Missing Crown Prince (2024)

"Love, Betrayal, and Politics: The Complex Web of Power in the Joseon Era"

I really enjoyed watching this drama, but there were definitely some strengths and weaknesses worth mentioning. Here's my take:

Strengths:
1. Complex Characters and Relationships: The way the characters were written was impressive. Crown Prince Lee Gun’s journey from a misunderstood prince to someone who truly cares for his kingdom was emotional and gripping. The tension between Gun and his half-brother Dosung was also really interesting, especially since their bond gets tested multiple times as they’re manipulated by others. Watching Gun’s friendship and eventual rivalry with Dosung was heart-wrenching because you can tell they care about each other but are constantly pulled in opposite directions.

2. Intriguing Plot with Lots of Twists: The political intrigue was solid. There were betrayals, hidden motives, and secret alliances that kept me on my toes. The ministers scheming to dethrone Gun, Dosung’s emotional turmoil, and Soo Ryeon’s manipulations made the drama engaging. The twists added a lot of depth to the plot.

3. Strong Female Character: I loved Lady Myung Yoon’s character. She was fierce, independent, and skilled, which is rare for a woman in historical settings like this. Her struggle with the prophecy of becoming a widow added layers to her character. It was refreshing to see a female lead who wasn’t just a damsel in distress but someone who could stand up for herself and others.

4. Emotional Depth: The drama really knew how to tug at my heartstrings. The relationships between parents and children, the love triangle, and the characters’ moral dilemmas were done beautifully. Gun’s emotional breakdowns, especially when he felt betrayed by people he trusted, were some of the most powerful moments.

5. Soundtrack: The soundtrack was beautiful and fit the emotional and intense scenes so well. It added to the atmosphere, especially during the dramatic moments. I found myself tearing up more than once because the music was so perfect for the moment.

Weaknesses:
1. Pacing Issues: The drama felt dragged out in some places. There were times when the story seemed to slow down unnecessarily, especially during certain political plots. Some scenes felt repetitive, and I wished the story would just move forward. There were too many moments where Gun would confront people, only for things to stay the same for several episodes.

2. Unrealistic Fight Scenes: The action scenes didn’t always hit the mark. Some of the fights felt staged and lacked the intensity I expected.

3. Soo Ryeon and Sang Rok’s Love: I struggled to understand why Soo Ryeon and Lord Choi Sang Rok’s love was depicted as something grand. Their relationship ended up hurting so many people, yet they were portrayed as having this deep, unbreakable bond. It felt more like obsession than love, and I had a hard time sympathizing with them, even when the drama tried to make them seem tragic.

4. Dosung’s Foolishness: Dosung, as a character, was frustrating at times. He kept flip-flopping between being a good brother and a traitor, and it got a bit tiring. His decisions were often impulsive and led to more problems. I also didn’t like how easily he was manipulated by everyone around him. He was just too gullible.

5. Rushed and Confusing Ending: The ending felt rushed and silly. So much was built up throughout the drama, and then everything was quickly tied up in the last episode. It was so disappointing. Not the kind of conclusion I was hoping for. The drama just threw in a time jump.

Overall, the drama had its fair share of flaws, but the emotional depth, complex characters, and political intrigue made it a worthwhile watch for me.

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Top drawer story line, directing and acting

I was not sure in the beginning if I would choose to watch this series, but very glad I am. I am enjoying the way several story lines are integrating together, no hasty episodes to make them fit. The actors fit well together! Especially glad there was no casting of a "cute baby talking" female in a roll. Huge kudos for not having singing music in most episodes that over power the acting. Hate that! So far I have not been able to pick out any green screen or studio backdrops in this one. I rated this highly due to the all around professionalism given to creating the series.

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Best Romantic Espionnage Action Thriller Drama

I approad this drama because I was intrigued by a prince being kidnapped. I Thought it was a romantic drama. In reality, there is a sprinkle of romance but in the end I fell in love with the power struggles and political ploys. So I really enjoyed the drama.

So what this drama is about:
On the first episode I clearly understood : this would not be a fluffy rom-com ( as I thought) but a mystery/ espionnage/ action drama. I could sens that, a deep dark secret organisation was behind all this story.
I was hooked. So, I gave the drama the time to develop the plot.

And OMG, the more the episodes aired, the more I was addicted.
I waited patiently every saturdays and sundays to watch the new episodes as they were airing.
It was a roller coaster ride of emotions as the story developed.
I was totally in love with this drama.

I heard that many people complained about the fact that the romance was almost unexisting.
I don't agree, actress behind the Female Lead ; Yong Ye Ji; said that the text might not be romantic but the actors behaviours on set are. Indeed, they are affectionnate.

But looking back at the way the story developed, personnaly, I liked that the story was more about the palace ploys than the romance.
Because, from my point of view, the suspens set by the schemes spiced up the romance and I was sometimes afraid for the Leads because of it.

So this is a great drama. One of my favourites.

And I dont even speak about the OST, which I am crazy in love with.
Especially the Suho's "love you more gradually ", "100 days of dreams" and of course " love is like the wind".
The later was my lullaby before sleeping for a long time (^__^)

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Could have been beautiful but plot missed

Spin off to the popular story "Bossam: Steal the Fate", the story is another political historical fiction cooking through palace dramas.

The opening of any drama plays a significant role in drawing the attention of the audience. In this story, the drama opens at a slow pace. The introduction of important characters was not surprising but cliche. The scene opens through a night, with robed people carefully walking through the palace gate. The director tried to use darkness to intensify the schemes being plotted behind those thick walls. It took a while to shape the story and establish the main aspect. The Queen mother, her immediate hands, and constant plots - all-star players of this drama remained powerless throughout.

There are many historical fiction which have been stealing the hearts of audiences even after many years of release. Call it Scarlett Heart Ryeo or Empress KI- these dramas intrigued audiences through the well-laid plot. This is where The Missing Crown Prince lacked. It failed to generate interest among viewers.

Suho in the titular role tries his best to deliver a vivacious prince who is cheerful and trying his best to survive through the thick and thins of a gruesome palace. His chemistry with leading lady Hong Ye Ji lacks the spice due to the narrowness of the plot. The huge holes in the beginning made the story bland.

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Impressive

My first thought about the drama was as it is 20eps, and historical drama there would be so much lag. But I am impressed at the pace story is going now. I was surprised that the suspense parts are also getting revealed without dragging it. Every charector here are soo good. Main leads Suho and Yeji are sooo pretty and cute together. Every time they are together i makes my heart warm. Nothing is rushed story getting intresting with the flow even the main villains etc are already revealed.

You can give it a try if you wanted to watch a history drama with thriller, comedy, Love with angst, kinda revenge elements in it then Missing crown prince is the best

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Unbearable and painful

Begins with so many promises and good pilot episode but in the end so many plot holes specialy political story lines in this series.

Please for the screen writes or story writers stick on romance drama for your future projects! Please don't mix your future story writing between political drama and romance. This is unbearable to watch.

For the characters, there's no growth on each of them. For the villain itself. I can say that person is s a devil incarnate, but still very weak as a villain very forgettable. The main character is also very weak as a character the good guys are good only simply they are good (?). I understand the story showed falsh backs and memories here and there, but those scenes are not enough to bring the depth to each of characters.. those scenes just simply for tear trigger to the audience.

Its such a waste of talented actors.

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Not to be Missed

The Missing Crown Prince (MCP) is why I love Kdrama. The writing, acting, direction, and production are superb.
The beautiful OST is like a magic carpet that transports the drama from scene to scene. MCP earned a place on my Kdrama Favorites list.

The opening credits declare that "MCP" is fiction rather than a historical fact. That statement roused my curiosity. What did that mean? As the episodes unfolded I learned. This beautiful complex drama was the work of creators who were not hindered by a historical moment. The plot's intricate twists, turns, and revelations compelled me to return to the drama each week. I had to see what was next. I was never disappointed.

The characters - crowds, royalty, military, laborers, nobility, and priests were well-written and interesting. They felt like people. The Crown Prince was exceptional. The viewer learns steadily how his intelligence, vision, compassion, and dedication to Joseon drive him. In the most uncertain and difficult of situations he moves forward fearlessly. He proves to be an inspired leader. The Crown Prince is one of my favorite K-drama characters. Our 'Maiden" adults in front of the viewers. I appreciate how the writers create a woman who blends the traditional and the modern. While not a rebel and respectful of the culture and tradition, she consistently pushes and tests the boundaries as she walks her path. Her emotional maturity, her integrity, and growth are remarkable.

I love this series. Without a question, I will watch it again. Peace and blessings.

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I really liked the character of this charitable, gentle, intelligent and fair prince. Everything he did was for the good of the king and family at the cost of sacrificing his own life .
The character of the doctor's daughter was also great. A strong woman with healthy principles who wants to make up for her father's mistakes.
The flaw of this series... I don't know if many poisons were used frequently in this era but in this series there were daily poisonings and many people, too many, spitting blood from their mouths when they died.
While I particularly appreciated the ending that made me finish with a smile.
Here too the prince carried out his duty as sovereign well, after which he dropped everything and thought about his own happiness. First duty, then pleasure. Good teaching.

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