K-lover61
UK
Some different aspects for a Sageuk drama
December 2024
Overall, I loved this. It's a classic sageuk drama. However, it is never OTT and all the characters are really good. I didn't find any annoying, although many were absolute barstewards, with others being too easily deceived, and/or misguided.
It does have a gentle pace, but whilst it lacks the action of many other dramas of this type, the plot is clever and aspects were extremely refreshing. There is plenty of intrigue, and intelligent plotting, with those trying to control the King and that position, mistakenly underestimating the person on the throne.
The love side of things is very subtle, but integral to the story, and I found it very romantic at times. The kisses were not at all steamy though, ever. The final one especially, really should have had far more passion. Kang Hee-soo was like a board! Is that the actress, or the director? One really needs a pinch for that :/
It was also very moving on occasion, especially early on, when Jin-han returned from Qing.
There is understated humour from many recognisable supporting character actors, as well as from the King and his guard, Joo Sang-hwa. Two of my favourite characters.
I loved Jo Jung-suk in the lead role; his expressions and habit of slowly closing his eyes when things started to press in on, or anger him, was so good. I really love his acting and find him easy to watch. He rarely fails to draw me in and I've liked a lot of the dramas he's appeared in. Two Cops is still a big favourite.
I don't dislike watching Shin Se-kyung, but I do find her acting quite bland at times. She rarely expresses emotion well and displayed too little passion, which this role was really all about (not just romantic passion, butcthatcof a cause too).
The most annoying character for me was Kim Myung-ha (Lee Shin-young), whose behaviour at one point, coupled with that of his father, made his reasons for hating the King and seeking revenge, somewhat hypocritical. Such a pious character, when he had little reason to behave that way.
I also felt that later into the drama, Mong-woo (Hee-Soo) should have had more faith in the King... but then, these suspicions are needed for tension and added angst, I suppose.
I must say that the Gidaeryeong was much, much too feminine to be taken as a man, so that might marr viewing, a fair bit, for some. I could overlook it, but at the same time I thought the role should have been acted with at least a glimmer of masculinity. There are many pretty men, but their gender is still recogniseable and in this drama that was needed.
The ending had a number of gaps, but was acceptable, and the latter part of the final episode did feel rushed, in comparison to others.
However, I would still recommend this for sageuk drama lovers; overall, it does not disappoint and there are a few things different to the norm, which gave it that bit more.
Overall, I loved this. It's a classic sageuk drama. However, it is never OTT and all the characters are really good. I didn't find any annoying, although many were absolute barstewards, with others being too easily deceived, and/or misguided.
It does have a gentle pace, but whilst it lacks the action of many other dramas of this type, the plot is clever and aspects were extremely refreshing. There is plenty of intrigue, and intelligent plotting, with those trying to control the King and that position, mistakenly underestimating the person on the throne.
The love side of things is very subtle, but integral to the story, and I found it very romantic at times. The kisses were not at all steamy though, ever. The final one especially, really should have had far more passion. Kang Hee-soo was like a board! Is that the actress, or the director? One really needs a pinch for that :/
It was also very moving on occasion, especially early on, when Jin-han returned from Qing.
There is understated humour from many recognisable supporting character actors, as well as from the King and his guard, Joo Sang-hwa. Two of my favourite characters.
I loved Jo Jung-suk in the lead role; his expressions and habit of slowly closing his eyes when things started to press in on, or anger him, was so good. I really love his acting and find him easy to watch. He rarely fails to draw me in and I've liked a lot of the dramas he's appeared in. Two Cops is still a big favourite.
I don't dislike watching Shin Se-kyung, but I do find her acting quite bland at times. She rarely expresses emotion well and displayed too little passion, which this role was really all about (not just romantic passion, butcthatcof a cause too).
The most annoying character for me was Kim Myung-ha (Lee Shin-young), whose behaviour at one point, coupled with that of his father, made his reasons for hating the King and seeking revenge, somewhat hypocritical. Such a pious character, when he had little reason to behave that way.
I also felt that later into the drama, Mong-woo (Hee-Soo) should have had more faith in the King... but then, these suspicions are needed for tension and added angst, I suppose.
I must say that the Gidaeryeong was much, much too feminine to be taken as a man, so that might marr viewing, a fair bit, for some. I could overlook it, but at the same time I thought the role should have been acted with at least a glimmer of masculinity. There are many pretty men, but their gender is still recogniseable and in this drama that was needed.
The ending had a number of gaps, but was acceptable, and the latter part of the final episode did feel rushed, in comparison to others.
However, I would still recommend this for sageuk drama lovers; overall, it does not disappoint and there are a few things different to the norm, which gave it that bit more.
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