The Forbidden Marriage

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.

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i really thought this one was more of an angst arranged marriage drama like u cant blame me the only clip i saw before i started watching this was when they were set up for having a night together bitch they were both is red clothes i thought they were married and thus he was angry TT
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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Comedy, Drama, Mystery ... all rolled into one

This was truly a great series from the very beginning right to the end. It was really a multi layered series, much more comedy early on, gradually taking a much more serious, dramatic tone as you get deeper into the episodes. The fact they were able to blend a touch of comedy, even at the darker moments of the series, made it really enjoyable to watch.
There are scenes so hilarious, sitting down and eating with the King or doing shots of alcohol ... stuff you normally don't see involving the Joseon period. It was very original. Sort of bringing a touch of the 21st century into the 19th century.
The story itself was about a great trio of people, involving love, best friends & fate. The chemistry of the cast equally matched the writing. Young Dae, although at times a bit too nice for a King, made a great leader and was a perfect match for romance with Ju Hyun and a deep friendship with Woo Seok. Together, the three supplied great entertainment, giving you a feel that somehow they would make everything work out to a happy ending.
It was around episode 5 when the series shifts into a more serious, darker tone. From that point on, the show definitely becomes a solid drama with a great story plot, giving you questionable hope that everything really was going to turn out the way you wanted. The stunning events of episode 8 takes a major direction change in the story, making you hold on tight, knowing it's going to be a bumpy ride for our three protagonists from that point on.
I think if I can find one complaint, it would be the final episode. While everything worked out fantastically in the end, I hate when things are a bit rushed to completion. There could have been more scenes showing us how things played out instead of leaving it to our imagination. I think it would have been enjoyable to watch that happen. Other than that, a really enjoyable series all around. A great watch!!!

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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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It was not very good in my opinion

It was decent, fine. The romantic tension was okay, but I felt like it was lacking. The villains were just bad, the one lady was more bark than bite she could literally not do anything and the guy acted like he was asleep the entire time. Neither one of them had any depth or back story. I have no idea why they were doing what they were doing. Side characters were fine, I didn't totally dislike them and at moments I even kind of liked them. I never figured out what was up with the crown princess, did she love the king or did she not? I also have no idea why they kept her ghost alive, like were they trying to drive him crazy enough to abdicate? The last episode was good but a bit drawn out, some things that happened just for dramas sake had zero consequence later on or was resolved very quickly and at the end of it left the thing that happened pointless to the story or character growth. All in all not bad but I've seen better.

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Felt like a low budget drama

LIKE

When Shin Won and So Rang drink together they had those shots lol

So Rang sleeps with her eyes open hahaha

Witty screen writer mentions Goblin and Hotel Del Luna

When So Rang and Lee Heon have drinking competition

When Shin Won and Lee Heon reading the "books" their reactions lol

When the Emperor glowed HAHAHAH

Queen candidate selection a little interesting so added some points

Last episode not bad

DISLIKE

What’s wrong with the cameraman my god stop shaking

First 6 episodes not too bad then episode 7 on x2 speed sigh

Not much feelings there chemistry is flat

MUSIC - personal fav

How Can I Forget You - Seo Eun Kwang

REWATCH VALUE

Nope

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Cinderella raises again, Mod Joseon© style.

This show started well. Feels like a bit of fast paced romp and the FL is a dynamo. A couple of tropey meet-cutes later and we are well on our way to a love triangle. The fact that the competing ML's are handsome is a definite bonus.

The first few episodes certainly lives up to the premise and it was loud and whacky with a good dose of irrelevancy. There is a mysterious dark plot involving the usual palace intrigue (is there any other type?).

I realised we have a bit of a problem around the half way mark though. We seemed to have run out of story. There has been confessions, kisses, murders and rejections. The antagonists are already known, and their motivation made obvious. Umm, that is supposed to happen later, right?

What we ended up with is a draggy middle. The love line got complicated but not in a good way. The antagonists play merry hell with our leads, but it is the same plot going around and around. It is watchable because the writer-nim planted swoon worthy moments here and there so that we are given little sugar hits. Even so, it doesn't totally distract us from some awkward narrative. The inconsistent tone and pacing makes the Show feel out of sort. It is now leaning much more towards a melodrama than before. Rose tinted glasses are firmly in place.

The energy level does pick up somewhat towards the end. The queen selection process is interesting if a bit stilted. Finally, the main plot reach its conclusion. There was not a lot of surprises, but the resolution is satisfying.

Soon enough, the HEA ending slots into place, and we give thanks. Speaking of the ending, the final episode is total fan service. It was high-jinks all the way. No holds barred. It was so kooky that at one point, the show include scenes shot tiktok style and employed various modern motifs. That is most unexpected and immersion breaking. Some might think that the show has "lost the plot". It is entertaining if you roll with it but it is also a little jarring and breaks stride from much that went before. The ending is certainly filled with feel good moments. It is hard not to spark joy after watching that. :)

In terms of acting, the FL carried the Show. She is the focal point and she gave us her all. The ML's are mostly in her support. They do have the occasional dramatic or heartfelt scenes which are appreciated.

Consider the show is only 12 episodes long, I was hoping for a more intricate and novel plot. There are odd flashes of originality but the bulk of it is based on yet another retelling of the Cinderella trope. It is entertaining and watchable but it fails to reached its full potential.

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Pretty alright? Nothing too special but not bad

The only reason I started watching this was because of the ml, I really liked his performances in Moon in the Day and Shooting Stars, ironically I forgot his name😭 Anyways as I mentioned there was nothing too speical about this drama, the comedy was great though. But there was a lot of historical innaccuracies that kinda ruined the whole vibe for me, I couldn't take some scenes seriously because of that. And personally I didn't like how informal she was being with king for some reason, like even when they didn't know eachother that well she was treating him like her
best friend of 20 years😭😭 Idk it was too unrealistic for me. But it was funny sometimes so I'll give them that. This drama was pretty random as well, was not expecting all of these seggsual jokes it was surprising. And don't remind when they started playing Kyrie Elaison I was so caught of guard I burst out laughing like a donkey. The actors were great tho, so any imperfection wasn't from their part, did'nt pay attnetion to any of the OSTs so that should be saying enough. I don't think I'll be rewatching this but who knows 🤷🏻‍♀️ Moral of the story, wouldn't reccomend this to people who focus and pick on details, and to people who get bored too easily, cause it could be pretty uneventful at times.

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I like the way the king had been portrayed

After a very long time I had seen a king who was not helpless though he was sat at the seat of power . I had seen many historical drama in which though the king had power to do anything he wanted but as he was a king he had to work under so many rule .He under the influence of his father who had given him partial power ,who made him sat on thrown but he (father) had whole control.
Here king took his decision under his will but I had seen some dramas where king was cruel and he took decision according to his will then he had never listen to whomsoever was.

I like the way the king had been portrayed and the way his grandmother took decisions which were for his benefits.
Chemistry between the leads were amazing .
I liked the acting of the each supporting characters . A big round of applause to them .
I know it was a fiction based story so in real life good king sometimes remain in the position of helplessness.
I liked the story as well as acting but story didn't has much .

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i really liked the chemistry between the two main leads
i liked the whole story it was nice and cute but a little bit dragging to catch the villains
i liked that the end was happy for all parties
what i didn't like about this drama
1st* the sick insisting to put rainbow characters in the events
which was totally disgusting and there were no need for it at all
2nd* the story of the second ML didn't convince me at all during the end
3rd* i felt so sad when i discover at the end that the King's secretary was rainbow i used to like him so he was so funny
except these little disgusting parts of rainbow characters during the drama i really liked it

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