Astronomy (2019)

Dreaming of the Stars

The 96% Male Cast might distress you, but the excellent acting by the Two Male Leads convivial gatherings struck a chord with me. The film depicts King Sejong, aka (Sejong the Great) stargazing, from the use of Macro focusing, at heart his love, and support for his subjects.


The Director Heo Jin Ho is no stranger to Korean Cinema. He teamed up with screenwriter Lee Ji Min for a second go-around, first-time collaborating on The Last Princess (2016). His professionalism is brilliantly denuding the facial expressions of the characters in this psychological Bromance affair; A scientist of Peasant Birth and the King of Joseon Dynasty of Korea. The storytelling not on par with the warm-hearted Jang Young Shil (2016) drama paralleled to a darker tone in this film drama.


Historical inaccuracies will show its face, but it is Han Seok Kyu's reprisal as King Sejong, eight years apart from his portrayal in Tree with Deep Roots (2011) with apprehensive curiosity. Choi Min Shik has reached the pinnacle of success in the South Korean Film Industry sparking my vested interest in the Duo of these two actors. It's been twenty-six years since HSK and CMS worked together on the drama The Moon of Seoul (1994). Of course, I might come off a little bias.


The Forbidden Kingdom (2019) is like meeting the existential figures of Sejong and Jang Young-Shil directly with Han Seok-Kyu and Choi Min-Sik's acting styles. The powerhouse working in this film impressed me with the ability to tell stories with one line. You will have to view it to detect the context of the line. HSK and CMS approached this project with equal gusto to a somewhat monotonous plot with the limitations of HSK and CMS's characters.


Even though there was a lot of Star Power in this film from Heo Joon Ho, Kim Tae Woo, Kim Won Hae, their characters' washed away from the overpowering acting of HSK and CMS. The music did not impress me, but it did not hold me back from watching this film.


After viewing this film, I covet a friend who can see the dream I envision and talk to daily. Even though I do not shed tears, the film intimidates me to have someone who can share tears with like Sejong and Jang Young-Shil. Watch this film if you want to see Stellar Acting by the Male Leads on a day you have nothing to watch.


Final Rating: 7.96/10
Story: 7.48/10
Acting: Han Seok-Kyu and Choi Min-Sik's acting 9.7/10, Rest of Cast: 7.40/10, Overall: 8.51/10
Rewatch Value:
It is rewatchable.

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Friendship Like No Other.

Forbidden dream sets around King Sejong the Great and the building of astronomical science in the Joseon era with his loyal companion Yeong Sil who helps him accomplish this through his intelligence and friendship.

Choi Min Sik's performance is Impeccable, I have not seen him in a whole lot but this movie really moved me and it isn't even one of his highest-rated ones. Han Suk Hyu as well, portraying one of the most acted-out kings in Korean film history and yet bringing his originality to the table. Although their chemistry was bubbling, the plot bored me out in the midway. I found it hard keeping up with the outside political scuffle and the dialogues between the support roles. I perceived the lack of attention given to these scenes because conversations between the 2 main leads were so good the expectation for other aspects are meant to be followed but it didn't meet halfway.

I don't think I've ever seen a plot based solely on friendship like this to the depths of it being sacrificial as well. a lot of times dramas and movies would include romance but not this film. I applaud the writers for solely taking us through the build in a society where nobility and poverty are seen as galaxies apart and then you have a king befriend a servant. Not just befriending him but building a relationship (platonic) with so much love and respect for each other, helping each other build dreams, and rooting for each other as they try and make a difference in their harsh reality. it makes me want to be a better friend but also want to surround myself around people who would also replicate this in my life.

Definitely a good watch, it might drag but overall with the right mood it can be a tear-jerker. WATCH IT!

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