Now, I'm super pleased with the finale and drama as a whole! However, only minor flaw for the ending I'll mention…
One of the odd quirks of Korean history is that kings who were remembered as bloodthirsty tyrants (with a couple of exceptions, like Yeonsangun) were great for the freedoms and prosperity of ordinary people. They were considered tyrants because they killed a lot of nobles, who were the ones writing about and telling history.
Then you have kings like Yeongjo who ruthlessly put down attempted coups early in their reign but are remembered as wise and benevolent because they could ease up after getting the nasty but unfortunately necessary bloodshed out of the way.
The drama is a dissertation on human nature and power, with the fall arc of Bang Won as its core. It was never…
Historically Yi Bang-won was crucial to his father and Sambong’s efforts to establish Joseon but in the end he forced out or killed most of his former allies (including some of his own brothers) and is regarded as a controversial figure (at best) or a ruthless tyrant (at worst). The series is totally consistent with the historical record of Yi Bang-won’s actual behavior. At the beginning of the series he is enthusiastic and idealistic but also dangerously brash, and there are hints of the ruthless and dangerous person he will eventually become.
This is not a story about people’s ideals or “human nature” - it’s a tragic, fictionalized account of one of the most pivotal, and horrible, people in the history of the Korean Peninsula.
I’m always surprised and delighted when I see one of the young actors from TMETS grown up and playing a leading role in a different drama from years later. One of my dreams is to see Kim Yoo-jung or Kim So-hyun in a drama with Yeo Jin-goo.
Initially I started watching this because the MDL rating was pretty good and I liked the concept. I found most of the characters and their anime-ass haircuts annoying, but I generally give a drama 3-4 episodes to reel me in.
I’m glad I did because it got really good after a few episodes. I’m still annoyed by the anime haircuts but I’m over it now.
I love how this is different from a conventional legal drama because the cases and trials aren’t won on evidence or knowledge of the law so much as confidence schemes and working the refs, which seems much more realistic IMO.
The drama’s tonal shifts are a little awkward but I can forgive a lot for any drama that has Kang Tae-oh acting kind of neurotic and speaking in satoori.
Mrs. Heo (the chairman’s wife and the owner of the real estate agency) is just such a perfect petty antagonist - smug, deeply insecure, uptight, and casually nasty. her whole “expensive early 90s fashion crime” aesthetic is just the cherry on top.
Watched this for Yeo Jin-goo, who was very good in it. Bang Min-ah too. But boy, this drama is stupid in several different ways, especially after the halfway point.
Of course, I will crack the same jokes about wanting a Yeo Jin-goo boyfriend android that I did the first time around.
Is it ever explained why/how the Clown and the King are spitting images of each other? Is it just pure coincidence…
Coincidence. It doesn’t really matter why they are dead ringers for each other - it’s just a way to show how terrible and absurd the whole concept of hereditary monarchy is.
Then you have kings like Yeongjo who ruthlessly put down attempted coups early in their reign but are remembered as wise and benevolent because they could ease up after getting the nasty but unfortunately necessary bloodshed out of the way.
If you want something happier then watch a fusion sageuk I guess.
This is not a story about people’s ideals or “human nature” - it’s a tragic, fictionalized account of one of the most pivotal, and horrible, people in the history of the Korean Peninsula.
I’m glad I did because it got really good after a few episodes. I’m still annoyed by the anime haircuts but I’m over it now.
Remember when dramas used to show people with different phones appropriate to their economic circumstances? Those days are long gone.
is making weapons for our coup
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Of course, I will crack the same jokes about wanting a Yeo Jin-goo boyfriend android that I did the first time around.