The Red Sleeve

it's a Saeguk,Saeguk!. 세국이예요!

Yes, I'm an unapologetic fan of Saeguks and I don't want to repent of it at all, 싫어.

For this reason I'm writing a small token. This drama is undoubtedly one of the most frustrating love story ever told. Jeongjo and Uibin, it shatters my fragile heart. However, the end offered a sort of closure for all the frustration I had endured through out the drama. I absolutely adored the friendship between Duk Im and her friends,it was a breath of fresh air. it turned out this perfect because every one of the actors chewed their roles without spitting, each conveying the needed emotions with undeniable expertise.
it was all too beautiful to witness, I love the part where each of the friends talked about their meeting together later in life(here or afterlife) the story of "going back home after we become old". it was just the kinds of spice that makes my heart sing.

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Saeguk of The Year (2021)

When watching Korean historical dramas (saeguk). Always prepare yourself for something that ends badly.

Moreover, all the main roles are recorded "historical figures". Unless the addition of fantasy elements. They will proceed as history should.

When reading many histories of Korean kings and their families, there are many tragedies. Even the king of this series, whose story was not shown later, died in a tragic controversy.

Some writer even need to "refine" the story so as not to cause problems or controversy among Korean audiences.

Can there really be a "happy ending"?, it's possible, especially when the writer decides the drama is over before tragedy strikes.

But not with this drama, because of its popularity in Korea, the production decided to add 1 episode and decided to continue the story until the tragedies appeared.

So my advice if you decide for a pseudo-happy ending, just stop watching at episode 16.

But I'm sure, its rare for someone to hold back their curiosity.

Let's back to the review.

The plot of the story is very well written and enhanced by proper acting direction.

The pace of the story and each scene tends to be slow and long. Especially towards the end of the story. I personally really enjoyed it because ML and FL's acting was good. However, I personally understand that some people don't like slow pace.

The tone of the story and the atmosphere of the story tend to be mellow and sad. The audience will always be drawn into this atmosphere, even during happy scenes, there will always be an atmosphere like this so it feels bittersweet. Well, because this is saeguk melodrama, this is how it should be.

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Need a feminist retelling!

The entire time I was watching this, I was imagining a feminist retelling of this story. I think it would be absolutely brilliant if some writer were to devote their talent to writing one focusing on the lives of the women - the court ladies and the rich/royal ones.

Coming back to the drama, I found the story absolutely tragic. Both the leads led sad lives - bound by duties and norms expected of their standing in society.

The romance was a bit one-note. I can't believe with the power the royals wielded over their court ladies and, of course the way things were back in those days, that the male lead always treated the female lead with the respect and care shown in the drama. That felt a bit too unrealistic.

But I'm glad I watched it because it brought me to the the star of this story which is definitely the women and their lives. Sorry this is less a review about the drama and more my blabbering about the story. The Fairy Palace or whatever it was called was fascinating. The fact that court ladies were set free to live in the public after whoever was their master died. The fact that court ladies weren't allowed to fall in love with someone else, that it was 'adultery'.

There is just too much potential to be a fantastic book a la 'The Silence of the Girls'.

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Lee jun ho's charisma carried this drama high.

I watched 3 times this drama. It is still cappable to hurt so much. The red sleeve is really underrated for me. It deserve more recognition and It should have popular more. Lee se young and lee junho acting was top notch that makes everyone watch one scene over and over again. When i heard that this drama based on real life story makes me more sad and pain.

The way junho is portrayed as a king. I can't explain it from my words. He really deserves here Oscar award. I actually didn't like some small actors acting as a king. That i can't even imagine them as kings. They haven't the imposing presence as a king. But here lee junho had totally insane charisma and grandeur as a king. I hope i can see him in another sageuk drama as a king once in my life. When he is happy, when he is pissed off ,when he is hurt and everytime he has whole language of his acting. This drama suits him so much. Especially i liked when he smiles so widely makes him cute.🤭

Lee se young's acting was also top notch. She acted so well that i can't imagine another actress for the drama.

I like how the drama started but i hurt how it ended. Cinematography was soo good to see. I really liked this drama calm vibe. Osts and soundtracks was also suits and I liked it very much.

Now i can't stop this drama rewatching. I get so much pain even that i can't endure. But I don't know why i fallen for this drama so much that i had to rewatch many times. Hope all can watch bravely even it hurts so much😩😂

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Dissapointed ending because reality hits you hard

Gotta be honest, really spend my whole day to watch this GEM of 2021 but not satisfied. As a historical drama the romance was never the goal of the screen writer. I was hoping for a happy ending where the crown prince will become King and commands the court lady to become his royal cocubine. But no they ruined this drama for me. Upto episode 14, I enjoyed the drama. From episode 15 the plot picks up in a differnet manner and it all became a tug of war between the new king and his court lady. As the King is not brave enough to show his greed of love he bears in his heart and other side the cout lady who is not sure wether she want to show her love for the king or she wants to live free of any bondage.

The episode 16 and 17 clearly f*cked my brain. i hate the screenwwwriter and director for this. This is my first ever K drama in which I have not cried a single drop of tears. Beacuse I hope that last episodes will make me fall in love with the ending but naaaaaaaaa........it simplyruined for me.

But we can learn important live lessons from it.
- Stand for yourself.
- If you love someone just show them.
- Always try to live the life you want to live.
- Don't hold regrets for too long otherwise they will shear your heart.
- And don't expect too much from anything or any being. Even K drama also.

"My dissapoinment is immeasurable and my day + night has been ruined"
"Brain has stopped working"
Help.exe

Anyways the ending is purely realastic will strong and more mature message but it doesn't convey that much to me.
So I despise the ending. Not gonna watch again. It's immposible for me to even think of this drama to be any good.

Cast - Top notch
Acting - Likable and firmness to the character
Story - A painful and unrelatable end
Visuals - Decent
OST - Not gonna listen to it.

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A drama that is a must

I put off watching the wonderful drama for so long (following the great drama, Empress Ki, starring Ji Chang Wook that made me cry for many days) The Red Sleeve is the kind of drama that should not be missed mainly because it is based on real historical events. (It is impossible to escape from the tragic reality of that time) A drama with perfect casting, (the wonderful Lee Joon-Ho and Se Jung who conveyed in such a realistic way a range of emotions), superb acting. It's no surprise that the drama won so many awards. Personally, I recommend reading and watching historical dramas related to Prince Yi San to understand the mindset of the Red Sleeve.

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HEAVY IS THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE CROWN

This is one of those classics that I never got around to watching when it first aired and after watching I realise it’s a classic for a reason. It’s perhaps the best romance k-drama I’ve ever seen. It has all the feels of the genre but the craftsmanship of the more serious k-drama offerings.

I’m one to avoid sad endings typically as they are rarely done enough justice and are usually used for shock value or angst. I’ve seen few dramas with a sad ending that I thought were beautifully done or that left me feeling like that was the only possible outcome. Although the ending of The Red Sleeve made me cry buckets, I do think it was a well done ending and overall the drama was near immaculate in execution.

That said; so many scenes broke my heart. I’d never felt the weight of the crown of a king in a k-drama quite like I felt it in this one. The scene with the old king’s heart breaking explaining to the prince how much he loved him was so emotional because it was tinged with the feeling of suspicion, paranoia, betrayal and guilt he had for his own son that was heightened by his confused dementia state. What a performance! So much hurt, so much pain, so much regret, wrapped up in so much disappointment. The vulnerability he showed in that scene highlights how being the King comes with a toll. It foreshadow how the crown too will change the young prince.

This series was not at all what I expected and it is so much better for it. When his grandfather died and he begged him to come back, my heart broke. The complicated feelings he had for his grandfather amidst his turmoil of sadness was too much to bear. He was like a child again and in that one scene you could see how much his grandfather meant to him. Not the king but the man who was his father figure and the man who was also responsible for taking his own father away from him. Just wow.

Still, by far the crowing grace of this series was how it portrayed the struggles and powerlessness of the women of that period. They weren't afraid to show the harsh realities and to balance the romantic fantasy of the romance genre with the very real historical story.
Yes it’s true the FL lead a tragic life to say the least. Many decisions were made for her and she struggled to maintain autonomy of her own life. In many ways her outcome was a sad one but I’d also like to think that she lead a rich life. She found love and happiness and was lucky enough to experience true friendship. The bond between the four female friends was so wonderfully illustrated, it served as the second great love story in this drama. This may be Lee Se Young’s best role. She commanded the screen and gave the character so much life.

The story is perhaps too sweet to be bitter and too bitter to be sweet. It will have you smiling in the first half and bawling in the second half. It's really a well written and well acted piece of drama.

On a final note: Episode 17 was made just to rip your heart out. Some people only watch up until episode 16 and consider that the ending. Honestly, I understand why they would do that. It’s a very sad episode. However, I’m glad I watched the entire thing because it completes the story and I found some beauty in that tragic ending. This is another drama that will stay with me for a long time.

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Lee Jun Ho was outstanding!

For me the Kings journey was key to this story and Lee Jun Ho portrayed his struggles and emotions so perfectly!
His co star Lee Se-young was perfect in her role and such a wonderful ensemble cast, especially Jang Hye Jin as Court Lady Seo.
Lee Deok Hwa was fabulous in his role as King Yeong Jo, a more serious role than some I've seen him play.

It was visually beautiful...the scenery, the costumes, all of it.

Such a memorable drama ....congratulations to everyone involved.

I recommend this to anyone wanting to be emotionally involved in a story..one that is quite unforgettable!

Yet another reason to love Korean dramas!

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A one in a lifetime experience

TRS has it all; amazing chemistry, a sensible and lovely female lead, a hot and possessive junho, an amazing soundtrack, and the angst I live for *inserts heart eye emoji*

I remember watching this drama while it was airing and absolutely losing it every week while waiting for the next episode.

From the historical background threads on twitter to the comment section in MDL I used to camp in, I had so much fun while watching it, truly a one in a lifetime experience.

It has become a Jade classic, I still listen to its soundtrack and rewatch it every now and then. Despite knowing all the lines, I never seem to get sick of it :)

I got into a 2 year kdrama slump after it ended lol

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TRULY enthralling

no matter how hard i resist, every couple of months i always find myself returning back to this drama. i cannot express in words how much i adore it. not only was i sitting on the edge of my seat every episode as their romance blossomed, but i also took away about an invaluable lesson about prioritizing love vs. oneself. the progression of the storyline was FANTASTIC and so well executed. from the characterization to soundtrack to acting to plot, each and every individual who contributed to this drama absolutely killed it. the red sleeve is truly the greatest sageuk and one of the most well-written kdramas of all time!

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