Good Enough
Korean Drama " The King's Affection " is a drama with the theme of crossdressing in a melodrama rather than in a comedy.The drama has a killer start, with a strong background story and tragic characters. The progress of the king's story is, in addition, smooth, and pretty dramatic. However, the romance was weak and probably the weakest point of the drama, as it didn't progress nicely and it had plenty of ups and downs.
On the other hand, the performances were spot on, and intense and the main leads handled their characters masterfully.
As for the cinematography, it was okay, not too original, but it feated the story.
So, overall, six out of ten.
Was this review helpful to you?
Nice Love Story
You love who you love. This drama depicts just that. Female pretends to be male heir (Prince Lee Hwi) to the throne, engulfed in drama and secrecy. At the same time, she must also hide her love for a man whom she loved from her childhood. However, attraction is strong between them, with him thinking that he is in love a man! How interesting to watch as the truth unfolds. A series of emotions, attraction and eventually adult love, which I found enjoyable to watch. The chemistry between the two leads Eun Bin and Rowoon is matched well. A really nice love story.Was this review helpful to you?
Amazing character dynamics
I don't want to say a lot since I believe that you should watch for yourself. I just want to list the elements that impressed me the most.- I never got distracted and was fully immersed in every episode, even when I was feeling tired or not really in the mood for it. As someone who gets distracted easily even when in the mood for watching dramas (I usually finish a one-hour long episode in almost two hours because I can't focus), this is pretty incredible for me.
- The story, while being VERY dramatic, wasn't as unbearably sad and frustrating as I feared. The numerous obstacles were justified by the overall plot, and while I felt my heart ache for the mains, I never felt frustrated about it and my interest in the story didn't fade.
- The dynamic between the two main characters is one of the best I've seen in a Korean drama so far. In most dramas the love story always ends up being between "a person and a woman" rather than two people, even when the female lead seems to be empowered/independent/whatever. In "The King's Affection" the romance is between "two people", and the protagonist actually comes across as a complete person who just happens to be a woman, as it should be.
- Kind of related to the point above: despite it being a historical drama, the gender roles aren't reinforced all that much and the characters have more room for their personalities to flourish.
- Most of the support characters have their own role in the story and aren't just there to act as a frame for the main characters. The only (very bad!) exception would be the second male lead, but the vast majority of second male leads in Korean dramas are either just there to be a useful tool for the main characters, or a complete waste of time, so I wasn't surprised.
- The gender-bend trope was done right, without those "funny misunderstanding/accident" moments that can be found elsewhere. It's the first time I see a serious take like this and I loved it.
If you're interested in a project with Park Eun-Bin after watching Extraordinary Attorney Woo and you like historical dramas, I highly recommend watching this.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I actually love this drama! I've accepted long ago that Korean dramas will insert their love for draggy and boring political intrigues right in the second half of their drama series. Once I accepted that phenomenon, it's smooth sailing from there hahahaha. As per usual in most dramas, the childhood arc is quite impressive, both in acting (except for the kid who played the ML) and pace.
Eun Bin is so so good in her role, she's like fairy when she's a girl and a very capable crown prince once she cross dresses. The moments where she's breaking down, and the ones where her princely training shines forth are all superb. A round of applause for her.
Rowoon is a fun ML, however I felt like there's a huge disconnect between the young Jung Ji Woon and the grown up Jung Ji Woon. I can't exactly pinpoint what it is. But for Rowoon's performance and character plot, I'm quite satisfied. I also appreciate that he fell for Crown Prince Lee Hwi first before he learned her secret.
I saw some disappointed comments on the ending. But personally, I believe they concluded their arcs cleanly. Sometimes just because you're good at something doesn't necessarily mean it will be the best choice for you nor does it certify your fulfillment. I like how it was all arranged in the end and our Main Leads finally got the normal happy life they've dreamed for so long.
Was this review helpful to you?
Good ending to a well produced drama
This new drama had wonderful production which compelled me to finish the drama despite not fully buying into the FL transformation to a male.The story line was good and the ending well paced. Lots of attention to detail on the costumes and the setting was very realistic. It had your usual love triangles, plotting and revenge but was tastefully done.
Although the acting was good, I did not find myself drawn to the ML and FL like I did for the previous drama I watched, ie Rookie Historian.
Watch this if you like palace dramas with intrigue.
Was this review helpful to you?
Awesome Movie!
This this movie is the best movie that I have ever seen in a long long long time. The actors were fantastic, the cast and the crew. This movie really moved me. Rowoon and Park Eu Bin are great actors and they have really brought meaning and emotional feeling to this movie. I would love to see more of this kind of movie with those two actors they were great. With all of the episodes, it truly makes you not want to leave you Television set! Rowoon really stole my emotional heart! Keep up the good work!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Started out strong then it lost its momentum, but gave us a happily ever after at the end of it all.
This show started out strong and exciting. The moment the twin brother was killed and the girl became the Crown Prince, I was hooked and committed. Bring it on, I was really into it.I liked the main plot. I am into hidden identities, cross dressing, forbidden love, politics and war. I lap those tropes up. I didn’t care much about the childhood sweethearts connection. It was great first 15 episodes.. then it sort of lost its way then fizzled out until the last episode.
The FL actually did a good job, but you can never ever convince me that she is male. But anyway, that’s neither here nor there. It was an okay portrayal, I just didn’t think she had much going on with the ML. Now, let’s talk about the ML. I think I am biased to say, that I wish he was not a scholar or physician but rather the bodyguard. I think in the manhua, the ML is the bodyguard or soldier. It was just an injustice to his character. He was always this useless, weak character that can’t do much for the King. It is quite annoying to watch. If he wasn’t her teacher then her secretary and rather some badass character, I think it could have been better… although I think another actor will be suitable for this…Then Roowon, I am sorry to say was rather bland in his portrayal. He has mastered the look of hopelessness.
I love the secondary characters, or what I think of as her “harem”. The cousin Prince Hyun and Eunsoo, the most beautiful bodyguard in the face of the Joseon era. Eunsoo, what another injustice, not much screen time and I just wished he got more parts into the story. To be honest, these two guys had more going on for them with the FL than the actual ML.
I was actually satisfied with the ending, not because the FL and ML got their happily ever after, but Prince Hyun becoming King. If there was one outcome I was hoping for this was it. Oh, and I need this hot bodyguard to have his own show.
All in all, it was a steady and okay watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
Overly cheesy bits didn't fit
The cast and acting made this drama, more than a story that was intriguing, but peppered with scenes that made me sigh (not in a good way).The child actors who set the stage in the early episodes, were excellent, especially Choi Myung-bin, who in effect had to play 3 different characters.
There are some very bloodthirsty scenes in amongst the saccharin and the speed with which that changes, results in the odd case of whiplash!
There are moving moments as well, two in particular, near the start, got me. I was actually shocked by some of it, especially when they go hand-in-hand with the aforementioned cheese.
The story in itself is good and pulled me in. It's hard to find a female actress who can convincingly play a young man, but I thought Park Eun-bin did well. She didn't try to be macho, instead playing it reserved, stoic and frosty. It wouldn't be impossible to believe, there are after all, effeminate men (and that does not equal gay). Back then few got close, so I chose to go with it.
What that character goes through is awful really. Dreadful royal family under the thumb of one particular member, who takes the prize for best human without a heart. Surrounding characters are a mixture of funny, scary, torn, mysterious, cowardly and barking.
What I disliked, however, were the awful slow-mo scenes of falling into arms, pulling into arms, meaningful stares and hand holds, backed with whooshing music. The terribly overdone squeezing of clothing and clenching of fists, is in there [often] too.
PEB's chemistry with Rowoon was ok, but wasn't electric.
I liked how he portrayed his character, although my 2 favourites were Nam Yoon-su as Prince Lee Hyun and Choi Byung-chan as the mysterious Kim Ga-on.
There was a lot of action, yet I didn't feel the threat that should have come across in more scenes, as there were few build-ups.
The ending fit where the story wanted to go, but I thought it a tad far fetched, even for this plot. It wasn't awful though. I did enjoy the final scenes of the last episode.
It's a mixed watch; not riveting, but by no means awful either.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Women should be allowed to be King more often! LOLNo, but seriously, this drama was top notch.
This was my first time seeing Park Eun Bin in anything but I'm convinced there wasn't a more perfect choice for the role out there. Not only was she physically a great choice, but she also killed it acting wise. She was so level-headed and composed most of the time, but when her emotions bubbled over she really stole the show. She was so badass and brave. But also humble and unafraid of being vulnerable. I really liked both the character and how Eun Bin brought her to life.
As for Rowoon, it's amazing how much better his acting has gotten! He's improved so much. He did a great job as Ji Un. It was so adorable seeing him be all confused and flustered over his budding feelings for the Crown Prince/King. And his chemistry with Eun Bin was electric. It was a joy to see them in every scene they had together.
The rest of the cast also deserves a shout-out. From Hyun, Eunuch Hong and Court Lady Kim, to commander Yoon, Ji Un's father and even all the kid actors. Choi Byung Chan was maybe a bit expressionless and monotone as Kim Ga On, but then again that was kind of the character's personality.
For a 20 episode drama there was a surprising amount of things that were barely addressed. Hwi's mother's death and her marriage come to mind, one came out of nowhere and the other wasn't even shown. Not to mention the rise to power of Hwi's paternal grandfather. A bit more backstory on the Uncle and her two cousins also maybe would have been helpful.
Lastly, I have to applaud whoever was involved in picking the OST. They really deserve a prize for a job well done. And the team that made the intro. I'm one of those people who always skip the intro sequence in dramas, but this one was so beautiful and went so well with the music that each episode I looked forward to it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Good, but slow
Production, acting and OST were mostly good.In terms of acting, I must say Choi Myung Bin, the girl who plays young Lee Hwi and young Dam Yi, was amazing! I believe she has a bright future as an actress.
Also, actors Park Eun Bin, Bae Yoon Kyung, Jung Chae Yeon, Yoon Je Moon, Baek Hyun Joo, Kim Jae Chul, Bae Soo Bin, Kim Taek... They were all great!
I believe the story could be told in way less than 20 episodes, though. It is an interesting story, unpredictable and made me very curious. Romance and friendships were sweet and heart-warming for the most part. Family relationships were also interesting.
There were too many flashbacks, slow motion scenes (romance parts) and the fight scenes were very, very repetitive.
Overall, I enjoyed watching this show! It's not for everyone though, it really requires patience.
Was this review helpful to you?
well-written story and great acting!
Ngl I went into this thinking it was gonna be boring asf and hard to follow but I liked this show way more than I had anticipated. I avoid historical dramas like the plague but I watched this because a friend recommended it and I thought my mom would like it and decided to watch along with her. And I gotta admit, I like the show WAY more than I anticipated and I would actually consider rewatching this in the future. The plot is undoubtedly the strongest element of this show. The first two episodes are easily the strongest ones. The child actors who played young Hwi and Dani were really good. They absolutely deserve a shout-out.CHARACTERS - Park Eunbin undoubtedly had the hardest job out of the entire cast. She plays both the Crown Prince Hwi and Dami, but she does both personas well. I didn’t think she’d be able to play a man but she was believable enough. I think a part of it is because approaches the role with a regal aura which contributed to how well she portrayed her role. There were times when she clearly sounded feminine and was seen looking like a woman but if her secret identity was found out early there would be no story. Even so, I still think it was kinda dragged out, and as expected, there were multiple times where Dami's identity should've been revealed. PEB also portrayed the torture and anguish of being trapped in someone else's life so beautifully. Now unto Rowoon. He was better than I expected. Especially with the emotional scenes, even though he could still improve. For an idol actor, he actually did a decent job. Nam Yoon Su was also good. Not my favorite side character that he played but he was cute for sure. I like the support he portrayed towards Prince Hwi. I also absolutely love the guy who played the grandpa. He was a trip! But he was very entertaining to watch.
Overall this was a very satisfactory watch. It also may have some replay value for me. I’d definitely recommend this show if you love historical dramas or as a show to watch in between shows.
Was this review helpful to you?
`
