Under the Queen's Umbrella

too much happened in the last episode

I thought the acting was wonderful and the storyline was very intriguing. I definitely loved the female lead queen. The way she protected her children, her strong character, and her kindness were spot on.
On the other hand, the Queen Dowager just got boring after a while. She’s so evil and stayed so evil yet untouchable, which seemed impossible.
and it is her character that actually made me give the show a lower rating because I just became so bored with her 16 episode uncontrolled evil.
I get that she needed to stay in the show until the end, but I think I would’ve liked it better had there been some attempts to control her bad behavior.
The storyline between the young Crown, Prince and Princess was sweet. The brothers are awesome. I really enjoyed the rest of it.

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WOMEN!!!!

Absolutely going in as one of the best historical dramas have to offer. Half murder mystery and half court intrigue, I think every part of this is very well-crafted and if there were small flaws, it is very hard to remember (or acknowledge that) personally in the full context of the show. It has everything: emotional moments, lighthearted moments, well-written characters, women supporting (and destroying) other women in equal measure, and the age old question of, how far would you go for (maternal) love?

Kim Hyesoo stars in a truly once in a lifetime performance -- the writer really took great care into writing her character and portraying it a very multifaceted way, and Kim Hyesoo had shown up every day in that set embodying every quirk of expression, every pitch of voice that I truly felt Im Hwaryung was truly alive in these scenes. I'd also say this is one of all-time best female acting performance, and the best this year.

But to talk about Queen Hwaryung without mentioning the Queen Dowager Cho is discounting the core of the show. While I stumble the criticism of the Queen Dowager as a one-dimensional evil, I personally think that her character is the perfect antagonist -- especially in regards of Queen Hwaryung: she is, after all, a mother who, instead of taking her child under her umbrella, instead had given him the brunt of the guilt of her past sins. And she treats her subjects the same. She is the perfect opposite of Queen Hwaryung.

This is, at the end, a show about the intricacies of motherhood; and in the palace, a queen is also mother to her subjects.

Do give it a try especially if you're new to sageuk! I feel like this is a perfect gateway drama if you want to delve into something historical -- the story is light enough not to be too complicated. How they portray the story and the character takes the centerpiece in this :)

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I wanna rewatch it again for the first time

I mean just wow. The performances, the music, the story is just on point. I absolutely adored every moment of it, especially the strong subplots. However, the environment and the music really take this up a notch, with the deeply moving tracks used at key moments and how rain/umbrellas are used throughout it.

Now for the spoilery part, read at your own discretion (but I'd recommend waiting until at least a third of the way through the series).

I didn't expect it to have a trans character and so it was absolutely awesome to see that. I loved how wonderfully they executed the whole thing, even with the last credit scene. It felt so genuine and raw seeing such a nice parent-child relationship with an actual happy ending. I hope more kdramas can show off queer characters this well and more often, in subplots or main plots.

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Best of this year!

I rarely rate drama's 10/10 but this was it!
No drawn-out plotlines, characters with clear motives, alliances, and personalities. Queen was truly one of the best characters I have seen on television, the perfect blend of loving and badass. She wasn't a pushover, nor was she a bulldozer in palace affairs. Queen was incredibly true to her character and protected her children with unconditional love- actually, she loved other people's children equally, especially with how well she treated the other princes, her daughters-in-law, and co-wives.
I loved how each son got his own plot line, but none overshadowed the main plot for too long. The plot was clear, protect her family, or who is left of it. and it was delivered.
As any saeguk goes, this one also did not disappoint in terms of costuming, set and visuals. The music aligned well with the story and added more emotion to every scene.
I was hooked from ep 1 till 16, never a dull moment (which is rare nowadays).
1000000/10 recommend for everyone.



P.S. I loved the Transgender plot line so much and it made my heart warm that it was a happy ending!

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PERFECTION

A synonym of Perfection

How can this drama be so perfect in each and every way. A little tiny miny spoiler that the drama is well ended they didn't left even one charachter hanging or after the drama you will not felt that what happened to that charachter they covered small small details that is remarkable in its own way

The acting the drama the story the topics it touch is remarkable in every way.....

This drama truly depicts how a mother can go to extents to protect their child I am not just talking about The Queen but also Queen D. Consort Hwang, Consort Ko and other mothers.....

A truely great drama watch it.................................

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An almost perfect historical drama

This is one where you will lose sleep over because it's just that binge-worthy. Unlike endless other palace dramas out there, this one is particularly unique. So much so that I decided to redo my original review after another re-watch.

While you still have your typical treachery occurring within the palace, it doesn't have the same incessant evil cringe moments as most others do. The main focus is around a Queen who is does her best to manage her role while being a mother to her five children. This may sound boring in writing but the dynamics of the relationship between her and her children are both realistic, intriguing, and heartwarming. It is also quite special to finally see brothers with very different personalities that are strongly bonded with one another instead of the typical infighting. The Queen, of course is the main star of the show and her sons are a great reflection of her character.

There are many familiar faces in the series for me and they all did an incredible job in their roles. You felt every emotion even when they were silent. They played their roles so well that it's one of those where you feel your heart breaking with theirs and you can't seem to stop the tears from falling. Even after a second watch, it still had me in tears all over again.

But don't get discouraged from the tears mentioned above, the series did such justice to truly being able to balance the somber with plenty of lightheartedness. You'll laugh and smile just as much. This is really unlike many historical k-dramas out there. There is no melodramatic moments, no long-winded moments, no sappy romances, no annoying characters... and man, the pacing leaves little room for you to be disengaged. I really hope more series follow suit with this style and serious kudos again to the actors.

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Best Joseon Queen in Korean Drama

I don't even know where to start this review. I began watching this without much expectations in mind, all I know is it's not the typical saeguk dramas that puts much focus on romance. The series started with a blast, I already know what's bound to happen on the crown prince but nonetheless I appreciate the appearance of Bae In Hyuk here. I love how the Queen's always one step ahead of her rivals. She kept this drama interesting from start to finish. Her acting was on point, I couldn't imagine a greater Queen in a drama set up than her. Under the Queen's Umbrella is a drama that I wish I can watch again for the first time. It was well written, well shot and well executed! One of the best dramas of the year!

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Gratifying drama

This is one of those dramas that has a really complete story. The plot, ending especially, does not really leave much room for subjective interpretation and it basically gives you the answers to the questions you might have.

From an overview, it does look like your typical palace drama - plotting, treason, betrayal, fight for power - but the details and plot progression are quite unique and interesting to follow. The focus is mainly on the Queen who essentially is the "mother" of the palace. I love how the story brings out the different personalities of the princes, the difficulties they go through and you have the Queen who swoops in and guide them on the right path.

However, there are some parts which I don't quite like. For one, the evil people suck at being evil. I think the Kdrama industry is kind of running out of ideas when it comes to evil plots. Or perhaps we have watched too many dramas and became immune to evil tricks. I like some of the plot twists but they drag it out a bit too much so the revelation doesn't really give a big impact.

All in all, I have enjoyed the drama, though it's not the kind of drama I would be feeling the anticipation or excitement over when the next episode would release.

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Great FL / Character

I did feel that aspects of this drama were too drawn out (for example, the prescription, death of the previous Crown Prince, some of the lessons), which took away from the feelings of anxiety and threat a little. Old ground was covered once too often, instead of enlarging on other parts of the story, like the shocking (for the time) revelation about one of the princes.
At odd times, I also felt the Queen's decisions were out of character and naive, when she wasn't at all (like being too trusting and leaving things too open to opportunity for their enemies).
If not for that, I'd have given a 10/10.
Everything else I loved. Kim Hye-soo as Queen Im Hwa-ryung was brilliant. Certainly not a typical Queen, she was very intelligent, opinionated, witty, feisty and compassionate. Even if she felt it, she never showed jealousy or was unnecessarily bitchy to the King's concubines, but did exert her authority when needed.
The concubines were a proper mixed bunch too.
I loved that whilst tough, the Queen was warm as a mother and didn't push her sons for her own benefit, but for their survival.
The other characters were really mixed and some of the ministers, whilst involved with plots and schemes, were taking sides to protect more than themselves and were not all power crazy; that gave this sageuk a different edge.
Kim Hae-sook (a favourite actress) as the Queen Dowager, with her poker face and fake laughs, was brilliant... the first time I've absolutely loathed her! 😄
One character I felt so sorry for, but they ultimately became their own worst enemy, so full of hate and revenge.
The plot twists, humour, shocks, moving scenes and ending, all combined to make this a really good watch. One I'd happily see again.

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