This review may contain spoilers
The Forbidden Marriage: Pain, Passion & Perfect Storytelling
Just finished watching The Forbidden Marriage for the second time — and wow, it still hits hard!
This drama officially ranks #2 on my list of favorite Korean dramas, and for good reason.
What I love most is how beautifully it shows the growth of the main leads (ML & FL) — their pain, struggles, and the way they overcome everything together. It’s emotional, layered, and surprisingly funny at times
Sorang’s Journey
Sorang’s life was already filled with heartbreak long before the marriage ban. Losing her mother so young and having to live under a cruel stepmother — thanks to her father allowing his second wife to control the household — only deepened her misfortunes. Watching her push through everything with her cleverness and warmth made me admire her character even more.
King Lee Heon — Perfection in Acting
The ML’s portrayal of King Lee Heon? Beyond phenomenal. You can feel his pain in every scene.
He’s haunted by the death of his first love, believing for years that she took her own life — only to later discover the heartbreaking truth: she was murdered by one of his own cabinet members who wanted to manipulate him. His struggle between grief, duty, and love is portrayed flawlessly.
Lee Shin-Won — The Perfect Second Lead
Now, let’s talk about the second ML, Lee Shin-Won. I adored his character. Compassionate, loyal, supportive, and deeply understanding — he’s the kind of second lead that makes you want him to be happy, even if you know he won’t get the girl. The writer balanced his role perfectly without overdoing the love triangle.
Hidden Layers & Fun References
One thing I love about this drama is the little surprises hidden throughout:
Episode 1 & 12: Subtle hints of bisexuality — only the third time I’ve seen this in a Korean drama, especially in a historical setting!
Episode 4: Sorang mentions “seok sin gang rim” when talking about sexual position books — I even looked it up, and apparently, the phrase doesn’t exist anywhere.
Pop Culture Easter Eggs:
References to Goblin and Hotel Del Luna (loved those nods!)
A mention of the book Men Are from Mars; Women Are from Venus.
The bathtub scene? Inspired by Red Sleeve.
Episode 9: That old man giving a thumbs-up before going back into the hole? Total homage to The Terminator.
Comedy Gold
And I cannot forget the two lovable misfits — those two were hilarious! Their antics brought so much unexpected humor and balance to the darker parts of the story.
This drama officially ranks #2 on my list of favorite Korean dramas, and for good reason.
What I love most is how beautifully it shows the growth of the main leads (ML & FL) — their pain, struggles, and the way they overcome everything together. It’s emotional, layered, and surprisingly funny at times
Sorang’s Journey
Sorang’s life was already filled with heartbreak long before the marriage ban. Losing her mother so young and having to live under a cruel stepmother — thanks to her father allowing his second wife to control the household — only deepened her misfortunes. Watching her push through everything with her cleverness and warmth made me admire her character even more.
King Lee Heon — Perfection in Acting
The ML’s portrayal of King Lee Heon? Beyond phenomenal. You can feel his pain in every scene.
He’s haunted by the death of his first love, believing for years that she took her own life — only to later discover the heartbreaking truth: she was murdered by one of his own cabinet members who wanted to manipulate him. His struggle between grief, duty, and love is portrayed flawlessly.
Lee Shin-Won — The Perfect Second Lead
Now, let’s talk about the second ML, Lee Shin-Won. I adored his character. Compassionate, loyal, supportive, and deeply understanding — he’s the kind of second lead that makes you want him to be happy, even if you know he won’t get the girl. The writer balanced his role perfectly without overdoing the love triangle.
Hidden Layers & Fun References
One thing I love about this drama is the little surprises hidden throughout:
Episode 1 & 12: Subtle hints of bisexuality — only the third time I’ve seen this in a Korean drama, especially in a historical setting!
Episode 4: Sorang mentions “seok sin gang rim” when talking about sexual position books — I even looked it up, and apparently, the phrase doesn’t exist anywhere.
Pop Culture Easter Eggs:
References to Goblin and Hotel Del Luna (loved those nods!)
A mention of the book Men Are from Mars; Women Are from Venus.
The bathtub scene? Inspired by Red Sleeve.
Episode 9: That old man giving a thumbs-up before going back into the hole? Total homage to The Terminator.
Comedy Gold
And I cannot forget the two lovable misfits — those two were hilarious! Their antics brought so much unexpected humor and balance to the darker parts of the story.
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