Rainha Cheorin (2020)

Much better than expected

Mr. Queen is a story of a chef who, during a life-threatening incident, has his soul/consciousness transported into the body of a queen from Joseon. There, he has almost complete control of her mind and body, and has to figure out how to survive the incessant attempts of regicide while navigating the personal and political intrigues of the era, all the while attempting to get back to his own time.

**Note: I held off watching this show because I thought it would be cringey. I hate cringe, and usually hate the time-travel trope. But I read lots of good comments, and then my daughter happened to ask me if I'd seen it yet on the exact day I planned to start it. She was 3/4 of the way through it at the time and said that although it should be cringey, it's not. After having watched it, I 100% agree with her, and I'm glad took the time to watch.**

I was struggling to get through this drama until I got to episode 8 (of 20.) Episode 8-9 caught my attention, and after that I was "all in." The entire second half of the drama, in my opinion, included all the comedy, excitement, and drama that this show was missing in the first half. The ending, the last half of the final episode, got a lot of complaints from other people, but I thought that it wrapped up the story in the best way possible.

**Spoilers ahead**

There were complaints that the king fell in love with one person and stayed in love despite the queen being herself again when the chef went back to his own time. But there were hints throughout the entire drama that the queen was still there in her body, just hidden. Her own personality came out at various times, like when memories appeared and when she was able to embroider again, as well as during the romance scenes with the king. The king was astute enough to realize that there was some part of the queen that he'd fallen in love with that was, in the end, missing, but the queen had picked up some of the chef's mannerisms and ideals, so her differences weren't so great that people thought she was a whole 'nother person.

Of all the characters in the story, Court Lady Choi and Kim Hwan were probably my favorite characters out of the entire series. Kim Hwan's absolute cluelessness and naivety was totally endearing. I thought he was going to be a random nuisance side character at first, but loved him by the end. (Congrats Young Jae, you won me over!) Court Lady Choi's personality transcended the screen, and her bravery and purity made me fall for her almost as hard as the Royal Chef did. (Cha Chung Hwa is a fabulous actress!)

Ah...I totally lied. My favorite character of the series, the whole reason I watched the show in it's entirety, was King Cheol Jong. Kim Jung Hyun is one of my current favorite actors, and he did not disappoint. His expressions are able to convey a multitude of emotions, but he somehow does it in an understated way. His physical movements are sure and confident, and I absolutely loved watching his fluidity in the one-on-one fights.

The first 8 episodes were no higher than 5 stars for me, but after that, it was a solid 10, so I'm giving this drama an average of an 8. I will be going back to rewatch some of my favorite scenes, but I'll probably be skipping the beginning of the show.

Edit: Due to the fact that I can't forget this show, I'm upping my score to a 9. Happy watching!

Leia Mais

The storyline is interesting + the comedy

i finished MR. Queen last week... ? It is a great drama.. If you want to watch a drama I'll highly suggest MR. Queen.... Both the leads were amazing and they nailed their roles so perfectly. The genres which I'll give to this drama are #Historical #Comedy. This drama is pure and total comedy in historical set up. It isn't based on any true historical event still the story is amazing... Like comedy, comedy and comedy... Must watch Highly recommended.

i finished MR. Queen last week... ? It is a great drama.. If you want to watch a drama I'll highly suggest MR. Queen.... Both the leads were amazing and they nailed their roles so perfectly. The genres which I'll give to this drama are #Historical #Comedy. This drama is pure and total comedy in historical set up. It isn't based on any true historical event still the story is amazing... Like comedy, comedy and comedy... Must watch Highly recommended.

i finished MR. Queen last week... ? It is a great drama.. If you want to watch a drama I'll highly suggest MR. Queen.... Both the leads were amazing and they nailed their roles so perfectly. The genres which I'll give to this drama are #Historical #Comedy. This drama is pure and total comedy in historical set up. It isn't based on any true historical event still the story is amazing... Like comedy, comedy and comedy... Must watch Highly recommended.

i finished MR. Queen last week... ? It is a great drama.. If you want to watch a drama I'll highly suggest MR. Queen.... Both the leads were amazing and they nailed their roles so perfectly. The genres which I'll give to this drama are #Historical #Comedy. This drama is pure and total comedy in historical set up. It isn't based on any true historical event still the story is amazing... Like comedy, comedy and comedy... Must watch Highly recommended.

Leia Mais

Mr Queen failed its own protagonist

*Warning; this review is not about the overall show, it's mainly my gripes with the way Bonghwan's character was handled. Please keep this in mind before continuing.

As much as I enjoyed this show for its comedy, I definitely believe the writers did Bonghwan dirty. We never really learn much about his life outside of being a chef and in a coma, we don’t know anything about his friends or family, or why he even wants to go back so badly. They don’t properly flesh out his motivations, and treat his desire to go back home like a joke throughout the entire series. I wish they further explored all the trauma he went through; waking up in a different era and in a body that isn't his own, being referred to as Kim So Yong while his own identity is slowly erased, adapting to a female body (i.e. periods, pregnancy, etc) and then having to deal with all the palace politics and violence as a modern man. Bonghwan literally went through the most shit on that show and the writers never addressed it or took it seriously. Not to mention how they kind of forgot how Bonghwan was stuck in So Yong’s body in the second half and instead treated him like an eccentric version of So Yong. I literally had to keep reminding myself that this was Bonghwan inside the body because this show was trying really hard to erase his existence for the sake of the romance. Like I literally know nothing about him as a character separate from So Yong. even though he was the protagonist, Bonghwan was one of the most neglected and underdeveloped characters within Mr. Queen.

Leia Mais

A masterpiece

Firstly I want to start by saying that all the actors from main characters to supporting characters and the production team did an excellent job. The story was amazing too . I would like to appreciate the acting of FL who did a fantastic job on portraying both BH and SY , we can clearly see how she portrays BH and SY differently . This drama is a masterpiece and I hope it would be a drama which is loved and watched by many people no matter which year . I want it to be popular just like the drama 'Goblin' . A big applause to all of them , no matter they had main role , supporting or guest role , they did a great job in portraying their own characters. I'm satisfied with the ending too .
OSTs are also a great appreciatable aspects of this drama.
Once again I thank you all for giving us this best drama and doing a great job ❤️
Wish I could see you all again together in another drama ( even though I know that won't happen but still I can hope right 😂 )
THANK YOU FOR READING ❤️~

Leia Mais

A hilarious time travelling drama

I absolutely love this drama its so funny! I remember watching the original Chinese version "Go Princess Go" back when it came out and I really loved it. When I heard there was going to be a remake I was really exited. Honestly I personally think in the end of this drama things went really dark really quick from the light hearted romcom. But I personally did not care that much.

The cast suit in their roles very well and their acting is really good. I loved Shin Hae Suns acting in this drama and I think no one else could pull it off as well as her. Honestly the ending was not the best in my opinion but id consider it a happy ending to this amazing series.

Leia Mais

Really funny drama perfectly done up to the end.

I finished watching the drama last weekend, and I needed some time to digest it before writing my review on MyDramaList!

I love it so much for one main reason: Shin Hye Sun. She was perfect. You can see the difference between all the characters she played (Soyong, Bong Hwan, and Sobong). I hope she will get an award for this role. The other actors were also really great. I never watched a drama with Kim Jung‑hyun, and I was quite impressed by his acting.

In addition to the acting, I loved that almost all the support roles got their own stories. And most of them were not here for the main leads. From my point of view, it is quite rare in kdramaland. And I LOVED how they ended some of the narrative arcs (some of them gave good advice). I love the way that they managed to keep the comedy part up until the end.

I'm only disappointed to see that we didn't get more information regarding Soyong at the end. I feel that she would have deserved a spin off episode just for her. For me, she was one of the most interesting and deep characters (with the concubine and Soyong's cousin). She deserved more credit.

The ending makes total sense for me because it matches my theory that I developed since episode 7. And I was quite surprised to be in the minority. I thought it was obvious because of the inner voice. Also, I prefer my theory because otherwise, the authors would have done some queerbaiting, and I don't want to see that in one of the best dramas I ever watched.

Anyway, you might not like this kdrama, but I will recommend you to give it a try.

Leia Mais

Long time heard about this drama, watch little by little until finally I've finished it today. Haha...

This is indeed a very unique drama, funny, light hearted, but at the same time still quite heavy with it's political issue. What stop me from time to time watching this, as usual for me, the duration of K-drama with each ep more than 60 min.

But to be truth as non k-drama watcher the more ep sometimes the more confuse I am with the political issue. With the king become the doll king & all the corruption in the kingdom. Sometimes I feel like just want to drop this drama, but then they make it funny and full of excitement again with the story of the king & the queen. Hehe...

Unfortunately for me this drama close its curtain with weird phase or u may say the weird phase for Jang Bong Hwan in the future. It's like something amiss that I can't put my finger into....

But overall this really one good & unique drama for you to fill yours days...

Leia Mais

Great humor and story

It took me a while to decide to watch this drama.
Because period dramas contains a lot of hate, corruption and murder to the royal family.
But the humor, comedy, storyline and the acting are very very good.

The drama catch you at the very beginning and takes you on bingewatching this whole series.
The 20 episodes feels to short but also long enough.
The story is good filled without any boring moments.

The actors are really great.
I love the actress the most.
Her acting is outstanding.
You will definitely hate the dowager queen and grandmother queen.

Leia Mais

I'm going to miss the weekends with Choljeong and so bong..!!!

Me and historical dramas don't have much history. I don't know why but I always hesitate to watch one. It was the same with Mr. Queen. When I first saw the title in MDL and went to its description I was like oh lord another historical drama but what made me at least to check it out was the cast Kim Jung Hyun, Shin hye sun and Choi Jin hyuk(even though he was in a guest role). Then I went on and watched first episode's first 10mins and then left it.. I think the chef and the political issues didn't impress me much. But then the next day I was bored and didn't have anything else to watch so I thought why don't I give it another try and started watching it.. And the moment of truth for me was the moment Jang Bong hwan woke up in Kim So yong's body the whole story went from not so interesting to oh my God I can't stop watching it.. (Moral never judge a drama by its genre :P)

And if you ask me if I'm 100% satisfied with the ending hmm.. That's a very tricky question.. Like how Chol Jong said he feels like he was missing something looking at queens dictionary it felt the same for me. In the end it was not So Bong but So Yong who got her happy ending with Chol Jong. But I think that's what was suppose to happen even though the king fell in love with So Bong because of her eccentric nature I think if not for Hwa Jin the king would have fallen in love with So Yong even without So Bong in the picture. But So Bong being So Bong was able to draw attention of the King and along with the King we all have fallen in love with her.

Well anyway no matter what this drama is going down in history to be my most favorite drama of all genre ever. It had comedy, action, love, political struggle and most importantly it was extremely fun packed.

And that my honor is my review.. Gamsahamnida.. <3

Leia Mais

Just a random person's review (there's a bit of ranting)

*People who haven't watched this drama yet, do not read this review. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD.*

I honestly loved the drama. I'm a sucker for historical dramas with an interesting plot. The casting, plot, music, everything was good. I was hooked onto it after watching the first episode. This drama made me laugh a lot and also bawl my eyes out. Here's the thing, the ending (for me) was bitter and sad. The person who the king fell in love with was not So Young, but Bong Hwan. On the outside it might've been So Young but clearly, he fell in love with Bong Hwan's personality. Eventually, Bong Hwan also fell for the king. They were in love. Why did they have to separate them, why did he go back? Why couldn't Bong Hwan stay in Joseon? In that scene where So Young said "he's gone" I was crying so much (I know I'm a little dramatic). I would've loved an ending in which Bong Hwan got to stay, raise his kids, continue to love the king, cook food for them and just be his crazy self with people he loves. Just Imagine it, whenever they went outside the palace, Dam Hyung could play with their kids. Imagine family story telling sessions about the future right before all of them went to sleep. For god's sake, he even wrote something for his child. He did not deserve to have such a shitty ending. He basically lost a lot of people he loved which is just unfair. When the king said "for some reason, I feel like I've lost something" I cried even more. So to wrap it up, the ending left me feeling bitter, sad and kind of angry. I really wanted a different ending.

Leia Mais

My favorite kdrama of 2020 and 2021

I just finished watching it and I love it so much. I will be talking about the ending at the end of my review so if you do not want to be spoiled than don’t read the last part of this review!!

Okay so the first ep was already so much fun! I knew this drama will be one of my fav dramas of all time even just by watching the first ep. it is so funny but sometimes very serious at the same time. I cannot watch a very traditional historical drama because I can’t understand how politics works at that time. But this is a lighter historical drama with lots of romance and comedy which makes it easy to watch and understand.

I actually rewatch the entire thing before the last few episodes aired because that is how much I love it. I feel like this is a comedy and fun and happy version of “scarlet heart” (although story is different but I just get the same vibes)

Okay this review is not helping tbh, it is just me saying how much I love it.

So now let’s talk about the ending.... SPOILER ALERT!!!!

First, it is a “happy” ending. Both FL and ML are alive at the end but for me the ending is not happy at all. Although both lived, the king never knew that the queen’s soul is not actually the queen. And so he never knew that the person he fell in love with was actually jang bong hwan and not kim so young. And what makes me angry is... why don’t they explain where kim so young’s soul has been all these time?!!!! Like in the end she did say “i have been hiding” but that is not enough!

Overall, I just hate the fact that when their souls go back to their original bodies, they act like nothing has ever happened.... at least cry bro! You have been in love with a person and you get back to your original body so you can never meet him again and yet you don’t feel sad?!?!

Anyway, despite my unsatisfactory opinions toward the ending.... I still love this drama with my whole heart and soul.

Leia Mais

I rarely rewatch series and this was worth it!

rewatched after years? because clips on YT still made me laugh. And I enjoyed it more than my first watching it. It's like, I understand why it ends like that. Like, my present self loves it more than my previous. I was well wrapped for me like 100/10 than the prejudgment that I remember. Maybe because my previous self wanted the queen to stay to be Jang So Yong. Because like my question before, did the King notice the changes in the Queen's behavior after he left? What is his feeling about it? But now, I want to know it not because I'm intrigued by their real feelings but, because I'm curious about how well-rounded their connection and bond. But having my current perception, I'm really not mad about it. It was actually concluded nicely and thumbs up!

I especially enjoyed side character moments more than my first experience nyahaha. Especially Court Lay Choi and the royal chef and how they have a connection because they are both stressed out by Queen Nyahaha. And the friendship between Byul Gam and Kim Hwan was awesome and golden. I was much more solid than if they led a path of love triangle cause of the court maid of the Queen.

Ow and one thing that I just realized now, no really a love triangle happened to Byung in, King and Queen. I mean, Byung In loves Kim So Yung. But the King loves Jang So Yong. So... can it pass that Byung In is not a second character that I always rooting for? Because men, his fate was quite tragic yet it's quite well-ended for me, and yeah, I'm mad to think like that.

I rarely rewatch series and this was worth it. I understand the story more deeply and it's still a masterpiece for me.

Overall, if I forget about this plot again, I'll definitely rewatch it again and again!

Leia Mais