Decent historical drama, that could have been better
So this was a decent historical drama - not very original, but good enough. It could have been better, though.
When I first saw a promotion for this I was excited, but then I have been postponing actually watching it. It didn't disappoint me, but it didn't "wow" me either.
First of all: You have to manage to overlook the ridiculousness that no one really suspected her appearances as a man.
The story follows our FL Kang Hui Su / Kang Mong U, who is a very skilled baduk (go) player. She goes out in male disguise to raise money to pay towards freeing Joseon people taken by the Qin dynasty.
She, in disguise, happens to cross paths with Grand Prince Jin Han, who has come back to Joseon from being held "ransom" by the Qins. He is also a very skilled baduk player, and they connect over a game.
Royal power struggles are ongoing, and when the King dies, Jin Han takes the throne. In doing so, he has to sacrifice Mong U; sentencing her to 3 year labor camp (still thinking she is a man). She escapes, and 3 years later she returns with a plan of revenge. She manages to get close to the King, who does suspect her motives, but their connection and attraction is still strong, even though they both have conflicting feelings. And don't forget: The King still believes she is a man! Will she get her revenge, and is the King as cold-hearted as she thinks?
For me, the story was OK. It contains a lot of the rather typical historical drama elements and characters (power hungry scheming royal court members/Queen family, power-protecting Queen Dowager...), with the added element of baduk games. This is the link to the underlying events in the story; both the FL and the ML (the king) are strong strategists, looking and planning far ahead.
The FL was a bit weak and disappointing for me though. Her portrayal doesn't always match well with the type of character I imagined her to be. She seems too insecure and indecisive sometimes? I understand it could be an attempt at displaying conflicting emotions, but I guess it was a bit too much or "at the wrong times"...? Example: I did notice she flickers her eyes a lot, and I see several other reviewers mentioning this as well.
ML (the King) was good: This character had depth, different sides to him, and a good development. Strong acting here by Jo Jung Suk, who was very convincing in his role.
There is a lot of veteran actors here, all delivering good performances.
Should you watch it? If you normally enjoy the historical dramas, I would say "yes".
When I first saw a promotion for this I was excited, but then I have been postponing actually watching it. It didn't disappoint me, but it didn't "wow" me either.
First of all: You have to manage to overlook the ridiculousness that no one really suspected her appearances as a man.
The story follows our FL Kang Hui Su / Kang Mong U, who is a very skilled baduk (go) player. She goes out in male disguise to raise money to pay towards freeing Joseon people taken by the Qin dynasty.
She, in disguise, happens to cross paths with Grand Prince Jin Han, who has come back to Joseon from being held "ransom" by the Qins. He is also a very skilled baduk player, and they connect over a game.
Royal power struggles are ongoing, and when the King dies, Jin Han takes the throne. In doing so, he has to sacrifice Mong U; sentencing her to 3 year labor camp (still thinking she is a man). She escapes, and 3 years later she returns with a plan of revenge. She manages to get close to the King, who does suspect her motives, but their connection and attraction is still strong, even though they both have conflicting feelings. And don't forget: The King still believes she is a man! Will she get her revenge, and is the King as cold-hearted as she thinks?
For me, the story was OK. It contains a lot of the rather typical historical drama elements and characters (power hungry scheming royal court members/Queen family, power-protecting Queen Dowager...), with the added element of baduk games. This is the link to the underlying events in the story; both the FL and the ML (the king) are strong strategists, looking and planning far ahead.
The FL was a bit weak and disappointing for me though. Her portrayal doesn't always match well with the type of character I imagined her to be. She seems too insecure and indecisive sometimes? I understand it could be an attempt at displaying conflicting emotions, but I guess it was a bit too much or "at the wrong times"...? Example: I did notice she flickers her eyes a lot, and I see several other reviewers mentioning this as well.
ML (the King) was good: This character had depth, different sides to him, and a good development. Strong acting here by Jo Jung Suk, who was very convincing in his role.
There is a lot of veteran actors here, all delivering good performances.
Should you watch it? If you normally enjoy the historical dramas, I would say "yes".
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