This review may contain spoilers
It was okay, until it wasn't
Be prepared to watch this only for the ML (who is not only handsome, but also really kind as well), because the FL is nothing but an annoying, selfish, self-centered jerk who should have no business being married to ANYONE, let alone this dude.There's being independent and working for your dreams, and then there's trampling over everyone and sacrificing every single person in your life to get there.
But all that aside, EP 22 in particular was the one that dropped this rating from a 6 to a 4.5. If you can't see how spending a night in the hotel room with another man - and then defending your poor choices to your husband - could be detrimental to your marriage, then you don't deserve to be in one.
I truly wish the ML ended up divorcing her, but we all know how this stuff works. They always do forgive after a one (barely sincere) apology, don't they?
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"The Prisoner of Beauty" is my Roman Empire!"
The Prisoner of Beauty" is my Roman Empire! I thought "Eternal Love" was my most rewatched C-drama (9 times and counting) & then "My Journey to you" & "General's Lady (6 times each), but nope… "Prisoner of Beauty" said, “Hold my fan.” This one snatched the crown, burned the palace, and declared itself emperor of my "Imma watching it till i learn by heart even the ending credits" list!I'm already on my 4th rewatch in less than 15 days and still fully unhinged. At this point, the play button is filing a restraining order.
The couple’s chemistry? It’s chemistrying harder than Marie Curie in a radioactive lab with no gloves. 🧪 Someone call the drama hazmat team — I’m melting. Their dynamic is enemies-to-lovers-to-obsession-to-I’d-burn-the-empire-for-you. Their eye contact alone has more tension than the entire Ming dynasty!
Song Zu Er as The female lead? STUNNING. She was smart, strong, graceful, and gave regal savage energy. She matched his fire beat for beat — no wallflower, no pushover, just pure elegance with a blade behind her smile.
Together, they were a power couple for the ages — like Mr. & Mrs. Smith if it were set in a palace with revenge plots, stolen glances, and OSTs that end lives.
And Liu Yuning as the male lead??
PLEASE. He didn’t just raise the bar — he burned it, buried it under dramatic OSTs, and then whispered devastating lines in that deep voice while it rained on my standards’ funeral. 😭
He’s 6'3" of brooding stares, lethal elegance, and poetry in motion. His acting? Criminally underrated. His voice? Illegal in at least 7 provinces. His presence? Main character energy so intense, it bends gravity. Every scene he’s in feels like a historical thirst trap wrapped in silk and trauma!
And listen — I don’t know who keeps calling this tall, tragic, sharp-jawed king “ugly,” but I hope your pillow is always warm, your rice undercooked, your earphones tangled, your stream stuck at 99%, and your fave drama ends on a cliffhanger that never resolves!
Not everyone needs to look like a cookie-cutter, AI-generated, flower-boy idol with 17 filters. By international standards, he’s a fine, handsome man — tall, expressive, with charisma that eats the camera alive. And the voice? That’s not just a voice. That’s a weapon of mass seduction. He’s got that "You’ll think about me even in your next life" energy. If that’s “ugly,” then I don’t want “pretty.” I want epic. Tragic. Dangerous.
If anyone calls him “ugly” again, I will Liam Neeson them — I have a very particular set of skills. 😤
I will find you. And I will educate you. With a playlist. And screenshots. And 30-minute character arcs broken down with timestamps.
Now go sit in the corner and think about your life while I rewatch The Prisoner of Beauty for the 5th time and cry into my fan.
If Eternal Love was my comfort drama over the years… then Prisoner of Beauty is my emotional support fever dream.
I’m not watching anymore — I’m studying. Writing a thesis. Citing sources. Defending a dissertation in front of a panel of palace eunuchs while Liu Yuning sings in the background and I spiral! ♥
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1This review may contain spoilers
Reasons why you need to drop everything and watch Life right now:
▪︎The baddest of bad, the ultimate, Jo Seung Woo▪︎JSW's character here is one of the best drama characters I have seen in a long long while. He is such a legend. His acting is nuanced to the core. His character is the very much competent, cutthroat, focused, driven CEO who demands respect and time and time again proves himself to be worthy of the authority he has. Often he seems quite vicious and a corporate slave through and through as he spoke to the economist in me and tried his best to maximize his profits no. matter. what. And he is hella good at what he does too which basically means he is the resident bad guy.
Everybody hates him as they are powerless to do a thing against him. But under that slick suave bastard exterior, he is compassionate, fair, intelligent, caring and has a heart of gold. Ofcourse that doesn't give way to noble idiocy on his part and just because he can beautifully balance his humane and cunning side, it doesn't mean he isn't a force to be reckoned with.
The drama tried desperately to promote Lee Dong Wook as the main male lead but while he has his moments Life is Gyu Seung Ho's playground. It's his show through and through and I loved him so incredibly much that I can't even explain it.
▪︎Bromance & Friendship▪︎
Half of the show revolves around Lee Dong Wook and his brother and their bond is so adorable, sweet and heartbreaking that it gives you all the feels. But other than that brotherhood the drama is filled with relationships, loyalty, camaraderie and friendship between characters which is so endearing and treasured in such a hostile and brutal environment.
▪︎The tension▪︎
Oof. Like all 3 of Lee Soo Yeon's dramas, there's a lot of politics, philosophical questions and moral debates in this one too. It's less medical and more focused on the power struggle between the doctors and the management. And so I understand why people think it to be slow paced with heavy dialogues but goddamnit for me it was so engaging that I was hung on every word that came out of a character's mouth. I was completely attuned to them, focused and on the edge of my seat. It holds the same gravity and feeling of importance that Stranger 1& 2 had and the epic soudtrack just enhances it.
▪︎The romance▪︎
While not the main focus, it's woven so effortlessly and gorgeously in the storyline and just goes to enhance the personalities of the characters and make them more lovable. I am also extremely happy that my ship sailed hehe.
▪︎The FEELS▪︎
The show appeals to both your mind and your heart. While there is intelligent writing to satisfy the analytical part of your brain with a lot of mental workout there's also enough emotion for you to form a personal connection with the characters. I cried so much and surprisingly every time at small subtle moments, actions and interactions that weren't even tragic or done solely for some big emotional impact. There are no deaths or tragic birth secrets or white trucks of doom or other cheesy bullshit, there are just some extremely real, flawed and well developed characters that you hurt when they hurt and you are happy when they are happy.
▪︎Badass Women▪︎
You know me. You know if the female characters suck, no matter how awesome the male leads are, I am ready to fight. Thankfully all the females in this show are strong, some kick more ass than others but overall they are all extremely likeable.
The only reason I didn't give this show a 10 (tho it was a very very close shot) is because I expected more of the ending. It's very typical of Lee Soo Yeon. Her dramas always progress in such a grim way that you are expecting the worst to happen but then she comes in and hands you a bouquet of flowers with half of them missing.
Which saves your heart from breaking but it's also a bit lacklustre. Parts of it are uncharacteristically idealistic but then parts are extremely realistic as she doesn't try to solve every issue and leaves it up to the audience. It's a little frustrating and makes me not give her a full 10 but that also means I don't dare dock more than half a point 'cause these endings are still very much infused with warmth, hope and love.
It's definitely one of the best dramas out there. The cast is the same in all of her three shows so you know they are extremely gelled in with the writer and the acting is great across the board.
A must watch. Even more so for fans of Stranger 'cause there is a cameo in the last episode that will blow your socks away. ;)
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The best kind of normalcy.
Adults playing adults, no over the top childish miscommunications, realistic (though underdeveloped) problems one can face in the workplace, great natural chemistry and likable female characters - all that made me happy.Not gonna lie, Kim Jong Chan was the star of the story. I’m so done with cold and emotionless bosses, as if you cannot be professional and dedicated to your work and have personality. Luckily, Jong Chan does not follow the stereotype we usually get. He might be direct and focused, strict with people who work in his team, but he also has a really warm and fun persona outside of the workplace.
Woo Seung Hyun was a great character to watch, but I wished they set up the fact he was a “late bloomer” more, and explain what it means. For me, it was obvious, but I can also understand if people started to complain he was too childish and naive for his age.
Personally, I enjoyed his story. Not quite knowing yourself, your goals, what you are good at and what kind of job would be best fit for you in your late 20’ is not exactly uncommon, and I think many could relate to Seung Hyun in that aspect.
Storytelling wise, I do think they did a decent job with presenting all the different plotlines. Sure, some kind of died without much exploration or closure, some got a rushed conclusion - but for 7 episodes, the show had a good flow and pacing.
Cast did great. Kwon Hyuk fits both the strict boss at work, and sweet boyfriend after, and Moon Ji Yong made Seung Hyun seem like a believable character as this innocent and hardworking intern. I also cannot stop myself from hyping Ye Ji Won being part of the cast, because we have not seen such a big name in K-BLs yet - maybe this is the first step to make the genre more mainstream.
Production was great. It did have this web series on the lower budget vibe for just a few shots, but overall - no complaints.
Overall, I’m just happy we got to see a normal relationship in BL. Yes, I do enjoy the exaggerated plots too, they are entertaining, but this wholesome mundane take is something I truly crave in the romance genre, and The New Employee delivered.
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Not since Dalja’s Spring have I felt that characters other than the main couple received as much loving attention as they did in Miss Korea. And, Miss Korea surpasses Dalja’s Spring at that (Miss Korea now has my favorite secondary couple in the history of Kdrama). But Miss Korea has so much more going for it than the characters, even if they are the best feature. Acting, writing, directing, cinematography, costumes, soundtrack, attention to detail and research – Miss Korea excels in all of these areas. Miss Korea might be, nay, IS the first Kdrama that I can say has no flaws. I wouldn’t change a thing – not one thing – not even the ending, and, as all us Kdrama lovers know, endings are usually the pitfall of every Kdrama no matter how good it is. But Miss Korea’s last episode is as perfect as its first and all the episodes in between.
In fact, there is only one problem with Miss Korea (I know I said it has no flaws, but hear me out)…
…NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE WATCHED IT! It is a travesty that this drama has not been more viewed domestically and abroad. Sure it was going up against the juggernaut of You Who Came from the Stars (or whatever translation you want to use), and that is a good drama, a very entertaining drama, but it’s not perfect (although Jun Ji Hyun is). But in the age of Internet and DVR, that’s no excuse! I wish more people in SK had watched this drama because I want more dramas like it, many more!
I want more Kdramas that feel this organic, with real characters going about their real lives and no makjang craziness! I want a rich, full universe that feels lived in with characters I love who have simple and beautiful hopes and dreams and are capable of achieving them using their own minds and effort rather than ridiculous dues ex machina and unrealistic plot twists. I want soundtracks that rock my world and perfectly match every mood and moment of the drama. I want good actors acting great and previously bad actors going above and beyond our wildest expectations. I want empowered women who are business owners and scientists. I want heroines that blow my mind with their personal strength and honesty and courage. I want OTPs that are honest with each other and even when one tries noble idiocy the other calls b.s. and there are no misunderstandings – EVER! I want careful attention to details and good research into plot devices.
I WANT MORE DRAMAS LIKE MISS KOREA! Watch it and you will too!
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This review may contain spoilers
So far, its the best bl of 2023
I don't know where even to begin. They both are damn cute. Those small touches, talks, kisses. This is everything I want in a drama. Usually, I wouldn't say I like many bls because of too many explicit scenes and not enough actual development or a proper story. but this one exceeded my expectations. The chemistry is damn amazing between these two. and the acting is stellar. Seriously, others should take a look at this and see how to write a show. The plot is insanely simple. but the execution is the thing that matters. They did a really good job with it. and the game at the end was too cute. Seriously cute. Like those choices and finally Wan chose to not run away. The chemistry is amazing. So amazing. Like seriously amazing that you are left with butterflies every time they interact.On to the story. Each episode was better than the previous one. It is so amazing to see both their chemistry expanding as both of them kept on interacting. and yes as I have mentioned in the above, the story was really simple. But the way both of them portrayed the characters and the visuals of the show was damn amazing. It was aesthetically pleasing and the editing was damn good. I liked it. and I would say the ending game at the end of episodes was so damn good. It was like we get to see how their highschool years went on without us having to go deep into flashbacks
Now I wish the run time was longer and the episodes too. but honestly i liked what they did with this. and honestly looking forward to the future projects of the actors. The show mostly focuses on the main leads so we don't get to see much of the side characters. They don't stick out much other than those funny office moments. but I can't ask for more with the given amount of time and am really happy with this. The music was fine. Nothing special but it wasn't jarring too. It was enjoyable.
Overall, I would suggest this drama to every rom com fanatics. This was a really damn good watch. I don't want this to end because this was my most favorite drama that was airing. I am also glad the eighth sense started and I feel like that is going to be a great watch too.
I would totally rewatch this drama again and again. This could totally be one of my comfort dramas because whenever they two share the screen together, I just feel so damn happy for them and couldn't stop smiling.
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This review may contain spoilers
Great drama if you know what you're getting
I tend to only be interested in writing a review if I feel like I'm in the minority. Lots of negative reviews of this drama seem to be written by people who were expecting something else. So, let me speak for the other side and clear some things up from the beginning, here's what this drama is about: A woman and her two friends go through a very difficult year together and find strength to get through it by relying on one another. This is an especially character-driven drama, rather than story-driven.Mi-jo is the central character, and her relationship to Chan-young is the primary relationship. I would say that Joo-hee and Seon-U or Jin-Seok are probably the second leads. If this were some rom-com and Mi-jo/Chan-young were the ML and FL, no one would be upset about them taking all the screen time. It's weird that everyone seems upset that the illness isn't the most important storyline--this is about their whole lives and that was a large part of it, but not the only part. I do agree that ALL the side plots eventually got a bit chaotic, but I liked getting small bits of insight into everyone's lives.
I thought it was an interesting move to tell us the ending in eps 2, but it allowed for so much more development of the leads and the (really wonderful) rest of the cast. I loved all the parents, with the glaring exception of one. I loved Mi-jo's sister, I fell in love with Seon-u and his love of Mi-jo. (I took a break from this one to watch Yeon Woo Jin in Shy Boss). Would have liked to see a little more of Joo-hee's relationship, but that's just because Hyun-jun's character seemed to have a lot of potential--but again, they aren't the main characters, so I'm fine with not having every answer.
Another thing that anyone should know by the opening scene, but in case you are wondering: This is a TEAR JERKER. I normally don't like tear jerkers and specifically come to kdrama for the comedy and romance. That said, this was a lovely story about women's friendships. Some of the side plot points were a little over the top (Seon-u's father and his sister; the slapdash adoption that appears late in the story, the jailbird), but they are all meant to get in the way of Mi-jo and Chan-young's friendship, and to show the different ways their friendship has shaped how they respond to difficulties.
Mi-jo is an imperfect heroine. She is anxious, clingy, and a bit of a control freak, maybe that's why she is getting so much negativity in the reviews. But, an imperfect character is way more interesting than a perfect one! Again, if you come to this drama interested in watching the main character move through her life and her relationships, including her close friendship to a terminally ill woman, you will be far less disappointed than if you come to this expecting an ensemble slice of life drama.
The music was good enough that I didn't notice it.
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"See You at Work Tomorrow?" Not even in my dreams!
Office dramas are rare, and they are usually adapted from webtoons. The most famous or memorable ones, in my opinion, remain Misaeng: Incomplete Life and Gaus Electronics. Both deal with very different subjects, but they share one important thing: writing that actually has something to say. Whether constructive, funny, dramatic, romantic, or humorous, they always bring something meaningful. Above all, they are built around a group of lovable characters that we quickly identify with and, logically, grow attached to. With See You at Work Tomorrow, it is exactly the opposite. This drama turns out to be completely lifeless, or worse, totally sanitized. The episode length does not help either. The adaptation is certainly poor, but I honestly think the original material itself was already weak. The fact that the project was entrusted to two rookies as writers says a lot about the confidence placed in it. We narrowly avoided an industrial disaster. This drama is a collection of things we have seen countless times before, with absolutely nothing original to offer.The story takes place inside a cutting-edge electronics technology company. We follow the development of the relationship between department head Kang Si-Woo (Seo In-Guk) and his subordinate Cha Ji-Yoon (Park Ji-Hyun), an engineer who has worked at the company for seven years. Competent and respected by her colleagues, she joins Si-Woo’s R&D team when he returns from the United States after several years away. He is a handsome, rather taciturn and secretive man. A loner hiding his own emotional wounds. She has recently gone through a painful breakup. Yet she finds herself intrigued by this charismatic man who appears distant and cold. Her best friend Yoon No-Ah (Kang Mi-Na) is also recovering from a toxic seven-year relationship. Caught between their professional responsibilities and their desire to rebuild their romantic lives, both try to move forward. Around them are colleagues, ex-partners, and other unnecessary distractions (the emotional backup options).
See You at Work Tomorrow mistakes maturity and restraint for a complete lack of personality. Being an adult, calm, or realistic does not mean being cold and flavorless. One word comes to mind to describe this drama: boring. The proof is Misaeng, which is much slower, heavier, and more dramatic, yet I never once felt that it dragged. Behind its office setting, there was a real message: a satire of Korean corporate culture, social criticism, and characters who genuinely evolved. Here, the professional environment is nothing more than decoration. The drama is clean, well-produced, but it has nothing to say beyond its own story. Everything is smooth, predictable, and completely risk-free. It lacks the one thing that turns a decent series into a memorable one: an identity. You watch it without any real involvement, like a cow watching a train go by. There are no real rivalries between teams or colleagues, the stakes are limited, there are no surprises, and the script—which could fit on a single sheet of toilet paper—is completely predictable. The first seven episodes are an absolute nightmare to get through because the story is basically standing still. Once the final credits rolled, I asked myself a simple question: What concrete thing is there left to remember after these twelve endless episodes? Unfortunately, not much.
The problem is not simply that the pacing is bad. The problem is that the drama does not have much to tell. I found the romance forced, predictable, and above all, completely lacking passion. They are together simply because the script tells them they have to be. In a romantic comedy, the couple should be the engine of the series. We should want to see them together, feel their chemistry, and look forward to their important moments. Here, I never felt any of that. This couple gave me nothing. They made me feel nothing. I never imagined myself in their position, and I never had the impression that I was watching a special relationship develop. Their first kiss, which should have been the emotional payoff after several episodes of buildup, left me completely indifferent. The soundtrack can try to convince us that we should be moved, but emotions cannot be forced. The problem also comes from the stoic romantic hero archetype. It can work, but only if the character has something captivating about him. Here, he is so rigid and passive that he becomes the ultimate romance killer. He never laughs, barely shows any spontaneity, and his charm relies almost entirely on his appearance. But a handsome face cannot replace a personality. Seo In-Guk is talented, but he is completely trapped by a role that gives him almost nothing to play. Park Ji-Hyun is present, but she never seems truly invested. Her smile feels forced; she is simply going through the motions.
The actors are not the problem. The issue lies with the scenes, the dialogue, and the direction, which are completely bland. The story is so weak and uninteresting that the supporting characters quickly become nothing more than filler. The second couple perfectly summarizes the writing problems of this drama: two characters with completely opposite views of love. He believes love comes and goes. She believes in a relationship that is built over time after seven years together. That is actually a great foundation for a meaningful conflict of values. Except the drama forgets the most important thing: showing us why they belong together. She does not really like his style, his age, his personality, or his vision of life... but the script has decided they must end up together, so they will end up together. Even if we have to watch them turn into complete sentimental fools. I love Kang Mi-Na, but she is not given the respect she deserves. She deserves much better than this kind of thankless role. She was fantastic in Welcome to Samdal-ri. The drama introduces a fake professional conflict around episode 8, but it quickly disappears. Everything happens not because the story needs it, but because the writers need to fill the remaining episodes. The drama does not create obstacles. It creates artificial situations. We are not watching a romance develop or a workplace environment evolve. We are watching mandatory boxes being checked on a production checklist.
Finally, the story is sold as a romantic comedy, except it forgets to be funny. I did not smile once during the entire viewing. And that perfectly represents the main problem I mentioned: the series simply lacks life. The episodes continue with a constant feeling of padding. This drama only has twelve episodes, but I felt like I had watched twenty. It is endless. And when it comes to killing romance, it is hard to do worse. They look less like lovers and more like two colleagues negotiating a business contract. Before leaving, here are a few unusual remarks because the Sandman completely destroyed me with his magical sleeping powder: The refrigerator: "We follow engineers responsible for developing... a refrigerator that makes spherical ice cubes. Surely humanity had been desperately waiting for this technological revolution." The second couple: "She likes neither his style, his age, his personality, nor his vision of love... but the script decided they had to end up together. Move along, nothing to see here." The coincidence : "They have been going to the same store for years, owned by Ji-Yoon's father, without ever meeting... and then, magically, they run into each other exactly when the script needs them to. What timing!" And as I said earlier, everything is sanitized: "The characters, the romance, the conflicts, the dialogues, the direction... even the French dub, which kills their relationship with all the formal 'vous' and the constant 'sir/madam'." In short, this is not the drama where you will find madness, passionate love, or lighthearted fun.
Rating: 4/10 :But I give it a passing grade because of Kang Mi-Na, who gets her own privileged Joker card: "Meow, meow."
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I first heard about it because it was officially competing at the Cannes's Movie Festival.
And then I saw that the great Park Chan Wook was the director behind it so I quickly decided to watch it.
BUT, neither did I read the summary first nor watched the trailer ... and maybe I should have had.
Don't get me wrong ! This movie is a masterpiece. But, I wasn't expecting that plotline AT ALL.
You should be aware that it gots some serious mature contents like SEX, BDSM and violence. You can feel really uneasy watching it. But that is the reason why this movie is so beautiful : the darkness and somehow weird feels matches so well with the love story. Some scenes are magical.
But just keep in mind that it is 18+ rated (basically 5 minutes of intense, non-stoping and not-really censured sex)
There is three major arks in the movie: the first two ones where you get to discover and even rediscover the characters and story from different point of views, and the third one where all of your answers are answered & the story ends.
This combination might seems odd to some viewers, as we sometimes get to rewatch the same scenes. But I personally find it really interesting.
The two main actresses are absolutely perfect. They convey all the feels of their characters in an emotional way. As it is stayed in the summary, they will both 'discover some unexpected emotions'. Lesbian relationship in Korean movies are quite unusual and I must say that this one is breaking down HUGE taboos. The geniuses of Park Chan Wook was to gamble on this idea, in a country where he perfectly knows that the critics will get fierce.
Thanks to a good casting choice, I personally think that he won his bet.
I was surprisingly amazed by Kim Tae Ri (Sook Hee)'s acting. She's new, It's her first movie. The idea of new fits perfectly her character. The way she acted was stunning. I want to see her in more things from now on.
Anyway if you're 18+, interested in some good suspenseful stories and open-minded regarding this movie love plot line, you will definitely enjoy it.
It's not Old Boy sure ...but it is The Handmaiden. They both have their qualities and universe.
Special mention to the ending song which was absolutely gorgeous ... kinda combines all of the feels that this movie gives you.
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Interesting storyline
Omg this has all the bells and whistels from a good fable or story. Has my favorite actor as well. Great hook at the beginning of the story to make you want to watch more. Sets are colorful to the eye and costumes are not over the top but are brautiful none the less. This director keeps it at a fast pace so it doesnt bog down in the middle. Well worth your time to watch and rewatch. Sets on this piece give it that xtra pazazz. Female lead is well matched to the actor and intimate scenes are believable could he have found his soulmate in real life?Was this review helpful to you?
The Queen Who Crowns
52 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
A grand historical, passionate and emotionally complex high quality drama
I´d say, “The Queen who Crowns” is an excellent, impressive historical drama that gets under your skin. An emotionally stirring KDrama of the finest quality against a historically real backdrop. The KDrama year 2025 could continue like this..."The Queen who Crowns" brings the first decades of Joseon onto the screens. It is not the first series to take on the historically dazzling personalities of that time. Those early hours of the dynasty are simply captivating. And so, with this KDrama, too, it is not boring at all. On the contrary. And with an increased age rating, "The Queen who Crowns" additionally gains necessary freedom for an not only aesthetically impressive and emotionally impactful, but at times even unrestrained narrative.
However, it doesn't hurt to be somewhat familiar with the historical background. This makes it easier to understand the connections and relationship dynamics. Yet, enjoyment of the series is also possible without prior knowledge. Explanations in the subtitles fortunately provide the corresponding context here and there.
"The Queen who Crowns" offers a grand historical and emotionally complex drama. A special nuance is peeled out of the actual historical context, closely inspected, and dramatically excellently embellished: The complex and dramatic relationship dynamics of King Taejong with his father, the abdicated King Taejo, and his wife, the later Queen Wongyeong.
------ More thoughts about the relationships between former King Taejo, Prince Bang-won and his wife -------
"The Queen who Crowns" offers, among other things, a fantastic interpretation and performance of Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. Lee Sung-min ensures we are learning to understand that the self-proclaimed first king of the new dynasty was not only a rather dominant father but a man who truly had great things in mind for his people. The path to achieve his new dynasty was indeed bloody, the power struggle at the turn of the 14th century not yet over, and life at the royal court dangerous. The now abdicated King Taejo, however, is convincingly shown to be torn between his archetypal ideals of a strong Joseon king and the very human feelings as an emotionally entangled father. Through his son Yi Bang-won as King Taejong of this newly founded Joseon nation, he painfully reflects how low human emotions can sink. Noble ambitious monarch and defiant despot, that can be so close together.
Actor Lee Hyun-wook acting historical Yi Bang-won gives the defiant king's son his very personal touch. As a son who desperately hungers for his father's recognition. As a man who would like to wear the pants in the relationship and cannot really handle to see that his straightforward, dominant wife is superior to him in terms of political calculation, overview, and foresight. As a spoiled prince whose frustration tolerance was never really trained, who ultimately confuses defiance with power, he is trying to enforce with ferocity what thus only slips away from him even further: the respect of the two most important people in his life – his father and his actually beloved wife. Bang-won as King Taejong proves to be no counterpart to whom they can trustworthy surrender. One can feel sorry for the king. And that says it all...
Before I get to the queen, who is actually given the stage here, I would like to address one thing that is also in the focus of this KDrama along the way: The crux of the archetypal relationship between king and queen in contrast to the relationship between king and concubines. For the king, he may have both, “saint” and “whore”. The queen however, is doomed to just being the “saint”. Hardly any other historical drama I´ve seen so far had processed the dilemma and explosive dynamics of such an archetypal, almost dehumanized relationship between king and queen so emphatically. While the king gets/takes his space for being a man with needs, too, the queen, as the mother of the nation, is per definition pure and saintly. It´s bad news, if king and queen should actually love each other. There is no room for intimacy and passion in the life of a king and queen. They live an ideal of relationship that stands solely in the service of the nation. Dehumanized, so to speak. Pure archetypes. Pairing between king and queen serves only the reproduction of royal genes. Furthermore the queen´s job is about raising this offspring properly. It is a public relationship and for the nation only. It has (should have!) nothing to do with personal lust and passion. In theory at least...
Nevertheless, the king and his concubines may share their private intimacy in their bedchamber – as long as it pleases the king. And in the case of our defiant, discontented, and somewhat emotionally lost King Taejong, he rather escapes to his concubines, who are willingly serving at his whim, with a warming embrace, a tender word. There he supposedly finds the most submissive subservience, the encouragement, and all that his father and wife deny him for different reasons. In the best case, it may truly nourish him and bring him into his power. In the worst case, he may be manipulated, and thus losing even more ground.
Now to Queen Wongyeong. Chapeau to Cha Joo-young! She gives that imposing historical personality such a strong, beautiful, clever, and quick-witted aura, portraying her as a dominant yet simultaneously sensitive woman, too. It's about time that this queen, who was only historically appreciated late, now also gets the deserved attention in the KDrama orbit!
King Taejong truly had a competent, intelligent, valuable partner at his side. At eye level. In the truest sense also above what concerns convention and customs. Thus, at the same time, courageous enough to take new paths, to think innovatively, and to act fearlessly.
But woe if the king thinks he has the power by virtue of his throne only. No, he must also be able to fill this position with respected personal authority. Most of the time, Taejong is trying to enforce power and respect with force. He truly lacks the necessary personal maturity for the nation´s highest office in many places... and for this great wive. What a shame.
Queen Wongyeong, in turn, pays a high price for her ambitious demeanor and constructive political influence at the royal court: her passionate love for the king, for which there is no more place at the court. But, at least, the queen does not let this stop her from making wise decisions and prudent politics. No matter how adverse the circumstances. Without her, Taejong's reign would ultimately not have been at all, let alone being so valuable for the coming Joseon. Without her, the country would not have experienced one of its greatest kings of the Joseon Dynasty – the following King Sejong, who created, among many other things, an alphabet for his people.
Those two, they paid with their personal relationship over the years of their reign. The KDrama does a great job in recognizing and dignifying their sacrifices, efforts and accomplishments.
Ps:
Episodes 13 and 14 "The Queen who Crowns - Before Sunrise" are a kind of prequel. They begin with the end of Goryeo. It is about our two protagonists meeting and falling in love, starting to dreaming their common dream of a 'better world'... and ultimately materializing it.
This may be well-intentioned, but the dramatic quality unfortunately drops somewhat compared to episodes 1-12. It almost seems as if this was a spontaneous decision in the course of events. Somehow it was done half-heartedly only (possibly under time pressure?). Nevertheless, some striking key scenes, referred to in 1-12, are delivered here, which is nice, though.
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Suggest to watch original
This is condensed version of S1 which is 46 episodes.I've watched the first 10 episode side by side to see which scenes were cut out and decided it's better to rewatch the original.
Yes you can still get the story with the condensed version, but the cut-out scenes were enjoyable as well.
If anything, an extended version would've been more ideal.
It's such an epic series in C drama history!
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Witch's Romance was the light and fluffy romcom I hoped for!
At first, I read the synopsis of this drama and was unsure about it. It seemed like a plain story line, but the show was a clear example of why some shows do not need to have a over-the-top plot to be outstanding! The first episode automatically drew me in.
In regards to characters: To be honest, I did not mind the age difference between the characters because I have seen some noona dramas/movies in the past, but I wondered if the characters would have good chemistry. Thankfully, the leads had fantastic chemistry which had me coming back for a new episode each time! Not only did the leads get me hooked on the series, but the other characters got me hooked as well. There were so many likable characters in this show and many of them were well developed; it was definitely hard to hate them! The acting was also great, I am surprised many of these actors have not done many major roles yet! The humor was another great component of this show as well. Literally, I would laugh out loud every episode (sorry to my family for this reason! haha!)!
The music in this show was pretty great. The main male lead (Yoon Dong Ha or Park Seo Joon in real life) actually sang a song for the Ost and I was honestly amazed when I realized it. Great actor and singer? Jackpot. As well, the other songs were also catchy and suited the show. The music is something I would actually listen outside of the show. As for rewatch value: I would for sure rewatch it, although I dont usually rewatch shows. I will definitely be recommending this to anyone who asks for drama suggestions.
10/10, Give it a try!
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1The Art of Strategic Retreat
Immortal Ascension is the long-awaited live-action adaptation of the hit xianxia web-novel A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality by Wang Yu (忘语), a defining work of the "mortal cultivation" sub-genre. While the novel chronicles protagonist Han Li's thousand-year journey over a sprawling 2,400 chapters, this ambitious adaptation condenses the first 200 years into 30 episodes. It is set in a brutal, realistic immortal world where might makes right. The Heavenly Dao (天道) is indifferent to concepts of "good" or "evil"; the path to immortality isn't about grand morality or predestined genius, but about raw power and survival. Here, cunning, alchemy, and artifacts can trump sheer talent.Three borrowed bowls of flour for flatbread. That is why an ordinary village boy, Han Li, stumbles on to a thousand year path to immortality. It isn't a profound or carefully considered decision or even a conscious choice on his part —just survival instinct, pure and simple. It begins in Shenshou Valley, a place that opens his eyes to a world beyond his wildest imagination and offers his first chilling glimpse into the callous utilitarianism and transactional nature of cultivation relationships. He picks up the underappreciated skill of gardening and chances upon his most invaluable artifact. From his first mentor, Physician Mo, Han Li learns the core secret to immortality: live to fight another day. He is the master of the art of strategic retreat—my lips would twitch every time he began stealthily backing away at the slightest hint of hostility.
Han Li is an unconventional protagonist. He isn't motivated by naive heroism and chooses a path that is ultimately selfish and solitary. Often underestimated, he prevails through cautious pragmatism and resourcefulness, relying on methodical long-term planning, deception, and fleeing unwinnable conflicts. Despite the running gag that Han Li is very plain, Yang Yang is perfectly cast. His immaculate appearance and radiant, ageless glow convey the aura of a character who is ultimately unattainable. I've never been a fan of his acting, but this is by far his best role. His portrayal is exquisite: the careful circumspection in his movements, the nuanced flicker in his eyes, the micro-expressions that signal he is always watchful and calculating; that fraught stillness when sensing danger; and the intense, cold-blooded ruthlessness in combat. Yang Yang's power, grace, and natural athleticism are on full display. Instead of just standing around uselessly waving a fan (Who Rules the World), he delivers multiple thrilling, intense, and brilliantly choreographed action sequences that showcase Han Li's ability to think on his feet, using his cunning and resources to level the playing field. The visual effects, however, are a bit dated and at times overwhelm the impressive stunt work, detracting from how flawlessly Yang Yang executes difficult mid-air acrobatics while staying completely in character.
I love the decision to shoot mostly on location—it vividly reinforces the vastness, timelessness, and solitude of Han Li's journey. It may have made lighting and framing more difficult to control, but it's far superior to the typical fake, over-lit, and stagnant xianxia set. The plot feels condensed, and the pacing is uneven, alternating rapidly between character introductions, heavy world-building via dialogue, and high-octane action. Some important characters—Physician Mo, Mo Caihuan, and a few of Han Li's Yellow Maple Valley mentors—are fleshed out, but too many others zip by cursorily. While Wang Duo plays the villain with great relish and humor, Wang Chan's character is a cardboard cutout, because Han Li's greatest antagonist is truly the indifferent universe—and Han Li himself, and the humanity he must leave behind.
At times, this feels like a video game, but it is actually a quite sad and profound story. The narrative tone doesn't indulge in sadness; Han Li's moments of temptation and regret are subtle and transient: a pause, a concealed glance behind lowered eyelids, the slightest hesitation, the moment he gives in to a brief hug. It's all in the subtext, in how he regularly shouts out to Li Feiyu, recalling his last mortal friend. Han Li is not a relatable protagonist; it's hard to feel sorry for him, as he does not feel sorry for himself or for the people he coldly leaves behind.
Fittingly, at the end of this first phase, we come full circle to a precious piece of flatbread that Nangong Wan casually snatches from him. Ms. Mo would never have done that. It's why she is not the endgame; she isn't ruthless or selfish enough to accompany him on his journey. While this is not a romantic story, the character who moved me most was Ms. Mo. It is with his first love and final obsession that Han Li almost allows himself to be mortal.
I don't know how to feel about this kind of story or Han Li's path. It is inspiring as a tale of how an ordinary person can become extraordinary. And a sobering lesson about at what price. It is a story that has stayed with me. I have to rate it 9/10.
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