Papel de Rainha (2022)

A beautifully elegant tale about motherhood

If I could describe this drama in one word it would be elegant.

Just everything about this drama was approached with so much class and dedication, from the acting to the soundtrack to the cinematography. Everyone involved deserves every praise.

This is a loving story about not one but multiple mothers and how far they're willing to go to protect their respective children, as well as a coming of age for the princes and your typical palace conspiracy. It's a unique combination that makes this story stand out on its own.

Despite not having the usual sort of 'extra' feel that most kdramas have, I found this one to be equally enjoyable, even if it was a more serious watch. I think I can compare this drama the best to one of my favourite western tv shows "Downton Abbey". It has a lot of the same feel and down to earth tone. It's more realistic than other stories in this similar category, without being boring. It is quiet and subtle but vicious, heartbreaking and exciting when it needs to be.

The characters are realistic and most importantly human. It's very hard to actually make the audience understand your villains, but my goodness does this drama does it well. Everyone felt like a person in this story, and not a character that served the purpose of telling a story. I loved how everyone had their own little agenda from the ruthless Queen Dowager to the little prince that likes snacks a little too much (this little man is relatable and a joy).

It's personally not something I would rewarch every day like other dramas, mainly because this is a drama that one comes to appreciate as whole instead of in parts if that makes sense. I'm the sort of person who revisits specific memorable moments in a drama, and I think this one deserves to always be rewatched as a whole to fully enjoy it. But when I do rewatch it in some time I'm sure I'll binge the whole thing instead of just little parts like I do with my other faves.

Overall I thought this was a wonderful piece of art that is grounded, mature and very heartfelt. I would recommend to anyone who wants to see a wonderful story about family, acceptance and growth.

Leia Mais

ONE OF THE BEST DRAMAS EVER

The story is so fresh and different than most historical dramas, it was so amusing to see the relationship the brothers shared.
I thoroughly enjoyed this show especially the episodes 5-10 where the crown prince selection was taking place. It was so entertaining to watch each prince's journey.
And the small lgtbq side story and how well they dealt with it was a cherry on top. They handled it so well, the queens supportive words brought tears to my eyes
I loved all the characters, i am glad they didn't make the king to be a cold hearted asshole who doesn't care about his kids. It was so nice seeing how much he adored the queen especially.
My only complain is they should have given the king a few daughters it would have been an interesting side plot!!!
I really think this drama deserves so much more appreciation

Leia Mais

Could not stop watching!

This series has incredibly well written scripts, actors and a story that makes you want to watch the next episode. Kim Hye Soo was absolutely gorgeous in her role as the queen and her acting is one of the best I've seen in kdrama series. I really liked that you got to follow her relationship with all her sons and also how they developed over the course of the series, while also getting to follow their personal development. Also weaving in the relationship of the other mothers to their sons (including the story of the king and the dowager queen) and also the brothers to each other in such a natural way raised the level of the series even more. The twist added as another mother/son layer on top is magnificent.

Leia Mais

One of the best works of 2022 ! !

I had watched the trailer on YouTube, but was a bit skeptical of watching this drama. The plot didn't seem much exciting but damn!!

The drama is just soooo sooo good. It is one of the best historical kdramas I've ever watched. The storyline was kept clean and continued engaging viewers more into the drama. Everything fell into place, yet everything was intriguing.

Acting : Kim hye-soo overdid herself. I've watched some of her previous works but damn this hits the place. Her motherly love, her charm and the way she talked, i was falling for her acting every moment. The way

Leia Mais

My best drama of 2022

It is not only my best drama of 2022, but it is also the drama that got me out of my drama slump, and a drama I regretted not watching it earlier in 2022, but only in March 2023.

I was hesitant to watch sageuk, as I am not familiar with Korean actors and in sageuk, everyone (especially those in the palace) looked the same, with the same hairstyle, make-up and clothes. And as I have difficulty differentiating who’s who, I often cannot catch the story. Also I was watching AoS then and deliberately postponed watching this drama to after I have finished watching AoS2, so as not to mix up the characters. Alas, AoS2 took a while for me, despite my enjoyment for AoS1.. that's for another review.

Under the Queen’s Umbrella has almost all of what I looked for in a drama – a drama with strong values (on relationships, honor, justice, equality and good vs evil), embodied within a solid story and plot, spiced with intrigue, power struggle, kinship, a little romance, and honed with good acting, and breath-taking and meaningful cinematography. This is an award-worthy drama from the story/plot, values embodied, acting to cinematography.

Watch this drama and you will experience:
* A mother’s unwavering love and courage for her kids, a Queen’s big love for the neglected “step” son, and abused and belittled commoners, a Queen’s honorable advice for her King, and a Queen’s tenacity to fight higher evil, stand up for justice and protect the weak.
* The four Grand Princes’ brotherly bonds with one another and, in particular, Grand Prince Sung Nam’s bond and courage to look for cure for his elder brother and become powerful to protect his brother’s family.
* Honorable fights and wins, amidst power struggles and plot twists, to uphold equality, justice and right the wrong.

While I’m glad Moon Sang Min was awarded Best New Actor at Baeksang Arts Award 2023, I was still pissed that Kim Hye Soo was snubbed of her acting award, and the drama was snubbed for nominations in Best Drama nor Best Screenplay.

Leia Mais

Good Enough

Korean Drama " Under the Queen's Umbrella " is a roller coaster.

The drama has multiple leyers, with the family drama, the palace politics and the comedy being the very core of it.

The battle between the strong female leads was intense to follow and it refreshing to see the Queen and not the King being the center of the political battles for once.

Also, the family drama was bittersweet, with tragedy but also some warm and lovable moments.

The comedy aspect, moreover, was spot on, without exaggerations to produce laughter. Rather, the funny moments came naturally and were well handled.

Last, but not least, the performances were enjoyable, but the leading lady was a dynamite.

So, overall, nine out of ten.

Leia Mais

Great Queen

A Queen and 5 princes. The LOVE of a mother for her children. A great woman who fight against everything and everybody to protect these poors guys. I admire this great queen clever and heartgentle. A big support and teacher of life for princes.
Instead I hate the bastard grand mother, mother's king.
I also admired the king who support and trust her queen.
PS It's the first time that I discover this "election" of new heir prince. Cemissò / interesting.
Court life is quite dangerous, eventful and stressful.
I also loved the ending, these brothers hugging each other and this umbrella that symbolizes protection for the family.

Leia Mais

She might be a queen, but her priority was to be a good mother.

Easily one of the best dramas I've ever watched. I thought this was a comedy, but I'm so wrong lol

This drama really emphasized the strong bonds between mothers and their sons. It showed us how mothers sacrificed and protected her children even if it meant they're dealing with a devil.
For the whole 16 episodes, the queen never really took a break; she was 24/7 alert for her sons, grandchild, and also her husband, the king himself. She was amazing; really a strong, wise, and smart woman.

My favorite part was the ending. It was so satisfying and each character got what they deserved. Under the Queen's umbrella, just like the title, she protected everyone even though she had to be soaked wet by the rain. Simply worth the hype.

Leia Mais

Masterpiece

Story - The story itself is about a mother who will do anything to protect her children. Not only was she a mother to her own 5 children, but she was a mother figure for all the princes in the palace who were struggling. The pacing of the story was very well done; every character was well written and believable.

Acting/Cast - No doubt, everyone was great but Kim Hye Soo really deserved the title for best actress.

Music - I enjoyed the music and OSTs in this drama (even though there was only 1 or 2).

Rewatch Value - I gave this a 10 for rewatch value which says a lot since I barely, if at all, rewatch anything but this show hits differently. I tend to find most k-dramas very interesting at the beginning but tends to fall off around the end which definitely affects its rewatch value. This on the other hand, was never boring and binge worthy until the end.

Leia Mais

Best 2023 drama with Alchemy of Souls

I felt in love with Alchemy of Souls, was sad that it finished and then THIS came to the screens! .... and I am in love again <3 Under the Queen's Umbrella has amazing characters, talented actors and the script that doesn't allow you to leave the room ? The production of the drama is insane and beautiful in every shot.

I've noticed complains about the story that was carried by one character (the queen) but by the title it should be so, no? ?? she is the star here but it doesn't take away anything from the other characters who were magnificent here. Everyone has its talents and flaws and what is amazing about queen is that she makes people shine. Thanks to her you can sympathize with the princes that aren't the Queen's sons. Drama might start lightly but the deeper you go the more you understand the pressue they are under. Every heir has a lot of weight on their shoulders and their situation is not easy peasy lemon queasy. This is a story about family and survival in one.

Drama starts with a bang and all the princes with their mothers are presented in one moment what makes one big chaos in the head. There is 11 boys, 9 mothers, their stuff and relatives.... memorising them is not a piece of cake! But pay attention to it because when you go deeper into the story you might get lost.

I was waiting long for Under the Queen's Umbrella as I heard about it somewhere in the mid of 2022 and I'm thrilled to see it. On my blog you can find some more pointerd about the drama https://my-asian-dramas.blogspot.com/2023/02/under-queens-umbrella.html :) feel free to leave a comment!

Leia Mais