This review may contain spoilers
Perfect Crown arrives as a romantic comedy on the surface, but beneath its polished royal aesthetic lies a character-driven narrative that thrives on emotional restraint, symbolic progression, and the gradual unfolding of intimacy between its leads. While it may not reinvent the romcom genre, it succeeds in refining familiar tropes through execution, chemistry, and emotional pacing.At its core, the drama is anchored by its central relationship between Hui Ju and Grand Prince Ian. Rather than relying on instant romance or overt melodrama, the story builds their connection through layered interactions, situational tension, and emotional withholding. This slow-burn approach is arguably one of the drama’s greatest strengths. The relationship does not feel externally manufactured; instead, it evolves organically through shared experiences, conflict resolution, and emotional recognition.
Hui Ju’s character arc is particularly noteworthy. She begins the series as a highly ambitious, self-sufficient woman defined by control, intellect, and emotional guardedness. Her evolution, however, is not framed as a loss of strength but a redefinition of it. The drama carefully dismantles her emotional barriers not through weakness, but through choice. Her vulnerability becomes an act of agency rather than submission, especially in the latter half of the series where her priorities shift from ambition-driven survival to emotionally driven protection. This transformation is one of the most compelling aspects of the narrative because it is neither abrupt nor idealized; it is earned through cumulative emotional weight.
Grand Prince Ian, on the other hand, represents restraint as both identity and burden. His characterization leans heavily into emotional suppression, strategic thinking, and internal conflict. He is not written as a traditionally expressive male lead, which led to some polarized reception. However, this restraint is intentional and thematically aligned with his narrative position. His arc revolves around power that is deliberately unused, authority that is morally complicated, and a man constantly balancing duty against desire. The subtlety in his performance style is therefore not a limitation, but a structural choice that aligns with his psychological framing.
Where the drama excels most significantly is in its romantic chemistry. IU and Byeon Wooseok deliver a pairing that relies less on explicit confession and more on visual communication, silence, and microexpression. Their dynamic thrives in subtext—glances held too long, pauses that carry meaning, and physical distance that gradually collapses over time. This kind of chemistry is difficult to manufacture artificially and becomes one of the primary emotional engines of the series. It is also what elevates otherwise familiar romcom beats into something more immersive.
From a production standpoint, Perfect Crown demonstrates strong visual cohesion. The cinematography emphasizes symmetry, framing, and tonal softness, reinforcing the fairytale-like interpretation of its royal setting. Costume design also plays a symbolic role, particularly in Hui Ju’s wardrobe progression. The transition from bold, statement-heavy outfits to more refined, structured silhouettes mirrors her internal shift from self-protective ambition to relational grounding. Similarly, the subtle coordination between the leads’ styling reinforces their emotional alignment without needing explicit dialogue.
The supporting cast also contributes meaningfully to the narrative structure. The younger monarch figure adds emotional contrast and moral grounding, while the Queen Mother’s presence introduces controlled tension and thematic weight regarding legacy and power dynamics. Even secondary characters, though limited in screen time, serve functional roles in reinforcing the central themes of duty, loyalty, and emotional cost.
However, the drama is not without its limitations. At times, the writing leans on familiar romcom and palace-drama conventions without fully subverting them. Certain political conflicts resolve more conveniently than expected, and some narrative threads feel secondary to the romance rather than fully integrated into the broader world-building. Additionally, viewers seeking tightly structured political intrigue or high-stakes realism may find the tonal balance uneven.
There is also the question of pacing consistency. While the emotional arc is generally well-maintained, certain mid-to-late episodes prioritize relationship progression over narrative expansion, which may reduce tension for viewers more invested in plot complexity than emotional payoff.
A particularly compelling dimension of the drama emerges in how Hui Ju functions as the true catalyst of Ian’s transformation. While Ian is positioned within the narrative as a figure of restraint, power, and internal conflict, it is Hui Ju who ultimately becomes the force that redefines his direction. Her presence does not merely soften him—it redirects him. Ian’s so-called “revolution” is not political in the traditional sense; it is emotional and existential. Everything he refrains from becoming, everything he chooses to endure rather than conquer, is shaped by the meaning Hui Ju holds in his life. In many ways, she is not just his love interest but the axis upon which his decisions pivot. His revolution is not about overthrowing systems, but about choosing her within them.
Despite these critiques, the emotional core of Perfect Crown remains remarkably intact. Its success lies not in structural innovation, but in emotional clarity. The drama knows exactly what it wants to be—a romantic narrative centered on transformation through love—and commits to that identity without excessive deviation.
Ultimately, what lingers most is not the political framework or plot mechanics, but the emotional journey of its characters. The idea that Ian’s revolution, both literal and metaphorical, is intrinsically tied to Hui Ju reframes the entire narrative as one of emotional devotion rather than power acquisition. Love, in this context, is not ornamental—it is catalytic.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Perfect Crown may not be flawless, but it remains cohesive in intent, emotionally resonant in execution, and deeply memorable in its character portrayal. A special appreciation goes to IU and Byeon Wooseok for their exceptional performances as Hui Ju and Grand Prince Ian—their chemistry and emotional depth served as the true emotional anchor of the entire drama. I also extend my sincere gratitude to the supporting cast for their meaningful contributions in enriching the story’s world and emotional texture. Overall, Perfect Crown is not just a drama I enjoyed—it is one I find myself certain I will return to, time and time again, whenever I wish to relive its warmth, romance, and emotional impact.
Was this review helpful to you?
Love, loyalty and everything in between.
Before I even begin, I rate this a 1000000/10. Anything that has me geeking out, smiling ear to ear, and kicking my feet up and down is automatically a must-watch show. From the way the actors portrayed the characters and their chemistry with each other—and I’m not only talking about Grand Prince I-AN and Seong Hui Ju—the cast delivered something truly special.The Seong family really brought out how people who love each other can still hurt one another when they don’t know how to properly express that love, yet still show up, help, and support each other when it truly matters. Kim Eun Ho, who plays the role of the young king, perfectly showed why children should be allowed to be children without carrying the burdens placed on them by family members. “IT'S OKAY FOR CHILDREN TO DISAPPOINT THEIR PARENTS.”
This drama was a culmination of striving, perseverance, loyalty, sacrifice, difficult choices, betrayal, warped entitlement, and the importance of actually showing up for the people you love. It covered modern-day views on monarchy, arranged marriages, greed, love, one-sided love, and legacies meant to be upheld. It was a beautiful story, perfectly brought to life.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Cute and dramatic – absolute perfection
Even when I saw the intro I knew this was going to be awesome. The crossover of a popular royalty setting with the modern world is soo good. The story is so well crafted, and I even enjoyed the political part of it, which doesn't usually happen.IU and Byeon Woo-seok showed their amazing acting once again. I freaking love them, and even more when they're together. their chemistry, the tension, UGHHH YES YES YES. The romance was so nice to watch, there was quite a natural transition into when they started actually caring for eachother. And every kiss scene had be kicking my feet omg.
AND I CAN'T FORGET ABOUT OUR CUTIE PIE SECOND LEAD COUPLE. I KNEW ITTTTT I KNEW CHOI HYEON AND DO HYEJUNG WOULD BE TOGETHERRR. i love them my pookies.
I am kine of dissapointed that Min Jeonwoo became bad, but I guess he had it coming. I really liked him at the start, but oh well.
The school setting was really interesting, too, which is why I wish we maybe had more scenes from it. I know that it probably wouldn't be necessary for the plot, but... yeah.
The last episode ended so nicely. And he seems softer while not being a royal. When she calls him Lee Wan. I realized we didn't know his real name for the entire time until now lol.
so, overall, this is an absolute banger. yum yum.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A fairytale romance
I loved everything about this drama!!! It’s the most realistic fairytale story of the 21st century we can ever get. It’s realistic but still an impossible dream to attain and we are vicariously living our fantasy through IU ‘s character Huiju!I seriously don’t know where to start! Maybe let’s start with the cast and characters:
Ofc having IU and BWS in the same drama playing a chaebol heiress and a PRINCE would be mindboggling but I underestimated the effect it actually had on me in the end 😂😂😂
I loved Huiju from the beginning! Her aggressive breakdowns and the way she screamed at everyone or at herself when things were pissing her off made me laugh so hard!!! And the more shocking it is to see her progress in the drama, how she grows from an aggressively ambitious CEO to a soft wife, princess and then Queen who would risk her life for her husband made me feel so emotional! IU is one of the best actresses ever! She is so beautiful it hurts!
And then there was Byeon Woo-Seok! Our pale, tall, lanky, beautiful vampire-like Prince of the 21st Century!!! His first scene was of course a frigging SHOWER SCENE that made EVERY female watcher freak out!!! 😂😂😂 He had great progress too. From the grudging Prince to the confident yet soft and loving King BWS embodied I-An so well! I loved his scenes especially his beautiful suits! I hope the costume designer of this drama got a good paycheck!!!
Also when he cried, I cried even more 😭😭😭
The Aides: omg the AIDES!!! They were the cuuuuutesttttt couple evvvverrrrr 😭😭😭😭😭 I loved them so much! Their kiss at the end made me cry out of happiness like I have never cried because of a kiss scene before! 😂😂😂 i dont even understand!!! But I was so happy for them! And I loved that he got to open his own little flowershop in the end 🥹🥹🥹
I also loved the other side characters of the palace like the court lady who in the end bought him a bed. I wish we saw what happened to the other assistants who were caring for Huiju when she first moved in. Areum got punished obviously but how about the others? 🤔
Of course I loved that Huiju and I-An both got redemption for their families. Huiju’s brother and sister-in-law were actually VERY funny!!! 😂😂😂 I loved especially the sister-in-law. And even the father turned good in the end. I would say fathers all have a soft spot for their daughters, but sadly that was not the case with the Queen’s father. I liked that the Queen ended up taking I-An’s side and exposed herself, her father and the Prime Minister.
I was very disappointed by the Prime Minister. I didn’t expect him to turn into an obsessive murderer! He literally tried to kill his crush’s husband just bcs he was in love with the same woman … like did he think that she would have married him if I-An had died???? NO!!! What he did hurt not only him but also Huiju…
The plot of the story was well-paced. The beginning was funny and lighthearted. Episode 3 was the funniest. The romance was PERFECT!!! Their kiss scenes and hugs and how it went from fake dating to real risk-my-life kind of love was so much fun to watch!!! The screenwriter and director of this drama knew what they were doing! The politics and intrigues were not too much and everything always got resolved smoothly without any setbacks. The midway break-up barely felt like a break up and when their love really started off for real, it all felt just so genuine and convincing! The chemistry was off the roof!!! ISTG if IU and BWS don’t start dating after this I will be sad 😢😢😢
The Soundtrack was beautiful too! Loved the overall message to never trust politicians and that the perfect men are the soft ones who will cook for you, open a flower shop for you and wait for you patiently until you come back home 🥹🥹🥹 This should be the standard us women should be living for and never shall we settle for less! Just everything about the drama was perfectly done! They landed the plane very well! 12 episodes was definitely enough!
I’m off to watch all the Youtube on this now bye!!! 👋🏻
Was this review helpful to you?
The kind of romcom that completely sweeps you away
It fully embraces romance, longing, tension, ridiculous adorable moments, emotional vulnerability, all of it, without ever being embarrassed by its own identity. From the very beginning, I was completely invested in Hui Ju and Grand Prince Ian. Their relationship carries the entire drama so naturally because beneath all the banter, contract marriage tropes, and glamorous royal setting, there’s something genuinely emotional connecting them. They’re both trapped in lives shaped by expectations and status, just in completely different ways, and I loved how the story keeps bringing them together through that shared loneliness. The chemistry between them was honestly everything. Every interaction felt entertaining, romantic, or emotionally charged in some way, to the point where I barely cared about the political conflicts happening around them because I was so invested in watching these two slowly become each other’s safe place. And visually? Absolutely gorgeous. The series genuinely feels expensive in the best way possible, elegant cinematography, majestic settings, beautiful costumes, and this almost dreamy portrayal of a fictional modern constitutional monarchy that completely pulls you in. At the same time, I do understand some criticisms regarding the pacing and the political side, especially because certain darker twists or traumatic events are resolved a little too quickly without fully exploring their emotional consequences. You can definitely feel that the drama would have benefited from having more episodes to let everything breathe properly. But honestly? Once I accepted that the romance was always meant to be the true center of the story, everything clicked for me. It never tried to be a heavy political drama, it wanted to be emotional, entertaining, beautiful, and deeply romantic, and for me it succeeded completely. The ending especially felt satisfying in a way so many shorter dramas fail to achieve, and I genuinely didn’t want this world or these characters to end.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
✦ Perfect Crown — “Love was never the weakness. Suppression was.” ✦
(aka: I watched it, I survived it, and I’m still emotionally unemployed)❖ INTRODUCTION: I came prepared. The drama did not care.
I came into Perfect Crown terrified.
Not because it looked bad — quite the opposite. It looked like one of those emotionally suspicious dramas that pretends to be safe while quietly setting up your downfall.
And considering certain actors’ history of “we swear this is happy but actually cry for 3 weeks,” I genuinely spent the entire runtime emotionally bracing myself like I was defusing a bomb.
Instead, what I got was worse.
A romance so emotionally coherent that I forgot I was supposed to be a detached viewer.
And honestly? That’s the problem.
Because this drama doesn’t force you to feel things. It makes you realize you already do.
❖ THEMES: Love as resistance, not decoration
At its core, Perfect Crown is not a romance.
It is a study in suppression.
The palace is not a backdrop — it is a system designed to erase individuality:
love must be strategic
desire must be hidden
identity must be controlled
grief must be quiet
And into this system step two people who absolutely refuse emotional compliance.
So the romance doesn’t feel like escape.
It feels like rebellion. And that’s where it gets dangerous.
Because suddenly:
affection becomes political defiance.
❖ CHARACTER CORE: Two people who forgot how to exist freely
✦ The Grand Prince — “a man trained to disappear”
He is not weak. He is over-controlled.
A man who could easily take the throne but has spent his entire life practicing emotional erasure:
don’t want
don’t react
don’t attach
don’t become noticeable
And all of this is rooted in loss:
mother’s traumatic death
father’s preventable death
brother’s palace fire death
At this point, his emotional stability is basically a myth maintained by repression.
So when Huiju enters his life, he doesn’t fall in love.
He destabilizes.
Because she behaves like a system error in his emotional programming.
✦ Huiju — “rebellion with emotional intelligence”
Huiju is not just “strong female lead.”
She is structured defiance.
Her ambition is not greed — it is emotional compensation:
“If I become undeniable, will I finally be acknowledged?”
And what makes her compelling is not just strength. It’s that she never becomes smaller to fit love.
Instead:
she becomes more herself while loving him.
Which is rare enough to feel suspicious.
❖ ROMANCE: Opposites → emotional mirroring → shared destruction (affectionately)
Initially:
he is restraint
she is rebellion
Classic setup.
But the writing does something far more interesting:
It removes the distance between them emotionally.
They begin to mirror each other:
both protect too much
both sacrifice too easily
both assume love equals danger
both choose others before themselves
And then comes the moment that breaks you a little:
“I wanted to divorce you to protect you.”
Which is basically the drama saying:
“Congratulations, you are now emotionally synchronized.”
❖ EXECUTION: Tropes, but make it emotionally expensive
Yes, the drama uses familiar tropes:
contract marriage
palace conspiracies
poison attempts
hidden identities
political tension
But instead of pretending to be original, it does something smarter:
It commits emotionally.
Nothing feels thrown in for shock value.
Everything feels like it had weight building underneath it.
Which is why even predictable moments still hurt.
❖ VISUAL LANGUAGE: rebellion without speeches
This drama doesn’t over-explain.
It shows.
Huiju wearing red at a royal event is the perfect example:
No monologue.
No dramatic pause.
Just defiance.
“Nobody said I couldn’t.”
And suddenly you realize:
The system only works because people obey rules that were never written.
❖ POLITICS & VILLAINS: Everyone is emotionally compromised
No one is purely evil.
Everyone is:
emotionally damaged
politically trapped
or morally exhausted
The Queen Mother is not just a villain — she is a consequence of suppression.
The Prime Minister is not just ambitious — he is ambition that consumed everything else.
And that makes him worse, actually.
Because he doesn’t fall into darkness.
he chooses it repeatedly.
❖ THE WORLD: The crown is the real antagonist
The monarchy is not glamorous. It is suffocating.
It destroys:
identity
love
freedom
and emotional honesty
Even children are bound by it.
So when abolition is discussed, it doesn’t feel political. It feels inevitable.
Like the only logical emotional outcome.
❖ EMOTIONAL CORE: Why it actually works
Everything works because nothing is sudden.
Love is not instant. It is cumulative:
fear
hesitation
protection
breakdown
attachment
repetition
So when they finally love each other openly…
It doesn’t feel written. It feels arrived at.
❖ ENDING FEELING: I thought I could move on. I was wrong.
And now we arrive at the part the drama did not warn me about:
The aftermath.
Because I finished Perfect Crown thinking:
“That was beautiful. I can move on.”
I lied.
Because now I’m here:
watching edits at inappropriate hours
replaying their gazes like they are evidence in a trial
losing emotional stability over hand-holding scenes
and developing a concerning inability to accept that fictional people are fictional
And it’s not even just nostalgia. It’s worse.
It’s the feeling that:
every touch meant something, and now it’s over.
The kisses, the hand-holding, the finger-grasping, the almost-touch moments — they don’t feel like scenes anymore.
They feel like memory fragments. And that’s why it hurts.
Because the drama didn’t just show romance. It made intimacy feel real enough to miss.
So yes.
I am crying over edits.
Yes.
I am emotionally unwell.
And yes.
I will probably rewatch everything anyway.
Because apparently I enjoy suffering with good cinematography.
★ FINAL RATING: 9/10 (emotionally irreversible condition) ★
✔ Beautiful emotional writing
✔ Strong character mirroring
✔ Visual storytelling that actually means something
✔ Romance that feels earned, not assigned
✔ Politics that support themes instead of overwhelming them
✘ Prime Minister needs consequences (legally and emotionally)
✘ Viewer may develop attachment disorder (fictional only, hopefully)
✘ Post-drama withdrawal is not included in warnings but should be
Final verdict?
This is not a drama you “finish.”
It is a drama that stays.
In scenes.
In edits.
In your brain at 2 AM.
And apparently… in your emotional stability.
Was this review helpful to you?
Too good to be true
After a long time I watched any series while airing … the wait of each and every week for the next episode.. too thrilling. After the first two episode…. I was hooked…maybe also because of the leads..He is like walking God….so tempting…But I liked the storyline most . I loved the bold IU she got what she wanted by hook or crook …she is strong knows how to stand up for herself even in front of her father. They both had great chemistry from the start u can feel the urge for them to get closer. The Queen mother is too elegant to get any hate …The young king is too cute….oHhh what to tell every thing is perfect..Was this review helpful to you?
First and probably only review ever
I have been watching K-drama's since 2020 and I still remember my excitement those days watching all of the classics. That's exactly how I felt throughout the entire time watching this. Keeping it a 12 episode drama was a nice touch and the visuals and outfits I was a total sucker for. 10/10 would recommend.Was this review helpful to you?
1Byeon's Apology!
I watched Perfect Crown twice already.The writers and directors of this drama should be the ones addressing the controversy, not the actor.
Fans should understand that before a drama is released, scripts, scenes, and story direction go through many levels of approval. Actors perform the roles they are hired to portray, but they do not always control the deeper message or final direction of the production.
If the drama was approved for distribution on major platforms like Disney+, then responsibility should not rest only on the shoulders of one actor. A production involves writers, directors, producers, investors, and distributors together.
Byeon Woo-seok gave an emotional performance, and I personally do not believe he should carry the entire burden alone. Accountability should also include the creative team behind the project.
An actor bringing a character to life is different from creating the script itself.
Just my personal opinion after watching the drama carefully twice and now I will watch it a third time, fourth, or more... I loved it! I love Byeon Woo-seok and I.U.
Was this review helpful to you?
Is the Glass half empty or half full?
Why are we so against fun as a society? i mean If we take Perfect Crown at face value, it’s a nice, fluffy rom-com filled with typical K-drama cliches, decent writing, predictable storylines, and okay acting.But if we dissect it piece by piece and dive into the deeper meanings like some viewers do, it can also be seen as a drama that subtly normalizes classism and entitlement, disguising it through romance, attractive leads, and visually pleasing aesthetics.
I’ve noticed two main reactions to this drama.
1. Overzealous fans who label everything about it a masterpiece and give it excessive praise simply because they like the actors.
2. Overly critical viewers who challenge that mindset by pointing out the hypocrisy and problematic themes hidden beneath its fluffy surface.
But there’s also a third approach, the one I lean toward, which is the average viewer who just wants to be entertained. I encourage this third approach because it allows you to enjoy the show while still being aware of its flaws without going to either extreme.
I’m not here to say either side is completely right or wrong. Both have valid points. The first group tends to overhype even the most mundane aspects, while the second sometimes positions itself as intellectually superior, dismissing those who simply enjoy lighthearted romance without analyzing its deeper themes.
For me, Perfect Crown is an okay show. It was fun and easy to watch. Not everything needs to be deeply analyzed for us to enjoy it, we can appreciate something simply for the entertainment it provides. At the same time, it is also important to acknowledge the subtle messages media can convey beneath the surface.
The shows entire premesis is supposed to be basically a modern day Cinderella story,but i didn't actually think it was one bit. I know it's in a reimagined society where money cannot buy your rank and nobility in this world but I can't take a supposed Cinderella seriously when she's decked out in Louboutins and designer clothes and bags every episode. What about her except her status or illigitimate birth gives Cinderella vibes? Would have made much more sense to actually made her poor if we are supposed to feel bad when people are bullying her or talking down to her. Even the fake marriage trope was really for her side only because the prince was obviously charmed with her from their school days. What's fake about a marriage where the guy wouldn't leave you if he had a gun to his head?
Overall, I found the show to be average. They didn't take any risk and deviate from any norms in the drama world. This show is just a large compilation of every cliche ever done, sweet but basic.The plot was predictable, with obvious twists, but it was still heartwarming and engaging. It’s not something I’ll think about every day of my life, but I’ll remember it fondly.
There are only a handful of dramas with this kind of premise, so from the moment it was announced my interest was already peaked. The royal setting and power dynamics gave it a strong foundation, and it definitely had the potential to stand out more.
However, I don’t think that potential was fully explored. Some conflicts felt like they were introduced with a lot of weight but then resolved too quickly or too conveniently. Certain plot points seemed like they would have long-term consequences, but they didn’t always follow through in a meaningful way.
I also felt like the pacing was slightly uneven. Some scenes were stretched out longer than necessary, while more important developments felt rushed. Because of that, a few emotional moments didn’t land as strongly as they could have.
One of my biggest issues in the show was the fake marriage genre which wasn't even explored in the least. They took about 70 percent of the show to get there and when they did the couple was in love with each other so it's not really a fake marriage. While the couple can care about each other before they get married they shouldn't be passionately and crazily in love just removes any aspect of fake in that marriage. They weren't even married for 1 single episode before divorce came up. How is that a fake marriage?
That being said, the storyline was still enjoyable. I won’t lie, some scenes had me kicking my feet in the air because they were genuinely cute and fun to watch. Those lighter moments are really where the drama shines, and they make it easy to stay engaged. However all twists and turns were so boring and literally predictable? they didn't even let you guess multiple people who were doing the bad things they just left it out in the open.
The main characters, however, felt quite shallow. There wasn’t much more depth to them as it was supposedly presented, their emotions were always very clear, but not in a way that added layers.I mean the show positions them as 2 complex human beings who are both so much more than they appear on the surface and have great internal tormoil but i didn't feel anything more that i couldn't see about their personalities in the 1st episode going on in the show. I would have liked to see more internal conflict or growth outside of their relationship.
Their chemistry was decent and worked for the tone of the show, but it didn’t feel particularly strong or memorable. It felt more like visual compatibility than a deep raw emotional connection, which made the romance enjoyable in the moment but not very lasting. It's like you gather 2 popular kids to date, of course everyone is gonna love them together because they are them but what more?
The side characters and villains, on the other hand, were more interesting. I liked that they weren’t overly aggressive in a typical “I hate you” to your face kind of way. They had more nuance, especially the Queen, who stood out and added a level of tension that the main storyline sometimes lacked. Her character left a very deep impression on me and I could never tell what was on her mind, what she wanted, or her end goal which made me feel excited for her every appearance on screen. She was so much more complicated than what she seems, her backstory and motivation going forth made for a thrilling watch. Her Father was also a really good character his scenes were scantily but still very notable.These aren't your typical villians who divulge in ur presence how much of a nuisance u are but take a step back and make u feel the hate slowly as they go. What a legendary performance.
The side characters were a fun mixed bag. The brother and sister-in-law added humor and warmth, and I appreciated that they broke away from the usual “evil half-sibling” trope, No matter how much he complained or teased her you could always tell he loved her deep down, for that i love the turn it took even his wife and his relationship where some of my favourite parts in the show ,they portrayed a marriage built on love and not political or financial gain among prominent people very unheard of in K dramas. The young King was also entertaining and brought a lot of charm and emotion to his scenes. I was torn between the complexity his simple charcter brought, is it okay to force roles upon people at birth because of traditions? His father and him couldnt live the lives they wanted because they were born into a fixed system the couldnt escape.
Her father's charcter was a mixed reaction I absolutely hated him 90 percent of the time but in some little moments he always showed up. In conclusion i still dislike him.
The Assistants romance was sweet and fun nothing to go crazy about but okay filler for episodes when needed. I much preferred the brothers and sister in laws romance,cute and sweet light and fun hearted they had really good chemistry with one another. I found their chemistry even better compared to our main couples.
As for the Prime Minister, I’m a bit conflicted. While it’s a common K-drama trope for the second male lead to be in love with the female lead, it does feel a bit overused. I think it would have been more interesting if he had a stronger identity outside of that dynamic. There is not much we can do in a world where our fl is adored by every handsome man who graces our screen. I feel myself slowly getting tired of all men are in love with this random girl for literally no reason? Why couldn't u have brought the feelings to her attention before she got into a relationship? His jealousy literary made me gag he had no right to be acting that way.
The plot was predictable every toss and turn it led to I could guess right before it happened, I clocked about 80 percent of what was happening before it even landed. Everyone went with the same format programmed in our brains no out of place behavior. But it's a very typical direct story fake marriage it's a very common format so I can't say I'm entirely mad of how they handled the storyline. These typical chliches are a major reason I fell in love with the k drama world so i would be a hypocrite to say it's all bad.
By the end, I felt satisfied but not particularly impressed. The show was consistently enjoyable and disappointing all together, but it didn’t quite reach a level that made it stand out as something extremely special.
So like I said, it’s good, just not what I would call great. It was funny, swoon-worthy, and easy to watch, and sometimes that’s enough.
At the same time, not everything needs to be extraordinary to be enjoyable. People experience media differently. Some might rate it very highly, while others may not enjoy it at all. I don’t fully agree with either ratings, but I can understand both perspectives.
Which brings me back to the question.
Is the glass half empty or half full?
How should we judge this drama at it's face value?
Do we enjoy it for what it is while acknowledging its flaws, or do we focus too much on what it could have been?
I still believe in a middle ground. We don’t need blind praise or unnecessary criticism.
Sometimes, it’s enough to simply enjoy something for what it is, entertainment.
I know this review is a bit different because it focuses not only on the show itself, but also on how people react to it. There has been a big trend on uncessary hate or love on this platform that led me to make this review. I hope everyone can take a second to acknowledge the perspective of the other person.
P.S pls be nice to me do not send me death threats or long paragraphs on how I'm wrong. I literally say everyone can and should rate it differently because we are all different people with different mindsets.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Perfect rom-com with a side of royalty and politics
The story was very strong in the 1st half and was a classic rom-com well done but I felt the last 2-4 eps were a bit rushed. I have no complaints on the romance and chemistry with Byeon Wooseok and IU as well as their characters themselves. IU was no damsel in distress and fights back as the FL which is refreshing and Ian shows his vulnerability and is not just the hero who is invincible and saves the day always. The PM being a villain and his reason was really disappointing seeing how he was such an upright person at the start. He became such a loser and bitter person when he was actually cool in the beginning like he really fell off. The queen mother though was a pleasant surprise because I really felt for her as a woman who had to give up a lot of things just to please her family. Her comeback arc was something I was totally not mad about as Ian's nephew would really be heartbroken if he lost his mother too. Yi An and his nephew's relationship was really cute so I'm glad it didn't get ruined by the end because of this. One thing, I would have liked to see though is Ian and Huiju having a kid of their own or getting married again properly but I'm just glad it's a ending where Byeon Wooseok's character doesn't die and IU's is finally happy lol (iykyk) 😜After watching this, I have realized too what Perfect Crown means. Yi An embodies this title as he is the only royal who thinks about the people of the nation and gave them the right to vote and make the choice for their country which is to abolish the monarchy. He knows firsthand that having a constitutional monarchy is a problem with how it is being abused by nobles who think they are above the law. Loosely based on history instead of Korea having monarchy be abolished due to Japan, Yi An is the one who gave the power back to the people by basically making the country have a parliamentary democracy (no president shown so I guess they only replaced the prime minister instead of having a president).
Overall, a 9.5 for the acting, chemistry, locations and OST were all so good 💯
Was this review helpful to you?
Byeon Wooseok's wardrobe was amazing. He always looked like the prince he was meant to play but I don't think IU's did. She was to be a chaebol and her wardrobe although pretty, it didn't always suit her, especially the color; and don't make me talk about those horrible nails they put on her again, and again. the dullest most horrible color they could find and they also looked like they were done badly.
now, with all that said, I am waiting for it to have Spanish dub so I can put it for my mom because it was THAT good.
Was this review helpful to you?
