Mr. Queen

Currently at episode 7. I remember starting the first episode a long time ago. The idea was interesting, but I found it really boring, so I dropped it. After months, I decided to pick it up again. There were many scenes that I had to skip because of how embarrassed I was feeling. After episode 2, it's so fun. I wish we had more FLs like this—who are really smart and genuinely funny! I don't think the King loved the FL before. In these last two episodes, he seems to have changed, but I don't think it's because of love, but mostly guilt. He feels guilty because she tried to unalive herself. The concubine at the start seemed to be a good character, but as the story goes on, she becomes more "bad."

After the "FL" went back to her world, it became so boring to watch. I skipped a lot, but after episode 14, it seems to be getting good again.

I just finished it! Before sharing my overall thoughts, I want to say that one of the main reasons I dropped this was because I had seen many people saying that the ending was bad. The ending it's kind of bad but i guess i expected better. Another thing I saw many people discussing was whether the King, at the end of the day truly loved her. I think I would say both yes and no. I need to think about it more and read other people's opinions to decide. Overall, this was good, and I don't regret watching it, but I believe 20 episodes weren't necessary. It doesn't feel dragged, but I'm not sure. This was good, but there were a lot of scenes that I skipped. Also, i have watched many kdramas of the female actress. She did such a good job!!

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A Queen, a Soul, and Hilarious Chaos

This drama was way more fun than I expected. The idea is just brilliant, a modern man’s soul suddenly thrown into the body of a Joseon queen, and Shin Hye-sun absolutely nailed the role! Her acting was top notch, and the comedy with Court Lady Choi and Hong Yeon had me laughing so much. The mix of humor, light melodrama, and even touching moments was really well balanced.
The only thing I didn’t love was the ending. It could’ve been more satisfying. But overall, this drama is super entertaining, even for someone like me who usually doesn’t watch historical K-dramas.
And I have to mention the iconic “Bong Hwan A” by Norazo. That song is unforgettable and fits the vibe of the show perfectly.

For the Rewatch Value, I gave it a 1. In my opinion, one full watch is enough for any series, no matter how good or bad it is. I rarely feel the need to rewatch them.

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two stories rolled into one - one is pretty good, the other is underwhelming

So as I say in the headline this is two different shows mashed together - the first is about the power struggle between two families that hate each other and Cheoljong/"So Yong" (Bong Hwan) falling in love despite all the manipulations of those two families, which is mostly really really excellent; the second is the time travel gender swap which left a lot to be desired. I think a lot of the reason why I'm struggling to view this as positively as many other viewers is because Bong Hwan's interactions with women for like.... at least a solid half of the show is just so sleazy and creepy that I find it impossible to view those scenes as anything other than sexual harassment and the behavior of a guy who doesn't accept hearing "no" because he views it as a challenge. While there are glimpses of the Cheoljong/Bong Hwan romance throughout, most of the development to that thread happens in the last ~40% of the show, and for reasons I don't want to spoil, they spend 2 episodes mostly apart. Like it just really ends up giving the vibe that the writers were uncomfortable with male-male intimacy and it just makes me wonder why the Chinese novel this is based on was even adapted in the first place then.

Although I feel that there's a lot of room for improvement with the handling of gender identity & sexual identity, I totally understand why this gets so much praise. The acting, costumes, and set design are flawless. The jokes (when they aren't thinly veiled cissexism, misogyny, or homophobia) are really really funny. The Cheoljong/Bong Hwan romance is genuinely moving and it's hard not to root for them as we see how much they grow to care about each other. Also I have Cheoljong brainworms I love him soooooo much you don't understand. Anyway, I think the really avid fans are overhyping this, but it is a lot of fun and I definitely think it's worth watching.

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Laugh Out Loud Awesomeness

Having been previously disappointed with the immensely popular "King the Land", I almost gave this a miss despite the ratings. I am so glad I didn't.

The show is about a prowling, horny top chef in modern times who falls into a swimming pool, and somehow is transported into the distant past. He wakes up in the body of a young girl just one day before her wedding.

This young woman is about marry the King of Joeson, Cheoljo. History hasn’t been kind to Cheoljo. In textbooks of the future, he’s remembered as an ineffectual king mired in debauchery and excess and a womanising puppet of the notorious—and highly corrupt—Kim dynasty.

But things aren’t exactly as they’ve been recorded, as the chef is about to find out. The king isn’t a complete idiot, and the woman whose body the chef inhabits seems to be missing out of choice, not necessity. Intrigued? You should be. It’s a tight 20 episodes with a (mostly) logical plot and a believable ending.

This is a great story that I recommend to everyone. It has humour, considerable palace intrigue, plenty of romance, and a well-thought-out plot. Add to that some excellent character evolution (especially the young king) and you've got a real winner on your hands.

I won't spoil the story, but just let me say, this is a funny show with a soul, and some great plot twists that you won't see coming. I commend the writers on their entirely believable character development. This is amongst my favourite K-dramas so far because Shin Hae Sun is an AMAZING actress. She embodied the role of modern-day chef in the body of a delicate queen so well that I absolutely believed she was a man, and that too, a total Tom cat.

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Started as a hilariously funny fantasy Sageuk, ended as a typical historical drama with a fun twist

I love Korean historical dramas, even the ones with tragic endings that make you weep. I love fantasy dramas, and I love romance. This drama has all of them, so it’s truly a gem for fans of these three genres.

However, while watching this gem, I felt like it was split into two parts. The first part (the first 8 episodes) is a genuinely funny fantasy drama with historical characters. The second part becomes more of a typical historical drama with some humorous moments, while the fantasy element is almost entirely forgotten until the very last episode.

I’ve known the writer from Cain and Abel, which is my second favorite drama, and the director from You’re the Best, Lee Soon Shin!, which is one of the best family dramas.

Both Shin Hye Sun and Kim Jung Hyun did a great job.
SHS portrayed both the sorrowful, soon-to-be queen So Yong and the queen possessed by a man’s soul hilariously well. Her comedic timing was spot-on. KJH joining SHS in those moments in the second half makes you fall out of your chair with laughter. And when he was the king, he truly embodied the role. Their chemistry was superb — enough to satisfy your hopeless romantic side.

On the other hand, it would’ve been better if it had been 16 episodes long. You can feel that some scenes were just filler. Even some characters didn’t add much — if anything — to the storyline. And toward the ending, you realize they completely abandoned logic (for example, the royal cook says he found them by simply asking around where people who are unhappy with the country gather — 헐!).

Still, this drama is one of the best in its three genres, and it’s absolutely worth watching, especially when you’re feeling down.

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Awesome

Hilarious, great cast, and amazing chemistry. I zoomed through episode to episode. I will never get over this.
If you like OP scenes this is for you

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THE BEST

Mr. Queen is my first experience watching a historical kdrama and ever since i’ve watched it, i feel a constant void that no historical kdrama have filled soo far.. It’s simply the best historical time-travel body swap kdrama that there is.

Initially, i thought it was just a historical comedy but the royal place schemes and secrets had me sitting on the edge of my seat. They incorporated main character’s cooking skills into the story in such a brilliant way. The macdonaldo had me choking. The drama is fast paced and every episode ends on a cliffhanger. I was blown away by the plot twists . And 20 episodes never felt this short before. Usually I get bored around episode 10 of a kdrama but this drama is the exception.
Apart from the story, acting is top notch especially by our Queen. Absolutely lover her badass attitude. The king did well too. Our lady choi deserves a chef’s kiss. Top level comedy and top level chaos. A 10 /10 for sure.

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Definitely well scripted

Never a fan of historical dramas but watching this because of Shin Hye Sun. I loved the comedy element of this drama. It is great that Jo Hwa Jin managed to pull herself back before she went down the wrong route, that is definitely a plus point for me.

But i wished that the the queen kim so young had a little more character after switching back, although i did see a little of Jang Bong Hwan in her! Definitely love the friendship between the palace maid, court lady and the the queen!!

Definitely a great drama to watch! Not one episode was boring! There are equal parts of romance, intense and comedy in this drama so whats there to not like right?

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Will leave you laughing

I have rewatched this show several times now because it brings me such joy and entertainment. The first time I turned it on I actually was having a very hard time getting through the beginning and turned it off. But on my second attempt I forced myself to get through the first episode and then found myself hooked. Now I like to rewatch it by fast forwarding to all my favorite parts to get some smiles between other dramas.

The two main characters really shine here, especially So Yong that pulls off playing a man in a woman's body so hilariously well. From the way she speaks and the inflection in her tone to the way she moves her body, her acting here is superb. Even Cheol Jong was convincing as the spy hiding behind the spoiled puppet king persona and he grows on you with each passing episode as he grows and changes while interacting with the Queen. You don't take this show seriously at any point but it is just fun. The character development is executed so well and the pacing of the storyline keeps you interested and moving forward.

This is not a show you watch for accuracy, believability, or depth but for pure enjoyment and that is exactly what you will get out of it. You'll laugh and have fun at the interactions between the King and Queen and at the over the top ways the show pokes fun.

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FL as killed the show (in a good way ofc)

Ok so I struggled to finish this K-drama, but it was worth it.
The story, the acting, the music, the sets: everything was impressive! I had a lot of fun and many laughing moments with this K-drama, but I still can’t give it more. The FL… what an actress!

The story is very addictive — the political side, the struggle with the inner self and pain, I really understood it.

What threw me off was the length… 20 episodes? It took me ages to finish it. I also didn’t find the romance between the FL and ML appealing… I can’t really tell why. Maybe because I was always wondering "Is he the ML inside the queen body gay" ???... It must be because of it.

Anyway .. the political aspect is also very, very central — if you don’t like this kind of plot in general, it could be complicated.

But of course, you should definitely give it a shot!!!

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