Finally watched this drama and I regret not watching it earlier. Nevertheless, I think I appreciated Shin Hye Sun's character even more after watching Mr Queen first. It was also good to see Yang Se Jong and Ahn Hyo Seop here.
I really love the chemistry between the leads (Shin Hye Sun and Yang Se Jong are so compatible and they make a really cute couple) and the characters were really likeable. The only thing that didn't agree with me was the slow pace of the drama towards the end. There seemed to be more zoom ins on facial expressions and flashbacks to act as fillers - I thought the plot could have been developed further instead of having these, i.e. Seo Ri's "reunion" with her family, Seo Ri and Woo Jin's wedding. Still, glad that the last episode was satisfactory (was worried about it due to the preceding episodes) and that last scene in Seo Ri and Woo Jin's room was very cute and sweet!
Loved every minute of it, except that the ending wasn't exactly satisfactory.
What I like best was how the FL's sense of humour was consistent throughout the drama (usually it disappears midway/when the FL and ML falls in love). That said, it was missing something because it felt like there wasn't a proper closure for the FL and ML's relationship as it seems the production team decided to go with a more realistic/"acceptable" ending since the FL is actually a guy and all. Still, seems weird that ML seems oblivious to the difference in the queen's demeanour at the end. Just felt that he of all people should have felt something since it wasn't the real Kim So Yong that he fell in love with.
Nevertheless, really love the FL and the old palace maid. They have my heart.
Was super excited to watch because of Bo Gum and Gong Yoo, and their acting didn't disappoint. I love how their characters interacted, and I enjoyed watching Bo Gum's portrayal of Seo Bok. However, it was a shame that the ending was too rushed and brief which made it kinda anti-climatic (it went downhill once they returned to the lab).
Even though season one wasn't really my cup of tea (never really understood the breakup), I was still really excited when I saw that season two was released - if only because the very last scene of the last episode was promising. About Jojo and Sun Oh's reconciliation.
This season, if anything, seems to be just a filler and a gimmick of sorts for Netflix to lure viewers. Sure, the scenery and the filming angles were prettier (I think), but the storyline is absolute bs. To top it all, it just feels like an entirely different drama with the same cast and it was very, very slow-paced with too many zoom-ins into each character's facial expression (I get that this is a trait of K drama, but this drama overused and overdid it).
With the exception of the very first scene (where season one ended), it all somewhat pointed to Hye Young - Sun Oh's scenes were few and limited, there was plenty of Hye Young's scenes and most of Sun Oh's on-screen time was together with the other girl. Granted, she's rather cute, but she's no Jojo.
All in all, it felt like Sun Oh suddenly gets dropped as the ML.
Also, whatever bs that Jojo was narrating to us viewers at the end was full of loopholes. For one, if her choice was a result of her own violation or whatever, and according to Netflix's synopsis was her "one true love", then... What was the plot of this drama at all? Wasn't it about an app that could read your feelings and help to confess your feelings? If Jojo needed the spear and shield, how's her finale choice her "true love"?
All I can say is I didn't wait for almost TWO YEARS for this ending. Thanks Netflix, for ruining how K dramas are supposed to be (no offence). I'm just really upset with the ending, probably because I've waited so long for it.
P.S. Nothing against Hye Young, but the good and nice guys in K dramas are almost always supposed to stay as the second ML.
Despite all the hype, this drama is a disappointment. Sure, the cast was good and even the plot was good, but it was a flop. The main leads really didn't have chemistry (even though each portrayed their respective roles pretty well) and though the plot and the general concept of the drama was intriguing, the execution was bad - it was slow, boring and just draggy.
(I never understood how the FL fell in love with the ML, seemed very sudden.)
Maybe it's because of Kim Go Eun, but I couldn't help compare this with Goblin. Both are of the fantasy genre, with a ML that has a sad past. But unlike The King, each moment of the Goblin sucked me in - I kept craving for more. However, with The King, it was boring from the start and even if it got better during the latter episodes, the execution of the drama just killed it.
I also don't get the ending. I liked how everyone got their happy endings (even Luna) and their just desserts (prime minister Koo). But... It never answer one of the bigger questions, because Lee Gon and Jeong Tae Eul are just meeting up and travelling among the dimensions. It doesn't really solve the questions pertaining to his kingship - by keeping to this lifestyle, I'm assuming he won't have an official queen and thus will be left heirless. So, isn't this the opposite of what a "good" king's supposed to do?
Still, I have to commend Woo Do Hwan - he was my favourite. With his appearance, he seems to bring life out of the seemingly monotonous drama.
I'm okay with the differences between TPB and TMOPB, since FJ finally got her happy ending (she was really desperate in TMOPB which got on my nerves towards the end). I enjoyed watching DH being affectionate towards FJ, especially towards the end. In fact, he was so good at portraying the doting lover that I had to pause the drama repeatedly because it's hard to believe that he's the same "rock".
While there were some changes to the cast, I got used to most of them after a while. However, I do miss the previous Ah Li (he was so sweet & adorable), Zhe Yan and Bai Zhen (where's Alan Yu?). I couldn't really get use to the replacement of these three but the new Cheng Yu seems to be a better match with Lian Song, as they have more playful banters now. I can't wait to watch their story so hopefully, the author will complete the novel soon!
The one thing, or character actually, that truly annoyed me was Ji Heng (Zhi He doesn't even hold a candle). No offence, but I didn't like her from the moment she was introduced and it just went downhill from there. Maybe I just don't like that actress, but she (her character) was really infuriating. And as if she wasn't annoying enough, the writers paired her up with YCW, right at the end. I really like YCW so I think that he's way too good for her, especially since it doesn't seem like she really likes him for who he is but because of her circumstance. Also that last scene? She had way too much dialogue (mostly bs) for a supporting character who has been cast away. I mean, I would much rather YCW doing the talking if you must have that scene.
And.... The ending was kinda underwhelming for me. To think that the only thing that was needed to defeat Miao Luo was the combination of DH and FJ's blood. While it might seem romantic and matches the whole concept of TPB, I was expecting something on par with the last battle in TMOPB, given that DH is more ancient and powerful than Ye Hua. So yeah, it was kinda disappointing but I'm happy that DH and FJ gets live and have their happily ever after. The last part though, it was kinda abrupt with how FJ was "sleeping" and there weren't really any explanation pertaining to how long she was asleep or a longer glimpse into their life as a married couple (been at cold war since their wedding day) or as a family of three (curious to see how DH interacts with Gun Gun).
The first episode was confusing; it was abrupt and the script writer tried to cramp in too many details without pacing it out nicely. But it gets better after a few episodes until everyone moves back to the capital (about halfway through the drama). It started to be really draggy and annoying, especially for the lead couple.
I like Alan Yu, but his acting here is disappointing. I'm not sure if such roles (i.e. MLs that are seemingly cold outside and warm on the inside) are hard to portray (LOY's ML looks like a scared squirrel throughout the series) but Alan Yu was really stiff here, which is a bummer because I enjoyed watching him as Bai Zhen in Eternal Love (how I wished he had appeared in the second one too, the new Bai Zhen doesn't fit the bill at all).
I've seen Yukee Chan in AOL and TPWY. She was good for her roles in those shows but I'm not too keen on her being the FL here; she doesn't seem to suit the FL role here. I only thought she was okay after she decided to (momentarily) severe ties with Jing Ci after the pavilion incident, which was pretty late in the drama.
The main plot was not too bad, but the execution of it wasn't good. There were abrupt transitions between scenes and the romance/character development of the leads weren't very consistent. The romance development really got to me; while I understand that ML did everything to protect the FL, having the FL misunderstand him and pushing him away continuously throughout the series made it really draggy and boring.
The ending... was another issue for me. The script writer tried to cramp so many events in the last few episodes, especially during episodes 34 to 36. FL gets framed for murder and her innocence was proven, FL and ML finally makes up (FL finally regains her lost memories)... Then the emperor is murdered and there's a mutiny. The second prince is soon defeated before the neighbouring Zhao country attacks, to which the ML, FL and FL's twin sister (who appeared out of nowhere) saves the day. Most of these happened in 3 episodes. They'd have more time to pace these events properly if they cut on their countless flashbacks and scenes that are done in slow motion (it's so slow and they repeat it in from least 3 different angles that it's ridiculous).
Other than the leads, I didn't know anybody else except for Wang Yu (Xiao Lu). I like her character and the scene of her death was probably the most impressionable. However, the drama didn't really do a good job of wrapping things up after because no matter how sad FL was over her death in jail, Xiao Lu seems to be forgotten once FL pursued revenge after she got out of jail. There wasn't any more mention of Xiao Lu (or her body, funeral).
As for the other characters, Zhi Xia and Wang Ze Sheng was really annoying because the former was too obsessive about her hatred towards FL which prevented any possible character development, until suddenly she dies while trying to protect FL right at the end. Also, as much as it was a nice gesture for Zhuo Yan Xi to have romantic feelings with Jiang Tan, I thought that most of their scenes together felt forced and awkward. It might have been better off without having so many and instead use those air time to properly develop the main plot.
Heard that it was good so gave it a shot. Drama started off strong and interesting but it got draggy and boring for me in the middle. Thankfully, the ending was wrapped up nicely.
I love Park Sae Ro Yi as a character, he's a real good and strong one; I love him more each time I see the way he deals with a situation or people's nasty behaviour towards him. He's a gem and the one thing that was holding up the drama.
Although Jo Yi Seo is a strong and badass FM, she unfortunately gets on my nerve from time to time. I get that there's a 10 year age gap between the leads, but she's just a rude and conceited brat; albeit a capable one. Also, no offence but I didn't quite like Kim Da Mi as the FL; she doesn't really appeal to me and her chemistry with Park Seo Joon isn't there as a romantic couple (she's more of a friendship vibe and PSJ has more romantic feels with Oh Soo Ah). She'd be better suited if she didn't have romantic links with Sae Ro Yi.
Best part of the drama: Park Bo Gum's cameo in the last episode. The best surprise.
totally agree with you on the most points, haha!about the ending - there are two versions of theending - in one…
Thanks for the links, but it's made unavailable for me :'(
From your description, I think I've watched the happy ending? Because Fei Ye was seen hugging her, that's why I was confused about Yun Xi's being dead/alive. Okay, I'm just gonna assume she came back to life then. Thanks!
totally agree with you on the most points, haha!about the ending - there are two versions of theending - in one…
I saw other comments about there being 2 endings, but wasn't sure which I watched because someone did come to take her bangle from GQS. Is this the sad one?
I really love the chemistry between the leads (Shin Hye Sun and Yang Se Jong are so compatible and they make a really cute couple) and the characters were really likeable. The only thing that didn't agree with me was the slow pace of the drama towards the end. There seemed to be more zoom ins on facial expressions and flashbacks to act as fillers - I thought the plot could have been developed further instead of having these, i.e. Seo Ri's "reunion" with her family, Seo Ri and Woo Jin's wedding. Still, glad that the last episode was satisfactory (was worried about it due to the preceding episodes) and that last scene in Seo Ri and Woo Jin's room was very cute and sweet!
What I like best was how the FL's sense of humour was consistent throughout the drama (usually it disappears midway/when the FL and ML falls in love). That said, it was missing something because it felt like there wasn't a proper closure for the FL and ML's relationship as it seems the production team decided to go with a more realistic/"acceptable" ending since the FL is actually a guy and all. Still, seems weird that ML seems oblivious to the difference in the queen's demeanour at the end. Just felt that he of all people should have felt something since it wasn't the real Kim So Yong that he fell in love with.
Nevertheless, really love the FL and the old palace maid. They have my heart.
This season, if anything, seems to be just a filler and a gimmick of sorts for Netflix to lure viewers. Sure, the scenery and the filming angles were prettier (I think), but the storyline is absolute bs. To top it all, it just feels like an entirely different drama with the same cast and it was very, very slow-paced with too many zoom-ins into each character's facial expression (I get that this is a trait of K drama, but this drama overused and overdid it).
With the exception of the very first scene (where season one ended), it all somewhat pointed to Hye Young - Sun Oh's scenes were few and limited, there was plenty of Hye Young's scenes and most of Sun Oh's on-screen time was together with the other girl. Granted, she's rather cute, but she's no Jojo.
All in all, it felt like Sun Oh suddenly gets dropped as the ML.
Also, whatever bs that Jojo was narrating to us viewers at the end was full of loopholes. For one, if her choice was a result of her own violation or whatever, and according to Netflix's synopsis was her "one true love", then... What was the plot of this drama at all? Wasn't it about an app that could read your feelings and help to confess your feelings? If Jojo needed the spear and shield, how's her finale choice her "true love"?
All I can say is I didn't wait for almost TWO YEARS for this ending. Thanks Netflix, for ruining how K dramas are supposed to be (no offence). I'm just really upset with the ending, probably because I've waited so long for it.
P.S. Nothing against Hye Young, but the good and nice guys in K dramas are almost always supposed to stay as the second ML.
(I never understood how the FL fell in love with the ML, seemed very sudden.)
Maybe it's because of Kim Go Eun, but I couldn't help compare this with Goblin. Both are of the fantasy genre, with a ML that has a sad past. But unlike The King, each moment of the Goblin sucked me in - I kept craving for more. However, with The King, it was boring from the start and even if it got better during the latter episodes, the execution of the drama just killed it.
I also don't get the ending. I liked how everyone got their happy endings (even Luna) and their just desserts (prime minister Koo). But... It never answer one of the bigger questions, because Lee Gon and Jeong Tae Eul are just meeting up and travelling among the dimensions. It doesn't really solve the questions pertaining to his kingship - by keeping to this lifestyle, I'm assuming he won't have an official queen and thus will be left heirless. So, isn't this the opposite of what a "good" king's supposed to do?
Still, I have to commend Woo Do Hwan - he was my favourite. With his appearance, he seems to bring life out of the seemingly monotonous drama.
Are you able to watch it in the raw version? If you can, you can try here:https://www.olevod.com/?m=vod-detail-id-15926.html
While there were some changes to the cast, I got used to most of them after a while. However, I do miss the previous Ah Li (he was so sweet & adorable), Zhe Yan and Bai Zhen (where's Alan Yu?). I couldn't really get use to the replacement of these three but the new Cheng Yu seems to be a better match with Lian Song, as they have more playful banters now. I can't wait to watch their story so hopefully, the author will complete the novel soon!
The one thing, or character actually, that truly annoyed me was Ji Heng (Zhi He doesn't even hold a candle). No offence, but I didn't like her from the moment she was introduced and it just went downhill from there. Maybe I just don't like that actress, but she (her character) was really infuriating. And as if she wasn't annoying enough, the writers paired her up with YCW, right at the end. I really like YCW so I think that he's way too good for her, especially since it doesn't seem like she really likes him for who he is but because of her circumstance. Also that last scene? She had way too much dialogue (mostly bs) for a supporting character who has been cast away. I mean, I would much rather YCW doing the talking if you must have that scene.
And.... The ending was kinda underwhelming for me. To think that the only thing that was needed to defeat Miao Luo was the combination of DH and FJ's blood. While it might seem romantic and matches the whole concept of TPB, I was expecting something on par with the last battle in TMOPB, given that DH is more ancient and powerful than Ye Hua. So yeah, it was kinda disappointing but I'm happy that DH and FJ gets live and have their happily ever after. The last part though, it was kinda abrupt with how FJ was "sleeping" and there weren't really any explanation pertaining to how long she was asleep or a longer glimpse into their life as a married couple (been at cold war since their wedding day) or as a family of three (curious to see how DH interacts with Gun Gun).
I like Alan Yu, but his acting here is disappointing. I'm not sure if such roles (i.e. MLs that are seemingly cold outside and warm on the inside) are hard to portray (LOY's ML looks like a scared squirrel throughout the series) but Alan Yu was really stiff here, which is a bummer because I enjoyed watching him as Bai Zhen in Eternal Love (how I wished he had appeared in the second one too, the new Bai Zhen doesn't fit the bill at all).
I've seen Yukee Chan in AOL and TPWY. She was good for her roles in those shows but I'm not too keen on her being the FL here; she doesn't seem to suit the FL role here. I only thought she was okay after she decided to (momentarily) severe ties with Jing Ci after the pavilion incident, which was pretty late in the drama.
The main plot was not too bad, but the execution of it wasn't good. There were abrupt transitions between scenes and the romance/character development of the leads weren't very consistent. The romance development really got to me; while I understand that ML did everything to protect the FL, having the FL misunderstand him and pushing him away continuously throughout the series made it really draggy and boring.
The ending... was another issue for me. The script writer tried to cramp so many events in the last few episodes, especially during episodes 34 to 36. FL gets framed for murder and her innocence was proven, FL and ML finally makes up (FL finally regains her lost memories)... Then the emperor is murdered and there's a mutiny. The second prince is soon defeated before the neighbouring Zhao country attacks, to which the ML, FL and FL's twin sister (who appeared out of nowhere) saves the day. Most of these happened in 3 episodes. They'd have more time to pace these events properly if they cut on their countless flashbacks and scenes that are done in slow motion (it's so slow and they repeat it in from least 3 different angles that it's ridiculous).
Other than the leads, I didn't know anybody else except for Wang Yu (Xiao Lu). I like her character and the scene of her death was probably the most impressionable. However, the drama didn't really do a good job of wrapping things up after because no matter how sad FL was over her death in jail, Xiao Lu seems to be forgotten once FL pursued revenge after she got out of jail. There wasn't any more mention of Xiao Lu (or her body, funeral).
As for the other characters, Zhi Xia and Wang Ze Sheng was really annoying because the former was too obsessive about her hatred towards FL which prevented any possible character development, until suddenly she dies while trying to protect FL right at the end. Also, as much as it was a nice gesture for Zhuo Yan Xi to have romantic feelings with Jiang Tan, I thought that most of their scenes together felt forced and awkward. It might have been better off without having so many and instead use those air time to properly develop the main plot.
I love Park Sae Ro Yi as a character, he's a real good and strong one; I love him more each time I see the way he deals with a situation or people's nasty behaviour towards him. He's a gem and the one thing that was holding up the drama.
Although Jo Yi Seo is a strong and badass FM, she unfortunately gets on my nerve from time to time. I get that there's a 10 year age gap between the leads, but she's just a rude and conceited brat; albeit a capable one. Also, no offence but I didn't quite like Kim Da Mi as the FL; she doesn't really appeal to me and her chemistry with Park Seo Joon isn't there as a romantic couple (she's more of a friendship vibe and PSJ has more romantic feels with Oh Soo Ah). She'd be better suited if she didn't have romantic links with Sae Ro Yi.
Best part of the drama: Park Bo Gum's cameo in the last episode. The best surprise.
From your description, I think I've watched the happy ending? Because Fei Ye was seen hugging her, that's why I was confused about Yun Xi's being dead/alive. Okay, I'm just gonna assume she came back to life then. Thanks!