This show demonstrates why kdrama is on the rise. Because it tells moral stories, where people show respect and underlying messages and philosophy are positive and uplifting. Hollywood on the other hand is the polar opposite, representing all the worst of human attributes. But Korean film makers also know how to weave this goodness into compelling and engaging stories. The west has much to learn here. This series is a strong story, well made, with excellent production values and very rarely puts a foot wrong. Investing 16 of your evenings to watch it will be well rewarded.
36 Reviews
Had a lot of potential but the ending was lacking
leahcubed15 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
7,5/10 is my rating. This is a 2019 (Josean era) fictional drama with 16, 60 minute, episodes.
Ha-seon (Yeo Jin-goo) leads a relatively care free life traveling around performing comedic skits that primarily make fun of the royalty. Yi Heon, the King (also played by Yeo Jin-goo) was a benign noble as a Crown Prince but became a paranoid, vicious and crazed king. He is bloodthirsty which is driven by opium induced delusions about being killed. When one of his close advisers comes across Ha-seon by a chance encounter, he is stunned to realize the clownish actor looks exactly like the king. The king has become increasingly concerned about assasination attempts and has tasked his close advisers to find a way to get him out of danger. The adviser who encountered the look alike proposes to the king that he be used as a stand in and the King is more than willing to have the doppelgänger stand in for him. Through a combination of coercion and persuasion they talk Ha-seon into playing the greatest role, that of the king, while the real king slips away to a quiet retreat. As Ha-seon becomes acquainted with palace life and gets to know the inhabitants, Queen Yi Kyu (Kim Sang-kyun) quickly steals his reluctant heart and is surprised herself to find that this new side to her husband is stirring romantic feelings for him she did not have before. Nothing could go wrong - right?
spoiler 🚨 I liked the first half of this very well I thought the male lead did an excellent job playing both the clown who was kind and the king who was bloodthirsty and crazy. I like the female lead who played the queen as she was calm and kind. However, the way the king was and all the palace intrigue reminded me of the American show "Game of Thrones". As is often the case in Royal courts, it seemed as if everyone was out to poison or kill everyone else for the throne. In the middle of the show, there was a part where the Crowned Clown bowed down to one of the evil villains and I wLund up fast forwarding because I knew that eventually he would win out and I couldn't take watching it go on for so long. After that part it got good again and I thought "well there's just that one part that doesn't detract from the movie too much.". At that point, had it ended well, I probably would've given it an 8.5 or possibly a 9. The show literally went down in the last episode or so when it seemEd like nearly every character I liked had something tragic happen to them or someone they cared about. Then to top it off, the male lead steps down and gives the crown over to someone we were barely introduced to. After everything that he had gone through as well as all the people that supported him it seemed like a waste for him not to reign longer. The Queen also had been made barren and it would've been nice if they would've found out that wasn't true after all. Because it felt like Ha-seon did in part step down because she was unable to bear an heir. Then they aren't done with the tragedy because as he steps down and leaves the palace, one of the last characters that I still liked gets killed as some crazy ninjas say they are avenging the dowager queen who died a year before and we never really got to know these people to know why they would be so loyal to her even a year later. In fact, when the dowager was alive you didn't really see her do anything all that great nor did they refer to any great things she had done in the past. Then they make you think the male lead is dead and you get to see the queen, who had stepped away from the throne to be with him, grieve for over two years. Then he just suddenly shows up and says he's been in what would amount to a coma (how they would've supported someone in a coma in the Josean era is a bit of a mystery) and they have this long emotional moment. Rather than being heartwarming, their reunion felt a little bit cheesy and over done. It is a shame that it did not end better because it could've been a good show. This is the third TV series I've seen with this male lead and I have to say all three have not ended as I like them to. It is to the point where if he is in something I will likely read spoilers to make sure it doesn't have a poor ending. If you don't mind tragedy and like things that are a bit nebulous, you may like this better than I did. It is worth watching because a lot of the show is quite good and if you're able to look past that middle part and the end then you may enjoy it.
Ha-seon (Yeo Jin-goo) leads a relatively care free life traveling around performing comedic skits that primarily make fun of the royalty. Yi Heon, the King (also played by Yeo Jin-goo) was a benign noble as a Crown Prince but became a paranoid, vicious and crazed king. He is bloodthirsty which is driven by opium induced delusions about being killed. When one of his close advisers comes across Ha-seon by a chance encounter, he is stunned to realize the clownish actor looks exactly like the king. The king has become increasingly concerned about assasination attempts and has tasked his close advisers to find a way to get him out of danger. The adviser who encountered the look alike proposes to the king that he be used as a stand in and the King is more than willing to have the doppelgänger stand in for him. Through a combination of coercion and persuasion they talk Ha-seon into playing the greatest role, that of the king, while the real king slips away to a quiet retreat. As Ha-seon becomes acquainted with palace life and gets to know the inhabitants, Queen Yi Kyu (Kim Sang-kyun) quickly steals his reluctant heart and is surprised herself to find that this new side to her husband is stirring romantic feelings for him she did not have before. Nothing could go wrong - right?
spoiler 🚨 I liked the first half of this very well I thought the male lead did an excellent job playing both the clown who was kind and the king who was bloodthirsty and crazy. I like the female lead who played the queen as she was calm and kind. However, the way the king was and all the palace intrigue reminded me of the American show "Game of Thrones". As is often the case in Royal courts, it seemed as if everyone was out to poison or kill everyone else for the throne. In the middle of the show, there was a part where the Crowned Clown bowed down to one of the evil villains and I wLund up fast forwarding because I knew that eventually he would win out and I couldn't take watching it go on for so long. After that part it got good again and I thought "well there's just that one part that doesn't detract from the movie too much.". At that point, had it ended well, I probably would've given it an 8.5 or possibly a 9. The show literally went down in the last episode or so when it seemEd like nearly every character I liked had something tragic happen to them or someone they cared about. Then to top it off, the male lead steps down and gives the crown over to someone we were barely introduced to. After everything that he had gone through as well as all the people that supported him it seemed like a waste for him not to reign longer. The Queen also had been made barren and it would've been nice if they would've found out that wasn't true after all. Because it felt like Ha-seon did in part step down because she was unable to bear an heir. Then they aren't done with the tragedy because as he steps down and leaves the palace, one of the last characters that I still liked gets killed as some crazy ninjas say they are avenging the dowager queen who died a year before and we never really got to know these people to know why they would be so loyal to her even a year later. In fact, when the dowager was alive you didn't really see her do anything all that great nor did they refer to any great things she had done in the past. Then they make you think the male lead is dead and you get to see the queen, who had stepped away from the throne to be with him, grieve for over two years. Then he just suddenly shows up and says he's been in what would amount to a coma (how they would've supported someone in a coma in the Josean era is a bit of a mystery) and they have this long emotional moment. Rather than being heartwarming, their reunion felt a little bit cheesy and over done. It is a shame that it did not end better because it could've been a good show. This is the third TV series I've seen with this male lead and I have to say all three have not ended as I like them to. It is to the point where if he is in something I will likely read spoilers to make sure it doesn't have a poor ending. If you don't mind tragedy and like things that are a bit nebulous, you may like this better than I did. It is worth watching because a lot of the show is quite good and if you're able to look past that middle part and the end then you may enjoy it.
Great Except For The Ending
rosadorico1 September 2021
I've seen many people compare this to another series based around a fictional kingdom with dragons. I'll agree with that mostly because like that one, "The Crowned Clown" just didn't know how to end. The only difference is while the former felt rushed, this ending seems to drag on way too long.
The acting, costumes, scenery, and action are all what we've come to expect from South Koreas blooming movie industry. And the story being based off of Twain's "The Prince and the Pauper" has no trouble bringing England's post-Reformation drama into Korea's bloody Joseon period. A time when heirs to the throne rarely died of old age.
However, as well as everything came together, I think this "dish" got left on the stove just a little too long. As a result of this, while you'll most likely binge watch the 16 episodes of this series (as I did), you may find the ending drags a bit too long. And that ending, which should have been satisfying, feels more akin to something you'd see on a daytime Soap Opera.
The acting, costumes, scenery, and action are all what we've come to expect from South Koreas blooming movie industry. And the story being based off of Twain's "The Prince and the Pauper" has no trouble bringing England's post-Reformation drama into Korea's bloody Joseon period. A time when heirs to the throne rarely died of old age.
However, as well as everything came together, I think this "dish" got left on the stove just a little too long. As a result of this, while you'll most likely binge watch the 16 episodes of this series (as I did), you may find the ending drags a bit too long. And that ending, which should have been satisfying, feels more akin to something you'd see on a daytime Soap Opera.
A Masterpiece!
overseer-320 May 2019
From the very first few minutes of The Crowned Clown (2019) I was hooked, and knew I was on rarefied ground in K-DramaLand: Masterpiece Level! Its fantasy story of a mere clown becoming an excellent King in the old Joseon era was electrifying, the cinematography amazingly beautiful (more like a first run theater film than a television drama), and the entire cast's acting performances were out of this world superb, remarkable, and perfect in every way. The developing love story was also beautiful to witness, and often I would find myself transfixed by the tentative, gentle, poetical, and sweet love scenes between the male lead Yeo Jin Goo (The Moon Embracing The Sun, I Miss You, and Lee Se Young (Trot Lovers, I Miss You), and I would re-watch their scenes together multiple times.
The first time I had ever laid eyes on Yeo Jin Goo was when he was a little tyke in his first movie, 2005's Sad Movie, in which he played a schoolboy who grieved when his beloved mother (Jung Ah Yum, who played the wicked stepmother in A Tale of Two Sisters) died from ovarian cancer. I knew even back then watching him in that performance that I would see him again in future because he was simply unforgettable in that short role, and I've enjoyed watching him grow up on screen in the years since. That's one of the best perks of being along term K-drama fan: watching the child actors grow up to become stars in their own right. In the case of Yeo Jin Goo that success is richly deserved.
I've always felt that many Korean historical dramas tend to be too long-winded, going on and on till they reach a cumbersome fifty to sixty episodes, but at only sixteen episodes The Crowned Clown is just perfect for those K-drama fans who have never watched an historical K-drama before and would like to sample a beautiful one for the first time. In fact, part of me would have loved to have seen this one go longer, at least to twenty episodes, just so that I wouldn't have to say goodbye to this wonderful cast so soon!
I also loved the instrumental pieces on the OST, particularly the tension music with the wild violin, and the sad goodbye piece with the mournful cello playing, often bringing me to tears.
This is a Korean drama that I plan on returning to and re-watching several times in the future, it was that splendid. It hit all the necessary high notes in its "song" to its viewers. As usual when a drama touches people's hearts this deeply people wonder if there will ever be a sequel, but sadly most K-dramas do not get them. It's just a fact of K-drama life. Enjoy this beautiful masterpiece as it is, like a magnificent ship passing in the dusky early night. And bring tissues!
The first time I had ever laid eyes on Yeo Jin Goo was when he was a little tyke in his first movie, 2005's Sad Movie, in which he played a schoolboy who grieved when his beloved mother (Jung Ah Yum, who played the wicked stepmother in A Tale of Two Sisters) died from ovarian cancer. I knew even back then watching him in that performance that I would see him again in future because he was simply unforgettable in that short role, and I've enjoyed watching him grow up on screen in the years since. That's one of the best perks of being along term K-drama fan: watching the child actors grow up to become stars in their own right. In the case of Yeo Jin Goo that success is richly deserved.
I've always felt that many Korean historical dramas tend to be too long-winded, going on and on till they reach a cumbersome fifty to sixty episodes, but at only sixteen episodes The Crowned Clown is just perfect for those K-drama fans who have never watched an historical K-drama before and would like to sample a beautiful one for the first time. In fact, part of me would have loved to have seen this one go longer, at least to twenty episodes, just so that I wouldn't have to say goodbye to this wonderful cast so soon!
I also loved the instrumental pieces on the OST, particularly the tension music with the wild violin, and the sad goodbye piece with the mournful cello playing, often bringing me to tears.
This is a Korean drama that I plan on returning to and re-watching several times in the future, it was that splendid. It hit all the necessary high notes in its "song" to its viewers. As usual when a drama touches people's hearts this deeply people wonder if there will ever be a sequel, but sadly most K-dramas do not get them. It's just a fact of K-drama life. Enjoy this beautiful masterpiece as it is, like a magnificent ship passing in the dusky early night. And bring tissues!
A MASTERPIECE
cinerama1018 August 2021
Truly the very best tv series I have seen in 2021. Kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire 16 episodes. The ending was magnificent. I cannot understand as to why some people found the ending as being ambiguous. It made sense to me.
Good Enough
PennyReviews7 March 2019
The Crowned Clown surpasses the movie masquerade in every level. The story was presented more in depth and the characters were complex and interesting. I especially liked that the twists were simple and not that many. Thus, the story's flow was smooth and it concentrated more on the main story of the clown. The highlight of this drama, however, was the leading actor's performance. The duality of the characters he presented was so distinguish and yet he managed to performe each character beautifully. Another plus of this drama was the romance that was sweet and simple. However, the drama did got boring towards the ending. In addition, the twist in the very end was kind of unnecessary and cliche.
Extraordinary series
rockstarnaveen-4144113 March 2020
Great storyline, dissatisfying ending.
tia-665289 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Storyline was so good, the actors portrayed their roles brilliantly. Had the potential to have a really nice ending, but just missed the mark. Was expecting Ha sun and So Woon to reunite in a nicer and to get married for real or adopt some kids and reunite with His sister again and for them to move into the house at the end of the town, which their talked about also. 😂 but was still a good watch.
The Korean Prince and the Pauper
joetulgan24 November 2021
I happen to love this show. It has the perfect mix of comedy, drama, and action. Brilliantly written, directed, and acted.
It is like a Korean "The Prince and the Pauper" only darker!
If you enjoy international period pieces, then I believe you will enjoy this!
It is like a Korean "The Prince and the Pauper" only darker!
If you enjoy international period pieces, then I believe you will enjoy this!
Good = Dumb, yet again
divemabini23 March 2023
More on that later, but let's start with a cheer!
Gimme a "P" P!
Gimme an "O" O!
Gimme an "I" I!
Gimme an "S" S!
Gimme another "O" O!
Gimme an "N" N!
What's that spell? POISON!!!
Yup, another Korean historical drama that is infatuated with poisonings. I mean, this is so overused in this genre that during episode 1 I start mentally calculating who's gonna die of poison. I mean, there would have been no way that Joseon had a functioning government if folks were poisoned so much.
So, why and how are they poisoned so much? Simple. While the guards and security are tight when the plot demands it to be so, it is non-existent when someone needs to gather poison, buy poison, hide poison, use poison, etc. This points towards other massively overused tropes in Korean historical dramas, that bring this one down. For instance: 1. The usual ability of bad guys to spy and obtain secrets while the good guys can't learn a damn thing and act like morons.
2. Bad guys who can SHOUT their entire plan to each other in a room with paper walls, and no one hears them. Yet, good guys whispering are always overheard by spies who have no business being near the royals.
3. Evil ministers? Yup, got that one.
4. Evil Queen Dowagers? Got that one too.
5. Endings more focused on giving minor characters a satisfactory and pleasing send-off, yet leaves the main character arc slogging along through an excessively long epilogue to a "meh" ending. Yup, this one as well.
6. Nobles that can be killed or executed quickly...unless it would affect the plot. If it does, then nobles (mostly bad guys) will only get a stern talking to, imprisonment (for which they always escape), or a slap on the wrist. Which allows the plot to move forward. By move forward I mean they are free to murder more good people and generally cause a bunch of preventable disasters had they been promptly executed.
And don't let the title (The Crowned Clown) fool you. There is nothing light-hearted, or funny, or heart-warming about this story. It has more blood and torture than most dramas, and it on par with Kingdom for its pervasive dread and gloomy mood. Rape of underage girls, deaths (poison) of young children, graphic torture scenes, yep, not a story that fits its title.
All six stars for the somewhat decent love story. Still not on par with The King's Affection, Mr. Queen, or Rookie Historian. And the rest of the story...well...you've seen it all before. Nothing new.
Gimme a "P" P!
Gimme an "O" O!
Gimme an "I" I!
Gimme an "S" S!
Gimme another "O" O!
Gimme an "N" N!
What's that spell? POISON!!!
Yup, another Korean historical drama that is infatuated with poisonings. I mean, this is so overused in this genre that during episode 1 I start mentally calculating who's gonna die of poison. I mean, there would have been no way that Joseon had a functioning government if folks were poisoned so much.
So, why and how are they poisoned so much? Simple. While the guards and security are tight when the plot demands it to be so, it is non-existent when someone needs to gather poison, buy poison, hide poison, use poison, etc. This points towards other massively overused tropes in Korean historical dramas, that bring this one down. For instance: 1. The usual ability of bad guys to spy and obtain secrets while the good guys can't learn a damn thing and act like morons.
2. Bad guys who can SHOUT their entire plan to each other in a room with paper walls, and no one hears them. Yet, good guys whispering are always overheard by spies who have no business being near the royals.
3. Evil ministers? Yup, got that one.
4. Evil Queen Dowagers? Got that one too.
5. Endings more focused on giving minor characters a satisfactory and pleasing send-off, yet leaves the main character arc slogging along through an excessively long epilogue to a "meh" ending. Yup, this one as well.
6. Nobles that can be killed or executed quickly...unless it would affect the plot. If it does, then nobles (mostly bad guys) will only get a stern talking to, imprisonment (for which they always escape), or a slap on the wrist. Which allows the plot to move forward. By move forward I mean they are free to murder more good people and generally cause a bunch of preventable disasters had they been promptly executed.
And don't let the title (The Crowned Clown) fool you. There is nothing light-hearted, or funny, or heart-warming about this story. It has more blood and torture than most dramas, and it on par with Kingdom for its pervasive dread and gloomy mood. Rape of underage girls, deaths (poison) of young children, graphic torture scenes, yep, not a story that fits its title.
All six stars for the somewhat decent love story. Still not on par with The King's Affection, Mr. Queen, or Rookie Historian. And the rest of the story...well...you've seen it all before. Nothing new.
Great Series...
pjkblue-3592623 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
But once again what is it with K-Dramas?
All the pieces are there for a happy, sweet ending and they drop the ball.
A two-year gap after the attack?
My thoughts... 1. The writers should have made it a two month gap, which would have been more pleasing.
2. Could have had him surprise her as the clown portraying the King with an unmasking and end up in that little house they talked about at the market.
3. Shouldn't have killed-off Officer Jang. It would have been nice to have him be involved with The Queen's Lady-in-Waiting.
There were so many romantic, touching scenes writer's have to give the audience that big-tearjerker ending.
No matter...it was great viewing!
All the pieces are there for a happy, sweet ending and they drop the ball.
A two-year gap after the attack?
My thoughts... 1. The writers should have made it a two month gap, which would have been more pleasing.
2. Could have had him surprise her as the clown portraying the King with an unmasking and end up in that little house they talked about at the market.
3. Shouldn't have killed-off Officer Jang. It would have been nice to have him be involved with The Queen's Lady-in-Waiting.
There were so many romantic, touching scenes writer's have to give the audience that big-tearjerker ending.
No matter...it was great viewing!
Storyline is 🔥🔥
tia-665289 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
SOLID storyline, very engaging, good humour. The characters were well portrayed by the actors. But a side note, the ending just wasn't it for me. The ending, was a bit dry and wasn't as satisfying as I though it would be. After they reunite Ha sun and So-won were still acting as if there were in the palace, being all formal , which was a bit awkward, but understandable as it is a historical k drama, not a modern one. Also was waiting for Ha sun to reunite with his sister, but never happened which was sad. But overall a must watch.
Utterly Flawed
mikaellaunique30 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The Crowned Clown had potential, but has objectively bad writing flaws. Yi Heon (the original king) is an example of bad character writing. I am frustrated that they reduced Yi Heon (the original King) to nothing, when he was in my opinion the most interesting and important character, but they just used him as a plot device. Why even give us Yi Heon as a character with a backstory to begin with if you're just going to do that to him. The queen also has writing flaws, she completely abandoned the king without no remorse. It's like he never even existed even though she was about to jump off..?? But then again the clown is the better version of the king, right? Laughable. It's poorly constructed as a concept as well, the whole "let's pretend the clown is the king while the king goes wild because doppelgängers, but then do that to the king cause he don't matter, right?" I'm also upset that the mother of the king never got retribution for her sufferings. She was a sad misunderstood character. All she got in return was a bowl of death.
Oh Yeah, this was very good.
robstjohn-205367 November 2022
I just finished this series and I want to tell ever one just how much I enjoyed it. But I find I'm at a loss for words as I ponder how much I enjoyed it and where to begin. Therefore, I'll simply toss out a bunch of random thoughts. The plot had so many twists and turns, full of suspense, and I didn't know where it was going next...just the way a great story should be.
The setting, the scenery, was incredibly beautiful. Albeit, I was so uneasy with the candles burning in the library, I know it was my own weird feelings. The wardrobe was simply stunningly beautiful, beautiful, gorgeous! There aren't words enough to describe how stunning the actresses looked wearing hanboks and brought bittersweet memories of my wife dressed for celebratory occasions in her hanboks.
I am not a big sci-fi or ookey spookey kind of guy, and hence I was thankful that there wasn't any CGI. Just not my thing. Just a heads up, unlike most Kdramas there was a lot of bloody scenes and people didn't just 'poof' die, but this is much more realistic. But I promise there wasn't a lot of gratuitous blood, gore, and killing that is unfortunately found in much of today's "action" movies.
Also somewhat atypical of the Kdramas I've watched was how many of those you came to love and root for died. Confessedly I shed a few tears in empathy with having lost people who were an integral part of life. Speaking of tears, I think men shed tears more than customary in Western societies. We are more like Officer Jangs ;-), or at least somewhere in between Officer Jang and the King.
In closing I thought I would mention how much I enjoy how many Kdramas close with scenes of the film crews, directors, make up artists, and all the host of who were an integral part of bringing us a top quality series...Thank you so much.
The setting, the scenery, was incredibly beautiful. Albeit, I was so uneasy with the candles burning in the library, I know it was my own weird feelings. The wardrobe was simply stunningly beautiful, beautiful, gorgeous! There aren't words enough to describe how stunning the actresses looked wearing hanboks and brought bittersweet memories of my wife dressed for celebratory occasions in her hanboks.
I am not a big sci-fi or ookey spookey kind of guy, and hence I was thankful that there wasn't any CGI. Just not my thing. Just a heads up, unlike most Kdramas there was a lot of bloody scenes and people didn't just 'poof' die, but this is much more realistic. But I promise there wasn't a lot of gratuitous blood, gore, and killing that is unfortunately found in much of today's "action" movies.
Also somewhat atypical of the Kdramas I've watched was how many of those you came to love and root for died. Confessedly I shed a few tears in empathy with having lost people who were an integral part of life. Speaking of tears, I think men shed tears more than customary in Western societies. We are more like Officer Jangs ;-), or at least somewhere in between Officer Jang and the King.
In closing I thought I would mention how much I enjoy how many Kdramas close with scenes of the film crews, directors, make up artists, and all the host of who were an integral part of bringing us a top quality series...Thank you so much.
Heavy lies the crown
alaningle722 October 2021
A paranoic and evil king who has usurped the throne is replaced by a touring clown who is his doppleganger. The story is well acted and the court intrigue will force him to make difficult decisions and worry he will be exposed, particulary after falling in love with the queen. Enough twists and turns to keep you watching and even though she was evil I found myself sympathising with the dowager queen after what happened to her child.
Masterpiece
dlsprofessional30 August 2021
The acting in this drama was by far among the best I have experienced. What an amazing production. Loosely based on a Joseon king, this fictionalized piece of art delivered an amazing impact. The political intrigue, the lessons of morality and humility, the demonstration of love and loyalty, the commitment of a country's people to build an equal place for all, and so much more...created an experience that just blew me away. I beyond recommend!
Mesmerizing
mpmunoz-6299013 August 2021
All the characters roles in this tv series were amazingly played out, especially the kings double role.....Academy award performance worthy! Standing ovations to all. This one will become a classic to watch over and over.
The Crowned Clown Clone
Park_Min7 January 2024
I usually dislike Yeo Jin Goo in historical roles but this was one of his better ones so that's nice for a change. While the story may have been interesting at first but it didn't quite live up to its premise. The clone needed to have a better introduction and build up. The king was useless and had no role other than to kick-start the narrative. We only had brief interactions between the clone and the king. The drama would have been infinitely more interesting and enjoyable if it wrote the king as a prominent character and had a consistent dynamic with the clone. The last episode was awful in all regards, a significant downgrade compared to any of the previous episodes. No thought or care put into it at all. An outsider must have wrote the last episode alone, there's no other way! With all that being said, I found the drama to be a decent watch with a handful of interesting elements, if you were to temper your expectations you'd find something to like about it too.
Talk , Talk and more talk..
gkhege27 August 2021
I love this show but it does have a lot of snail pace dialogue. It also has a lot of drinking wine and tea. It also has a lot of verbiage about killing ones self or asking to be killed by others.
It also wears out the phrase, I've been framed!" Other than that, it could be seen as a family show (no sex). The scenery is beautiful and all the characters have perfect teeth and skin tone. They also have plenty of crying and more crying.
If you like battle scenes, don't blink, only a few look real ( CGI?)
It also wears out the phrase, I've been framed!" Other than that, it could be seen as a family show (no sex). The scenery is beautiful and all the characters have perfect teeth and skin tone. They also have plenty of crying and more crying.
If you like battle scenes, don't blink, only a few look real ( CGI?)
Perfection
scdreaming-2103017 August 2021
EXCELLENT KOREAN DRAMA
Geeta35216 March 2020
This series is one of the greatest costumed historical KDrama ever produced. Superb acting by all, great writing, direction, and magnificent cinematography, kept me glued to the screen; its just that good. Kudos to Yeo Jin Goo and his "queen" their love for each other touched my heart. I do have one caution to other subscribers- the ending is very ambiguous. Despite this, I really believe that this is one to watch!
Excellent Drama
ginagina-899248 November 2021
Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!
sonofnun30 August 2021
This is the first Korean drama I have ever watched and I am truly pleased that this was my first. The acting was superb! Storyline, build up, and cinematography was exceptional. It pulled you in and made you feel the turmoil in the place. This series should have many nominations in EVERY country. I am truly going to promote the watching of this series. Very well done.
Watch you will not regret it.
BRAVO!
JOSHUA.
Watch you will not regret it.
BRAVO!
JOSHUA.
Amazing So Amazing. A must watch Drama. Beautiful OST
thebestjamesbond-820-3223404 October 2021
I have just finished watching episode 2 and I was clapping really hard. Simply this series is that good. I have watched many Korean dramas and they tend to astray and become dry as the show goes on. The script writers are unforgiving. Remember how cruel Game of Thrones was? Yes, you will get the same feeling. Damn I was feeling so dry after watching many English Western dramas. This K drama radiates humanity, warmth and reality. Just beautiful. Must deserve more recognition.
Like Aladdin on steroids
cwirth102620 March 2022
Where do I even start. I could go on forever about how much I love this drama. I'm freakin obsessed. I have seen a LOT of dramas and this one blows them all out of the water by far. The character development is unmatched, awe-inspiring and perfectly paced. The story is phenomenal and lacks the typical annoying drama cliches like the long-lost childhood lovers, the moody, stone faced manipulative male lead, or the annoying pointless second lead trying to steal the girl/guy. It's not overly predictable; you're always left on the edge of your seat guessing what's going to happen next and there are so many moments that completely take you by surprise. The acting is spectacular, especially Yeo Jin Goo's dual role that got him nominated for Best Actor against some of the biggest names in the Korean film industry at the young age of 22. It was almost as if there were two different actors. There was rarely a moment where I couldn't distinguish between the two characters. And the way you can tell the difference between when Haseon is pretending to be the psycho unhinged king and when he's just legit pissed off shows his real skill as an actor. You get to see a full 360 degree range of emotions from him in this drama. The actors playing the villains are so good that you absolutely detest them. The music was beautiful and chilling all at the same time. The costumes and makeup were fantastic. It was so gripping and I had chills through the whole thing. When I finished watching it my first thought was literally, "EVERYONE needs to watch this. And when they do it's gonna be their new favorite." Why it is not on everyone's top 5 I will never understand. Why there aren't people selling prop replicas all over Etsy like they do for Hotel Del Luna (which stars the same lead actor and was aired the same year) I have no idea. Maybe cause the romance isn't all hot and steamy? But this drama doesn't need one, because the whole story of how a worthless street performer, who is just roaming around trying to get by, becomes a king who vows to protect the people, and the journey of all the characters surrounding him coming to acknowledge him as such, is just so amazing and powerful that it stands perfectly strong by itself. Some people think the ending is lacking, but if you learn about the true conspiracy theory it was inspired by, the ending makes perfect sense. Anyways, go watch it cause this drama literally changed my life.
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