The Royal Tailor (2014) User Reviews

Beautiful, But Tragic

[alisonc-1 · 8/10 · 22 July 2015]

Cho Dol-Seok (Han Seok-kyo) has been the royal tailor for three Kings, including the current King (Yoo Yeon-seok) and Queen (Park Shin- hye). He's maintained his position by keeping to traditional, dignified clothing styles, ones that emphasize position and gravitas. The royal court is not without intrigue, however, and soon the Queen has a rival, young Concubine Soo-Yi (Lee Yoo-bi). The Queen meets a young tailor, Lee Gong-jin (Ko Soo), who unlike Cho is a true artist in terms of his creations, and it's not long before the divided loyalties in the court are made manifest through which tailor makes one's clothes....

This is an absolutely beautiful-looking film, as befits a movie where the clothes are paramount in telling the story. It's also very well-acted, particularly by the two actors playing the tailors, who depict their deep friendship while at the same time having completely different temperaments and spirits. There's some humour in the piece, but it's generally quite somber and tragic - as is frequently fitting for a period drama like this one. Gorgeous to look at, but it might just break your heart.

A feast for the eyes

[pyattimac · 8/10 · 20 July 2017]

This was a lovely film! Don't be put off by the slow start-- it will draw you in, and it evolves from a visual feast to a sweet and sad story. The garments are just breathtaking-- I had trouble reading the subtitles because I kept looking up to see the costumes! This movie also shares some commonalities with many other films made outside the United States-- the slower pace, and greater reliance on the power of the actors' facial expressions and subtle gestures. I highly recommend it!

Quite mesmerizing

[Misss25 · 6/10 · 6 April 2021]

I have never seen any korean historical (fictional) movie. So,I really didn't have high expectations but it was good.besides,how it ends was really sad:)

Wonderful Movie

[miket641 · 9/10 · 2 May 2018]

My wife and I watch a lot of Korean movies ( her being Korean and all) and I really enjoy the romantic comedies. I don't enjoy the period movies or shows unless there is a lot of sword play and material arts in it BUT! Even I enjoyed this movie. The Characters/Actors were perfect and it was an amazing story. Give this movie a try, though it's not a romantic comedy it is a great movie.

Beautiful film but predictable story

[phd_travel · 6/10 · 17 April 2020]

Great effort with the costumes and cinematography. It's a visual feast of fabrics. I tuned in for Park Shin Hye and she looks lovely but doesn't get a lot of chance to act. Go Soo is charismatic as the rebel tailor. What isn't good is the jealousy story and tragic end is so predictable. Here a twist would have been nice. Depressing ending.

Hats off to the costume designer who is the hugest part of this movie.

[TaylorYee94 · 8/10 · 10 October 2020]

I'm Korean myself, and I have never seen such a marvelous, graceful, and dignified han-bok at the ending anywhere including movies or pictures. When Concubine Soui enters with her beautiful clothes, I could never think of fancier clothes than that. However, when the Queen enters the scene, it just hit me in the back. Rather thank adding more colors, jewels, or glitters, she wears white, the color that represents her so well. It was always concubine who wants to compete with the Queen, and the Queen rises above. The costume appropriately represents all characters' personality and desires. Each garment at every single scene of any character is a work of art.

The Royal Tailor

[politic1983 · 6/10 · 23 November 2015]

This is quite a strange one for me. I have watched Korean period dramas in the past, and while I can appreciate the production qualities, they do not quite hit the spot for me. That said, I ended up in the cinema watching this one. And it was a little different from what I was expecting.

Making an ass of myself with my assumptions, I anticipated quite a slow piece, living up to costume dramas the world over. But this is a drama about costumes with a great deal of comedy thrown in for good measure, never getting too heavy, but with enough seriousness to steer it away from an all-out, knockabout comedy.

Dol-seok is the royal tailor: he is tasked with making all the formal clothes for the King, a man who seems less than content in his life and his sex-less marriage to his young Queen. Outside of the royal court, a young tailor is making a name for himself among the woman-folk, and soon he is brought to the King. Successful in his endeavours, Kong- jin finds himself under Dol-seok's tutelage, but soon his more masterful skills become both a blessing and a curse, bringing scandal in his designing for the Queen and jealousy from Dol-seok, costing him dear.

Director Wonsuk Lee starts off fairly light with this film, using comedy in his catwalk-style montages of Kong-jin's 'daring' new designs being sported about town. The film then becomes a character piece, charting Kong-jin's relationships: in passion with Dol-seok; and unspoken romance with the Queen. All is well and good in the lives of the three leads, with the tailors happily learning from each other, while Kong-jin builds the virgin Queen's confidence.

However, as the King becomes more involved, the film moves to a darker tone, with loyalties tested, and inevitably the new, young tailor being put in his place, feeling the wrath of his superiors.

An incredibly high percentage of the budget for this film was spent on the costumes – the majority, even. For a period drama, it is perhaps not unusual for this to be the case, though this stands out in 'Royal Tailor', with countless numbers of costumes throughout. But, is this at the expense of other areas? Thankfully not. The acting between the leads is strong, necessary for a story built on relationships, and the look and style of the film are in keeping with the wardrobe budget.

Perhaps the links to the true story on the film's conclusion feel a little unnecessary and detract a little, but for something that's not my usual style, this is a well-cut piece.

politic1983.blogspot.co.uk

Exquisite Morality Tale

[AJ_McAninch · 8/10 · 10 September 2018]

All of the leads are wonderful actors beloved in South Korea and with a strong supporting cast. The costumes, of course, are breathtaking and become more so with each of Kong-Jin's creations born of dreams and gentle love, especially for the queen. But for a bit of slow pacing and some continuity breaks, the film is perfect. It is also wrenching and heartbreaking as it moves from a story about making beautiful clothes to a parable of jealousy and karma. Strongly recommended.

The Royal Tailor

[Simarium · 7/10 · 9 August 2018]

This movie is tragic and heart-wrenching, if you let it be.

Artfully done while tragic, with light humor

[kathyjilee · 10/10 · 8 July 2018]

The costumes and actors/actresses were wonderfully aligned and prepared for this beautiful movie.

Beautiful and complex. What moviemaking should be.

[jennnaff · 10/10 · 15 February 2021]

In fairness, I just watched this a second time and was able to follow and appreciate the story even better the second time. The characters are complex, the acting is excellent throughout, and the imagery is stunning from beginning to end. Add a touching, realistic story and you just can't do better.

Funny, interesting plot!

[7purplepuppy · 8/10 · 16 July 2020]

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. The ending will have your mind dwelling on the story after the credits finish! The actors in this movie did an amazing job, definitely gained some new favorites after watching it. Some banter, innuendo which was a little excessive - I feel there could have been a little less of that without taking away from the story line. Other than that, I loved how pieces of the story came together in the end. The ending was not really a happy one though!

it's all in the clothes

[j_eyon · 8/10 · 22 May 2021]

More compelling than expected of a movie about tailors to be - this is largely due to the fast paced script - and the acting contributes too - as well as the striking visuals as expected from a Korean movie

the sole demerit is the perhaps unintended and laughable takeaway of this story - clothes make the difference.