The King's Affection (2021)

This drama is so underrated it’s a pity. My favourite sageuk to date after Mr. Sunshine. Such a beautiful story with well-written characters and heart-wrenching yet pounding lines. The message of TKA hits strong and different and is delivered so compassionately it hurts every time I think about it. Every single detail is reflected with whole-hearted effort by the crew to make sure they all imply a special story-related meaning.

The music is what I like most about this drama, each soundtrack is rendered to fit perfectly in every single frame, arousing my sentiment to the fullest whenever I tune in for the show. The female lead is born for this role, her eye acting always left me speechless and it just got better every episode.

Read More

Should have been 16 episodes!?

I read some other reviews that said it gets dragged and I have to agree! It gets dragged to the point you want to drop it. I personally dropped it for almost a month and decided to finish it today because I had 5 episodes left. I managed to finish it because I put the speed on 1.5x otherwise I would have dropped it completely.

I'm actually dissapointed because I was excited about this drama from the 1st episode. The story is good but 20 episodes are too much, there are many fillers with some side characters, I personally wanted more romance between the main leads I would love more scenes of their "forbiden love". There are also many scenes that are in slow motion which gets annoying.
I really like Rowoon and Eunbin and their chemistry was good but I left with the feeling I didn't see much together. Eunbin's acting was excellent btw.

Overall only the first and last 3 episodes are the best but if you like historical dramas you might like all episodes, it's not a bad drama.

Read More

The Invasion of Korean Culture through KDramas

King’s Affection holds a special place in my journey in KDramas. Although I’ve seen a number of Kdramas before, this particular series made me sit up and realize how beautiful and well-made Korean dramas are. I suddenly understood all the rave and why there are so many networks giving airspace for them… Obviously I’m not Korean, so this historical drama is a delight to my senses. I am more aware of Chinese and Japanese culture, so the costumes, the makeup, and the set made me realize how rich Korean culture is. It’s beyond kimchi. I always thought Korea pales in comparison to aforementioned countries but the history (though this is fictional), the culture, the people are as interesting and as beautiful.

The story and the actors, most specially Park Eun Bin’s Lee Hwi/Dam-I, it brought me all the emotions that the director wanted his viewers to experience. I cried, I fell in love, I swooned, then I cried again! Specially with their lovely theme songs, how can I not get swayed and sing with tears?. Some found the story too long and slow, but the story is all about Lee Hwi/Dam-I’s strength and his determination to make the best out of the situation for her people and his loved ones. Second is the fierce loyalty and love of Ji-Woon and the other people closest to the Crown Prince. It’s a magnificent battle of good vs evil, underhanded maneuvering and power play. Casting is almost a coup, the actors embodied their characters (with just one main support to me that I found too pretty and not manly enough for his role). I am not a fan of melodrama but King’s Affection tightly held my hand and brought me to the very depth of our crowned prince’s pain and dilemma. And rejoiced with everyone after her arduous journey… after everything I went through with the Prince, I rewatched it again and willingly dove down that lake of tears again! I did this three times and will most likely do it over and over. And I am not a fan of melodramas!

After King’s Affection, I binged on numerous KDramas and I am amazed on how the film industry of Korea was able to imbed their culture to the world. I am now craving their ramen, my cupboard stocked with Soju, Kimchi’s my quick veggie fix, and compare my wardrobe to the dramas that I watch. The saying “the pen is mightier than the gun” leveled up to “the camera is mightier than a gun”.

Read More

To live life without living life

This drama is a gem. It is not the in your face love story nor is it trying to be something that it is not. Rowoon def played the part of a lovesick guy who wants to protect his love. Like even when his character didn't know what we knew, he still pursued the relationship. I think he played the part so well def a great actor as we all know. I also liked the lead lady Eun bin, she def played a strong lead "female" (wink wink). I do know that most might think that this drags, and it does a little but it still is really cute and heart warming with a play on when you are kind and gracious people will back you through anything. :)

Read More

A fantasy love story with an absolutely beautiful cast.

I thoroughly enjoyed this drama. I must say though that the first 4 episodes or so were really sad in my opinion, I kept asking myself if I could continue watching this drama, I thought so early in and we are already getting heartbreaks. It reached to a point where they were a few comedic reliefs but I was upset because I wondered why the writers thought putting in comedy could save the melancholic atmosphere of the first few episodes but after enduring the first episodes I started seeing how comedy really turned the story around. I found my self bursting out into laughters. What really made me amaze though was the love story, it was so beautiful because I think what the writers were trying to portray was how powerful love could be that you can fall in love with a person no matter the gender, love is just love and I think that was very beautiful and powerful message.

Read More

Interesting premise, no tension or momentum.

Many Joseon era dramas these days feel like they are just recycled over and over again. It's a shame as I enjoy the dramatic situations available to historical romances, and due to the premise I was willing to give this show a chance.

The scenario that the woman is in the 'high power position' compared to the man is refreshing. But, it doesn't result in more tension or difference in dynamic compared to your standard gender bending (changing clothes, bathing etc.). There's lots that could be done to truly flip your expectations, but so far not much has happened.

Six episodes in, we are still at the show synopsis stage. You could read the summary, pick up at episode six and know exactly what is going on. There's now been episode after episode of long looks, and speculative glances with no real character development or real dramatic tension.

This is a competent effort, but does not add anything new to the genre. At this stage I couldn't figure out a reason to continue watching.

Read More

I Loved It Until About 1/2 Way Through

I loved it until about episode ten-eleven. I was completely with it, loved the pacing, the sets, the storyline, the acting, and the costumes. And then I got about half-way and my brain just got completely derailed by the plot.

So here's a guy who spends about 4-5 hour long episodes coming to terms with the fact that he loves a man, and may not even be hetero, willing to endure that conclusion in a time that no one accepts that kind of thing and BAM!

"This is my secret!" I have breasts! Lmfao I'm sorry, but that just annoyed me so much because they made such a big deal of him coming to terms with everything, and then WHAM! I've got lady parts! Do you know how upsetting that would be? I mean, sure, bend the gender normative stereotypes -- but dang, that would be a REALLY uncomfortable turnaround for SO many people.

Also -- why doesn't she tell him that she's the court maiden he's been looking for RIGHT THEN? Like, BAM, I'm a woman, AND I'm Dam-yi! It's ONE sentence. Just Darth Vader it.

"No, _I_ am Dam-yi!"

Also, he recognized the Crown Prince AS A WOMAN the VERY next time he meets her/him -- and YET, for some reason just nixes that entire idea with the slightest nudge, even though he SAW her.

No? No. Okay, anywaaaay...

The bodyguard, who is the strong, silent type (and takes his job VERY seriously -- seriously, that scene where the four of them sit down for drinks together and he chases Ji-un around the danged table - HILARIOUS) -- is the only man in the entire kingdom, the entire palace, no, the entire danged SHOW with bangs/fringe in his hair or a memorable talisman on the sheath of his sword -- and yet, he wears a mask while trying to hold up the king at sword-point. All I kept thinking was, "Dude, I don't think your mask is going to do much." Albeit, let's face it, the bodyguard's lack of talking really made some points truly hilarious. Funny.

I truly loved the Crown Princess' eunuch. He was hilarious and adorable all in one. The cast made everything enjoyable even though I lost my mind arguing with my danged television at some points at the stupidity of some moments. It actually annoyed me so much I didn't think I could continue. However, I _am_ on episode 14 (only six episodes/hours left) -- so I'm trying to stick in there. Will update when I finally finish it, if I can.

P. S. I'm still giving it a seven, because even if I ended it right then (which really, you COULD do) -- hey, dethroned, left the palace, managed to connect with Ji-un again, and BAM - happily ever after, free to live her life with the man she loves, show OVER. Honestly, I could walk away right now and just pretend the rest didn't happen and be content.

Read More

um that the main character lee hwi (played by park eun bin) is gorgeous and i can't get over it :)

WELL PARK EUN BIN IS SO GORGEOUS AND IM A SIMP. (especially her smile sjbfjsbf so cuteeeeee) but honestly this drama is MWAH I can't wait for the rest of the episodes to release! I'm so fucking excited, waiting week after week... but it's worth ittttt
yk I was doubtful at first but I'm like that about all dramas i watch, but yk watch 2-3 episodes (or well more if you'd like and if 1 episode is quite short then, like get ur head in the storyline and see) if you still don't "like" it then drop it. can't say much more cuz yk we all have different taste and thoughts so might love it but someone else might not like it all cuz it's not their style but yeah well this is a really good drama for people who like kinda foreign Korean history with love^^ and dramaaaa (obviouslyyyy)

Read More