Short and sweet review
If I had to describe this in one word, it would be hilarious. Unfortunately, that would also be the key highlight of this show to me which isn't good. While this show tackles many ideas that serve great for drama and a coherent storyline, I felt as if the plot was progressing at a rate slower than my decision-making process on whether I should go and do leg-day. However, the Queen as a character alone carries the show in many ways even if you find a certain plot-point boring, the Queen's character is unbelievably hilarious and entertaining. The OST was also great, both the selected music choices for the sad parts and happy parts are pure perfection and really amplify the mood.the ending was ass though no cap, skipping over a key plot point iykyk and a truly rushed ending. So bad that it lowered my rating ever so slightly.
In conclusion, you should watch this show if you're looking for a fun time.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The best historical drama after Moon Embracing The Sun
This drama got me hooked from the beginning to the end. I could not stop thinking about this drama that I had to keep watching. Let me start with the characters. Damn, all of them executed each character perfectly! However, I am a bit disappointed with the fact that the writer did not give Soyoung any justice (at least that what I saw).When I watched the last ep, it got me thinking, "Well, so Cheoljong still gonna be in love with the queen or...?" Yeap. That was what I thinking. A bit disappointed too because I love the badass queen. Anyway, I've been reading lots of review/comment about the story was actually all Cheoljong and Bonghwan and that Soyoung did not really appear until the last episode. Yeah, I could not ignore the hollow feelings after watching the last ep because I was wondering why Cheoljong said that he felt like missing something.
So here it goes! I started to rewatch some scenes that I felt necessary where we could see Soyoung's contribution in their joseon's life. Basically, it's like a layer. The physical is obviously Soyoung. Then we have one layer underneath it is Bonghwan, in which explain the personality. Then lastly underneath that personality, is Soyoung's feeling. I believe that SoBong's feeling were connected but some people failed to see it as they could only see Bonghwan from the Queen's action.
I tell you why I think so. First, the hot make out in ep9. The kiss involved Soyoung's feeling toward Cheoljong, hence that's why they did not stop until at one point Bonghwan managed to stop it. Then when they made love. Later in other scenes where everytime Soyoung showed her emotions. Like the scene where the Queen got angry with her father beside the lake after she recalled her memories. That final ep where the queen fixed the Cheoljong's robe and told him to go and fight, that's 100% Soyoung.
I believe that half of Soyoung's soul lived inside of the body for so long. That's what made the Queen kept on coming to Cheoljong and until half of the ep, Bonghwan started to accept that he was indeed could not go back to his own body. That's why he played along with Soyoung's feelings toward Cheoljong. The sexual tension and all. Bonghwan was like 'enhanced' the action since yeah he's just like that.
BUT what I still somehow not understand, why must the writer did not show any of Soyoung's conflicted scene in the end. Second, I'm pretty sure Bonghwan was like attached to Cheoljong in some way, but not in a romantic feeling. But I felt like it's kind of confusing when he started to tear up seeing Cheoljong's picture in the library and laughed about it. I Then, when Cheoljong said about something's missing. Idk why either like I don't think it's necessary because it just made me frustrated more.
Overall, gotta give it 9. If I wanna talk about this drama, it's gonna be longer than this. Other than that, I feel like there's so many things they did not show us. For example, where's O wol? Like I need the closure for each character!
Addition: Now that I think of it, if t wasn't for Soyoung's feeling towards Cheoljong, the Queen would never become closer to Cheoljong.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Funny and serious!
Funny and serious, but with an actual plot!I almost started crying when So-Young puts the King's robe back together in the final episode. It did feel kind of long -I was uping the watch speed to get some parts over with - and I was questing dropping it around episode 11, but the last 3 episodes saved it for me. Lady-In-Waiting Choi and the Royal Cook were great! They had me giggling and 'Ooooo'! Overall pretty good, but wouldn't rewatch it. Oh; the music was nice too and all the cast looked great!
This was a great recommendation from my friend Simar, and I'm excited to talk to her about it after Spring Break!
Was this review helpful to you?
Binge-Worthy
I'm usually not a big fan of time-slip types of plots because it just usually isn't done very well. Had this series on the plan-to-watch list for a while because of this. I also tend to avoid anything that appears to be romance heavy. However, this one outwitted my initial expectations and had me fully invested until the last episode. You have certain series which are just good and then you have those that will pull you into their world, and this was one of them. This is also one of the rare times where I'm in agreement with MDL's average rating.The cast was fantastic including the support roles. Because they based this one on written/accepted historical events, it will keep you guessing on how they plan to follow or diverge from the past. The concept of a male being in the body of a Queen took the entire plot up a few notches (it wouldn't have been as great otherwise). Within just 20 episodes, your emotes will pleasantly be balanced with laughing, crying, biting your nails, and smiling with warmth. As for the romance aspect, because the FL/ML were both interesting characters with such good chemistry, that I didn't mind any of the romance portrayed within the series at all.
The only slight less than positive comment is that it felt just a tad long-winded with the political aspect of the plot in the first half but nothing in comparison to other historical dramas. It doesn't take away from the binge-worthiness of this series and I've admittedly lost more than few hours of precious sleep.
Was this review helpful to you?
Amazing!
This drama was just amazing! It's peak comedy, I laughed so much, the plot was terribly amusing and the drama was nicely slipped through it. The main actress stood out with her charisma and amazing acting, I'm definitely a fan of hers now. The whole cast is powerful, the new generation as well as the older generation with established and famous actors. The costumes were another interesting aspect especially for the people who started watching kdramas by watching historical ones on tv . The combination between contemporary and history is astonishing. The end had a nice twist as well which i really enjoyed, I wish it could've been different but nonetheless it's still a good ending.Was this review helpful to you?
A Golden Drama in My Eyes
I absolutely love this drama for many reasons. Usually, I stay away from historical dramas since they get too political, angsty, or boring. However, I love the comedy aspect of this drama, so I was hooked from the first episode.I think there is a perfect balance of political/internal family affairs, romance, comedy, and suspense. The characters were fleshed out well, and the actors did an amazing job portraying their characters. Shin Hye Sun and Kim Jung Hyun made this series even more enjoyable. SHS is an amazing actress, and her role in Mr. Queen deserves so much more praise because she was PERFECT for the body-switching queen. KJH not only played the funny, foolish king well, but he also played the badass side of the king well. They were perfect for this drama and plot. I also loved the (likable) side characters like court lady Choi , Hong Yeon, the head chef, etc.
I wish the ending was a biiit different, but honestly, I'm not complaining because it is still a happy ending!! Despite this drama being 20 episodes, it was interesting throughout the entire journey. This is a must-see drama; I cannot stress this enough!! This is my second time watching, and I remembered why this drama is in my Top 5. Please, please, please watch Mr. Queen; you won't regret it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Mr Queen - LITERAL QUEEN OF ALL K-DRAMAS!!!
Mr. Queen is a drama that had everything going for it—a unique premise, a strong cast, and a perfect balance of humor, romance, and political intrigue. But what really sets it apart is the outstanding performance of the female lead - Shin Hye Sun.She completely steals the show. Her portrayal of Kim So-yong, the modern-day chef trapped in the body of a Joseon queen, is pure brilliance. Seriously, everything about her performance is a chef’s kiss. It’s not just the big moments; it’s in the little things—like the way she sits, the way she walks, from the moment she steps into the show, her comedic timing is on point, and She literally makes every scene her own, and I honestly can’t imagine anyone else in that role. It’s one of those performances where you can’t stop watching because she makes even the smallest moments feel hilarious and authentic.
I enjoyed the scenes by the King too, his arc made me really root for him in the most hilarious way. Aside from the leads, the supporting cast also did an incredible job of bringing the palace setting to life especially Court Lady Choi's character. There are so many layers to the political intrigue in the show, and the secondary characters add depth and drama that keeps the story interesting without overshadowing the main plot.
In the end, Mr. Queen is a near-perfect mix of laughs, romance, and historical drama. The only downside I’d mention is that it occasionally takes some unexpected tonal shifts that might not be for everyone. And the ending. given the premise of the show, I believe there would've never been a perfect ending. With gender swapping and time travel, there would always be people rooting for the opposite. So that's the only downside I feel for a 9.5/10 show. But overall, the series is definitely worth the watch, especially if you’re a fan of clever humor and strong female leads. AND IT'S A SHOW YOU'LL REGRET IF YOU NEVER WATCH. HAND'S DOWN.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Perfection from start to finish!!!
I can't say enough positive things about this series. It was absolutely fantastic in every way imaginable ... comedy, drama, romance. It had it all, and it was all brilliant.The supporting cast is spectacular, each adding something special to the story, but without a doubt, the two protagonists in this drama are truly amazing.
Jung Hyun & Hye Sun are not only the perfect match for each other, but they individually shine in every scene they are in. You really saw the talent these two have inside them. Two great roles played by two great actors!!
I wasn't sure this series would stay interesting over 20 episodes, but it not only kept you watching every minute, it got better with deeper story lines, plot twists and so much growth in the characters as you moved along.
The Head Chef & Court Lady Choi definitely were the comic relief in this. In Kwon & Chung Hwa were over the top funny, alone or with each other, they were hilarious.
The final episode was just the icing on the cake. So many times a great series gets ruined with the last episode, but not this time. Nothing was rushed in the end, and everything you wanted to happen actually did play out to great satisfaction. The antagonists all got what they deserved, and all our main characters had the best outcomes with many happy & funny endings for each.
At the very end, Bong Hwan says a line that really applies to this drama and I guess to life itself "If you keep trying to change your life, the world will get changed someday"
Applause & standing ovation to a great great series!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Mixture of everything
Ep 4 lips touch, views of queen changes,ep6 saves her from drowning, ep 7 he runs to her after hearing he is unconscious, he stays by her side, he doesn't let any1 touch her,8 her heart starts to beat,9 intense kiss,10 she saves him from well, they just sleep facing each, other l, he indirectly accepts he loves her, he hugs her in sleep, he writes dictionary of her words,12 she is worried for him she cooks for ev1, 13 she runs to her as he is in danger,14 they act sleep 2gtr, he says he likes hr,15 savage queens,ramyeon together,16 she saved her from well revealed,16 pregnant,17 act to stop rumours to be in deeply in luv,18 she cries for him out of worried,19 she cries for thinking he died and they meet and cries again out of relief and they miss each other, under the boxing scene (10🌟)Was this review helpful to you?
Why Mr. Queen Will Always Be My Comfort Drama
This is my third time watching Mr. Queen, and it never fails to make me laugh and cry! It's truly my all-time comfort drama, especially after finishing new ones. What I love most about this series is how perfectly it blends humor and emotion. It's funny, hilarious, sad, and deeply emotional — all at the same time.The story never feels dragging. Every episode is packed with just the right balance of comedy, palace politics, and romance. The pacing keeps you hooked, and the characters are unforgettable. Whether you're watching it for the first or third time, Mr. Queen remains an absolute gem.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Mr. Queen is the queen of my heart
I definitely believe this is one of the best ASIAN dramas ever made. Not just Korean. I mostly watch C-dramas and I barely watch K-dramas, but wow! This one is an absolute gem.The cast is spectacular! Every single one of them, not limited to the Male lead, lady Choi, the chef, the maid, the queen Dowager and especially the guy who played Kim Hwan (He's probably the most hilarious side character I've seen) They were fantastic!!
However, the main person that carries this entire drama is the Female Lead. She is probably the best thing about this drama. She is an absolute joy to watch on screen. She rightfully steals every scene she's in. She genuinely lived and breathed this role. The chemistry between the leads is also a treat to watch (such great kiss scenes, ngl!). I CANNOT emphasize enough how this show needs to be watched just to see how great she is in her role. I have no clue who this actress is, but she is extremely talented!
The OST just fits. Most of the songs/music that was picked just made each moment that much more hilarious, wonderful and emotional.
I won't say it's a perfect drama. There are only a handful that have gotten that title and this does have its flaws, but it comes so close to that title. The ending is a main reason for it. I think I'll forever be conflicted and upset over how this ended. It was so bittersweet. I just wish they had changed it a little bit by showing our two leads meeting in the future. Is that too much to ask??! Is it?!
Even though I loathed how it ended (and I can understand the reasoning behind it but it still hurts), I would still recommend this drama in a heartbeat to anyone, especially for people who think asian dramas, and k dramas in general are nothing but slow burn regurgitated romances with different casts.
The sheer creativity and just the overall fun tone in the entire drama makes you realise that the people who worked in this really put their heart into making it. For that alone, it's worth a watch.
Edit: It is also one of the most re-watchable dramas I have ever watched. At this point, I have re-watched it thrice, almost four if you count my current viewing and I enjoy it so much, though I do skip the political intrigue/serious parts.
Was this review helpful to you?
Surprisingly really good and refreshingly feminist! A rare find!
I went into this show expecting it to be really silly and perhaps just something I'd watch in the background while working, but I ended binging the whole series in about a week! I really couldn't stop!I think what made it so incredibly fun and gripping, was the fact the characters felt so alive. I attribute this to the fact it's also a comedy, whereas most historical Korean dramas are very very serious all the time this one had a spark of life and fun to it that allowed the characters to be more than weeping women and stoic men. I also found the main character to be one of the most empowering female figures I've seen in a kdrama in ages (unfortunate that it is probably only because her character was originally a man, but alas). Actually, I have to give some credit to the writers, because most of the people in power were women in this show. They were running the whole thing, good or evil, and I found it really fun to see the main cast of mostly females. It also explored in much more depth the roles of women in Joseon which are usually left untouched in a lot of period dramas. In many ways, it was just a lot more feminist than I was expecting and it made me very happy.
And the male lead also had a surprising amount of depth and sensitivity, crying perhaps more often than the female lead. By the end, I loved him so much! It made them a very fun and enticing couple, especially with the very very well done enemies to lovers arc! I ended up falling in love with both of them as the show went on and you could really feel the chemistry and how in many ways they came off as companions instead of lovers. A balanced relationship in which they listened and relied on each other. Also very rare to find!
The drastic contrast of moods within the show also allowed the dramatic/sad parts to hit even harder. I found myself tearing up at some parts even! The show wasn't as cinematic or high budget as some period dramas these days and in many ways, it was very silly and ridiculous, but I think it really embodied what makes a good kdrama! They played with the concept of the show to the fullest extent and didn't shy away from subversive scenes or realities that might come up in such a situation. Though unintentional it seems, I thought the interesting underlying dialogs on gender and sexuality were really fun and fresh. It really ended up being a fun watch.
From the complex characters to the well-done concept, It was really lovely to see and overall it helped make this drama super refreshing! Especially to someone like me who loves period dramas! It was like a breath of fresh air.
Was this review helpful to you?
