Editorials 
This review may contain spoilers
This was a re-watch and I still liked it. The leads had amazing chemistry but I wish that the progression of the story was better structured. It was rushed towards the end and was for me a sad ending.The story brings to mind the saying that one man’s food is another’s poison, the sought after royal life was for the FL a prison.
Was this review helpful to you?
Refreshing sageuk drama with intriguing plot, good acting, top-notch visuals + humor
Lee Se Young and Lee Jun Ho, need I say more? :)I have been so excited for this drama to come out and let's just say, the first episode has exceeded my expectations! I know it might be too early to write a review but I had to share my initial thoughts. So far, the drama is like literature in motion, which makes sense, since it's based on a historical novel. The first episode has all the elements of a good sageuk drama--an engaging storyline, emotional dialogue, endearing characters, and a healthy balance between light-hearted and intense scenes. The child actors (especially little Yi San) have done such a wonderful job to set up the story between the older leads. Junho and Se Young look marvelous and make such a beautiful, refreshing pair! With such a great line-up of actors, intriguing storyline, and beautiful background music and visual aesthetics, I have no complaints.
Beyond the typical romantic premise and classic tropes that K-dramas are known for, there is also something unique about the storytelling here. I sense that this drama is trying to capture the underlying tensions between the themes of gender, class, womanhood, patriarchy, and monarchical rule within this historical time period. I love that every detail of every scene ties together nicely and seems to carry symbolic and thematic meaning beyond aesthetics (the last few minutes of the first episode were so well done!). I can't wait to see how the story unfolds...but I also predict this may have a tragic, sad ending for our leads, given the foreshadowing tone of the first episode (praying that I'm wrong!! T_T).
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
This is why I prefer the fantasy genre over anything based in reality... :(
'Using my personal rating system of "loved," "liked," "meh," and "nah", I rate this a "liked" but I will not rewatch it, or if I do, it will just be the FL and ML getting to know each other at the very beginning.As per my title, I prefer fantasy over reality simply because the actual historical events and reality were so tragic and, at times, awful. I deliberately did not watch the last episode, preferring to end everything when she found out she was pregnant and they were happy to be having their first child. I do know how it ends both in the show and historically, I just did not want to have to see it. I thought both leads did brilliantly, their chemistry was amazing, and I agree with the top positive reviews about this show.
Things I felt were lacking: after the resolution of the issue with the "evil" court lady, I felt it went kind of downhill in terms of excitement and action--especially once he became king. I know there was (in theory) a Queen, but the fact that they wrote her out of the script leaves a major plot hole, in my opinion, as she apparently played a larger role in the book. And while I totally get that this was completely normal during that time, the fact that the ML did and would continue to sleep with women other than the FL (even after they finally got together) because that was what was expected of him as king, makes my skin crawl. I can't help it, but that is my modern, Western sensibility interfering with my ability to truly enjoy their relationship (though I think that is what kept her from giving in for so long, too?--she wanted him all to herself and knew that was not possible?).
If you're a fan of incredibly well done historical saeguks, then this is definitely for you. Even if you're not (you're more like me and prefer happy endings, the not-very-historically-accurate shows, etc.), its still an excellent drama. Just beware that this is a pretty accurate portrayal of life in another time (and for many of us) under another culture--not everything is going to be tolerable or understandable.
Random question r/t historical dramas in general: Did no one ever get naked when doing the deed? Those two were almost fully dressed when they woke up after their 'wedding' night. I see this a lot in period dramas (both Chinese and Korean). Is it a cultural thing in the sense that implying nudity on screen is unacceptable? Or a cultural thing in the sense that they really did not take their clothes/sleeping garments off except just enough to get it done?
Was this review helpful to you?
“No Boring Parts”
I am not particularly fond of period or historical dramas but I made a rare exception for this series after watching episode 1. The first hour went by without me getting bored or losing interest. Its splendid plot, dialogues, casting, acting and production design collectively kept me captivated and wanting for more so I kept on watching all the available episodes. I clearly see why this drama is fast gaining popularity and winning against its present rivals in the ratings game. I’m now eagerly waiting for episode 7 to be released and excited to find out how the love story between a debonair Crown Prince and an affable Court Maid will wittingly unravel.Was this review helpful to you?
Why "The Red Sleeve Cuff" should be your best healing drama?
I have really waited so long to write review of this masterpiece drama. Usually I do like historical dramas but they must provide good story and music service. Also I think casts are the main weapon for historical dramas. And "The Red Sleeve Cuff" undoubtedly fulfilled all of the conditions of mine. So obviously I gave this drama 10 out of 10 rating. Now I want to explain why each sections of this drama deserves 10.1. Firstly, I will talk about the storyline. As a K-drama fan I've watched a lot of dramas. And historical dramas are one of the genres that I like the most. Korean Historical dramas are on the other level. But this historical drama is way more different than those historical dramas. Though Its a romantic drama in genre, it will 100% satisfy you. You will be excited, sad, heartbroken; also you will find comedy and peace too. I am telling you, you would give this drama a 9.5 without any doubt.
2. Secondly, about the plot of this drama I would say the writers were really creative and talented. They knew how to make this drama more eyecatching to the viewers. Specially, the ending would give you a mixed feeling and leave you with a big dilemma and shock. I, myself, couldn't understand the ending, so I watched again and again to understand. Women's are more powerful than man. And this truth is proved by book. You will see women power in this drama. Their struggles, strong mentality, feelings will amaze you. I've got the "Pride and Prejudice " feelings from this drama. Like your girl is hard to catch and you only want her by any means. But you still respect her and her choices.
3. Thirdly, I want to talk about the most important things of a successful drama, that is, casts. Undoubtedly the casts - Lee Jun Ho, Lee Se Young and other actors performed greatly. Both of the lead actors are my most favorite korean actors. So I am happy with their chemisty, hardwork, acting. I've always wanted Lee Jun Ho to be a lead actor in a historical drama. And he fulfilled my wish. Also for Se Young, I knew her as a child actress. She has never disappointed me. I am sure you won't be too. Just enjoy their innocent, amazing and realistic chemistry.
4. Fourthly, I would give my opinion on the music part of this drama. Actually,music is the soul of a successful drama. This drama is not different from this situation too. I would say the musics have helped this drama to get more into the heart of the viewers and fans. Trust me, OST 's are just fabulous in a word. After finishing the drama, I've heard every songs repeatedly for a whole week that I kind of learned the lyrics. None of the songs has disappointed me so far. Whee-In, Itzy's Lia, Junsu, NU'EST's Minhyun have done so well that I am proud of them. I personally am a fan of their songs. And the musics were able to trigger the saddest and happy parts the most. So I think I cried because Ost's made me emotional.
5. Lastly, If you ask me that I would watch this drama again or not. Well, I've already rewatched this drama three times. Yes, you can understand that this drama is worth rewatching and won't even make you bored.
Overall, I would say, you should watch this drama with a lot of expectations and you won't be disappointed. You will not regret. I am sure you will also thank me for giving you indirect evaluation and explanation of this drama(as I can't spoil the drama). You will go through some immense phases of watching a successful drama.
Happy watching and keep supporting "The Red Sleeve Cuff".
Was this review helpful to you?
One-sided love and annoying FL character
I really like Lee Jun Ho in this drama and his role, Yi San, fabulos interpretation. I also really liked Lee Deok Hwa's performance. Very beautiful story that combines reality with fiction. The screenwriter did a spectaculor job. I feel so much sadness, compassion for Yi San and how much he loved her, but was alone in this one sided love. For me the FL character was soo annoying, she didn't love him, did not trust him. She is annoying, and her ambitions were just a fantasy in that world. She was smart but not inteligent. I feel that if she accepted from the begining his proposal all history was diffrent, as many liked her so much and the real life was diffrent in Joseon. Sometimes Lee SeYoung acting is soo fake... at the begining I like her character but with each episode I start to dislake her... I still like the drama, the funny moments, but the lovestory is heartbreaking. I recomanded but I will not rewatch.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Don’t Expect Historical Romance
Want to preface and say this was my first historical drama, so maybe it’s on me for expecting satisfying romance. I knew they have a tendency to be tragic, but I wasn’t ready.I came into this for Lee Junho because I watched King the Land and he’s a cutie patootie.
Notes:
PREPARE FOR THE SLOWEST, MOST FRUSTRATING BURN OF YOUR LIFE, WITH NOT EVEN SATISFYING PAYOFF.
The good:
- Acting: the characters didn’t feel shallow, and the villains made me want to strangle them, so I know they did their job. As I said, the ML carried the relationship with his acting
The wack:
- The FL’s pride: she had me yelling at my screen I was so frustrated by her. JUST SAY YOU LOVE HIM & STOP PUSHING HIM AWAY. I get her inner struggle, but literally (spoiler) on her DEATH BED she STILL couldn’t say “I love you.”
- The ending: save yourself the trauma and live in blissful ignorance by ending it on episode 16. I was in physical pain watching the last episode. Their child dies, she dies, he’s miserable, etc.
I still get pissed off when I think about what this show did to me.
Was this review helpful to you?
Great acting but oh how tedious the actress who played Seong Deok Im is. She ruined the drama.
The acting was fantastic. Lee Jun-Ho was brilliant as the crown prince/king. Boy can he act! And the old king was excellent. But the lady that played Seong Deok Im, while a good actor, was such a downer. She was too too serious. Humorless and really quite unlikeable even though portrayed as noble. He character ruined the whole drama for me. She kept refusing the king and conveyed that she really didn’t like him at all. She was a downer and unpleasant and had a martyr complex. She was a shrew. I really don’t understand why it went on so long.Was this review helpful to you?
Watchable, but Underwhelming
If you want a romance that's intimate, a bit sad, a bit dramatic, and tangled up in power and duty, this will probably do it for you. It's a slow burn between a crown prince and a palace woman, with some light flirting early on and heavier yearning later. It looks nice enough, though not as lush as people make out. The couple is genuinely charming and I get why viewers loved them.My issue is that the show wants to be more than a charming romance. It's going for forbidden love, sacrifice, desire trapped inside a rigid system, and it's clearly building toward tragedy. It just doesn't earn any of that, because it won't take its own setting seriously.
We're supposedly in the late Joseon court. However, the characters mostly act like none of that exists. Early on, the heroine throws salt at a guy who turns out to be the crown prince, and the scene is played as cute and funny. For a court lady whose survival depends on being obedient and basically invisible, it requires suspension of disbelief to regard that as anything but reckless. The palace is supposed to feel like a cage and scenes like that just leave the door hanging open.
Which means the romance never actually feels impossible, just a little awkward. All the real danger gets sanded off so the leads stay likeable, and they end up feeling like modern people in hanbok, wanting modern things. Then the show pivots to court intrigue and sacrifice in the back half and it falls flat, because the stakes were never really there to begin with.
The side characters are a different story. They feel like they actually live in this world and understand what it costs them, and those scenes are easily the best thing in the drama. But they sit weirdly next to everything else, and honestly they mostly just made me wish I was watching another show instead.
Pretty, emotional, very watchable. If you're here for the couple you'll have a good time. If you wanted a sageuk that respects its own setting, it's pretty thin. There are some lovely moments in the love story but I never ended up believing the world around it.
Was this review helpful to you?
realistic surprisingly hooked must watch
This drama got me. That's a clear - MUST WATCHI'm starting being afraid of the ending of this masterpiece. Because actually in the real-past history she died 33 years old in the 10. month of her third pregnancy with her unborn child in the womb from liver cancer and he was so deeply sad touched that this romantic relationship (his ever only beloved woman) become sad history afterwards by his actions in grieve.
Sometimes you really ask yourself, how can live be so cruel. He lost his father due to being executed by his grandfather, he later lost the only woman he ever loved due to liver cancer and he lost his son with her, the young crown prince by sickness at age of 4 and even his unborn child with this woman, whom died in its mothers womb together with her.
Was this review helpful to you?
Get lost in the Red Sleeve
Not a fan of historical or costume dramas. it's not my genre. But this one hits different. I've only watched 4 episodes, but something about this captivating prince and this court lady has got me hooked like no other. The prince: his husky, sexy voice, the curls of his mouth with he sheepishly smiles, and commanding yet comedic demeanor. The court lady: her confidence, her charisma is very satisfying to watch, Their chemistry so far gives all the butterfly feels that's borderline electrifying. All other support characters are pretty standard, nothing to write home about. But watch for the main leads as they light up the screen.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
20 Hours Wasted
I must start by saying that I am not a fan of historical dramas so I might be overly critical, but this was not good at all, in my opinion. There was some impressive acting by the male lead and some beautiful attire, along with some noticeably good acting by some of the side characters, which made the drama remotely tolerable (and I do mean remotely); but the overall plot was lost and not cohesive because the show dragged on too long. Some scenes were unbearably long, with minutes of the lead actors just staring at each other and saying nothing. This could have been wrapped up in 8 episodes; even 12 would have been much better, but no way should this have been 17 episodes. The episodes were extremely long and filled with flashbacks of things that had just happened. It felt like they were just trying to prolong the show. Also, some things were just baffling such as the age of the prospective concubines. These were literally babies... like, were they even childbearing age??? I get that historically, girls were subject to be married off extremely young, but the way these young girls were embedded in this story seemed distasteful. Nothing sexual was shown, but just the idea of this grown man and these little girls was off putting. There was a lot that was just not explained or seemed to be just dropped into the story, such as the female lead having a tattoo that tied her to the crown prince, or that her father at one point worked for his father and several other things that just seemed thrown in. I like the female lead in general, but this role did not do her any favors. I know she was trying to hide her feelings for the prince by not showing emotion, but she clearly loved him, so her lack of emotion felt more like bad acting. The male lead pressed her constantly on whether she loved him. I guess that is because he was so insecure given the way he had been treated, but it was tiring to keep listening to this; it didn't have any impact. And the ending was just confusing. If it had wrapped up showing that the male lead, who had become the king, made changes to the laws of the land because of his love for the female lead, who eventually became his concubine, that would have been better. I assume that was implied, but there was plenty of time to show us what happened without us having to infer anything; yet, the show ended without closure... a final twist of the knife after almost 20 torturous hours of slow-paced nothingness. I can't tell you what the climax to this story was. There was nothing but a flat line during this whole drama. Each episode was well over an hour long and the last one was almost two hours... I just cannot believe how bad this was. It was highly recommended by a fellow drama lover, and I can't wait to see her again to tell her how bad this was. She literally begged me to watch it and said it was her favorite historical drama. I don't know what people like about this show. I can tell the production value was high, but I still don't know what they were trying to produce.Was this review helpful to you?
