Under the Queen's Umbrella

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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So Much Better Than Expected

Initially expected to see an overbearing and annoying mother who hovered heavily over her spoiled children and was pleasantly surprised that this wasn't the case. The role switching between the Queen running around hectically trying to manage her duties, turning somber and hardened when necessary to protect those around her, and being gentle and kind when needed... was fantastic. Her sons were all unique and the family had such great chemistry with one another. The Queen is one that all Queens should role-model after and the actress did an amazing job bringing the character to life.

What does really make this series unique is how they implement and zone in on different facets of moral issues in life that the Queen cleverly finds resolutions for. And while the Queen is typically a powerful figure, she wasn't portrayed as consistently having to bow to her King or being overly manipulative in order to get what she wants. While manipulation is still naturally rampant, the main relationships are straight-forward and it's also quite refreshing. The best part is nothing was too overly dramatized at all- no drawn out sappy romance, no repetitive and incessant political conversations, no lingering unnecessary scenes.

There were definitely some tearjerker moments but the general overall feel you get from completing the series is cozy. My only two nits is that the dialogue is sometimes spoken just a tad too slowly at times and some areas were a bit idealistic. But overall, this was one I couldn't help but to binge on with many hours of sacrificed sleep. This is also one of those series that I wouldn't recommend reading too many spoilers on as it would take away from its plot progression charm. I really hope they come out with more series similar to this one and Mr. Queen.

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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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The overarching issue is the plot itself which is fundamentally flawed and laughable, the only way I could stop from rolling my eyes every 5 minutes was by playing it at 2x speed. I had so many questions.

1. Why didn't the Queen have a palace support system in place? After all, she's been TQ for almost 20 years.

2. How could she have been so complacent about the history of the palace that she didn't even know how her husband (the King) ascended the throne?

3. As a mother, what was she doing while her first son was fainting all over the place and the other Grand Princes played truant? Did she not have caretakers who reported to her? And if she didn't, what exactly was she doing with her day? Arrrrrghhh...I'm so mad that these writers imagined everyone would swallow their BS just because they snagged Kim Hye-soo to play the Queen. In addition, if the writers want us to believe that this is a take-charge-no-nonsense Queen then they should show us her antecedents or at the least, her sphere of influence. Is it the Concubines, courtiers, ladies-in-waiting, etc? What power does she wield?

4. What is her relationship with her husband and how on earth do you sit aside and allow him to acquire nine concubines and other companions? More importantly, why didn't she just tell the King that the Crown Prince was ill, and for that matter, why didn't she simply tell her sons their lives were in danger and they needed to shape up and be on alert?

5. With each episode we're drip-fed new info with hardly any forward momentum which I suspect is a consequence of the scriptwriter's attempt at some sort of psych-thriller; however, the story is particularly cruel and vicious in that the lives of these fictional Princes hold little value to the palace machinations. Personally, I feel nothing but disgust that the writer couldn't or wouldn't choose an intelligent method to introduce shock and intrigue without losing its soul.

Finally, I know these gripes might be addressed in time, still, I feel like fewer episodes, a tighter plot, and fast-paced storytelling would have been better.

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Must watch

Cause everyone done their role greatly..
Kim Hye Soo as Queen Im Hwa Ryung, her acting was speechless.. done very well, I loved her role and every role has unique personality and this drama gives many good massage as a mother and queen how a women lead her role it explains well...
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I usually don't prefer historical drama but this one got my interest cause I'm a big fan of moon sang min. I love his acting and his acting attracts my attention...
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Now I prefer watching this drama with full excitement and hope this show gets it welcome from everyone who watch this one.. if you start to watch this drama you won't drop it you'll drag it to your lost and prefer watching every weekends and try to support them..
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then it's interesting every ep gives me excitement to watch it with eagerness... give it a shot♡

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Worthwhile scripting

Just like any historical kdrama, there’s that element of royal betrayal within the royal household but the execution of acting is fun and well worth watching. I fervently wait for each episode as it unfolds the progress of each scenario.
Kim Hye soo does well as the queen and the princes seem to do well in their acting. The odd thing is which was quite unusual is the discovery of a queer prince. Despite it though, the queen has accepted it and supports her son. This scene is something that was quite impossible to be portrayed in older kdrama as it was still a taboo back them. The kdrama has come a long way especially for the international audience.
I do recommend it as a light hearted family show to watch. However, there are gory scenes that may not be suitable for toddlers to watch.

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