The King's Affection

Yes, She Can: Themes of Power and Love…and Feminism

I love the cast and most of the series. It is true that at some points its narrative pace weakens, and there are some transition issues perhaps from time constraints. However, when this 20-episode drama is good, it's very good. Some scenes are delightfully hilarious, others charming or deeply moving: the makers did a great job of developing characters and relationships. I think if it had been tightened and trimmed into 16 eps, with a less hurried writer, the series would have been gold. Still, the story and characters are strong, and the themes of loyalty, protectiveness, devotion, and love are explored tenderly. The series never is boring unless one views the dark sides of historical sexism, homophobia, classism, jealousy, abuse of power, political intrigue, assassination, murder, and struggles for position or justice through combat and power plays as boring. Or one never finished the series at all. For me, the real excellence of the series is its belief in friendship, loyalty, and love that "sees" and embraces the beloved, no matter the shifts and even threats. It is the series' greatest theme, and the actors deserve praise for their gifted performances in telling their characters' often tragic but also triumphant stories. And the most important take-away is that “Yes, she can.”

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"The King's Affection" is the story of a girl named Dam Yi, a simple court maid who discovered that she had the same face as the crown prince Lee Hwi. One day, they switch places and Lee Hwi accidentally dies, forcing Dam Yi to disguise herself and live as a man in Lee Hwi's place.
Ji Woon is her teacher and someone from her past life. Their lives intertwine and they fall in love, but Ji Woon thinks that Dam Yi is a man.

I've wanted to watch this drama for a long time, the story is good, but not enough to hook me as I expected. The main couple is cute, but I didn't see much chemistry between them, nothing that made me root for them.

To be completely honest, I think Dam Yi and Hyun would make a better couple; if the drama developed the story in that direction, I would like it a lot more.

Park Eun Bin's acting is the highlight of the drama, which makes it worth watching, the way she pretended to be a man and did it amazingly, she wasn't weak or feminine.

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Could have been better but 20 episodes was definitely TOO MUCH

This one had a good beginning and actually it was stable but after EP12 everything felt too draggy. The story was interesting in the beginning, simple but interesting, but they couldn't maintain at the end and I was a forced to finish this only because I liked the characters. The plot itself wasn't the strongest thing in this drama, actually it was the weakest, and I think 20 episodes was too much for this plot. For me the good things about this drama are the characters and their chemistry and the OST (which is AMAZING probably one of my favs of the year).

Talking now about the characters. I had mixed feelings with Dam I in the beginning because altought I understand she had to become cold and self centered to be the king, her character was a little blend in the beginning and I only liked her later. But omg Eun Bi was perfect in this role, she's an amazing actress. Ji Woon for the other side, was the opposite. I loved him in the beginning and all this "love beyond gender" was amazing. He was so cute and perfect omg I died many times. But later, he became too blend and it seemed like he was there only to be Dam I partner. I like cute characters but I think that he could be more than that. But of course, I loved them as a couple. I saw some people saying that they didn't have chemistry but I loved their chemistry and they were really cute together. Lee Hyun omg...he was perfect. I shipped Dam I with Ji Woon but I had second lead syndrome here because of of him. Seriously why they had to choose Nam Su for this role lol I knew I would fall for him the moment I saw he would be in this drama. So Eun was a pretty good second female lead too. I also liked the Courty Lady and her relationship with Dam I. The only character that disappointed me was Ga On. Byungchan was so hot here but his character only had beauty lol For me this character seemed lose in the script and I couldnt see anything strong in him.

Well thats it. For me the drama its not bad, it does have a pretty good beginning and almost all characters are interesting or good but for me 20 episodes was TOO MUCH for this plot and everything felt too draggy as I almost dropped if it wasn't for the characters.

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a roller coaster story with alot of twists

I don’t know why this drama getting bad reviews, but I beg to differ, will just honestly share what I think of this drama, in my own opinion

At first, I was not hooked with the Young FL & ML’s acting, I am quite irritated how the young FL acted. But given her dual role as boy & girl, I tried to hold on until they get old.

While this was ongoing, I stopped watching at Ep8, because I knew I’ll best appreciate this drama once it was finished airing because I’ll be able to watch the rest eps in one go. Hence, I didn’t regret.

I thought on Ep11, everything was going well. I even told myself, the writer gave Dal-Yi few more episodes to be a girl, but… I was quite frustrated and disappointed when just after 2 eps, everything just go back to what it was used to be.

But I realized THIS IS A HEAVY DRAMA which requires A LOT of TWIST & TURN of story. I decided to trust the writer’s flow of story and director for extending this drama upto ep20.

This is not just a typical light story where she pretended to be a boy, has childhood first love, etc.

I barely got to ep17, because I just cannot take the heaviness I am feeling about this drama. But I kept holding on how this story will turn a happy ending.

So… I endured all the people that have to die, skipped the bloody battle because I cannot dare to watch it whole.

I thought on Ep20, everything was just a dream, I almost throw my phone! I almost hated the whole cast tbh! I was telling myself after all those bloody battle, cries, laughter, they have the gut to tell everything was just a dream?! How dare they?! Lol. But good thing, it wasn’t the case.

At the end I AM MORE THAN HAPPY HOW THE WRITER, DIRECTOR ended the story. They let the deserving people to die. Except young prince ofc. But TBH I AM NOT SATISFIED because Yeon-seo. was only given a few minutes to enjoy her new life as a girl. Grr. I was actually waiting for more few eps of her as a girl!!! Huhuhu

I realized, so the writer intentionally made the ML be great at curing sick people because of the ending.

For me, the writer carefully planned the flow of the story, and the director executed it well together with the actors. Given that this is a HEAVY DRAMA. Each character has its own persona and they all stick to it until the end. They became consistent with the character development. Plus the great acting skills of all the cast! Kudos to all the team.

Some people might not be able to appreciate this, but I would like to let you know, I am happy I watched this drama. No regrets.

Court Lady Kim, Bok Dong, Ga on, Hyun, all these supporting cast and all other cast acting were exceptional and I highly appreciate thier hardwork for this drama.

I hope to see them to another drama again, especially my personal bodyguard Kim Ga-On. Hahaha

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It didn't need 20 episodes

This show had a great premise and great actors. I even liked the OST even though it was a repetitive 1 or 2 songs played at the correct time. However, as other reviewers have stated, it really didn't require 20 episodes. 16 would have been more than enough enough. I only once felt sad for the 'king' in recognising that they couldn't be together. And they only had maybe 1 episode of being together as themselves. The rest of the time was dreary politics which wasn't even really useful. We didn't see her as someone who cleverly schemed to thwart the baddies or to help those around her.

Concurrently airing was Red Sleeve Cuff which as a sageuk is superior in every way. The plot moves faster, and even though there isn't much court politics and intrigues, the love story was very real and well done. I much enjoyed that instead. If this wasn't on Netflix, I would have given up at episode 6. I only finished it because I was subscribed to Netflix.

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What a beautiful epic

I have to admit right from the start I loved this series. Great story, stunning performances by all of the actors involved and chemistry between the leads that was as moving as it was passionate. The costumes were beautiful and the action scenes were virtually nonstop so that to me the pace never faltered. The music was well placed and catchy to the point that I found myself humming it in the car. Would I watch it again? Most definitely. Would I recommend this drama? In a heartbeat, it was just that good. Do yourself a favour and watch it too. You won’t be sorry.

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Subpar ending!!

Not a very original story line but loved how they told it in there own way. The production was great but the show falls short with how they handled the some characters. Plot amor ruined the last 8 episodes of the show. Some of the main characters should have died. Especially the King after she took the poison. The storytelling was delicate and immersive, pulling me into the characters’ lives. Just when I thought things were looking up, the drama delivered gut-wrenching twists. But it never left me feeling emotionally drained. When I was done watching, I felt like I didn't need a second watch.

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love, loyalty, politics, power and greed

This is truly one of the best I've ever watched. First, amidst the historical portrayal of societal prejudice against women in power, the heroine's persona is an epitome of someone who had proven this preconceived notion of weakness attached to women otherwise. Secondly, the story depicts how true love transcends beyond gender and status. Although this type of unconventional relationship is a deal-breaker to a male dominated culture and era, the plot was carefully elucidated in a realistic multi-angular lens.

The story shows how power corrupts the minds of some, but brings out the best in others.

The cuteness of the cast is overwhelming. The soundtrack is phenomenal.

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amazing drama full of excitement, romance, betrayal, friendship and more

I just finished and what an exciting drama and below does have spoilers, but only on the outside. The actors and actress were picked to perfection for. the characters they protrayed. I am sorry that a few of them I wished to have seen more of the good ones that were killed off to early and the ones i wanted dead earlier lasted to the last minutes of there lives. I enjoyed the storyline of twin's being born in the palace and according to King it would cause an abomination that a boy/girl shared the same womb(what a load if s**t). The Crown prince begged the king to keep her, and but the princess own father the left state chancellor ordered that the baby girl and everyone that knew of the twins killed immediately to hide the secret. The crown prince followed orders and disquarded his wife's request to keep her alive and so the doctor did acupuncture which made the baby appear dead for her father eyes. Then she had Yoon the CP Hyejong's bodyguard and her friend to take the girl out and leave it at the ministry door and hopefully she will have a better life. The princess has a hard life as the ministry closed down and Dam-I found herself homeless and then at the age of 11 becomes a palace maid and loving it and her new friends. When she meets ji woon in her hideaway hidden and they become close friends(each others 1st love) until someone states that she looks like the CP. The princess has Courtlady park investigate and bring the girl to her as she is happy she is alive and sad because she ended up in the Palace after all. The CP also learns of her and has her switch places with him a few times so he can go out and play until his grandfather finds out and send his henchmen to kill her, but by mistake they kills the prince. The princess now explains to Dam-I that she is a twin and her dtr. and wants to send her out again, but learns the CP was killed in her place and now she has to learn to be a boy and CP. This is now her adventure as the CP and a girl watching all the horrible things and corrupt people around her, but due to her GF she is made a puppet against her will to save everyone she care for. This goes on for years and her father had learned that the CP was actually his dtr when his wife was dying and so he trunk caded a charge and had the CP removed and sent out with Yoon and a dress & letter asking to be forgiven and her to be a girl. She meets up with Ji woon after being hunted and hurt he finds outs she a women and the beginning of there relationship. Unfortunately the GF disagree and kills the king and brings the CP back making him the king under his control again(still doesn't know she a girl). There story continues and she starts to fight back so please watch as it's so exciting and sad till the very end. A great Drama and if you live Rowoon like me it's an extra bonus.. Enjoy 🙂

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Park Eun Bin and Choi Myung Bin saved the ship!

During the Joseon dynasty, the crown princess consort secretly gives birth to a girl and boy twins. While the boy will eventually inherit the throne, Confucianism values really condemn twins especially if it was a boy and a girl because they just don't think a man who shared a womb with a woman will have legitimacy. Therefore to protect the prince's future legitimacy, the King orders that the girl and everyone involved with the childbearing be put to death so no one knows about this situation. To protect the girl, her mother fakes her death and cast her way to live out her life in the countryside. Many years later, this girl the female twin ended up taking her brother's identity as the young prince because an incident killed the prince. The only people who now know her secret are her chief servant and her personal eunuch.

I have quite a lot of pros and the first is the portrayal of every character, especially our female lead. Her charisma and deep voice make it very believable, she is just like a very pretty boy in her prince costume. Although her figure is very slim and her small arm is very obvious she gives a lot of confidence with only just a cold stare. The only thing that I think could have made it better is if they did something to hide how short she is she really is because the height difference between her and her male lead co-stars is really noticeable.

Next, the pacing because overall I think it's very good, I'm completely absorbed by every episode up until probably episode 8. The child actors and actresses are doing a great job to make me emotionally invested right from the first episode. The child actress who played the twins, Choi Myung Bin, really shines in her roles! She pulled out the duality between the different twins' characters very naturally. Another pro is the OSTs are hauntingly beautiful, my favorite is "The One and Only", and "Shadow of You".

My con is mostly on the romance plot dominates the middle part of the story. I am not as engaged and I think that's because of the romance. Even though the romance is beautiful and I ship the couple, it is very heavy-handed and slow-paced. I'm watching the show because I really like our female lead and I want to see her navigate situations and crises, like her dealing with the envoy from China, fighting her grandfather's dictatorship, and keeping her secret. I think they are the strength of this series not so much the romance. Lastly, the action scenes are done incredibly well, but they're so sparse so I wish they are less melodramatic and had more action scenes.

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