BOOORING
Very boring and long for a short story.I get it that there's a love triangle but why make such simple and short story sooooo long. The start was intrsesting but as time went on it got more boring to the point that I forced myself to finish the drama because it had only 3 episodes left
The main character is a average quirky country girl who still believes in love after the king prohibited it.
I didn't like the girl faked that she could communicate with souls.
Too much going back and forth between the guys. Boring and predictable ending.
NEVER would recommend it or rewatch it again.
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Funny, and Fun to Watch!
The camera angles in the beginning are just mind-blowing. I've never seen anything aside from a music video filmed like that. The introduction to the show had me hooked immediately. A spunky female street-rat lead with her stand-in father-like figure who can often see the future are where this story starts. Alongside this opening storyline, is a king who cannot sleep or eat well after the death of his first and only wife. As others are known to say, 'misery enjoys company' and within this time a marriage ban is enacted. No physical contact, no flirting, no love letters, nothing to do with love is permitted. The people of this Joseon romp are in a quiet uproar, holding hands in secret, and asking for compatibility tests is hugely against the law.However, not for the female lead, So Rang. After being thrown in prison for being an underground matchmaker, she pretends to be able to conjure up the spirits of those who passed away. The King keeps her by his side due to wanting to stay close to his deceased bride, but soon after -- love sparks between the two of them.
With hilarious AND serious side stories, and your typical second male lead falling head over heels for the female lead -- the comedic timing and filming are to be enjoyed. Think of it like the McDonald's of kdramas. It may not be particularly healthy to binge watch an entire 12+ hour show, but I guarantee it's filling, enjoyable, and you may only feel a little sick afterward. Lol
The actors are great -- I truly think that the head eunuch, the old man psychic, and the lead bad guy stole the show at points, but the chemistry between the king and So Rang was good. The sets are stunning and the rooms, WOW, are just beautiful. I loved the costuming, and it was the series perfect length. Not too long, and just long enough to get the story out without ruining it.
I enjoyed the whole show and definitely would suggest it to anyone looking for a fun, not accurate-at-all kind of historical drama. Enjoy it for the modern speech, the jokes, the romance, and the serious storyline that is easy to handle because it's obvious, and hilariously awkward moments. It has a happily ever after -- so enjoy to your heart's content.
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Unlike other histrocal dramas
When you think of a Korean historical drama 9 times out of 10 you think serious, heart breaking, and LONG. However this Saeguk was different.You have a King who has lost his wife and set a marriage ban until he remarries and So rang a girl who has lost her way, working as a swindler and now has somehow ended up in the Kings palace pretending that she has been possessed by the late Queen and yet this was was HILARIOUS. The comedy in this historical drama was literally a breath of fresh air. I started this drama while I was in a slump and omg it brought me right back to life. Of course, their is treason, scheming, murder all of the tropes that a Saeguk has but somehow it never felt that serious and always managed to make me laugh, Now, there is a love triangle and although I used to LOVE a love triangle Korea has manged to make me hate them! In the beginning, I actually was enjoying it surprisingly and then after 4 episodes began to quickly hate it as it turned into an overly persistent sml who can't take no for an answer. I have seen some people complain and say that the show lost its fun in the last third of the drama however I have to disagree. The show was more funny and light hearted in the earlier stages of the show, but there is still major plots that need to be resolved and can't help but be a little more serious as the show comes to an end, but the quality was always the same. Anyway, I still thought the show was funny and unserious throughout and was quite obviously not historically accurate.
THE MAIN COUPLE!! One thing that I will always love in historical dramas is the TENSION and omg was it great. The drama was the opposite of a slow burn and they came to like each other very quickly although the king took a little while to recognised his feelings. Their chemistry was so GOOD. I kept rewinding scenes while internally screaming because the tension and chemistry was hitting DIFFERENT.
The acting was up to scratch Park Juhyun is always a plessure to watch and was so good in the comedy genre and slayed her emotional scenes of course. Kim Youngdae, is literally so FUNNY, he has amazing comedic timing. I hope to see him in more romcoms soon. The supporting case were also great, some actors were doing their job a little too well because at times I wanted to punch the screen.
The music was enjoyable so no complaints.
The forbidden marriage is the sort of drama you rewatch because you know you'll keep enjoying it over and over again.
I don't actually have any complaints other than the the love triangle but it didn't take away from the show.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this drama and would recommend this romcom to any one who wants to watch a Saeguk that isn't gut wrenching but will instead a have you smiling and blushing.
Quick sidenote I have seem this drama being compared to the Cinderella trope but I would disagree it's not really rags to riches after you learn about her character.
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The king who wears his heart ❤️ on his sleeves!
This is one of the most underrated kdrama in 2023... it am surprised why this has not gained much attention that it truly deserves. But I'm highly recommending this for a lit of reasons:Timeliness - 12 episodes is just sweet perfection for me, I binge-watched this in less than a day and I am pretty much satisfied with how the writers kept it this short but without sacrificing the content.
Story - I didn't have to use up a lot of my brain energy to try and figure out how the story might end but I love the wit, the twists and how everything else fall into their rightful places up to the very end of this kdrama.
Chemistry - great casting! 👍 and i simply can't believe that a king have this much love!
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A done well job.
This is probably one of the best dramas I have watched. No hits were missed. This drama having 12 episodes is perfect, there are no boring or unnecessary scenes in every episode. It is very endearing in a way it just pulls you in for a coaster.The story was good overall, it's simple and eventful yet played and executed in a nice and beautiful manner.
The casts were amazing. Each presented their character well.
The only small thing I didn't like—was how they started liking each other, it felt as if it was just a flash.
But despite that this definitely deserves a great review. It was a very nice drama to try out.
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The Forbidden Scam
A girl pretending to be the Crown Princess's ghost, a spirited leading lady, and a minor hiccup in the grand scheme of historical tales—the ban on love. It sold itself as this wild, carefree series, promising easy laughs and a blissful escape. However, the writers tripped hard trying to weave in melodramatic and political plots because the original concept was unsustainable for more than a couple of episodes. They birthed these laughable plots and pitiful antagonists in the process. The female lead, originally devious and witty, took this nosedive into becoming this sad, serious persona spouting profound but empty and hypocritical lines. It was hard to believe or feel anything she said or did after this drastic change in character. Again, forcing a systematic change across the board after a couple of episodes. At the end of the day, this is just another poor cosplay show.Was this review helpful to you?
I stayed for the main couple
The main couple really carry the show. without them i wouldn't have watched it.if you look at the story as a whole, there are a LOT of plot points that are kinda random or that they end abruptly, that I wish they would elaborate on a bit more, but then again it is only 12 eps long. i like the romance. the ML has good character development. i like the female lead's acting and she looks best in the maid outfit. the second male lead is DULL and BORING and goes on my list of guys who look like penguins (no offense btw).
the story isn't such a strong one. mostly fluffy and comedy in the beginning. i like that there were some more serious scenes.
the romance and lead couple are so cute. 💗
i haven't seen 11-12 yet. but I'm pretty eager to finish them.
i started the king 2 hearts while waiting for this to air, so this is a nice refreshing fluffy sorta drama to while I'm almoat finished with the last episodes of tk2h.
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I'm glad they only made this 12 episodes.
Even so, they didn't give me as much of the OTP in their final form that i wanted.I really enjoyed the palace stuff the most. They did keep the villain stuff to a minimum, and I appreciated that aspect. However, I think they gave far too much airtime to the townsfolk. There was enough going on with the palace stuff, those parts, though sometimes satirically comical, felt somehow randomly distracting.
All in all, this was a lovely satirical sageuk, with lots of pretty castmembers who are also good actors. It was fun to watch. Binged right through it!
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This review may contain spoilers
Stunning Series!
This series was stunningly good with a tight, tight script, an amazing cast, and ample thrills and chills for every romance junkie anywhere. I began it on a whim, because at the time of this review...I was bored waiting for the next episode of Reborn Rich.
I thought "oh what the heck, I will watch 15 minutes of it" and just like that... I was hooked! It was so good, that I could barely enjoy it for thinking oh, no...I have to wait 5 more days for this? You have got to be kidding me!
At first .....it began rather typically, so I was thinking ...ahhh, yeah...so what?
And then...bam...just like that ...I was hooked and frantically began flipping to see....
how many episodes are released so far? Whoa...how many minutes are left in this episode?
You know the feeling, right? When you don't want it to end? When it hits you right in the heart and it feels oh ...so...right.
That is the good stuff.... the stuff of dreams.
Things I Loved:
I loved The Cast:
Kim Young Dae was so perfect for this role, it would be impossible for anyone else to embody it. This guy deserves serious props and not just because he looks good..although can I interrupt this highbrow review to say... how much I love it when he takes off his shirt in this one...ahem...sorry, but seriously... he can act his socks off and after a few more challenging roles he will be a powerhouse someday, I am expecting big things from him.
And Kim Woo Seok...
Does it get any better than this? He was sooo good in this role, that I loved it when he came on the screen. A total delight to watch him in action. So both male leads were exceptional, for reasons unrelated to shirts.
And Park Ju Hyun...
Wow, I loved her! At first I worried her character was one dimensional. Again, I thought hummm...rather typical.
But it didn't take long ...for me to sit up and say ...oh my...this girl is incredible. She was a fascinating study..to see how she looked/behaved differently depending on each scene. I know that sounds weird, so let me explain it like this. At the very end of the second episode, there is a clip of her in what looks like hunting gear, I swear you could look at her in that clip and do a double take. She was intriguing as heck and......I adored her. So if impassive, expressionless leads are your pet peeve,
well, you won't find that here. Lol.
This series had a very solid cast, with truly exceptional talent and at the time of this review..our ML's had just won well deserved awards for this series. They were a delight to watch but wow, were they ever given roles that fit them perfectly.
I Loved The Script:
I can't remember a series where the script has so consistently delivered as this one has. Not one episode was a disappointment. That is a rarity. As I watched other series during the lengthy wait for this one, I realized just how often the scriptwriters disappoint us. There will be a great episode and then a not so great one. It is inconsistently good.
I Loved The Pace:
This series presented the romantic angle differently. Rather than stringing the viewer along for 10 episodes leading up to a single kiss, they have chosen to keep us intrigued and engaged using two things:
First, they used a more daring dialog that was fresh and enticing. Words matter, and when they are provocative and used well they add excitement to a scene. When the dialog is spot on as it was here....it is tantalizing.
Secondly: They generously used intimate moments to keep the viewer engaged.
Instead of a romantic moment here or there..they lavishly sprinkled those ah ha moments throughout.
I thought this pacing of the romance was interesting and perhaps it mimics real life better. As I thought about this..most every romantic comedy that is truly successful uses this formula.. Which means that every episode is rewatch worthy because the thrills are included in every one. This feels more satisfying to the viewer.
Conclusion: (at time of review)
Awwww, just watched the ending and wow, what a satisfying wrap up. How many endings can we say that about?
They left nothing unresolved, where justice was needed, they delivered. Nothing felt rushed and the loose ends were tied up. What a solid 10 this series was! It goes immediately in my rewatch list. I don't think you will find another RC out there like it.
It belongs in the same category as Business Proposal. Both in my view were the best in class for RC's of 2022.
This was a joy to watch, truly laugh out loud funny and catch your breath romantic.
Many thanks to the cast and everyone involved with this project...you lit up our world with your smiles and laughter. ❤️
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Easy to watch , 2nd Lead Syndrome
This show is easy to watch, a good bingeable show thats not too complicated. I found myself chuckling out loud at some scenes, the comfort/comedy value is quite high. FL is well portrayed and i personally thought she had more chemistry with 2ML. It wasnt until i came to read the reviews that I realised she was meant to be with the king lol. I guess the fact that a ML is so hung up over his dead wife doesnt sit romantically well with me. Overall a good show, Kim Woo Sok is the star of the show for me, he played the character really well and i really wanted the FL to end up with him. I know most people watching developed 2nd lead syndrome lol .Wont give too much away but overall the show has a happy ending.Was this review helpful to you?
ok so i really went in thinking this was something when it was entirely smth else lmao but i didnt expect to enjoy it sm?? the main character so rang is a swindler who is conning people through marital fortune readings when marriage is forbidden. so ofc she gets caught and is brought to the royal prison when through twists and turns she meets the king and the king takes a fancy to her. thus starts the journey of the king who is being conned by so rang into believing she could channel his dead wife's soul into her. over time we uncover a lot of more mysteries and this dead soul bringing thing is absolutely not the main focus of the whole drama. we see who the fmc is fr and hoe everything about her is made public.
honestly i loved the drama mainly cuz the leads were funny af. not to mention the mytery tension was so good every episode i would be like they are so close to the truth this will end in the next ep but wahla another one went by without me realising.
the first half is a bit slow but imo the second half makes up for it. this was an awesome watch unexpectedly
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Better than expected ;)
Actually I had no expectations starting this drama. After the first episode, I seriously wanted to drop it, but decided to just give another few episodes a try. I’m glad I did, because it started getting wayyy better after episode 3.The storyline became more engaging, more intriguing, more mysterious and more anxiousness to solve the mystery!! Don’t have to worry about nasty love triangles here, but it steered more towards scheming, betrayal and conspiracy theories to get to the throne! The chemistry between both leads were mediocre I would say, I was actually rooting for SML ;);)
Kim Young Dae acted the same way he did for Shooting Stars, there wasn’t much variety in his mannerisms or skill. Park Ju Hyun was good playing the quirky / funny side of her character, but I felt she didn’t pull off the serious/ emotional side. I liked Captain Lee shin-won!! Who is the 2ML (spoiler: and am kinda sad he didn’t get the girl)
I skipped most of the scenes with the two funny guys who were protesting the marriage ban, and the scenes with the author/ painter and the shop assistant. Didn’t feel it added anything to the entire plot or storyline. The last few episodes were quite exciting and it’s a good thing this drama is only 12 episodes.
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