This review may contain spoilers
Still a wonderful series but not all tropes age well
9/10 is my rating
On second watch, after diving into hundreds of K-dramas over the years, I revisited Cinderella and the Four Knights (2016), a drama I initially rated a perfect 10/10 and still holds a top spot on my rewatch list. While my love for this series remains strong, my seasoned perspective picked up on some flaws that I overlooked when the drama was fresh. For new viewers in 2025 and beyond, some elements may feel dated or frustrating due to evolving K-drama standards, particularly around character motivations and outdated tropes. Below, I’ve organized my updated thoughts into themed categories to highlight what still works and what might annoy a modern audience.
What Still Shines
Despite the issues, the drama’s heart—Eun Ha Won’s (Park So-dam) journey and her impact on the Kang cousins—remains captivating. Her feisty yet kind nature, the slow transformation of the spoiled heirs, and the bromance among Kang Hyun Min (Ahn Jae-hyun), Kang Ji Woon (Jung Il-woo), and Kang Seo Woo (Lee Jung-shin) still make this a joy to watch. Lee Yoon Sung’s (Choi Min) quiet loyalty as the bodyguard adds depth, and the overall vibe keeps it a comfort rewatch for me.
Spoilers
I still adore Cinderella and the Four Knights for its strong female lead, Eun Ha Won (Park So-dam), who brings heart and grit to every scene. Her ability to transform the Kang cousins—Hyun Min’s (Ahn Jae-hyun) playboy charm, Ji Woon’s (Jung Il-woo) rebellious edge, and Seo Woo’s (Lee Jung-shin) artistic soul—feels rewarding, and the bromance is a highlight. However, Park Hye Ji’s (Son Na-eun) clingy, manipulative behavior and the lack of accountability for Ji Hwa Ja (Kim Hye-ri) and Eun Gi Sang (Kim Yong-geon) are harder to ignore now. The drama’s reliance on outdated tropes, like excusing bad behavior or normalizing obsessive crushes, might not sit well with new viewers. Still, Ha Won’s positivity and the cousins’ growth keep this a beloved watch, even if it’s not as perfect as I once thought.
Character Dynamics and Flaws
Unrealistic Romance and Obsession: Park Hye Ji’s (Son Na-eun) obsession with Kang Hyun Min (Ahn Jae-hyun) feels unwarranted and uncomfortable. Their childhood connection, severed for a decade while Hyun Min studied abroad, doesn’t justify her clinginess. People grow apart, and her relentless pursuit—crying constantly and demanding attention—makes her seem selfish and needy, almost like she’s wearing him down into a relationship. A modern viewer might see this as unhealthy, bordering on Stockholm syndrome vibes. Hyun Min’s own drama-llama tendencies, like his “pushing you away because I love you” excuse, don’t hold up either. His playboy persona and string of women undermine his claim of deep feelings, making their dynamic feel forced and unconvincing. She also seemed willing to be with any of the cousins, making it apparent her real motivation was marrying into the family. It was selfish to pit them against each other the way she did. I mentally groaned every time her character came on, in this re-watch.
Moral Inconsistencies: The Chairman’s wife, Ji Hwa Ja (Kim Hye-ri), is unforgivably cruel to Eun Ha Won (Park So-dam), despite her own past as a poor, abused woman. This hypocrisy is jarring, and the lack of an apology or redemption arc for her feels like a missed opportunity. Similarly, Ha Won’s father, Eun Gi Sang (Kim Yong-geon), is neglectful and psychologically abusive toward Ha Won, believing she’s not his daughter, only to flip when he learns the truth. His distrust of his late wife and failure to love her enough to believe in her integrity is disappointing, and his behavior toward a child—blaming her for adult issues—is inexcusable.
Problematic Friendships: Ha Won’s friend, Go Seo Kyung (Cho Hye-jung), is more annoying than supportive. She repeatedly refuses to let a homeless Ha Won stay with her, which feels like a betrayal of friendship. Her creepy behavior toward Kang Seo Woo (Lee Jung-shin), like taking unauthorized photos and invading his phone’s privacy, is unsettling. The implied romantic tease between them at the end feels unearned and cheapens Seo Woo’s character, one of my favorites.
Dated Tropes: The drama leans heavily on tropes that haven’t aged well. The “I like you, so you have to like me” mentality—where characters like Hye Ji are supported in their obsessive pursuits—feels out of touch with modern K-dramas that prioritize mutual respect. The normalization of privacy invasions (e.g., Seo Kyung’s actions) and the “I’m a jerk but it’s okay because I’m sorry” arc, particularly with Hyun Min and Ji Woon, grates on contemporary sensibilities. New viewers might find these elements frustrating, as recent dramas tend to handle relationships and accountability with more nuance.
Synopsis
This is a 2016 South Korean television series with 16, 60-minute episodes. It is based on a novel that had the same title and the basic elements, of the story draws some parallels with Boys Over Flowers (2009). The "Cinderella" in this story is Eun Ha Won (Park So-dam) who is hard working and mature for her age. She lost her mother and her father remarried but is rarely home. She lives with her stepmother and stepsister, who do not consider her family and are selfish with the limited resources the family has. Ha Won is working multiple part-time jobs to save up for college. Her mother, when alive, encouraged Ha Won to be a teacher and that is her life goal. Circumstances lead her into the realm of three rich, spoiled, heirs to an empire and the grandfather thinks she might be just the one to get the boys into shape. This is after he saw her "discipline" one of his grandsons who was not treating his elder or her with respect. The grandfather strikes a deal with her and gets her to move in with his handsome nephews as sort of an adult nanny. Before moving in, Ha Won already had encounters with lady's man and playboy Kang Hyun Min (Ahn Jae-hyun) and the "gangsterish" rebel Kang Ji Woon (Jung ll-Woo). Kang Seo Woo (Lee Jung-shin) is not immediately on Ha Won's radar but the grandfather does not think much of his music career. The fourth knight is the grandson's live in bodyguard Lee Yoon Sung (Choi Min). Park Hye Ji (Son Na-eun) is a childhood friend of Kang Hyun Min and Kang Ji Woon has designated himself as her protector. Hye Ji sees herself marrying into the Kang family and often uses one of the cousins to get the attention of another.
On second watch, after diving into hundreds of K-dramas over the years, I revisited Cinderella and the Four Knights (2016), a drama I initially rated a perfect 10/10 and still holds a top spot on my rewatch list. While my love for this series remains strong, my seasoned perspective picked up on some flaws that I overlooked when the drama was fresh. For new viewers in 2025 and beyond, some elements may feel dated or frustrating due to evolving K-drama standards, particularly around character motivations and outdated tropes. Below, I’ve organized my updated thoughts into themed categories to highlight what still works and what might annoy a modern audience.
What Still Shines
Despite the issues, the drama’s heart—Eun Ha Won’s (Park So-dam) journey and her impact on the Kang cousins—remains captivating. Her feisty yet kind nature, the slow transformation of the spoiled heirs, and the bromance among Kang Hyun Min (Ahn Jae-hyun), Kang Ji Woon (Jung Il-woo), and Kang Seo Woo (Lee Jung-shin) still make this a joy to watch. Lee Yoon Sung’s (Choi Min) quiet loyalty as the bodyguard adds depth, and the overall vibe keeps it a comfort rewatch for me.
Spoilers
I still adore Cinderella and the Four Knights for its strong female lead, Eun Ha Won (Park So-dam), who brings heart and grit to every scene. Her ability to transform the Kang cousins—Hyun Min’s (Ahn Jae-hyun) playboy charm, Ji Woon’s (Jung Il-woo) rebellious edge, and Seo Woo’s (Lee Jung-shin) artistic soul—feels rewarding, and the bromance is a highlight. However, Park Hye Ji’s (Son Na-eun) clingy, manipulative behavior and the lack of accountability for Ji Hwa Ja (Kim Hye-ri) and Eun Gi Sang (Kim Yong-geon) are harder to ignore now. The drama’s reliance on outdated tropes, like excusing bad behavior or normalizing obsessive crushes, might not sit well with new viewers. Still, Ha Won’s positivity and the cousins’ growth keep this a beloved watch, even if it’s not as perfect as I once thought.
Character Dynamics and Flaws
Unrealistic Romance and Obsession: Park Hye Ji’s (Son Na-eun) obsession with Kang Hyun Min (Ahn Jae-hyun) feels unwarranted and uncomfortable. Their childhood connection, severed for a decade while Hyun Min studied abroad, doesn’t justify her clinginess. People grow apart, and her relentless pursuit—crying constantly and demanding attention—makes her seem selfish and needy, almost like she’s wearing him down into a relationship. A modern viewer might see this as unhealthy, bordering on Stockholm syndrome vibes. Hyun Min’s own drama-llama tendencies, like his “pushing you away because I love you” excuse, don’t hold up either. His playboy persona and string of women undermine his claim of deep feelings, making their dynamic feel forced and unconvincing. She also seemed willing to be with any of the cousins, making it apparent her real motivation was marrying into the family. It was selfish to pit them against each other the way she did. I mentally groaned every time her character came on, in this re-watch.
Moral Inconsistencies: The Chairman’s wife, Ji Hwa Ja (Kim Hye-ri), is unforgivably cruel to Eun Ha Won (Park So-dam), despite her own past as a poor, abused woman. This hypocrisy is jarring, and the lack of an apology or redemption arc for her feels like a missed opportunity. Similarly, Ha Won’s father, Eun Gi Sang (Kim Yong-geon), is neglectful and psychologically abusive toward Ha Won, believing she’s not his daughter, only to flip when he learns the truth. His distrust of his late wife and failure to love her enough to believe in her integrity is disappointing, and his behavior toward a child—blaming her for adult issues—is inexcusable.
Problematic Friendships: Ha Won’s friend, Go Seo Kyung (Cho Hye-jung), is more annoying than supportive. She repeatedly refuses to let a homeless Ha Won stay with her, which feels like a betrayal of friendship. Her creepy behavior toward Kang Seo Woo (Lee Jung-shin), like taking unauthorized photos and invading his phone’s privacy, is unsettling. The implied romantic tease between them at the end feels unearned and cheapens Seo Woo’s character, one of my favorites.
Dated Tropes: The drama leans heavily on tropes that haven’t aged well. The “I like you, so you have to like me” mentality—where characters like Hye Ji are supported in their obsessive pursuits—feels out of touch with modern K-dramas that prioritize mutual respect. The normalization of privacy invasions (e.g., Seo Kyung’s actions) and the “I’m a jerk but it’s okay because I’m sorry” arc, particularly with Hyun Min and Ji Woon, grates on contemporary sensibilities. New viewers might find these elements frustrating, as recent dramas tend to handle relationships and accountability with more nuance.
Synopsis
This is a 2016 South Korean television series with 16, 60-minute episodes. It is based on a novel that had the same title and the basic elements, of the story draws some parallels with Boys Over Flowers (2009). The "Cinderella" in this story is Eun Ha Won (Park So-dam) who is hard working and mature for her age. She lost her mother and her father remarried but is rarely home. She lives with her stepmother and stepsister, who do not consider her family and are selfish with the limited resources the family has. Ha Won is working multiple part-time jobs to save up for college. Her mother, when alive, encouraged Ha Won to be a teacher and that is her life goal. Circumstances lead her into the realm of three rich, spoiled, heirs to an empire and the grandfather thinks she might be just the one to get the boys into shape. This is after he saw her "discipline" one of his grandsons who was not treating his elder or her with respect. The grandfather strikes a deal with her and gets her to move in with his handsome nephews as sort of an adult nanny. Before moving in, Ha Won already had encounters with lady's man and playboy Kang Hyun Min (Ahn Jae-hyun) and the "gangsterish" rebel Kang Ji Woon (Jung ll-Woo). Kang Seo Woo (Lee Jung-shin) is not immediately on Ha Won's radar but the grandfather does not think much of his music career. The fourth knight is the grandson's live in bodyguard Lee Yoon Sung (Choi Min). Park Hye Ji (Son Na-eun) is a childhood friend of Kang Hyun Min and Kang Ji Woon has designated himself as her protector. Hye Ji sees herself marrying into the Kang family and often uses one of the cousins to get the attention of another.
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