This review may contain spoilers
A clown rulling Joseon.
As the synopsis states, the drama flawlessly executes its plot with superb acting. The viewers' questions are thoroughly answered by the director. No coincidents are plotted here, and no cliches can be seen. What would happen if a commoner took the throne and what challenges he would face is something worth watching. I find this drama more accurate in its Joseon era genre. You will enjoy and be satisfied by Joseon era politics and romance between the king and queen.The cast is worth appreciating. Yeo Jin Goo has done phenomenal acting. The twin roles are perfectly displayed. The acting style is enough to say how much effort he has given to his character. Lee Se Young (from the red sleeve) also perfectly played her character. And thanks to the plot here, she survived till the end, with a happy ending with the king.
Jang Young Nam is worth mentioning because the verstile actor has potrayed herself as the best anyagonist ever. She never fails to impress the people who watch her role. Surely an intriguing actress she is. Kwon Hae Hyo is also worth praising. Thanks to Enuch Cho (Jang Gwang) for giving us some laughs.
Jump to the romance. It is up to the mark with a satisfying ending. No betrayals or bridge of lies have been built into the relationship. Until the very end, the romance plot and the political plot perfectly coincide.
The drama may come with some flaws, which I will not discuss because I want viewers to watch it for themselves and then decide. Viewers of Historical K Drama, on the other hand, should add this drama to their collection.
I have never felt this good after watching it. More Joseon era dramas are out there, but this one will be the best.
The OST is well worth listening to.
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too much for the faint at heart
This is one series I cannot binge watch, it is just too heavy on the heart. The respite from all the intrigues and betrayal is just too short, the characters are tragic, even the protagonists didn't get to wallow in a much-deserved happy ending. Other side couple was given just as tragic an ending you'd wonder if life was really this cruel in that era. But the acting, direction and story were superb you'd invest heavily on the characters only to be dashed in the end.Watch it because it is one story that has nuggets of wisdom despite it's grim perspective of the world reality. it may be set in some distant past but it lessons are as contemporary as today's headline.
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TRAGIC END OF A KING
He's a young ambitious King of mid-era Jeseon who went ballistic and over the edge from intense power struggle at the palace especially over the guilt for killing the rightful young heir brother. His dark mood, violence drive, and hatred made him enemies from all sides - he died from poison given by his most loyal and trusted minister. Such a tragic ending from a young King, there's no farewell, just died sad, scare, betrayed, in the beach alone. Warrant he's mentally sick and murderous he's still a King that demand utmost respect. Meanwhile a clown brought in to cover the absent King from duty, his job was to be poisoned and killed by the King's enemies - he's to become a substitute of King while the real one hide for his mental health. Not just he strives but also win the trust of many especially the queen as she started to fall in love to...the fake King - the Clown. He's constantly need advise from Chief Secretary, as an uneducated clown he knew nothing about politic, intrigue, people surround him, or read Hanja. He survive the ordeal intrigue around the palace, his heart is for the people, he makes right decisions with the advise from Chief Secretary.The Dowager Queen wants him die for vengeance of her killed-young son (legitimate heir who's being killed by the real King), the Left State Counselor also wants him die because of greed and power.
While the King is vibrant and full of vitality, the Queen is kind of slow. The romance isn't appealing, I think the Queen spoiled it by acting too gloomy - she has to be forced to smile by a wish. If she's in love,her eyes says otherwise...her sad face isn't radiant like someone in love and she loves to be woo. She's 'cold' according to the real King (rightful husband)...but since the clown is good in wooing her...she felt for it. Well, when she finally find out about the secret, she's pissed.
I love Yeo Jin-Goo's acting. He can act as crazy maniac King and also as a tender heart-sweet gentle fake King. The loyal Chief Secretary is the main instigator of all...he loyalty to his King...he wants the King to love the people. He's the one who kills the young heir future King and kills the legitimate King..to choose fake King clown to ascent the throne. How twisted is his mind; he's wise, kind, considerate, but he also has 2 royal blood in his hand. I love Eunuch Jo - he's a good man - he tries to separate two lovebirds as morally they aren't truly husband & wife or love affair between a low born clown with high born noble Queen. Beside the Queen, I don't like Dal-lae character, sister of the clown, she'd be the dead of him.
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Starts slow, then hits stride—thanks to one actor and 90% character-driven chaos
One of the earliest and most iconic stories of lookalikes switching places is Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, which inspired the movie Masquerade, which this show is based on. After a sluggish start, this drama picked up steam about 4 episodes in, when the real king Yi Heon disappears mostly from the screen. I almost dropped this drama, and deemed it listless, but Yeo Jin Goo’s performance as both the real and the faux ruler impressed me. While I don’t remember seeing him elsewhere, perhaps in smaller roles, his presence as Ha Seon was truly magnificent.Having watched Lee Se Young in three projects this year, her performance as the queen is exactly what I expected. Not to be outdone is Kim Sang Kyung in his role as the Royal Secretary, a man who has done many questionable things in the name of king and country. He plays the role of Lee Gyu so magnificently that we can’t help but empathise with him, even when he makes decisions that are even against our own moral standards. From Eunuch Jo to the detestable Kwon Hae Hyo as Shin Chi Soo, the rest of the cast delivered exceptional performances; his actions were so loathsome, I wanted to maim him.
In terms of plot, the drama had captivating moments but also some slow parts. The drama progressed as far as it did only because of the character’s actions driving it forward. It’s true that comparing a melodrama to a light rom-com is like comparing apples and oranges; therefore, it’s not surprising I wasn’t in stitches watching it. Though it included some comedic elements, they were infrequent.
Though there was one character that I found extremely irritating. Most would probably guess it’s one of the villains, but they’d be wrong. It is Ha Seon’s sister, Dal Rae, who frustrated me to no end. A naive farm girl’s lack of worldly experience is understandable, yet her actions didn’t suggest a life on the streets with clowns. Let me be clear: I don’t blame her for being assaulted. Yes, that crime was the perpetrator’s sole responsibility. But it was her actions afterward, like how after being traumatized, I would have thought she’d learn her lesson and NOT go off on her own. Despite repeated warnings from her uncle to stay put (or at least stay close to him), morbid curiosity led her to the small hut where the real king was imprisoned. Though unsure of who he is, Dal Rae follows the real Yi Heon throughout the city streets, carries a knife that clearly isn’t hers, resulting in her arrest and risking her brother’s exposure. Why on earth does she continually endanger herself and cause others such worry?
Another thing that bothers me is the way Lee Gyu and Eunuch Jo discuss Ha Seon openly. They say his name so many times, at the risk of being eavesdropped. To avoid confusion, why not use a variation of the real king’s name when referring to him? Have they not learned at all that walls have ears? Can’t they be more covert? I suppose not; otherwise, the villains’ wicked plans would have been revealed sooner. It could just be my own particular issue, but a problem nonetheless.
My rant aside, this show is a decent watch for those who appreciate character-driven shows, a dash of romance, and a heavy dose of political intrigue. It's not the best historical K-drama out there, but it's neither the worst.
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the drama felt like never ending....too long and it got boring, no real connection to characters
The first few episodes were great; I was very excited about the drama, and I loved the storyline. As time passed, I lost focus and was not drawn to the drama, and I did not care about the characters and I did not feel any connections. The episodes were especially long and started to drag, and I was getting bored. I think if they had taken a different direction, it would have been more interesting. The storyline was getting weaker, and each episode felt never-ending.The production is great, as is the acting. especially Jin Goo did an amazing job portraying both characters. I really tried to keep watching it but gave up at episode 9 as I did not have the will to watch the remaining 8 episodes.
To be honest, it cannot compare to *Red Sleeve*, which was amazing. It has the same length, but I was so invested in the story and felt for the characters. The same actress appears in both dramas, but she did not leave any impression on me in this one.
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Graphic violence & overall solemn tone
this is reminiscent of the Movie "Dave" but alot less lighthearted. This Dramatic slice of court life intrigue has scenes of killings that are too graphic for me. beware of "happy" endingSpoiler
male lead seems dead , the queen, steps away from the throne , grieves for over 2 years!!! Then he just suddenly shows up ( he’s been in a coma) and they have this cheesy long emotional moment. heartbreakingly, 2 main supporting male characters die & stay dead. it pretty much had to happen so that there were really 4 people left at the end who actually knew who the "clown" /king" really was. Too solemn for me to enjoy
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The main lead Yeo Jin Goo really did a great job in differentiating the characters. Even, while acting as clown, he made sure the emotions of clown in front of King is different.
Every supporting roles did great in acting. It makes you support them, miss them and also get angry on them.
I guess the OST in the whole drama increased the effect of scenes.
Getting revenge as well as taking care of problem by being responsible and making immediate decisions ... Clown proved that he can be King.
Just the ending of the drama feels like dragging.
It's a must watch.
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WOW I have to say, this show is an absolute MASTERPIECE.
After the explosive introduction in episodes 1 through to 4, the show was almost impossible to leave even when my daily routine wanted to interfere, and with some difficulty I have managed not to binge-watch the show overnight so far (even though I REALLY want to).So when things seemed to go right, they suddenly spiral wildly out of control again after the 6th and 7th episodes, and in the best (worst) way possible.
Just a few minutes earlier, the Mad King seemed hopefully on at least a path to some sort of recovery or at least acceptance of his treatment to prevent his self-harm, the Clown King and the Chief Royal Secretary seemed to trust each other and take decisions based on a mutual understanding and vision. the Clown King had properly fallen for the Queen, who in turn seemed to have noticed a change of heart in the 'King' and fallen for him once again,
BUT even after I DESPISED the Clown King's sister when she made the foolish mistake of acting on her own and freed the Mad King from his confinement, as I reach episode 8 I have started thinking that maybe she unknowingly did the Palace heroes/conspirators a favour, because FINALLY now I think I can hope that the Clown King and the Royal Secretary can work together again into weeding out the real villains in the Palace.
This show has made me feel so damn empathetic towards each of our main characters, making me feel aggressive and drunk on power as the Mad King, helpless and frustrated as the Royal Secretary, and trapped and strong and willful and just as the Clown King.
I am so happy to see such a beautiful RANGE of characters from Yeo Jin Goo, absolutely SPLENDID as the sexy Mad King, and the cute yet strong Clown King.
Also REALLY enjoying Eunuch Jo and Chief Royal Secretary's performances, loving their building relationship and understanding with each other.
HOWEVER I am not a fan at all of the Queen's character/actress yet, which worries me as I am yet to see the much awaited 'Red Sleeve', and being a huge Lee Jun Ho fan I want to thoroughly enjoy it. But I hope I won't have to ignore the actress in it because I want to enjoy the romance T-T. This actress is NOT my cup of tea, in terms of acting skills and beauty both.
Anyway, I loved The Crowned Clown.
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What makes a man grow into a king
It was a glory to watch the journey of one man who owned nothing gradually turn into a King who makes one feel empowered.To say the least, this one was one of the best dramas I've watched.
There were several drawbacks, unnecessary cliches, characters, and dare I say, unnecessary ends, but that will not stop me from standing by my previous statement. All because of how the story was told and the lead actor, who was phenomenal. (and only 20 at the time of filming. A shocker)
I felt the romance was nothing but a tiny trigger to the plot. Still, the most incredible relationship this show offers is one of trust and loyalty between the lead and their 'subjects.' There were times when I laughed because of the said 'relationships,' but they made me sob more.
I am glad I watched this, and it'll be a loss to pass it on without giving it a shot, so I urge anyone who reads this review to give it a go, and you will not regret it.
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Heavy in all the right places
This drama would make you keep on anticipating the next episode/s because of how heavy and intense the scenes are. I would always need time to pause before watching because it keeps me at the edge of my seat. Every episode has its own twist and when you thought it was over, another bomb would drop! It's just very well-written!I can say, with full confidence, that this drama is a masterpiece! It will make you feel like you're reading a book with the amount of detail it gives you. The flow is truly astounding, you can feel how much care and thought the writer and director have given to produce this amazingly intricate and solid feast of a story. Everything is just beautifully laid out, the storyline is well put together and the production effectively executed! I am by no means despising how this drama played with my heart (with all its heart-stopping scenes), it's just such a beautiful experience!
Honestly, the journey towards the ending was a bit worrying and all the more excruciating as the story progresses even more profoundly...I kept on thinking how they would plan to end such a powerful story, but my worries were proven to be in vain, for this drama didn’t even give me any time to breathe! I could think of only one scene to make the ending better (for my preference) but other than that, I could say no more. One of the best storytelling done on screen!
P.s. I really think both the king and queen died in the end...the ending part was a bit of an open-ended one with how they played with bits of “dream-like” features for that last scene which suggested how it is possible that both have died and met each other at the after life (I prefer this though, making this drama an utterly beautiful tragedy)
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I only watch every episode when I can fully concentrate. I laughed so loud, by myself mind you so occasionally my family think I've lost it. Cried of course. Get mad at the antagonist without a doubt.
YEO JIN GOO is one mind blowing actor though the entire casts are very good too.
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