satisfying ending.
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