This review may contain spoilers
PACING GONE WRONG FOR A GOOD POTENTIAL STORY & TALENTED ENSEMBLE CAST !
Wanted to write a POSITIVE REVIEW instead left with BAD IMPRESSIONS😔 n I need to share my LENGTHYyyy RANTING (pls, bear with me) 😂
First of all, the HYPE (either the fan edits or the recommendations) created very high expectations but those really deceived me n left me DISAPPOINTED! 🙄
I blame the Director, Writers and the Editing team😠, not the Actors !
Expected a 9+/10 drama, seeing the summary with a good potential story n the STAR STUDDED CAST
But left with an impression of 7.5/10 😐
(Would be less than 7.5 but just for the actors, gave 7.5)
Don't want to rate my Hyungsik's work below 8 but helpless bcz of the Poor Pacing of the drama😐
Seeing the hype, made this as a top priority in my "To Watch" list n expected a drama which would be my next favourite but disappointed.
A drama should make the viewer interested in it, instead of this agitated n irritated n write a lengthy review this aggressively🤦🏻♀️
**** Will Mention WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE First:
1) HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED with the first 11 episodes.
It took 5 eps, 5 hours to establish the background to the story and to introduce the characters🙄
Too many unnecessary CONTENT FILLER scenes, just dragging n boring.
Literally, I was on a HIATUS twice to pass through those 11eps (n Once in later episodes), Oops!😂
But for the GOOD STORY, bcz of the LOVE for ENSEMBLE CAST n mainly for my tradition of not to drop a drama, continued it! 😂😐
To be honest, I found the special episode of Cast Interviews, more entertaining than the actual drama, Oops again! 😯
Initially, the story is entertaining n VERY FUNNY
but the PACING is Sloth Paced, dead slow. They could have made those 11 eps in 5-6 eps, instead of wasting 11 hours of viewers' time.
Poor Story Telling / Bad Execution of a good plot / Weak Direction / Poor Screenplay / Poor Editing.
Overall, Pacing and the story progression could be better in 12-16 eps in total, instead of wasting 20 hours!
First 11 eps: U find interesting moments or the very few funny moments or those plot elements important to the story development, just here and there. Most of these eps are just CONTENT FILLERS.
That truly dragged down the interest level of the drama.
I was expecting a very interesting story later on, too.
Uff, They not only wasted the potential of all star studded cast but also of a good interesting story.
The poor progression of the story n no proper characterization is the culprit for this disappointment!
2) From ep 12, it's interesting n Pacing got better n right 👍🏻
But again, pacing dropped towards the end🤦🏻♀️
Even the last eps contain Lot of unnecessary content fillers which do not add anything important to the story or just REPETITIONS / Flashbacks showing a character reminiscing some previous scenes. They are like UNNECESSARY REVISIONS to the viewers 😂
Flashbacks / reminiscing is required to show the thought process of a character or in a scene when a character is brooding over something important but here, it is too much.
Instead of these repetitions, they should have used that time to explain some other story lines.
For eg, I expected to see atleast one scene of FL's mom's death, how her bro is separated from them in childhood, how ML n her bro met n were raised in that village, how the queen's bro gave up his son or the past love story of the Queen n FL's dad etc
(Like how they have given a glimpse of the Queen killing a wonhwa, which is a crucial twist to the story)
3) OmG, the RELATIONSHIPS !?😱
Queen n FL's dad are past lovers but their kids liked each other again (Sik likes FL n Princess like Seo, though these are one sided)
Whether the characters n the writers feel this or no, but I'm super uncomfortable with such relationships😰
4) Also, Didn't like the "probable siblings" romance (Seo n FL).
Though they realised that they are not related, much later but after developing feelings for each other🤯
But throughout the drama (except in the last 2-3 eps), everyone treats them as siblings itself.
Very uncomfortable to watch those scenes n that entire romance track🤢
If it is just for one scene, I would have ignored but they keep reminding these relationships in every scene n that keeps bothering me throughout the drama🤢
I didn't like any romance, any couple in this (except Ban ryu's).
No two actors in these couples, have chemistry, everything looked forced😰
5) Also, Own Siblings of the Royal Family Marry Each Other !? 😯😳
OmG! 😱🤢
Own or half or step siblings, whatever they are, Siblings are Siblings!
Intimate Physical relationship between them is a big NO for me, couldn't tolerate 🤢
6) OST is GOOD BUT..
Came for V & Jin's song but didn't get to listen to it in the drama anywhere, except for a moment or so, as bgm in just 1-2 eps 🙄
7) WEAKLY WRITTEN CHARACTERS
Liked the Dynamics of Seo n Sik, rooted for their friendship n expected more scenes of them n their friendship, in depth but have only few in the entire 20 hours
Also it looked like only Sik (the King) treated Seo as a friend (One side friendship 😂🤦🏻♀️)
Also, Issues with Fiction based on True History are, here the King (Sik) with high principles and philosophy, thinking of the development of the Kingdom n his people only, is shown as COWARD n WEAK for most of the time.
But (as per my research in the Internet) that Real Life King is the Greatest in their History! 😯
They should have written this drama, as just a FICTION, without taking references or the name of true / real life Kings etc🤷🏻♀️
Bcz International Viewers who know nothing about their country's history n traditions, might learn bad or incorrect info from such fiction dramas n might get a bad impression on the true events n actual people🤷🏻♀️
As an International viewer, while watching another country's drama, I tend to observe their traditions, history, dressing style, social interactions etc and curious to know them more😄
Sometimes based on dramas, may come to certain conclusions n impressions that lead to love or ignore those😄, especially if it is historic drama based on a true King n his era (always may not find time to research about their history, right?)
But here, half of the time, am confused, which of these are fiction n which part is true or the entire work is fiction with just the names taken as reference from real life, if so how can a Great King been shown as coward n weak 😯🤦🏻♀️
8) V n Seo's scenes or their friendship looked sudden and forced, without prior proper interactions.
But later it is evident that this forced track is added out of blue just bcz the last scene of them is given an important role in the main story progression.
**** Some thoughts on STORY:
Actually, Hyungsik n SeoJoon, both should be the Main Leads with equal importance (not as 1st n 2nd ML, as shown here)
Bcz, both their characters are of equal importance in the story.
IT'S A TALE OF ONE FINDING THE KING n THE KING FINDING HIMSELF! 😂😐
(Fake King & Real King 😂)
Also, Instead of the Queen n the Princess, Villain is better in a sense😯 (am being Sarcastic!😂)
Bcz atleast, his character is direct n clear that he is Evil.
Whereas these ladies, I can't really make a sense out of their characters for 3/4th of the drama, whether they meant good or bad to the King, the Kingdom n the people, in a bigger picture.
I found them more Evil, Rude, Selfish n Manipulative than the Villain 😂🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
**** WHAT I LIKE:
(Enough of my ranting, now the GOOD PARTS 😂):
As a BTS admirer, planned to watch this for V☺️,
for that OST song by V & Jin😍
n also for cutie Hyungsik 😍
But Fell for smiley MinHo n JiHan by the end of the drama !! 🥰
ALL THE ACTORS DID THEIR BEST IN ACTING with whatever they are given👌🏻👏🏻
***
Liked Park Hyungsik's role.
Sik is the True King, his ideas are always about the Growth of Kingdom n the People 👌🏻
His Thoughts on Philosophy are Very Good.
Need to struggle throughout his life, not just for the throne but for life (death threats from assassins), can't have a normal life or a normal King's life even, grown up in hiding with no friends.
Oh my Poor baby Sik! 😔
He acted so well as a King in Hiding!👌🏻
U can see the mild Tears, Pain n Helplessness in his Eyes, always worrying about the development of his Kingdom n worrying about his people being killed, whoever sees his face 😔
BTW, Sik is handsome as usual🤭🤤
***
Liked the Dynamics of Park Seo Joon n Sik, their Rapport is good 👌🏻
FL role is good at times but the remaining times, looked more like a support role, without much importance 🤦🏻♀️😯
Even that lil importance is forced and given since, she is a FL? 😯😂🤦🏻♀️
Ignored Main couple's Love Triangle (Seo, FL n Sik).
That siblings/not siblings track killed the mood.
I don't root for FL with any of the main leads 😂
***
The Hwarang Boys Team, all the scenes of the entire team are LOVELY.
Especially, The 5 roomies and their bickering is funny😂
Their bonding is good.
Silly boys but cute! 🥰
LOVED ALL THEIR SCENES THE MOST !
Them and V - All these 6 boys need to do a full length comedy movie/series.
(Aww, I love that "thought" already 😍)
***
Sik n his assistant / personal guard are funny🤭 n sweet🤧
Hwarang's head instructor n Hyung sik conversations are philosophical and are Very Good 👌🏻
Head instructor is funny n smart 👌🏻
His friend from the cafe is funny
Queen's guard is handsome 🤭
***
Liked the roles of Minho (char Sooho) n JiHan (char Ban ryu) 👌🏻
Both of them are handsome 😍
Sooho n Ban ryu's bickering is very sweet 😂
Sooho being a playboy, mesmerized by the Queen's beauty n aiming/drooling for her, is funny 😂
Ban ryu is another helpless character, abused by power 😔
He has his own set of life struggles.
Poor Ban ryu! 🤧
Ban ryu n his gal are very cute! 💕
LOVED THEIR SCENES A LOT 💖
She n her bro, Sooho are funny😂
So Ban ryu n Soo ho - Rivals turned Future bros-iLaw😂
Sweet! 🥰
***
V is cute, he is such a baby! 😍
(Though a minor role here, hope to see him moreee in future dramas 😄)
His scenes with his bro, their bonding is sweet n emotional 🤧
While his scenes with FL are VERY FUNNY😂
**** OST:
OST is the BEST!
n Healed the Disappointment that the Poor Pacing of first 11 eps n overall slow paced episodes had created! 😂
All the tracks are Amazing!
I love V & Jin's.
Difficult to choose a track, all are lovely😄
Hyungsik's Singing Voice is just mesmerizing🤤 (drooling). Super talented singer 👏🏻
His OST song is Awesome.
****
Overall, it's a Great Plot.
The Director's team have Great Artists (entire cast) in their reach, could have executed this better but missed it.
Struggled to watch but forced myself to finish this just bcz of Hyungsik 😍 with a hope for a better story🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Anyways, will try to remember only the scenes of happy Hwarang boys team or the 2nd couple's lovely scenes or the Superb OST but not the negatives, further! 😐
Just Watch, if U have Great Patience to watch sloth paced or Repetitive content or just watch like me for your fav actors n whining all the way!😂
(Oops, my lengthy review, blame the director for this😂
Thank U for reading this lengthy one😄)
First of all, the HYPE (either the fan edits or the recommendations) created very high expectations but those really deceived me n left me DISAPPOINTED! 🙄
I blame the Director, Writers and the Editing team😠, not the Actors !
Expected a 9+/10 drama, seeing the summary with a good potential story n the STAR STUDDED CAST
But left with an impression of 7.5/10 😐
(Would be less than 7.5 but just for the actors, gave 7.5)
Don't want to rate my Hyungsik's work below 8 but helpless bcz of the Poor Pacing of the drama😐
Seeing the hype, made this as a top priority in my "To Watch" list n expected a drama which would be my next favourite but disappointed.
A drama should make the viewer interested in it, instead of this agitated n irritated n write a lengthy review this aggressively🤦🏻♀️
**** Will Mention WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE First:
1) HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED with the first 11 episodes.
It took 5 eps, 5 hours to establish the background to the story and to introduce the characters🙄
Too many unnecessary CONTENT FILLER scenes, just dragging n boring.
Literally, I was on a HIATUS twice to pass through those 11eps (n Once in later episodes), Oops!😂
But for the GOOD STORY, bcz of the LOVE for ENSEMBLE CAST n mainly for my tradition of not to drop a drama, continued it! 😂😐
To be honest, I found the special episode of Cast Interviews, more entertaining than the actual drama, Oops again! 😯
Initially, the story is entertaining n VERY FUNNY
but the PACING is Sloth Paced, dead slow. They could have made those 11 eps in 5-6 eps, instead of wasting 11 hours of viewers' time.
Poor Story Telling / Bad Execution of a good plot / Weak Direction / Poor Screenplay / Poor Editing.
Overall, Pacing and the story progression could be better in 12-16 eps in total, instead of wasting 20 hours!
First 11 eps: U find interesting moments or the very few funny moments or those plot elements important to the story development, just here and there. Most of these eps are just CONTENT FILLERS.
That truly dragged down the interest level of the drama.
I was expecting a very interesting story later on, too.
Uff, They not only wasted the potential of all star studded cast but also of a good interesting story.
The poor progression of the story n no proper characterization is the culprit for this disappointment!
2) From ep 12, it's interesting n Pacing got better n right 👍🏻
But again, pacing dropped towards the end🤦🏻♀️
Even the last eps contain Lot of unnecessary content fillers which do not add anything important to the story or just REPETITIONS / Flashbacks showing a character reminiscing some previous scenes. They are like UNNECESSARY REVISIONS to the viewers 😂
Flashbacks / reminiscing is required to show the thought process of a character or in a scene when a character is brooding over something important but here, it is too much.
Instead of these repetitions, they should have used that time to explain some other story lines.
For eg, I expected to see atleast one scene of FL's mom's death, how her bro is separated from them in childhood, how ML n her bro met n were raised in that village, how the queen's bro gave up his son or the past love story of the Queen n FL's dad etc
(Like how they have given a glimpse of the Queen killing a wonhwa, which is a crucial twist to the story)
3) OmG, the RELATIONSHIPS !?😱
Queen n FL's dad are past lovers but their kids liked each other again (Sik likes FL n Princess like Seo, though these are one sided)
Whether the characters n the writers feel this or no, but I'm super uncomfortable with such relationships😰
4) Also, Didn't like the "probable siblings" romance (Seo n FL).
Though they realised that they are not related, much later but after developing feelings for each other🤯
But throughout the drama (except in the last 2-3 eps), everyone treats them as siblings itself.
Very uncomfortable to watch those scenes n that entire romance track🤢
If it is just for one scene, I would have ignored but they keep reminding these relationships in every scene n that keeps bothering me throughout the drama🤢
I didn't like any romance, any couple in this (except Ban ryu's).
No two actors in these couples, have chemistry, everything looked forced😰
5) Also, Own Siblings of the Royal Family Marry Each Other !? 😯😳
OmG! 😱🤢
Own or half or step siblings, whatever they are, Siblings are Siblings!
Intimate Physical relationship between them is a big NO for me, couldn't tolerate 🤢
6) OST is GOOD BUT..
Came for V & Jin's song but didn't get to listen to it in the drama anywhere, except for a moment or so, as bgm in just 1-2 eps 🙄
7) WEAKLY WRITTEN CHARACTERS
Liked the Dynamics of Seo n Sik, rooted for their friendship n expected more scenes of them n their friendship, in depth but have only few in the entire 20 hours
Also it looked like only Sik (the King) treated Seo as a friend (One side friendship 😂🤦🏻♀️)
Also, Issues with Fiction based on True History are, here the King (Sik) with high principles and philosophy, thinking of the development of the Kingdom n his people only, is shown as COWARD n WEAK for most of the time.
But (as per my research in the Internet) that Real Life King is the Greatest in their History! 😯
They should have written this drama, as just a FICTION, without taking references or the name of true / real life Kings etc🤷🏻♀️
Bcz International Viewers who know nothing about their country's history n traditions, might learn bad or incorrect info from such fiction dramas n might get a bad impression on the true events n actual people🤷🏻♀️
As an International viewer, while watching another country's drama, I tend to observe their traditions, history, dressing style, social interactions etc and curious to know them more😄
Sometimes based on dramas, may come to certain conclusions n impressions that lead to love or ignore those😄, especially if it is historic drama based on a true King n his era (always may not find time to research about their history, right?)
But here, half of the time, am confused, which of these are fiction n which part is true or the entire work is fiction with just the names taken as reference from real life, if so how can a Great King been shown as coward n weak 😯🤦🏻♀️
8) V n Seo's scenes or their friendship looked sudden and forced, without prior proper interactions.
But later it is evident that this forced track is added out of blue just bcz the last scene of them is given an important role in the main story progression.
**** Some thoughts on STORY:
Actually, Hyungsik n SeoJoon, both should be the Main Leads with equal importance (not as 1st n 2nd ML, as shown here)
Bcz, both their characters are of equal importance in the story.
IT'S A TALE OF ONE FINDING THE KING n THE KING FINDING HIMSELF! 😂😐
(Fake King & Real King 😂)
Also, Instead of the Queen n the Princess, Villain is better in a sense😯 (am being Sarcastic!😂)
Bcz atleast, his character is direct n clear that he is Evil.
Whereas these ladies, I can't really make a sense out of their characters for 3/4th of the drama, whether they meant good or bad to the King, the Kingdom n the people, in a bigger picture.
I found them more Evil, Rude, Selfish n Manipulative than the Villain 😂🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
**** WHAT I LIKE:
(Enough of my ranting, now the GOOD PARTS 😂):
As a BTS admirer, planned to watch this for V☺️,
for that OST song by V & Jin😍
n also for cutie Hyungsik 😍
But Fell for smiley MinHo n JiHan by the end of the drama !! 🥰
ALL THE ACTORS DID THEIR BEST IN ACTING with whatever they are given👌🏻👏🏻
***
Liked Park Hyungsik's role.
Sik is the True King, his ideas are always about the Growth of Kingdom n the People 👌🏻
His Thoughts on Philosophy are Very Good.
Need to struggle throughout his life, not just for the throne but for life (death threats from assassins), can't have a normal life or a normal King's life even, grown up in hiding with no friends.
Oh my Poor baby Sik! 😔
He acted so well as a King in Hiding!👌🏻
U can see the mild Tears, Pain n Helplessness in his Eyes, always worrying about the development of his Kingdom n worrying about his people being killed, whoever sees his face 😔
BTW, Sik is handsome as usual🤭🤤
***
Liked the Dynamics of Park Seo Joon n Sik, their Rapport is good 👌🏻
FL role is good at times but the remaining times, looked more like a support role, without much importance 🤦🏻♀️😯
Even that lil importance is forced and given since, she is a FL? 😯😂🤦🏻♀️
Ignored Main couple's Love Triangle (Seo, FL n Sik).
That siblings/not siblings track killed the mood.
I don't root for FL with any of the main leads 😂
***
The Hwarang Boys Team, all the scenes of the entire team are LOVELY.
Especially, The 5 roomies and their bickering is funny😂
Their bonding is good.
Silly boys but cute! 🥰
LOVED ALL THEIR SCENES THE MOST !
Them and V - All these 6 boys need to do a full length comedy movie/series.
(Aww, I love that "thought" already 😍)
***
Sik n his assistant / personal guard are funny🤭 n sweet🤧
Hwarang's head instructor n Hyung sik conversations are philosophical and are Very Good 👌🏻
Head instructor is funny n smart 👌🏻
His friend from the cafe is funny
Queen's guard is handsome 🤭
***
Liked the roles of Minho (char Sooho) n JiHan (char Ban ryu) 👌🏻
Both of them are handsome 😍
Sooho n Ban ryu's bickering is very sweet 😂
Sooho being a playboy, mesmerized by the Queen's beauty n aiming/drooling for her, is funny 😂
Ban ryu is another helpless character, abused by power 😔
He has his own set of life struggles.
Poor Ban ryu! 🤧
Ban ryu n his gal are very cute! 💕
LOVED THEIR SCENES A LOT 💖
She n her bro, Sooho are funny😂
So Ban ryu n Soo ho - Rivals turned Future bros-iLaw😂
Sweet! 🥰
***
V is cute, he is such a baby! 😍
(Though a minor role here, hope to see him moreee in future dramas 😄)
His scenes with his bro, their bonding is sweet n emotional 🤧
While his scenes with FL are VERY FUNNY😂
**** OST:
OST is the BEST!
n Healed the Disappointment that the Poor Pacing of first 11 eps n overall slow paced episodes had created! 😂
All the tracks are Amazing!
I love V & Jin's.
Difficult to choose a track, all are lovely😄
Hyungsik's Singing Voice is just mesmerizing🤤 (drooling). Super talented singer 👏🏻
His OST song is Awesome.
****
Overall, it's a Great Plot.
The Director's team have Great Artists (entire cast) in their reach, could have executed this better but missed it.
Struggled to watch but forced myself to finish this just bcz of Hyungsik 😍 with a hope for a better story🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Anyways, will try to remember only the scenes of happy Hwarang boys team or the 2nd couple's lovely scenes or the Superb OST but not the negatives, further! 😐
Just Watch, if U have Great Patience to watch sloth paced or Repetitive content or just watch like me for your fav actors n whining all the way!😂
(Oops, my lengthy review, blame the director for this😂
Thank U for reading this lengthy one😄)
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