The Matchmakers

Last few episodes destroyed the drama

I loved this drama so much that I stopped at episode 9 and decided to wait for its completion and then binge watch.
Alas!
The last few episodes went off tangent totally.

What started off as a comic, funny, classically ridiculous drama got burdened with the stale and repetitive theme of wanting to kill a crown prince.
For heaven's sake - is there no other turmoil in the Joseon period beside murdering the royal family?
Every historic drama I've watched only has this as the basis of all trauma. Seriously??

The positives:
Rowoon takes the cake. He is so perfect in this role - riding a donkey - it's hilarious.
Rowoons side kick : deserves 11 stars. He is just phenomenal. Fantastic comic timing and expressions.
Everyone else is pretty good too
The romantic sidelines are pretty fun.
Absolutely gorgeous cinematography
Great wardrobes with aesthetic colors.

The negatives:
The last few episodes move away from comic to dark revenge or whatever.
The chemistry weakens. The romance dies,
Rowoon is just dragging his feet. The female lead is left hanging.
I don't know anything about the accuracy of this period - but somehow it seems unbelievable. The writers have taken some liberties where needed and at other places they behave conservative and illogical.

What a pity that this drama went downhill.

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matchmaker couple

It was a simple but nice series. I smiled while watching. A humorous series about those who mediate between families and between boys and girls in marriages. There's a mystery stuck in between. In other words, the head of a noble family's house is a minister. The death events in that minister's family are also reflected in a mysterious way. The sprouting of love between a widowed man and a widowed woman acting as a mediator and the possibility of them getting married like others are also discussed. Although this couple loves each other, the solution that the King found for them because of the obstacles to their marriage due to customs and traditions is also explained. Events develop a little funny and a little dramatic. However, do not keep your expectations high as the series is oversimplified. A delight, a series that puts a smile on your face. There is nothing more. I started watching the actors especially for RoWoon. He was an actor I liked. I looked at the actress Choi Yi Hyun a little coldly until my eyes adjusted. However, as the episodes progressed, my eyes got used to it. He played well and exceeded my expectations. Even though their height gap is so wide, they make a good couple. The other actors were also very good. I liked them all. Especially Jo Han Chul, who played the king, was both very cute and very successful. enjoy watching...

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My review of the show

I love this show. It stays true to what it promises and remained lighthearted all the way. It may not be much plot-wise but the writing for all the characters makes up for it. So for people who like fast-paced plot with tons of action, unfortunately this isn't for you because you might find it too slow or boring for your tastes. But for people who like well-written characters, lighthearted stories about the regular lives of people living in Joseon and are into great cinematography, you should definitely give it a try. One thing I would love to compliment about this show is its use of background music. I love that its pretty much just instrumentals. It complements the scenes really well and doesn't feel overwhelming. Oftentimes pop songs with vocals and lyrics can be so overused in dramas so this is such a breath of fresh air.

The acting is great too. Especially Rowoon who manages to show his comedic range without stepping into the line of overacting. I feel like a lot of actors especially the new ones have a tendency to overact when they have to do comedy but he did such a great job with this. The side characters were great! Cho Yihyun's acting was so-so in the first half, which is understandable since this is her first main lead in a historical, but I think she did improved in the later half.

I guess one slight disappointment would be the chemistry. I think Rowoon did the most he could, to be honest.He made his character being 'in love' quite believable but Cho Yihyun, on the other hand, will need to work on it a little bit more. It's probably due to her lack of experience in the romance genre. But she's still young and probably once she gets more experience in romantic roles, she'll learn how to generate some chemistry with her co-stars. Also contrary to what most think (because I know that she has a lot of shippers from her prev work), I don't think she has chemistry with Lomon either lol. Even in School 2021, I do not think she has chemistry with her co-star as well. I think she needs to work on that the most if she wishes to transition to roles in the romance genre.

Overall, it's an enjoyable drama with interesting side couples as well.

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Refreshing concept and great cast, it’s worth a watch

This drama is really cute and makes you feel happy and giddy. Of course there’s a political angle like in every period piece, but the main storyline is fresh and lighthearted. All characters including the king are so warm and goofy. Love the relationships between characters be it ML and the King, the side couples, the female friendships or the main leads. The FL brings out so much positive energy. She completely changed the perspective of the ML towards love and life. They make my heart flutter and deserve all the sunshine and happiness. Also, all female characters in this drama are so strong including the villain. We need more characters like that in drama land. The FL is the true hero in the sense that she isn’t a damsel in distress, but doesn’t comes off as a rude and arrogant pseudo feminist FL (the two elder sister are kinda rude like FLs in many dramas, but our FL is so charming). She is the only character who can defy mother in law, but she does it so politely. She is so brave, confident and smart, but also doesn’t hesitate to accept her mistakes and she’s so sweet that you just wanna hug her. I love this drama and it certainly deserves more praise.

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One of the better Josean era dramas, even pokes fun at some of the over used tropes

9.5/10 is my rating. This is a 2023 South Korean Romantic comedy drama with 16, 60 minute episodes

First I provide a unique synopsis then review

Synopsis

Shim Jung-woo (Rowoon) is still salty about being “sold” into marriage into the royal family. To make things worse his new wife, the Princess, died from poison on the eve of their wedding. Which locks him into celibate bachelorhood and makes it so he has way too much time on his hands. He is known as the grouchy Prince (resentful man) as he uses his exceptional intellect to ensure no one else is having fun either (in the guise of upholding strict Josean law). Jung Soon-deok (Cho Yi-hyun) loved her husband but is a young widow locked in the role of little madam as the second daughter-in-law of the Left State Councilor. She prefers to use her skills as a matchmaker to playing lady of the house. Fate lands these two unlikely accomplices in league to get three old maidens married in order to manipulate the politics to allow the young crown prince to marry. Neither should be interested in anyone romantically as social tradition ties them to their deceased spouses. Will the two succeed in their unlikely task of getting all three old maids wed? Will their hearts abide by the dictates of society?

Review

One of the better Josean dramas I have seen. It even pokes fun at some of the tropes such as the “I love You So I am Going To Leave You” trope. Rowoon is always a joy to watch, he can play such a diversity of characters well. Multiple romances in this, as would be expected given the topic, and they all end well. It is entertaining throughout and ends happy. I recommend to fans of either of the main leads, Josean drama fans, those that like a little action, and a little mystery and not an overwhelming amount of politics. If it was on, I would watch it again and I recommend it as an excellent drama.

Spoilers

I liked the “resentful” man angle and was a little disappointed to find he was not coerced into the marriage. It was less appealing to me that he actually loved the Princess. I thought him being forced made his intractable nature more understandable.

The character growth in this was amazing. The King, for example, I did not think I would like him but he turned out to be one of the best characters. The way he saved both Jung-woo and Sein-dook in the end was heart warming. It was clear he grew to love and appreciate Jung-woo as not only a close trusted advisor but like another son. The queen was also an awesome character in the way she lived her son and how kind she was to others. The young Crown Prince was bright, wise and kind. The royal family in this series is one of few royal families, in Josean dramas, I have liked.

Soon-deok’s mother-in-law (MIL) was purely evil and I know it was supposed to be her punishment was being alone but I would have liked to have seen her seriously punished. Or for her to come around, accept her daughter’s choice, and allow her daughter-in-law to have a life. I was disappointed Soon-deok did not see her MIL’s tweet true character sooner. She admired her through most of the series even when many of the things she was doing were underhanded and evil. I got she was being filial but there were points when I wish she had stood up to her or turned away from her more.

It ending with Jung-woo and Soon-deok just having a magical romance, a courtship, prior to marriage was a little unsatisfying. After all they had gone through to be able to be together, ending in their marriage would have felt more “happily ever after” than we are just going to essentially date and marry later.

#KimSeokWoo

#Rowoon

#TheMatchmakers

#ChoYiHyun

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Must Watch - Sweet and Solid!!

The Matchmakers is such a great drama with detailed writing. The cinematography and coloring is dream like in many episodes, the fox rain scene and the tutoring scene are two of my favorites.It's light and fun and gives off an old historic comic book vibe making it sweet and interesting. I guess it has a great rewatch value and to be honest after Mr. Queen I have never rewatched full episodes of any other drama like I did with TMM. The casting is perfect. Rowoon and Yi Hyun are killing it as the widowed matchmakers and the supporting casts do have a great character arc which is one of the best qualities of TMM.. Iam a bit partial in my love towards the officer-Hwarok nim couple and Oh Bong too 😃.TMM is staying true to it's story and not trying to overdo anything. I love the restraint portrayed by the actors, and the dialogues especially that from epi 11.The story is fun yet solid and not cringey.It's full of Situational comedies and there are no fillers.

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Ignore the low rating, it's enjoyable!

Rowoon is handsome as ever but his comedic acting is far better in Destined With You. FL well suited to the role and I'll be on the lookout for her other works.
The story is entirely entertaining--the only 'cringy' plot is the pairing of a teenager with a 27 y/o---in actuality I don't think the marriage would have been endorsed given the rank of the groom and the purpose (in those days) that a wife is chosen to bear heirs and provide political support from her family.
What works is that romance is in the air among several couples and it makes sense for the whole story vs. typical romances where you wonder why there is a second or even third couple story except as filler to make the drama long enough.
The intrigue and twists work to propel the story forward as well. And the actress who plays the Matriach hits it again in this role being evil but for a reason ..consider The Red Sleeve where she plays the senior court lady.

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Heartwarming and hilarious

I am glad i followed my instincts and watched this drama. It’s hilarious and sweet cutesy. Maybe because i haven’t watched many historical kdramas,i find the story quite unique. But for whatever reason i enjoyed it. I believe the ratings don’t do justice to this drama.

There are 5 side love stories along with the main couple’s lovestory.. And I have to say they are all adorable stories and the couples are young and naive. Although I am not satisfied with the elder sister’s pairing with prince but I can overlook one couple. Overall the drama had such a good vibe, it made me wanna go live in that time period as love use to be pure and innocent . I enjoying the 2nd spinster sister’s story the most.
I haven’t watched a kdrama that shows romance story between widow and widower and that too in joseon period. Hence it was a unique concept and super hilarious. Rowoon did such a good job here . Loved him as lord sim Jung woo, his expressions were soo cute. Although I wasn’t excited about the female lead at first but she did well too. Her expressions were cute and she is a loveable as well as an inspiring character. Their romance is slow paced yet makes perfect sense.
The writer did a good job keeping the story light hearted yet also giving us tear jerkers. The plot was exciting, sentimental, hilarious, romantic yet unpredictable. The message is to give love another chance.

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The Matchmakers is a great drama that fuses the genres of comedy, melodrama, a fantasy element, mystery, and romance with a bit of nicely done action scenes. The cast did an excellent job bringing their characters to life and the leading couple, once they started working together, was fantastic in giving the audience a great comedy and romantic vibe. There were many supporting characters that carried the side storylines so well that they left a feel of also being main leads; that’s how well the cast worked on their enactment of unforgettable characters. Even the characters of the antagonists were written as to let the audience know their reasons without exerting any sympathy for them and their karmic ending. The drama is well written and directed; it also has great cinematography and a very nice soundtrack. The only thing that was a little disappointing was that, although the ending was a good one, it was too bland; a nice embrace would’ve done better! Overall, this drama is funny, has an intelligent and heartwarming leading couple, and plenty of well written memorable supporting characters that make the drama entertaining. Enjoy it!

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Romeo and Juliet in their 20's (so less raging hormones)

This one's for those who love watching relationship-based shows like - love actually, lovestruck in the city.

Only 1 slap count for the entire series - good job. And just for that, this is one sageuk I will watch again in spite of the usual political intrigues and family rivalry.

- Selling off sons and daughters in exchange for social status? Check.
- Feeding your daughter poison so they can no longer leave the house? Check.
- Working in the government for the sake of family instead of the people? Check.

Now, do not be surprised at how condescending men were with women and how women were used as tools of trade all for the sake of filial piety. Confucianism taken to the extreme because this is how they interpreted his teachings - a concept that exists to this day.

This "Romeo and Juliet" kdrama is as romantic as it can go but is also a celebration of the Confucian culture and the resulting disease that plagued Joseon because of people who took advantage of it with ardent fanaticism. These and more wrapped up in a tidy bow called "fiction".

There were some really funny banters. The king was an everyday cool guy 😅 and I enjoyed his scenes the most.

A lot of gags like:
a brother nor recognising his sister because of makeup,
the king apologising after being screamed and glared only to remember he was the king 😅

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