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Well, this is not the case.
Princess' man was an incredible disappointment. I would probably have given it a higher score, but the last episodes absolutely postively demoted the overall score by two points (if not more).
The acting was good- I somewhat enjoyed Park Shi Hoo's character (Kim Seung Yoo) as well as Hong Soo-Hyun (Princess Kyung Hye). Moon Chae-won (Lee Se Ryung)- the main female lead!-, i felt, lacked emotion at some points. The relationship between Seung Yoo and Se Ryung was not no believable and although many acts were done to bring the characters closer and show how deep and strong their love was... the chemistry was not there.
The "couple effect" however, was strong between Hong Soo-Hyun and Lee Min-Woo... It made me think, "But, who's our main couple? Where are the sweet moments??" For those who don't know, I am typically all about the sweet moments and a dang good plot.
The plot in Princess' Man started off well... it had intrigue, humor, just the right amount of fluff, jealousy, started off with the right amount of romance... It basically was ready to wrap up the Joseon era in a pretty christmas package, when, without reason, the drama took messy, inexplicible, intolerable, unnecessary, unresolved, undesirable, (and MANY more UNs and INs)..twists and turns which totally did not follow with the theme of the storyline.
Because of this, I feel Princess' Man fell flat on it's face, despite the "Romeo and Juliet" everlasting love feel. Should you watch it? Only if:
a. You've run out of dramas to watch (although, watch this before Boys before flowers)
b. You're not into justice
c. You just need a Park Shi Hoo fix
d. You like side character's love stories
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Trust me it's really good.
The story and the actors captivated me.
It felt like this movie had its own charm and attractive side and it hypnotized me to keep watching more, more, and moreeee
Park Shi Hoo and Moon Chae Won gave me a good chill and they had that awesome chemistry. At first I didn't really think they would make a really great couple, but it turned out wrong. They turned to be one of my favorite on-screen couples. Seriously, they are really great.
The story is a bit extraordinary and it was quite unpredictable. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of historical drama, but this drama is an exception.
The movie was really awesome and I want to re-watch it allllll the time.
So, the conclusion is:
WATCH IT BECAUSE THIS DRAMA WON'T MAKE YOU FEEL REGRET AFTER YOU WATCH IT. :D
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Story
Beautifully written, excellent plot, intense to the point that your heart hurts, and you cry and feel relief with the everyday of the characters. Love, family, friendship, treason, politics, traditions... as many say the korean version of Romeo and Juliet.
Acting/Cast
it's uncommon, a weird exception, but for me this was one of the few dramas in which every single character is play absolutely perfect. From the main to the supporting roles - the main couple, the princess Kyung Hye, Shin Myun, Jo Suk Joo, and the rest.
Moon Chae Won was incredible in this role, her character was strong, determine, intense, reckless and graceful, growing up in every single episode, gaining confidence as she tried to live with her name and her own decisions.
Kim Seung Yoo was no less, he showed so many faces along the series. His character was complex, enchanting, confident, full of despair and sadness, due to the different hardships that life has put on his way. Both of them, had a great chemistry. Their emotions truly surpassed the screen, reaching everyone.
Music
The OST was absolutely unique and original for a drama.
My congrats to the one who made the selection.
Rewatch Value
Should you rewatch this? Of course, I'll surely rewatch this someday.
Don't hesitate to give this drama a chance, you'll fall in love with the story, the characters, the setting and the music!!
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Highlights:
- The relationships between characters. The main leads had amazing chemistry, but I would say that the epic bromances were sometimes even more engaging and moving. The secondary romance was incredibly moving and also very well done.
- Story. In too many dramas main characters are kept apart or tension is created for stupid reasons. This was probably the first drama I've seen in a long time where most of the secrecy, revenge, and anger are all rooted in pretty valid logic.
- A Kang played by little Yoo Bin. She might be the cutest child in the entire world.
Some low points:
- Song Jong Ho. I really liked him in Reply 1997 but he just did not do it for me as Myun. I don't believe he had enough range to play the arguably most tormented character in the show. Based on his actions, you're actually supposed to feel a lot of sympathy for his position, but he just seemed to be operating robotically throughout.
- Melodrama amped up to 10 at the end. As the stakes got increasingly raised throughout the show, the amount of tears from our beloved characters similarly experienced exponential increases. I understand the reason for the tears, but towards the end every interaction seemed to be weepy, sobby, and angsty. Not a huge gripe but I would have preferred a few more call backs from the characters to the good old times, when life for them wasn't such a bloody, miserable, hot mess.
In summary, this was probably my favorite show so far in the saeguk genre due to it's strong story and performances. I am looking forward to rewatching it again in the near future!
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What were they even thinking!
Coming to this drama after finishing Im Kkeok Jung (1996) is such a disappointing shitty experience in comparison. This drama was fundamentally flawed in every imaginable aspect. The cast members are usually competent in other projects but the directors did such a poor sloppy job in handling the cast. The drama had 3 directors and still managed to fuck up! They must have been busy fighting each other over working on the drama.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Rebellion was Promised
The good: The actors were wonderful, and their characters were compelling. I find the journey of personal growth of characters intriguing, and this drama was rich with experiences for the leads; they grew from bright, naive young people to mature, resilient ones.The annoying: Operational security was absolutely nonexistent. Wanted ML marched through the marketplace all in black with a mask and no one noticed him, even though he was heavily sought. He showed up everywhere something was going on, and nobody recognized him, even though his friends were continually yelling out his actual name. Princess' husband had a secret document fomenting treason he stuck up his sleeve. Foreshadowing disaster, his friend asked why he didn't burn them, and he said he wanted to show it to his wife. 2S2L! Here's a pro tip: if there is an inept blabbermouth in one's group, it would be wise not to tell them everything that should remain secret. If anyone competent had been after the ML and FL, they would have been captured/eliminated in short time, but it appeared that no one in power had the idea to watch their residences or follow them and their servants.
The bad: From the start, the viewer was told Su Yang was evilly ambitious, and, true to form, he murdered indiscriminately to take the throne. The entire point of the drama was the struggle to defeat Su Yang and remove him from that throne. Kim Seung Yoo's whole purpose in living was to seek revenge on those who killed his father, and that included Su Yang. The drama didn't deliver on that promise. Only one of the evil ministers paid with his life; Su Yang retained the throne. All the noble families whose innocent fathers were murdered remained as servants to the men who had killed them. The ML was left disabled and no longer able to fight against Su Yang. He was thought dead so had no identity. The FL was categorized as a servant. In reality, a runaway slave and a disabled, unidentifiable man would find it hard to survive in ancient China. I have to remind myself that Korean dramas are more about enduring rather than winning, but it's hard for my American sensibilities to accept that as a happy ending. I wanted Su Yang dethroned, Jong's baby made king, and Seung Yoo made regent until the child came of age. I wanted the evil ministers removed from office and all their innocent servants who had been nobility restored to their stations. I especially wanted that weaselly little minister who thought everyone needed to be killed to have a taste of his own medicine, but he got a happy ending as far as I know. The rebellion just fizzled out. So unsatisfying!
And yet, the acting was enjoyable, the characters were memorable, and I don't begrudge the time spent watching. No extra stars awarded, because I'm too annoyed by the ending.
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I live in Thailand and one evening, as I was flicking through my Cable channels, someone called me just as I stumbled upon this show, on Korean network. As I was talking on the phone watching the image (muted sound) I really got curious. The sceneries were breathtaking! What was that exactly I was watching? A Chinese movie?
It all came clear after my phone call; Sound on, watch a little bit and realized it’s Korean and it’s not a movie it’s a series.
I watched the episode (3 or 4 I don’t remember) and right there and then, I was hooked. I found my crack and it was going to take some effort to satisfy my hunger.
Took a long time to find all the information about what the Drama was and how to watch it with subtitles (Cable TV was not reliable and I wanted to watch from the start).
I found a website to watch it and it was very painful (episodes divided in 4 parts, low quality, lots of ads), but the drama was so different from anything I had seen before! It got me right in the heart and never let go. I was hooked.
The setting, the actors, the angst, the stakes! This Drama procured some emotions I had never felt watching something on TV (I got teary eyed). It would be a real shame to pass up on it. I highly recommend it. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
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Richard the IiI + Romeo & juliet
Anyone who maintains that Park Shi-Hoo cannot act,. clearly has not seen this drama! Seeing him cry was a mind-altering sight. And he played nasty a little too well. Be prepared to have your cortisol levels spike and remain elevated as this drama is INTENSE! What I particularly liked about it was that I could not predict the script as I have with other sageuks. There were enough surprise elements to keep me on my toes.I particularly enjoy the interplay between councillors who rival for personal interest and self serving end goals. This grouping did not disappoint. I liked the fact that the gaesengs were actually involved in the goings on as were the attendants to all those who aspired to princess status, The.chidre,n were all adorable. It was positive to see men engaged in nurturing roles with them. The youngster who played the niece will be one to keep an eye on in the future,You just cannot help but fall in love with her!
i found the musical score to be aptly matched up with the action on screen. Not that we needed help in how to feel. The costumes were typical sageuk fare ( I say that after being spoiled with those of Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung’s) although PSH did look dashing in his all black ensemble and long tresses.
The leads all put in fine performances. The roles of the princess’s husband, the prefect and the disenfranchised daughter were all innovative. Each came with a fresh take on what it meant to be caught up in the machinations of others. The husband, albeit no heart-throb proved his worth a million times over. The prefect did experience moral dilemma while trying to stay true to values at odds within himself. And our fearless heroine was badass from square one and remained there. She knew just how to push her father’s buttons. These three were not typical characters and kudos to the writers for that ! My only complaints were that the tyrant king’s wife was so clued out to her husband’s doings; there was precious little comic relief with a drama so intense; there were lost opportunities for conflict between the two sisters finally, not enough romance per square inch. Oh and PSH did not smile nearly often enough! ? I may be biased on that last one.
I don’t re-watch any dramas no matter how brilliant, but if I did, I would choose this one. Definitely not a drama to be missed.
Just a note about ratings-I have great difficulty putting a numeric value on pieces of art!
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Speaking of STORY - This story has no loop holes and it is perfected arranged and managed. Every one of the incidents indicates the flow of story and well managed to be connected with each other. This Story has everything including romance, action, revenge, comedy etc. It lacks in nothing. it makes us so interesting when each episode end with a twisted scene.
Considering CAST - I must say this, the most effective factor in this drama which attracts so many fans is the cast. I mean wow!. Everyone in this drama has done a great job. Chemistry between the main leads was awesome and lovely. They two look too cute in their roles .Main Leads - Park Shi Hoo
(Kim Seung Yoo) one of the most attractive actor when it comes to historical dramas. he has done an outstanding job as the hero of the play. He made us feel the emotion in the drama. Moon Chae Won
(Lee Se Ryung) I know well she is one of the best actress i love to watch. i am her fan in innocent man and good doctor. she expressed her emotions very well as we cry with her when she cries. i am really touched by her character and her true love through out the end of the drama. Not only main leads but also supporting casts such as Hong Soo Hyun (Princess Kyung Hye) , Song Jong Ho (Shin Myun) , Lee Min Woo (Jung Jong) have done a great job by portraying their characters so well. I cant forget to mention her Kim Yoo Bin (Kim Ah Kang) what a cute pie <3 loved her innocent scenes in the midst of all tensions.
Ending - My rating is 9 not 10 which i reduced for the ending. For me the ending was not really all perfect. The whole story and amounts of deaths meant nothing at the end. And so many characters were left behind.
But overall it was a great show with loving scenes.Loved it So Much !
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You see all these 10 ratings, and they're there for a reason. The Princess' Man is a masterpiece, manipulating my emotions like the worst case of PMS; one moment, I'm happy; one moment, I'm sad; one moment, I'm angry; one moment, I'm sad again. Yes, the predominant feeling must be sadness, as you kinda have to be a masochist to enjoy this drama. Anyway, if you enjoy a good cry, grab a box of tissues and read on!
STORY
The story is really complex, and the summary doesn't do it justice. The intricacies of the plot are more fine-toothed comb than blunt club, and the same applies to the characters; they feel real and multifaceted, demonstrating the screenwriters' and directors' vast experience with creating beautiful stories and convincing character developments. Additionally, during the entirety of the drama, scenes flow and nothing is forced. Useless characters are (thankfully) MIA. There is no filler, which makes this drama one which you cannot watch in place of a light-hearted rom-com. The Princess' Man requires your utmost concentration, and you'll be rewarded with a splendidly moving story because of it.
ACTORS
They could not have picked a better cast, and I was thoroughly impressed with the caliber of the actors/actresses who took part in this show. It wasn't just the main characters; the side-characters were so expertly portrayed that there were moments during which I felt that they weren't side-characters at all. There were moments in which I felt that they were the main characters, like The Princess' Man was their story to tell.
TLDR, imagine a dozen all-star/main-cast stars getting together with (an) amazing director(s), with a gorgeous script. The result - The Princess' Man, which I strongly feel is one of the strongest dramas to date.
MUSIC
Amazing, heart-wrenching, Park Wan Kyu - One Day of Love, 'Nuff said.
REWATCH VALUE
As much as I'd like to put 10 here, I can't. In actuality, 8.5 is a stretch for me, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Princess' Man is one of those dramas that is so freaking good that I'm terrified to watch it again. It's like my relationship with sushi; if I have too much of it, I'll get sick of it, and then for a while, I'll forget I love sushi. But I don't want to ever fall out of love with The Princess' Man. I don't want to forget how I felt the first time I watched this drama because it truly deserves all the accolades and recognition that it got.
TLDR my 8.5 rewatch value is only because I'm me. This is in no way representative of the actual amazingness (yes, I created that word) of this drama.
CONCLUSION
Pretty much, y'all should watch it cause it's fantastic. Also, everyone deserves a great time, and this drama deserves more hype, even though it's 2016 and 5 years have passed, because amazing things will stay amazing, and yeah.
WARNING LABEL
Watch at your own risk. Watching may result in a year-long break from drama-land because nothing will compete. And yes, this happened to me.
FURTHER NOTE:
I am, by no means, a drama addict. I don't follow kpop, or korean make-up, or korean actors. I usually just watch these things when I'm really bored, so I've never posted on this site until today. However, this first and only review, so that should demonstrate to all you doubtful folks that this drama is amazing. So please, watch it, and share it with friends! Thanks!
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10/10 for everything. I still think of this drama even years later. I became an instant fan of Moon Chae Won and Park So Hoo. I watch all their dramas because of this one drama. I loved all the cast, down to the king and everybody. This story never lagged and the way it tied into history was enchanting as well. It all compounded with the scenery and cinematography - which was on par with Lord of the Rings!
You will not regret watching this movie. It even crosses all the genres. Romance, Action, Suspense, History, a little comedy, Fluff, and it's depth and complexity is also remarkable.
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